Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – ANOTHER FILES - Volume 2 - Chapter 2

ANOTHER FILES – THE COFFIN OF PRAYER
file 02: that which the spring reflects (TRANSLATION NOTES)

-

1

-

Makoto was surprised when she was contacted –

Though it was late at night, she dressed herself immediately and ran out of her flat.

When she reached the church which was the scene of the crime, it was filled with police and reporters.

She wanted to confirm the situation, but there was a yellow ‘No Trespassing’ tape and guards on the watch, so she couldn’t get closer.

Makoto was feeling bewildered when she saw a face she knew on the other side of the tape.

'Ishii-san!’

After she waved, Ishii noticed her as well and went up to her.

Perhaps it was because it was the middle of the night, but Ishii looked unusually gloomy.

'What happened?’ Makoto asked quickly, which made Ishii’s eyes dart about.

He probably didn’t want to let the other investigation members see him giving information to a newspaper reporter.

‘Let’s go elsewhere.’

Makoto and Ishii went a little away from the site.

The church looked eerie, illuminated by the outdoor lights. Perhaps the fact that somebody had died here made Makoto feel that way though.

'What on earth happened?’ Makoto asked once more.

'Kirino-san, the pastor at that church, went into the waiting room in the back to exorcise the spirit from Tozuka-san. After waiting a while, there were noises that sounded like a fight.’

'Noises?’

'Yes. Detective Gotou tried to open the door to see what was happening, but it was locked.’

Ishii bit his lip and shook his head slightly.

'Then what happened?’

'We heard a scream that sounded like Kirino-san from inside – ’

'A scream?’

'Yes. He yelled, “Stop!” Detective Gotou and I broke the door and went in, but he was already…’

Kriino had probably already stopped breathing.

'Why did that…’

'I don’t know. However, from looking at the situation, the person who killed him is probably – ’

Though Ishii didn’t say it aloud, from thinking about the situation, Makoto could reach the conclusion herself as to who killed Kirino.

However, that didn’t mean she didn’t have questions.

'There is the possibility that somebody broke in from outside.’

'We thought about that too. However, the waiting room was a small room of six tatami inside, and there was only the one door from behind the podium. There were windows, but since it was stained glass, it wouldn’t open.’

'It looked like a few were broken though…’

Earlier, when Makoto looked from outside, there had been some windows with broken stained glass. Though she didn’t know if it was the room that Kirino had been performing the exorcism in, she couldn’t abandon the possibility.’

'It is true that the room had a broken stained glass window.’

'Then…’

'However, all the pieces fell outside. I think that it wasn’t broken from an outside trespasser but during the fight.’

'I see…’

So it was a locked room, even if that hadn’t been the intention. That meant that Takatoshi, who had been in the room with Kirino, was the killer – thinking that would be natural.

'What did Tozuka-san say?’

When Makoto asked that, Ishii frowned.

'He said… that he doesn’t remember anything?’

'Doesn’t remember anything?’

'Yes.’

Ishii nodded.

Without a clear response, the police would probably be more suspicious. No, perhaps the investigation already thought that Takatoshi was the perpetrator.

But something was off – the reason Makoto thought that was probably motive. The situation pointed completely at Takatoshi as the culprit, but at this point, Makoto didn’t know any reason for him to kill Kirino.

The investigation might find an unexpected connection and make that clear afterwards, but Makoto still felt it was unnatural.

'Ishii-san, what do you think?’

When Makoto asked that, Ishii let out a quiet grown.

'It… reminds me of that case.’

'That case?’

'Tozuka-san was concerned about a spiritual phenomenon. A ghost was whispering to him that he would be killed, and he was in a very unstable psychological state.’

'So it seems.’

Makoto hadn’t met Takatoshi directly, but Ishii had explained to her that he had been very troubled psychologically.

'If what Tozuka-san experienced was real, there is another theory.’

'What is it?’

'The person that the spirit possessing Tozuka-san wanted to kill might have been Kirnio-san.’

Ishii looked up at Makoto.

He had a sharp glint in his eyes, which was unusual for him.

'In short, Tozuka-san was used by the ghost to kill Kirino-san – ’

When Makoto said that aloud, she realized what case Ishii had been talking about.

There had been a case like that in the past.

A number of misunderstandings had occurred – a sad case. Ishii had been involved in that case not as a police officer, but personally.

'That is a possibility.’

Ishii’s theory would explain the lack of motive for murder and made sense.

But that brought up a new question.

– Who on earth is the spirit possessing Tozuka?

'I wish Yakumo-shi could have met with Tozuka-san before the incident occurred…’ said Ishii with regret.

Makoto felt the same way.

If Yakumo had met Takatoshi, this case might not have happened.

However, it was too late to regret that now. The problem was what to do next.

While Makoto was thinking, she suddenly noticed something.

'Where is Gotou-san?’

She had heard that Gotou had been partnered with Kirino-san, the victim, in the past.

Gotou always empathised with cases more than he needed too. This case must have hit Gotou hard.

'It’s terrible. He hit Tozuka-san… It might be a problem during the trial…’

Since Gotou was so quick to action, it wasn’t unexpected.

'So where is he now?’

'That’s… I haven’t seen him since earlier… I don’t know where he went…’

Ishii furrowed his brows in concern and shook his head.

Right now, Gotou was on a complete rampage. Hopefully he wouldn’t let his emotions get ahead of him and do anything unwise –

-

2

-

Gotou found himself in front of the door –

He wasn’t sure why he had come here.

While handcuffing Takatoshi and asking him about the situation, he was contacted with the information that Kirino, who had been carried to the hospital, was confirmed dead.

He had known that. Kirino hadn’t been breathing and had had no pulse at the scene.

But somewhere in his heart, he had had the futile hope that Kirino was OK.

That hope had been cruelly crushed.

His mind had been blank. He left the scene to Ishii. At first, he had planned on going ot the hospital, but he had stopped partway.

Seeing Kirino’s corpse now wouldn’t change anything.

Assaulted by a feeling of powerlessness and emptiness, his head felt dizzy.

As a police and as a person, he had been completely useless. He hadn’t been able to do anything even though a murder was occurring just one door away.

– You lose yourself in emotion.

He felt like he heard Kirino’s voice in his ear.

Kirino had always said that when he was partnered with Gotou.

Gotou didn’t deny it. It was true that he had often lost his cool. But still, Gotou had things he couldn’t protect.

As a police officer – no, as a person – he had beliefs he wanted to persist with, but those feelings were always cruelly crushed.

It had been the same then –

An unpleasant memory flashed through his mind.

Gotou and Kirino had been on a case together. A robbery assault. There had been eyewitness testimony, and they had had a suspect for the perp.

They had gone to the suspect for an interrogation. All they needed was proof and a confession.

It should’ve been an easy case –

But that expectation was wrong. It left a deep scar on Gotou’s heart. It had probably been the same for Kirino.

'I – ’

While thinking that and wandering, he had ended up here.

Gotou turned the doorknob, and the door opened. It wasn’t locked.

The room was dark.

There was a silhouette sitting in the seat.

Saitou Yakumo –

He wasn’t wearing his black contact lens. In the dim lighting, his red left eye seemed to let off a suspicious glow.

'I thought you would come,’ Yakumo said quietly as he looked at Gotou.

That challenging gaze made Gotou feel uncomfortable.

'Why’d you think I would come?’ asked Gotou.

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed.

'I heard form Makoto-san that Kirino-san was killed.’

'I see…’

Just that information was enough to make Yakumo expect that Gotou would come. That was his good intuition for you. Maybe it was because he knew Gotou’s personality well.

'What do you plan to do next?’

'I’m… going to quit the force.’

That thought had kept flitting through his mind as he walked here.

He didn’t have the qualifications. Even though he’d talked big, he hadn’t been able to do anything. He was a powerless, pathetic man.’

'Boring,’ said Yakumo, his distaste clear.

'What?’

Gotou glared at Yakumo angrily, but Yakumo wasn’t shaken. He returned the gaze scornfully.

'Hiding in your shell like a child will solve nothing.’

'You brat…’

'It seems you regret it.’

'You’re the one to blame in the first place!’ yelled Gotou.

Saying that wouldn’t solve anything. He hadn’t come here to say that in the first place.

Led by the unknown emotion welling up from deep within him, Gotou couldn’t stop his mouth.

'Perhaps that’s true,’ Yakumo readily agreed.

Yakumo, who was normally so arrogant.

That attitude, which was so unlike him, made Gotou’s emotions even rougher.

'What?’

'If I had met Takatoshi-san – if I had answered the call from Gotou-san – the case might not have happened,’ said Yakumo clearly.

There was no trace of doubt in his eyes.

'What do you want to say?’

'You thought that too, Gotou-san – that’s why you came here, correct? To blame me.’

'Stop screwing around!’

Gotou kicked the table forcefully.

There was a thunderous noise as the table flipped onto its side. Still, Yakumo was not shaken. He looked at Gotou.

'I’m not screwing around. I’m speaking seriously.’

'That’s screwing around!’

Gotou grabbed Yakumo by the collar.

Still, Yakumo was not disturbed. He just looked straight at Gotou. It was like he was looking at a mirror.

'Why is that?’

'Saying that now won’t bring Kirino back from the dead!’

Gotou’s angry yell echoed through the small room.

'No, it won’t.’

'Then…’

'Why are you stuck here even though you know that, Gotou-san?’

Yakumo’s words shook Gotou violently.

That sharp and forceful gaze saw right through Gotou and made him lose his words for a moment.

'What do you mean?’

'I mean exactly what I said. I have regrets as well, but speaking them now will not bring back the time that has been lost.’

'I’m saying I know that!’

'But you’re stuck here blaming yourself, aren’t you!?’[1]

Yakumo’s voice, close to a scream, splintered something deep in Gotou’s heart.

He lost all the power in his body. Before he noticed, he had let go of Yakumo and was sitting there on the floor.

'I…’

Gotou held his head in his hands.

He didn’t know what to do any more. What was he angry at? What was he thinking? Why was he here?

'Muscle idiots should just run around, right?’

Yakumo stood in front of Yakumo.

He looked unusually large.

'What?’

'Gotou-san, you said this. That everyone should use their own abilities – ’

Now that Yakumo mentioned it, Gotou felt like he had said something like that.

That was back when Yakumo was still in middle school. At the time, Yakumo had hated his red left eye, which could see the spirits of the dead, and saw the whole world with a twisted perspective.

Gotou had said that to Yakumo then, unable to contain himself.

What Gotou had wanted to say was that his red left eye was just an ability, like being smart or being good at sports.

He had wanted to tell him that there was nothing to worry about.

– Like Yakumo-shi.

Suddenly, what Ishii had said flashed through Gotou’s mind.

Now that Gotou thought about it again, the past Yakumo and Kirino had had similar eyes.

That was why Gotou hadn’t been able to leave Yakumo alone when they met again –

'Gotou-san, you always empathise too much with each case,’ said Yakumo coldly.

Kirino had always said the same thing to Gotou.

'I know that.’

'Even though you can’t do anything, you arrogantly want to. It hurts me to watch.’

'You… Once I let you say what you want…’

'But there are people whom you’ve saved because of that, Gotou-san. Though it may only be a small number…’

Yakumo smiled cynically.

'Screwing around…’

'I’m not screwing around. Is your role to be stuck here and keep blaming yourself without doing anything, Gotou-san?’

Gotou had never thought that some brat in university would teach him about his true self.

'Don’t be stupid. That’s not like me at all!’

As Gotou said that, he stood up.

He had felt like he was walking on top of a cloud up until earlier, but it was different now. He was standing firmly on his own feet.

Just as Yakumo said, he couldn’t hide in his own shell now.

He would run with these feet until the case was over. He would do what he could. That was all.

'This is sudden, but there is something I would like you to investigate.’

'Investigate? The perp is…’

'The identity of the perpetrator is not the problem. I wasn’t investigating a murder case in the first place – ’

After saying that, Yakumo smirked meaningfully.

-

3

-

Haruka was in the Movie Research circle room early in the morning –

She was sitting next to Yakumo instead of in her usual seat. Opposite them, Kento sat with a solemn expression.

Yakumo explained what had happened so far in a flat tone to Kento.

Haruka was shocked.

Of course, she had known about Sachiko and the call to Makoto, so there were no changes there.

However – it was the first she’d heard about the pastor Kirino being killed.

On top of that, the suspect arrested was Tozuka Takatoshi, one of the people who had experienced the spiritual phenomenon with Kento.

'Why did this…’ lamented Kento after hearing Yakumo’s explanation.

Haruka’s impression of Kento was a guy with a bright smile, but even he was pale now, looking despondent.

'I won’t know the details without looking into it further,’ said Yakumo, chin in his hand.

'Did Takatoshi really kill someone?’

Kento furrowed his brows.

It felt like he still hadn’t accepted the fact.

'The police believe so.’

'Maybe Takatoshi was possessed by an evil spirit… and then killed someone?’

Actually, Haruka was thinking the same thing as Kento.

The story didn’t give a reason for Takatoshi to kill Kirino.

'I cannot deny the possibility.’

'Would Takatoshi be not guilty in that situation?’

Kento’s voice echoed with urgency.

'It would probably be difficult. The police do not acknowledge the existence of the spirits of the dead,’ Yakumo said clearly.

'But ghosts really exist,’ persisted Kento.

'The problem isn’t whether they actually exist or not. The police’s rule is that they don’t exist. They investigate following that.’

After being told that, Kento’s shoulders slumped and he hung his head, like he had nothing to reply with.

Haruka couldn’t stop her sympathy after seeing such an obvious loss of heart, but she didn’t know what to say.

'Could I ask one thing?’

Yakumo spoke after a silence.

'Yes.’

Kento lifted his head.

'You didn’t mention the spiritual phenomena occurring to Takatoshi-san the last time you came, correct?’

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

'I didn’t…’ replied Kento in a hoarse voice.

'Why didn’t you talk about it then?’

'I was concerned about Takatoshi, but I was more concerned about Sachiko – ’

Haruka could understand why Kento would put Takatoshi off for later after seeing Sachiko.

She had been so strange.

'If I had listened to Takatoshi properly…'said Kento hoarsely.

His face was a bit red. He was probably anguished with regret and anger towards himself.

'Blaming yourself now will change nothing. Furthermore – ’

Yakumo stopped partway through.

'There’s the possibility that Takatoshi killed him – you want to say that, right?’ Kento said, reading into what Yakumo hadn’t said. His tone was hard, filled with hostility.

'I’m just talking of possibilities. Furthermore, the investigation should be left to the police. The more important problem – the original one – is the spirit possessing Sachiko-san,’ said Yakumo clearly.

Kento smiled wryly. He seemed to have accepted Yakumo’s words. 'That’s right…’

'Let us backstep a bit. How did Takatoshi-san talk about the spiritual phenomena>’

Yakumo’s gaze became sharper.

Normally, Yakumo had sleepy eyes, but when he faced a case, his face changed completely.

'After what happened at the spring, Takatoshi said he could hear someone’s voice.’

'Voice?’

'Yes. A woman’s voice saying she’d kill him.’

'The spirit possessing Sachiko-san is also female, right?’

Haruka looked at Yakumo for agreement.

'What do you want to say?’

Yakumo’s displeasure was clear in his reply.

'Maybe it’s the same woman…’

The moment Haruka said that, she knew she had screwed up.

There was no way it could be the same woman, now that she thought about it. If they were, it would meant that the spirit possessing Sachiko had had to choose the time to whisper that she’d kill Takatoshi.

That would be too unnatural.

'That is also very possible.’

Yakumo said something completely different from what Haruka had imagined.

'It is?’

It made Haruka want to ask.

'I’ve said that ghosts are clusters of people’s emotions.’

'Yes.’

'Human emotions are not always one way. Even if they ahve love, they can also have hatred.’

Haruka understood that.

There was the saying. Excessive tenderness switches to hundredfold hatred.

'So the spirit can split?’

'It’s nothing so exaggerated. If a spirit has strong emotions, something like residual thoughts are born. As a result, there are living ghosts.’

Haruka had heard of living ghosts before.

The strong emotions of living human beings showed up as spiritual phenomena.

'In short, Takatoshi and Sachiko-chan could be possessed by the same woman?’ said Kento, clearly shocked.

'Of course I can’t deny the possibility that there were two spirits there.’

Somehow, things felt very complicated.

If Yakumo had met Takatoshi, perhaps the story wouldn’t have become so convoluted. That was probably why he had asked why Kento didn’t explain about Takatoshi from the beginning.

That said, nobody was to blame. Probably neither Yakumo nor Kento had imagined this would happen.

'Er… What will you do next…’

Kento looked at Yakumo searchingly after a silence.

'I will leave Takatoshi-san to the police and investigate Sachiko-san:s case,’ said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair.

'Thank you very much.’

After bowing his head deeply, Kento stood up.

'One last thing – ’ said Yakumo, calling out to Kento who was about to leave the room.

'What is it?’

Kento turned around.

'Why did you come to consult me?’

They had received the answer to that question when Kento came yesterday. Why was Yakumo asking again?

Haruka thought about it, but she couldn’t ask.

'What do you mean?’

Kento looked dubious.

'You didn’t come here to have me exorcise the spirit possessing Sachiko-san – is what I want to say.’

Kento froze at Yakumo’s words.

'Are you suspicious of me?’

Kento looked at Yakumo grimly.

'If you are talking about the murder of the pastor – then the answer is no. However, from another perspective, the answer is yes.’

'I don’t know what you’re saying.’

'Then let’s change the question. You saw a ghost at Kagami Spring, correct?’

'Yes.’

'Didn’t you recognise that ghost from somewhere? That’s why you came. More than the spirit possessing Sachiko-san, you wanted to know the true identity of the ghost. Am I wrong?’

Yakumo looked straight at Kento.

Haruka held her breath in the sentence.

'You’re mistaken. That’s not how it is,’ Kento replied with a smile.

'Then that’s fine.’

Haruka had thought Yakumo would trick Kento into replying, but he backed off unexpectedly readily. Kento looked unsettled, but he left the room.

'Hey, was that true?’ asked Haruka once the door closed.

'He said it wasn’t, right?’

'But…’

Yakumo ignored Haruka and stood up, taking the coat on the hanger.

'Are you going somewhere?’

'Yeah. That’s right. I have a little request.’

After saying that, Yakumo smirked.

Though Haruka was happy that Yakumo was relying on her, she had a terribly bad feeling.

-

4

-

Makoto stared at the computer monitor –

She had searched through all the rumours regarding Kagami Spring on the internet.

Kirino’s murder last night wasn’t a regular murder. It was related to what happened at Kagami Spring somehow – that was what Makoto thought.

She didn’t have any concrete proof. Though it was just her gut instinct, she still couldn’t clear that thought from her head.

She was able to find a number of rumours regarding Kagmi Spring on a site that gathered information about spiritual phenomena.

There was something that seemed off to her though.

Normally, there were reasons for places to be spiritual spots, such as a large fire or battle in the past, or a place that was common for murders or suicides.

However, no sites had information of that sort about Kagami Spring.

Perhaps it had something to do with it, but Makoto thought there was something odd about how the rumours were only from the past few years.

Furthermore, she couldn’t find any articles on the curse Takatoshi had talked about.

It was true that a spiritual phenomenon had occurred there. Something definitely happened. As Makoto continued to search, she came across a site.

The site claimed to have a video of a wandering ghost.

Makoto put in her earphones and clicked the video to lpay it.

It looked like the video was taken with a home video camera. It was in night mode, which made the whole screen green.

There were three men, probably university age, chatting as they went through the forest towards the spring.

Since an amateur was filming, the video shook terribly, and it made Makoto feel dizzy just from watching.

She skipped ahead slightly and started playing against once they reached the spring.

<This is the spring famous for ghost sightings.>

The man standing by the spring had a smile that didn’t match the location.

<Come out, ghost!>

Another man threw a branch that had been on the ground towards the spring, but then he lost his balance and fell.

The man with the camera stifled his laughter, which made the camera shake.

Maybe they had just uploaded a joke video. Makoto gave up and was just about to close the sight when suddenly, the tension changed in the video.

<Did you hear something just now?>

The man on the screen spoke.

<Yeah, I did.>

Another man answered.

<No way. I didn’t hear anything.>

The man holding the camera replied while laughing.

<There, again – >

The first man stopped moving as he spoke.

The other man stopped moving too. The man holding the camera held his breath.

A long silence –

Makoto strained her ears too.

She suddenly heard a voice.

Though it was faint, it was a woman’s voice. However, Makoto couldn’t hear what she was saying.

The men screamed, drowning out the voice, and they started running. The video cut off suddenly.

Makoto played the part where she heard the voice once more.

Though there was background noise, she could definitely hear it –

She strained her ears to listen once more. Rather than a voice, it sounded like a song.

– Could it be?

Makoto had just thought that when she received a call on her mobile.

She was a bit surprised when she saw the screen. Though it was a call from somebody she didn’t usually get calls from, being contacted by him perhaps meant that something had happened.

'Hello, Hijikata speaking.’

<I apologise for calling so suddenly.>

Yakumo replied politely from the other end of the phone.

There was a bit of background noise. Perhaps he was outside.

'No, I was just thinking that I wanted your opinion on something too.’

<My opinion regarding what?>

Makoto explained what she had noticed while researching Kagami Spring and the video she had seen on the internet.

<Interesting. I will check it later.>

'How are things on your end, Yakumo-kun?’

<Actually, there’s something I’d like you to look into.>

'Loko into?’

<Of course, it is to do with the case. If it goes well, we might find the person who called you, Makoto-san.>

Yakumo spoke in a calm tone.

If it goes well – is what Yakumo said, but since it was Yakumo, it probably wasn’t just some gut feeling.

'Understood. What should I look into?’

<Takatoshi-san’s relationships back in middle school. I want to know about the situation at the time in as much detail as possible.>

'The police are investigating that, aren’t they?’

Takatoshi was a suspect in a murder. The police were definitely thoroughly investigating his relationships. Makoto felt like there was nothing for them to do.

<The police will be focusing on the present. I want to know about his past.>

'So you think that past has something to do with Kagami Spring.’

<Well, yes.>

'Understood. I’ll contact you once I’ve looked into it.’

<Thank you. Though I don’t think it’ll be much help, I will be sending you an assistant, so please ask the details then.>

'Assistant?’

<My ride is here, so let’s end the conversation here – >

The call ended without an answer to the question. That said, Makoto had a pretty good idea who the assistant was. It was probably her.

Just as Makoto had a bit of a break, the phone on her desk rang. She had a strange feeling. Makoto immediately picked up the phone.

'Hello, this is the culture department of Hokutou Newspaper.’

<Did you find the corpse?>

This voice – no doubt about it, it was the man from last night.

'We haven’t found it yet, but we are working on it,’ Makoto said politely. She wanted to get as much information from him as she could.

<I’m not lying…>

The man’s voice was shaking.

What on earth was he thinking –

'I know. But in order to prove that, first I’d like your name.’

<I can’t say.>

'Why not?’

<I’m hanging up.>

'Wait a second. You’re the person who was at Kagami Spring yesterday, right?’

After Makoto asked that, there was a long silence, and then the call ended.

-

5

-

Ishii had just stopped the car when he saw Yakumo leaning against the school gate.

It looked like he was talking on the phone. After a while, Yakumo noticed Ishii was there, hung up and slowly walked over to him.

He let out a yawn while running his hand through his messy hair.

Even though such a serious incident had occurred, Yakumo didn’t seem disturbed, nervous or anxious.

Was he hiding it well in his heart or did he really not feel anything – Ishii still didn’t know.

'You’re late,’ Yakumo complained to Gotou in the passenger seat as he got into the back.

'Shut up. We’re busy too,’ rebutted Gotou without a pause.

'I apologise for bothering you when you are so busy. Please continue the hard work – I’ll leave the rest to you.’

After saying that calmly, Yakumo put his hand on the car door and made a move to leave.

'Where are you going?’ Gotou said hurriedly.

'I’m obviously returning.’

'Why?’

'You’re busy, aren’t you?’

'You little – !’

Gotou looked like he would hit Yakumo in his anger.

'P-please calm down!’ interrupted Ishii frankly. If he left the situation like this, Gotou would probably actually hit Yakumo, and Yakumo would probably leave without any mercy.

'Let’s keep things peaceful, please.’

Ishii put his hands together, as if in prayer. If Yakumo left now, the investigation wouldn’t go anywhere.

Maybe Ishii’s prayer went through, as Yakumo let out a sigh and sat in the backseat again. Gotou also calmed down, though he still looked anger.

– Thank goodness.

With a sigh of relief, Ishii started the car.

'So – how is the questioning going with Takatoshi-san?’ asked Yakumo after the car had been going for a while.

'Tozuka-san keeps saying he doesn’t know what happened, so the conversation isn’t going anywhere,’ replied Ishii with a sigh.

'He was at the scene though.’

'Yes,’ replied Ishii, looking at Yakumo’s face through the rear-view mirror.

As usual, he had a lazy-looking expression on his face and Ishii had no idea what he was thinking. This was how Yakumo always was.

'It is clear that he met Kirino-san, the victim, immediately before the incident. And yet he’s denying it?’

'That guy keeps saying he can’t remember,’ said Gotou, looking like he had eaten something bitter.

'Can’t remember?’

'He remembers up 'til he got inside and the exorcism started, but he says that Kirino was on the floor before he realised it.’

'That’s strange.’

Yakumo put his index finger to his brow.

'What is?’ asked Gotou.

'The two of you heard the sound of fighting, didn’t you?’ said Yakumo as a reminder.

Gotou nodded. Ishii remembered too. At the time, there had been loud noises and yelling. That was why they had forced their way in.

'And yet Takatoshi-san denies it by saying he can’t remember.’

'The guy’s lying,’ replied Gotou, kicking the glove compartment.

Though Ishii did understand how Gotou felt, he felt like Gotou was letting his emotions overrule his mind because of what happened to Kirino.

'It didn’t look like he was lying to me.’

That was what Ishii felt immediately.

'Don’t just talk on feeling.’

Gotou immediately hit Ishii’s head.

Ishii swerved and almost ran into a telephone pole.

He hadn’t been just talking on feeling. Though Takatoshi’s testimony had been vague in many parts, they had been consistent.

It made Ishii think that Takatoshi really couldn’t remember.

It felt like Gotou was the one talking on feeling, but naturally, Ishii couldn’t say that.

'Gotou-san, what is your evidence for thinking that Takatoshi-san is lying?’ said Yakumo in his usual calm tone.

'That room was a locked room. If he didn’t kill Kirino, who did?’ said Gotou, turning around from the passenger seat.

Ishii couldn’t deny that it had been a locked room. There was only one door to the waiting room, and it was behind the podium.

The broken stained glass shards had all been outside the building.

That meant that there hadn’t been intruders who came in from there. However, Ishii was caught on another point.

'Tozuka-san may be the one who killed him. However…’

'What?’

Gotou glared at Ishii.

Ishii felt like he’d be hit if he spoke more, but keeping quiet wouldn’t start anything. Ishii opened his mouth, determined.

'What if the ghost possessing Tozuka-san committed the murder?’

Ishii revealed his theory.

If that was the case, it would explain why Takatoshi couldn’t remember what had happened right before the murder.

'What?’ Gotou looked openly displeased. 'Don’t be stupid. The ghost possessing Tozuka was trying to kill Tozuka.’

'Please recall the words carefully. The ghost only said, “I’ll kill you.” It didn’t specify who “you” was.’

It was like a light bulb had come on in Gotou’s head.

He had probably accepted it as a possibility.

'Yakumo. What do you think?’ asked Gotou, leaning towards the backseat.

'I can’t deny the possibility, but that would mean that the spirit possessing Takatoshi-san had wanted to kill Kirino-san.’

When Gotou heard Yakumo’s explanation, his expression clouded over.

Though Yakumo hadn’t said anything aloud, Gotou had probably heard the hidden meaning in those words.

'You saying that the ghost hated Kirino? To the point that it’d want to kill him – ’

'What do you think, Gotou-san?’ said Yakumo casually, even though he had to know Gotou felt.

Ishii was worried that Gotou might yell in anger again, but Gotou was unexpectedly calm.

'It isn’t unthinkable,’ said Gotou with a stiff expression.

'Does that mean Kirino-san was a person who was easy to dislike?’ asked Ishii, which made Gotou’s fist come his way.

'He was an ex-cop. It’s pretty much his job to be hated.’

Ishii understood now. Just as Gotou said, working as a police officer made people hate you.

If they solved the case, the perpetrators hated them, but if they couldn’t solve the case, the relatives of the victim became angry with them for not being able to do anything. That was their job.

When, where, who – even if those questions remained, the possibility that Kirino was hated enough to be killed was high.

'It feels like the number of suspects just increased by a lot…’ said Ishii, feeling disappointed. He glanced at Yakumo in the backseat.

Though Yakumo had been the one who brought up the topic, he was looking out the window vacantly, like he wasn’t interested at all.

He had pale and well-defined features, but his face was blank. Ishii had no idea what he was thinking.

But still, Ishii felt like Yakumo might have already seen through the whole case.

-

6

-

Gotou was in a dark room –

There was a large window in front of him.

To be more accurate, it was a one-way mirror. Though he could see through to the other side, the opposite side couldn’t see him.

Naturally, the interrogation room was on the other side of the one-way mirror.

Takatoshi was slumped over on a chair. He looked much thinner than he had when they first met. There were bruises all over his face. They were from when Gotou had hit him.

Miyagawa and Ishii sat opposite Takatoshi as they questioned him.

'How is it?’

Gotou looked at Yakumo, who was standing next to him.

He had his index on his brow and looked serious as he stared through the one-way mirror.

Gotou was having Yakumo check whether Takatoshi was possessed by a ghost or not.

He had wanted to let Yakumo meet Takatoshi directly. Since it was Yakumo, he might have been able to find some new information.

However, Gotou just hadn’t been able to get permission.

Yakumo had met suspects in secret before countless times. Miyagawa had silently accepted it to solve cases, but this time, they had a tough opponent.

Takatoshi was the grandson of a retired cop. If they weren’t careful, they would cause a big problem. It was even worse since Gotou had already raised a hand towards him.

'He isn’t possessed by a spirit of the dead now.’

Yakumo shook his head and then turned around to lean against the one-way mirror.

Gotou didn’t feel disappointed. Yakumo’s not seeing anything was another piece of info. In short –

'Tozuka was lying then.’

When Gotou declared that, Yakumo snorted aloud.

'You’re a helpless idiot, as usual.’

'What did you say?’

'Not being possessed by a spirit right now does not make everything Takatoshi-san said a lie.’

'What are you talking about?’

'Have you forgotten? Gotou-san, you thought that it was a prank at first.’

Now that Yakumo mentioned it, that was right.

There was the possibility that somebody was acting out these spiritual phenomena. If that was true, that would mean Takatoshi wasn’t lying.

However, that was just in regards to the spiritual phenomena.

'In any case, the possibility Ishii mentioned about Takatoshi killing somebody while possessed won’t fly any more.’

Though Gotou said that with confidence, Yakumo just shook his head and sighed in exasperation.

'This is why you’re an idiot.’

'Why? You said that Tozuka wasn’t possessed, right?’ Gotou retorted, but Yakumo looked as calm as always.

'I did say that he wasn’t possessed now – ’

'Ah.’

– So that’s what he meant.

Gotou finally understood and clapped his hands together.

'So you’re saying it’s possible the ghost left Tozuka’s body after killing Kirino.’

'Yes.’

Though Yakumo said that with confidence, Gotou just couldn’t accept it.

'Isn’t that too convenient?’

'What do you mean? That’s how spirits wandering the world are.’

'What are you talking about?’ asked Gotou, which made Yakumo run a hand through his hair like he thought explaining would be troublesome.

Even if Yakumo acted that way, Gotou didn’t understand what he didn’t understand. He glared at Yakumo for an explanation, which made Yakumo finally open his mouth.

'What if the spirit possessing Takatoshi-san had a grudge against Kirino-san and wanted to kill him?’

Gotou was finally able to understand after listening to Yakumo’s explanation.

'Killing Kirino got them their goal – ’

After Gotou said those words like they were strangled out of him, Yakumo nodded.

Come to think of it, that had always been the case. Spirits that wandered had unfinished business. Yakumo found those feelings and helped them finish their business properly, while sometimes he made the spirits’ feelings change and solved cases that way.

If Takatoshi had really been possessed by a ghost that hated Kirino and wanted to kill him, now that that business was finished, there would be no reason to wander any longer.

That would mean it was too late –

'Gotou-san.’

Yakumo called out to him.

Gotou looked over, but Yakumo had his hands in his pockets and was looking down, even though he was the one who had called out.

'What?’

'It’s fine if it’s just what you know. Please tell me Kirino-san’s history.’

For a moment, Gotou hesitated, but nothing would change by hiding it now.

'Kirino graduated from the religion department of a university and joined the force. He worked at a station for some years and then got sent to Criminal Affairs.’

'When did he partner with you, Gotou-san?’

'About eight years ago – ’

'A bit before you met me again.’

'Yeah.’

A case ended his partnership with Kirino and made Gotou partner with Miyagawa again. Then, he had met Yakumo, who had been a middle school student.

'When did he quit the force?’

Yakumo glanced at Gotou

'I hear it was right after we stopped being partners,’ said Gotou, though hesitant.

Gotou had found out when Kirino quit at this morning’s investigation briefing.

'What is the reason Kirino-san quit the police?’

'Some personal business. Even the boss back then doesn’t know.’

'Do you not know either, Gotou-san?’

Yakumo’s gaze was sharp.

Yakumo was probably suggesting that it had something to do with the end of their partnership, since Kirino had quit immediately afterwards.

'I don’t know.’

To be honest, Gotou had an idea of why Kirino had quit, but he hadn’t heard it from Kirino’s mouth or anything.

He didn’t really know.

'Is that true?’

Yakumo put his chin in his hands.

He was clearly suspicious. Gotou thought about explaining the case, but in the end, he just shook his head and said, 'I don’t know.’

It’s got nothing to do with this – maybe he was telling himself that.

'I understand. How about after he quit the police?’

Yakumo backed off unusually easily and asked another question.

'Seems he had some training and became a pastor at that church.’

It probably hadn’t been that hard for him to change jobs to become a pastor since he had come out of a religion department.

'Did he keep in contact with people related to the police after he quit?’

'Seems nobody kept in contact. Everyone was shocked that Kirino was a pastor.’

'I see – what sort of person was he like while he was on the force?’

Yakumo narrowed his eyes.

Come to think of it, Ishii had asked the same question last night. Gotou started to speak, even though he found it annoying.

'The complete opposite of me.’

'How were you different?’

'He sees things logically, like you. He’s never moved by his emotions. Just checks the facts – that type of guy.’

'That’s also a way of thinking.’

Gotou knew that.

No, he should say that he had come to understand that recently.

'I’m not saying that one’s right or wrong – he just had his own way of thinking. But at the time, I couldn’t understand that. Obviously it was the same for him too though.’

'I see…’

'Kirino didn’t try to listen to suspects talk – he just went forward with the truth. He didn’t care how people were during questionings either – just gathered the facts.’

'You must not have been able to forgive him then.’

'Yeah.’

Gotou didn’t deny it. It was the truth.

Humans were emotional creatures. Criminals had their excuses, and victims were sometimes partly to blame. Ignoring that wouldn’t really solve cases – Gotou had believed that, never doubting it.

'So we always argued. Well, it was just me yelling at him.’

Even as Gotou said it, he started smiling without thinking.

Now that he thought back on it, it was similar to his relationship with Yakumo now.

'With just this information, I don’t understand why he quit the police force and became a pastor – ’

It was the same for Gotou.

What on earth happened to Kirino – Gotou wanted to ask him, but that wish wouldn’t be granted.

-

7

-

Haruka stood in front of the gates to a city middle school –

Since there were classes right now, the grounds were quiet. It was strange how coming here made her feel nostalgic, even though this wasn’t her old school.

'Sorry I’m late.’

Haruka turned towards the voice and saw Makoto coming towards her.

Makoto’s grey pantsuit and tied-up hair matched her slender frame well.

'Ah, no, I just came here myself.’

'Then let’s get going.’

Makoto went through the gate.

'Er… Is it all right for us just to go in?’ asked Haruka as she went after Makoto.

'I’ve called in advance, so it’s fine. I’m going to talk to his old home room teacher,’ Makoto said quickly as she walked briskly.

That was a woman who could do things for you. Haruka was impressed by Makoto’s preparations. But –

'What did you tell them?’

It would have been difficult to say they were investigating a spiritual phenomenon. And if they weren’t careful, the story might not match up.

'Exactly what we’re here for,’ Makoto said frankly.

'What do you mean by exactly?’

'I told them that we want to investigate Tozuka-san’s case.’

'Wouldn’t the school not like that?’

'Of course they wouldn’t like that if we went through the proper channels, but this is my old school.’

'Oh!’

Haruka was surprised, but she understood. Makoto was walking forward without any hesitation because this was her old school, which she knew well.

Haruka followed Makoto through the front entrance and switched into slippers.

They went down the first floor corridor. At the front of the staff office, Makoto said, 'Wait for me a bit here,’ and went inside.

After a while, Makoto came out alone.

'The reception room’s on the second floor. Let’s go.’

'Ah, yes.’

As if being pulled forward by Makoto, who was acting swiftly, Haruka went p the stairs into a room with a doorplate that read 'Reception Room’.

It was a Spartan room that only had sofas in it.

Haruka sat down with Makoto.

'I never would have thought that this was your old school, Makoto-san.’

'Why not?’

'You have the image of somebody who came out of some private all-girls school.’

'That wouldn’t go well with me,’ Makoto said immediately.

'Really?’

'I was really gloomy back in middle school. I practically never talked to my classmates.’

'You don’t look it.’

'It’s true. When I went to the reunion, practically nobody remembered me.’

Haruka couldn’t imagine it at all from how Makoto was now.

Then, the door opened and a woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties came into the room.

She was plump and had a friendly image to her.

Haruka and Makoto stood up and bowed deeply together.

'I sincerely apologise for coming at such a busy time. My name is Hijikata Makoto, and I come from Hokutou Newspaper. This is my assistant, Ozawa.’

Makoto held out her business card and introduced Haruka as well. The female teacher took the business card and said in a quiet voice, 'My name is Namioka.’

Namioka sat down opposite them and said, looking down, 'Sorry… there aren’t many things to say…’

It was clear that she was on guard.

Her old student, Takatoshi, was suspect in a murder case. Haruka could understand those feelings painfully.

'I know. Please relax – I won’t write anything improper about my old school,’ Makoto said gently as she smiled.

'What do you want to ask?’

As Namioka said that, her expression and tone were still hard.

'I heard that Tozuka Takatoshi-san was rather rough while he was in school.’

Namioka looked surprised.

'You’ve heard about that?’

'Yes, I talked to other people before coming here.’

When Makoto said that, Namioka seemed to relax. Perhaps she felt better knowing that other people had talked as well.

'Well, it’s true that there were problems with his behavior.’

'What sort of things exactly?’

'Hm… Dyeing his hair, smoking at school – there were even rumours of extortion.’

Namioka looked very displeased, but it sounded a bit like she was talking about something that had happened to somebody else.

– What would I do if my student were the subject of rumours like that?

Haruka suddenly thought about that.

Namioka had probably wanted to escape the problem, but had she done nothing?

'Did you ever ask him about it?’ said Haruka, knowing that she was doing something she shouldn’t.

'I didn’t.’

'Why not?’

'A teacher’s job is to teach studying, but reprimands are family problems. And if the teacher isn’t careful, the parents will come in. Tozuka-kun’s grandfather was in the police, so it would have been troublesome if anything happened,’ Namioka said flatly.

Though Haruka just couldn’t accept that, she didn’t say anything else. It would just take the conversation off track.

'Were there students that he was friendly with?’ asked Makoto after a moment.

'Hm… Kuriyama-kun and Nomoto-kun were friendly with him, I think.’

'Could you show us a photoof him at the time?’

'Would the graduation album be OK?’

'Yes.’

'Please wait a moment.’

Namioka stood up and left the room.

'Haruka-chan, you were in education, right?’ commented Makoto after the door closed.

'I am.’

‘Don’t become a teacher like that.’

It was like Makoto had read Haruka’s mind.

Though Haruka felt happy, at the same time, she felt heavy pressure. She might not end up become the person she wanted to be.

Namioka must have wanted to be an ideal teacher when she started. Would Haruka be able to be the teacher she wanted –

Namioka came back with the graduation album before Haruka found an answer.

'You can’t take it out.’

'I understand.’

Makoto replied with a smile and opened the album.

Haruka looked from beside her.

She found Takatoshi’s name in the class photos. Just as Namioka had said, his hair was dyed blond. He seemed to be glaring.

There was a picture of Kento too.

Though Takatoshi seemed to have calmed down since then, Kento didn’t seem to have changed at all.

'Just as Yakumo-kun thought.’

Makoto spoke quietly as she pointed at a photo.

At first, Haruka didn’t understand who it was. She remembered once she saw the large injury on the right side of the face.

The young man they’d seen at Kagami Spring. The man who had probably called Makoto –

'Do you remember him?’ Makoto asked Namioka while pointing at the photo.

Namioka leant forward and then said, 'Ah,’ sounding disappointed.

'Orita-kun, eh…’

'what sort of student was he?’

Namioka thought for a while.

'Well, in one word, he was a liar.’

'A liar?’

'There were a number of behaviour problems. Forgot his homework, was late often. It was tough warning him every time.’

Haruka felt there was a contradiction in Namioka’s words.

Even tohugh she had said that reprimands were for the household with Takatoshi, she gave Orita warnings. That meant she changed her attitude depending on the person.

Haruka had a number of things she wanted to say, but she managed to keep them in.

'But why do you say he was a liar?’ asked Makoto.

'Ah, that’s right. When I asked him why he was late, he’d say things like he was attacked by a dog or he fell in a river – just whatever he wanted.’

'Is that so…’

Makoto sounded disappointed.

'Come to think of it, he called me once saying he found a corpse.’

'A corpse?’ said Haruka and Makoto at the same time.

'Yes, he said he found a corpse and wanted me to come look. Said he knew the person who did it.’

'What happened?’

'I called the police and they went there, but there was no corpse. The police complained to me – it was awful,’ said Namioka, sounding fed up.

In contrast to that, Haruka felt excited. Makoto’s eyes were wide open too.

'Did he say that he found a corpse at Kagami Spring? The spring on the hill to the west of the city,’ asked Makoto with a serious gaze.

'You might be right, come to think of it.’

Though Namioka’s response was vague, Haruka was sure of it. Makoto nodded, seeming to think the same thing.

They had asked for the main story, but Haruka had another thing she wanted to know.

'Excuse me, but how was Utsugi-kun?’ she asked.

'Kento-kun? He was a serious student. He underwent a lot.’

'Is that so?’

Kento still seemed like a serious young man now.

'Kento-kun used to be in a care facility.’

'Eh?’

Haruka’s eyes went wide at the unexpected response.

'His parents died young and he didn’t have any relatives to take him in, so he and his older sister were in a facility.’

'Is that so…’

Kento’s refreshing smile flashed through Haruka’s mind.

Haruka couldn’t feel even the smallest bit of sadness from living through painful experiences there. It made Haruka think that he was probably a strong person.

'A lot of people turned a cold shoulder towards him because of that. Some even said some distasteful things. It must have been hard, but he never really showed it.’

His parentless home environment was like Yakumo’s.

'One last thing – ’

After the conversation about Kento had ended, Makoto brought up another topic.

‘What is it?’

'Namioka-san, what do you think about this incident?’

Namioka froze upon hearing Makoto’s question.

'All I’ll say is… that, well, Tozuka-kun was that kind of child…’

Though it was a vague response, Haruka could understand exactly what Namioka meant.

Namioka had probably been surprised by the case, but it wasn’t that she couldn’t believe it.

-

8

-

Ishii held his breath in the eerily dim corridor of the hospital basement.

– I don’t like this place.

He had come here many times in the past, but he still wasn’t used to it. He always felt like he would never be able to return if he went down this corridor.

'What are you standing there for?’

Gotou pushed Ishii’s back. Yakumo was beside him too.

'I-I apologise.’

Ishii reluctantly walked forward.

He went down the straight corridor to the door to the room at the very back. After a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

'It’s open.’

Ishii heard a hoarse voice from within.

When Ishii opened the door, he saw Hata Hideyoshi sipping tea in his seat.

He was wrinkled all over and had bulging eyes. His appearance and atmosphere were frightening, just like a demon’s. He was a strange person who thought of his work as a coroner as his hobby.

'My, my, Ishii-kun, have you finally run out of patience with the bear?’

After saying that in a cool voice, Hata let out a creepy giggle.

'Who are you calling a bear?’ Gotou said threateningly as he came into the room.

'What, you’re alive? A useless bear like you should hurry up and be dissected by me.’

Hata’s neck shook as he laugh.

Hata was frightening because you couldn’t tell whether he meant things like that seriously or as a joke.

'Shut up, you demonic old man.’

Hata didn’t care about Gotou’s threat at all. He just kept giggling.

'It has been a long time since we last met.’

Yakumo, who came into the room last, bowed his head politely.

'Oh, Yakumo-kun. Won’t you let me research that left eye already?’

Hata said something frightening again.

Yakumo didn’t seem to take it seriously, as he just said lightly, 'If there’s a chance – ’

'So what are you all here for today?’ said Hata, playing the fool as he sipped his tea.

'What are you all here for? Obviously to hear the results of the autopsy for yesterday’s case.’

Hata shook his head when he saw Gotou’s agitated demeanour.

'You really are just a noisy good-for-nothing.’

'Shut up and hand it over already!’

'Bears really know no manners. Here.’

Hata took a file from his drawer and threw it towards Ishii.

Because of how sudden it was and his lack of athletic ability, Ishii wasn’t able to catch the file, which fell to the floor.

'What are you doing?’ Gotou hit Ishii’s head.

'I-I apologise.’

Ishii hurriedly tried to gather the files spread out on the floor, but then the photo of Kirino’s corpse caught his eye and made him freeze.

The raw memories from then came back to him fresh in his mind. Ishii broke out into a cold sweat. It was hard to breathe.

'Are you all right?’

Yakumo was the one who came to ask him that.

'I’m fine,’ replied Ishii, which made Yakumo smile slightly before picking up Kirino’s photo.

He looked at the photo grimly, like he had noticed something.

'What are you spacing out for?’ reprimanded Gotou. Ishii hurriedly picked up the rest of the files.

'What was the cause of death?’ asked Yakumo, staring at the photo.

'Blood loss. The left artery in his neck was cut clean through. Don’t know if he could’ve been saved even if he was taken to a hospital immediately…’ said Hata with a serious gaze.

Though there were problems with the way he spoke, Hata was an excellent coroner.

'Any other external injuries?’ asked Yakumo, still looking at the photo.

'Nothing. The corpse is beautiful,’ Hata said firmly.

'Is the weapon definitely the knife that was at the scene?’

'From the shape of the wound, there’s probably no doubt about it.’

Hata nodded a number of times like he was convincing himself.

Ishii looked at the documents he picked up and found a document saying the same thing.

'How about fingerprints on the knife?’

Yakumo looked towards Gotou.

Ishii thought that Gotou would reply immediately, but Gotou looked troubled and then turned to Ishii.

It seemed that Gotou didn’t know the situation. Gotou was at a loss after letting his emotions get ahead of him.

Ishii nodded and began the explanation.

'There were two sets of fingerprints on the knife. One was Kirino-san’s. The other was Tozuka-san’s.’

'Did Takatoshi-san bring the knife?’

'No, it was Kirino-san’s. A fruit knife you could find anyway.’

'Then it was in the room from the beginning.’

'Probably – ’

As Ishii nodded, he felt like Takatoshi’s crime wasn’t certain from the situation.

The problem was that Takatoshi had no motive for murder. However, if he had been possessed by a ghost – that would give an explanation.

There was also the question of why the spirit possessing Takatoshi would have wanted to kill Kirino, but all Ishii could do for that was rely on Yakumo.

'Ah, that’s right. There was something that caught my interest when I was analyzing the corpse,’ said Hata, clapping his hands together.

'What is it?’

Yakumo looked suspicious.

'It’s in the files.’

Hata sipped his tea.

Ishii was about to check the files when Yakumo took them from him.

Yakumo furrowed his brows and read the documents with a serious gaze.

– What on earth is written there?

Ishii was about to ask when Gotou’s mobile phone rang.

'Who is it?’

Gotou answered the phone with his usual bad manners.

'You serious!?’ shouted Gotou with a jump.

'You are a pointlessly noisy man,’ complained Hata with a sigh. Yakumo continued looking at the documents like he hadn’t heard anything.

'What happened?’ asked Ishii once Gotou hung up.

'We’ve got permission to search that spring.’

'R-really?’

Ishii hadn’t thought for a second that they would have been able to get the investigation team after giving such a vague explanation.

'Seems Miyagawa-san was helping out.’

Ishii understand after hearing that explanation.

Though Miyagawa said what he did, he was the sort of person who did things properly when he had to.

'We’re going too.’

Gotou started moving.

'Yes sir!’ said Ishii. He went right after Gotou, but Gotou suddenly stopped. Ishii was unable to stop himself from running into Gotou’s back.

'Yakumo, you’re going too.’

After gotou said that, Yakumo looked up with an incredibly annoyed expression.

'I don’t want to.’

'Why not?’

'I don’t like cold places.’

'You – ’

Ishii hurriedly tried to stop Gotou, who looked like he would hit Yakumo, but Ishii ended up being pushed back instead.

-

9

-

Makoto and Haruka were in a coffee shop in front of the station –

The shop had an antique interior with a calm atmosphere, unlike a chain store.

A young man named Nomoto Susumu sat opposite them.

He had an oval face with distinct features. His clothes were in a hip-hop style and his knit cap was low on his head.

They had contacted somebody who was friendly with Takatoshi back when he was in middle school.

They hadn’t thought they would be able to get anyone since it was noon on a weekday, but fortunately, it seemed that Nomoto was a NEET[2] and they were able to call him out easily.

'If I’m to give information to two such beautiful woman, I’ll welcome it any time,’ said Nomoto with a frivolous smile.

His attitude was the picture of imprudence. Haruka didn’t seem to like men like this either – her expression was somewhat stiff.

'We would like to talk to you today regarding Tozuka Takatoshi-san’s case…’

'Right. The police came too.’

Susumu spoke over Makoto.

'Though the questions might overlap, what was he like back then?’ said Makoto in an incredibly business-like manner.

This type of person would keep talking even if Makoto didn’t say anything. If she was carelessly friendly, he might misunderstand.

'He just did stupid things with us.’

'Could you give specific examples?’

'Well, fights and shoplifting, I guess.’

Makoto thought that he wasn’t so foolish that he would talk about shoplifting in front of police, but still, it wasn’t something to talk about proudly.

Young people these days – Makoto didn’t like that phrase, but when she saw this level of rashness, it made her want to say it.

'Did you contact him after graduating from middle school?’

'Sometimes. That guy went to a famous private high school, right? So we didn’t really hang out after that.’

Susumu slurped his iced coffee loudly.

'Do you recall Orita-san?’

Makoto asked another question.

There’s a corpse – the person who might have made that call to Makoto.

'Orita… Orita… Ah, Horata?’

Susumu clapped his hands together like he had remembered.

Even without an explanation, Makoto was able to understand where it came from. Since Orita kept telling lies, they probably called him Horata instead of Orita.

'What sort of person was he?’

'Takatoshi’s servant.’

'Servant…’ said Haruka, sounding shocked.

Though there was distaste in her voice, Susumu seemed to take the words differently and said with a flippant smile, 'It’s convenient having a servant.’

He didn’t understand that what they had done was awful. Makoto felt a fierce anger, but she swallowed it and continued asking questions.

'So there was an absolute power relationship.’

'Yeah. Takatoshi had Orita finance him.’

'Finance?’

'Yeah. Called it taxes and made him pay. A real villain, right? Well, we were a part of it too though.’

Susumu said that jokingly and laughed aloud.

Makoto was completely incapable of understand what was so funny. She glanced behind her and saw Haruka’s face twitching.

Susumu continued talking, missing how Makoto and Haruka felt.

'Orita lied all the time, so it was just a penalty for that.’

'What sort of lies did he tell?’

'When we called ut Orita, he’d say things like his parents had suddenly collapsed, or when we asked him for money, he’d say it was stolen on the way. Said things like how he had had the money but it just disappeared – the worst excuses.’

– What on earth?

The anger within Makoto was close to eruption .

From what she’d heard, Orita wasn’t a complete liar. The heartless Takatoshi and Susumu had been the ones who made him lie.

Namioka, the teacher, had also said that he was all excuses and lies, but it was very likely that Takatoshi and the others had been the cause of the problems with his homework and tardiness.

Orita just hadn’t been able to say that aloud, so he offered the first lies that came to mind.

When Makoto thought that, a pain ran through her chest.

To be honest, she didn’t even want to breathe the same air as Susumu any more. She was about to end things when unexpectedly, Haruka spoke up.

'Excuse me – ’

'What? If you want my number, I’ll tell you any time.’

Susumu’s words made even Haruka look angry, but she went past that immediately.

'What sort of person was Utsugi-san?’ asked Haruka.

'Ah…’ Susumu said slowly. 'He was creepy…’

It seemed Susumu didn’t like Utsugi.

'What do you mean?’ asked Haruka with patience.

'Couldn’t ever tell what he was thinking. He was friendly in his own way, but it was hard for us to get close to him, so we didn’t talk much.’

'But Takatoshi-san and Utsugi-san are friendly though, right?’

Haruka’s question made Susumu look displeased again.

'Not at all during middle school though.’

'They weren’t friendly?’

'It’s not like they fought or anything, but they didn’t really hang out. He was pretty popular with the girls, but I have no idea what’s so good about a guy like that…’

The biggest reason Susumu disliked Kento was probably Kento’s popularity with girls.

It was in some ways natural for people to be worried about that during puberty.

'Did he have any good friends?’ asked Haruka, going at it from another angle.

'Come to think of it, he might’ve been pretty friendly with Orita.’

'Orita-san…’

'Yeah. And there was a rumour that Utsugi was a sister’s boy.’

'He has an older sister, right?’ said Haruka, which made Susumu smile in an incredibly vulgar way.

'I saw her a couple of times – she was a real beauty.’

'Is that so?’

'She was sexy – or well, stimulating? Takatoshi was seriously aiming for her at one point.’

Susumu laughed frivolously as he talked proudly. It was incredibly unpleasant.

Haruka had shut her mouth, unable to deal with how unpleasant she felt this was, so Makoto made some vague replies instead.

'Oh! Takatoshi’s friendly with Utsugi, so maybe he’s still aiming for his sister,’ said Susumu.

If they let this continue, they would probably hear even more useless information.

'Thank you very much.’

Makoto forced the conversation to a stop and thanked Susumu.

Susumu seemed to still want to talk, but he probably just wanted to flirt with Haruka. Makoto left it by saying they would ask him for information again.

'That was a bit unpleasant…’ said Makoto with a sigh.

Haruka nodded. She seemed to feel the same way.

They had gathered a variety of information, but Makoto didn’t know how it all connected.

She had come to solve the puzzle, but she didn’t feel like they had advanced at all.

'Can I ask one thing?’

Makoto looked at Haruka.

'Yes.’

'Why did you ask about Kento-san?’

Haruka had asked a number of questions about Kento with Namioka and Susumu.

Makoto didn’t understand the reason.

'I don’t know either.’

'Eh?’

'Yakumo-kun told me to.’

'Does he suspect Kento-san?’

If Yakumo was concerned about it, there must have been some doubts there.

'I asked him the same thing.’

'What did he say?’ asked Makoto, feeling rather nervous.

'It appears he doesn’t think he’s the culprit, but he thinks he knows something.’

'I see…’

It was unclear who had what roles, but Yakumo probably thought that Takatoshi, Orita and Kento’s past would become the key to unraveling the mystery.

'Haruka-chan…’

Makoto was about to ask another question when a mobile phone rang. It was Haruka’s.

'Excuse me,’ said Haruka before answering the phone.

Makoto looked ut the window.

Orita had to be the one who called aobut the corpse in Kagami Spring.

He had been called a liar in middle school, but Takatoshi and Susumu were definitely the cause of that.

What they had done was the worst. The teacher Namioka should have been able to see the truth behind Orita’s lies. There must have been a number of ways she could have dealt with it.

Orita had probably suffered by himself, with darkness within him.

However, Makoto didn’t understand. Why had Orita gone out of his way to contact the newspaper company to say there was a corpse in Kagami Spring?’

'Excuse me – ’

Haruka’s voice brought Makoto back to reality.

'What is it?’

'It’s Yakumo-kun. It seems he wants to talk with you, Makoto-san.’

Haruka held her mobile out.

'Hijikata speaking.’

Makoto took the mobile from Haruka and answered.

<I apologise for asking so much of you.>

Makoto heard Yakumo’s calm voice from the other end of the phone.

'It’s fine. I can’t leave things as they are myself…’

<Then would you allow me to ask one more thing of you?>

'That’s fine.’

Makoto took out her memo pad and wrote down Yakumo’s instructions.

To be honest, Makoto didn’t know what investigating this would bring out, but it was Yakumo. There had to be a meaning to it.

'I understand. I will do as much as I can.’

<Thank you very much. Also, the police have finally begun the investigation for the corpse. Gotou-san and Ishii-san are going there now.>

That was new information. If a corpse was found at that spring, they would be able to answer a number of questions. Makoto would take a look afterwards.

-

10

-

'Damn, that Yakumo…’ muttered gotou angrily.

He didn’t think he’d have to walk around in the spring in this freezing cold.

He knew that it was necessary to search the spring for a corpse in order to solve the case.

They couldn’t investigate if they didn’t know the identity of the ghost.

But what made Gotou angry was that Yakumo hadn’t come, even though he had been the one to mention it. He had been firm with his statement that he didn’t like cold places.

Gotou had given up, knowing it was no use, but it didn’t change the fact that he was irritated.

He had tall boots on so so that he wouldn’t get wet, but it still made him cold to the core.

Gotou wasn’t the only one in the spring. Ishii was walking unsteadily a little ways away.

There were about twenty investigation team members too, thanks to Miyagawa.

They were using poles to search the bottom of the spring as they walked around. They kept doing the same thing. Doing the same simple work over and over made Gotou more irritated.

'Damn it!’ shouted Gotou, who thrust his pole into the ground.

'Don’t splash around.’ said Miyagawa, who was wearing long boots like Gotou.

'What are you doing, Miyagawa-san?’

'You can tell from looking, right?’

Miyagawa spread his arms.

It looked like he planned on helping with the investigation.

'This isn’t something the chief of the detectives should do, right?’ said Gotou, which made Miyagawa snort.

'I’m the one who gave you this job, and I’m the one who asked for the investigation. There’s something called responsibility. And I need to get out every once in a while too. Doing paperwork all the time will make me flabby.’

Miyagawa shrugged.

He didn’t just lean back on his chair haughtily. This was the main reason why people liked working under Miyagawa.

'You’re getting up in years, so please don’t overwork yourself.’

'Shut up. More importantly, don’t blame yourself too much.’

Miyagawa’s face was shadowed.

'It’s fine. I’ll think about everything when it’s over.’

'Right. That’s good. But… I can’t believe Kirino was killed…’

Miyagawa spoke seriously.

Miyagawa had been a detective at the same time, so naturally he knew Kirino.

'I know.’

'Did you know Kirino’d become a pastor?’

'I didn’t. I found out for the first time with this case. Did you hear anything about it, Miyagawa-san?’

'No. I heard there was a fight when he left though.’

'But nobody mentioned that during the investigation briefing.’

'Probably didn’t want to say.’

Miygawa looked up at the red sky.

Maybe that was true. Kirino’s boss probably didn’t want people nosing around about that now.

'Did Kirin quit because of that case?’ asked Gotou, which made Miyagawa’s face harden.

That was enough. As Gotou thought, Kirino had quit because of that case.

– You killed him!

The words from then flashed through Gotou’s head. The words gotou had yelled at Kirino.

Maybe Gotou himself had been the one who made Kirino quit. When he thought that, it was hard to breathe.

'I told you not to blame yourself.’

Miyagawa placed a hand on Gotou’s shoulder.

'But…’

'Kirino looked like that, but he had a strong sense of justice.’

'It didn’t seem that way to me,’ said Gotou, which made Miyagawa snort.

'Man, you’re really alike.’

'Alike?’

'You and Kirino.’

It was the first time Gotou had ever been told that.

'I think we’re complete opposites though.’

'No, you’re really alike. Do you know why Kirino joined the force?’

Gotou felt like he’d asked before, but to be honest, he couldn’t remember what Kirino had said then.

'I don’t know.’

'Kirino’s dad had been a pastor.’

'Then shouldn’t he have just become a pastor too?’

He had even joined the religion department in a university. If he had just kept going with the path he believed in, he probably would never have met Gotou.

'He had probably planned on doing that too, but when Kirino was in the third year of university, his dad was killed.’

'Ah – I remember.’

Gotou spoke up without thinking.

That was right. When he asked Kirino why he had joined the police, he had said that his dad had been killed.

'It was an unpleasant case. A man who’d committed a robbery was being chased by the police and ran into a church. Kirino’s dad bravely went to try to convince the perp.’

'And then he was killed – ’

'Yeah. Right in front of Kirino. That’s why he decided to join the force. Not like he wanted revenge – probably just wanted to do something.’

After hearing Miyagawa, a memory came up fresh in Gotou’s mind.

– No matter how much they believe, people will betray other people, and God won’t save them.

Kirino had said that.

At that time, his relationship with Kirino had been at its worst, and Gotou hadn’t thought about those words properly. He had completely forgotten about them until now.

But now that he thought about it, he felt like all of Kirino’s emotions were in those words.

Kirino’s father’s death had not only taken away Kirino’s faith in God – it might have even made him lose his faith in people.

Catching a glimpse of a side of Kirino that Gotou had never tried to know made another question come to Gotou’s head.

If that was the case, why did Kirino start believing again and become a pastor –

'More importantly, is there really a corpse here?’ said Miyagawa, interrupting Gotou’s thoughts.

It had been two hours since the start of the investigation. It wasn’t that large of a spring. Most of it had been investigated, but there hadn’t been any nose. But still –

'There was definitely a ghost here. Places with ghosts have corpses, from my experience.’

The other investigation team members would probably have laughed if Gotou said that in front of them, but Miyagawa was different.

'That brat of yours?’

Miyagawa looked nostalgic.

Miyagawa had met Yakumo during a certain case, and he knew about his ability too.

'Yes. And the lady from the newspaper also got an anonymous call about a corpse in this spring.’

Gotou looked towards Makoto, who was watching from the cliff.

With the requirements like this, it was worthwhile to investigate. Gotou was sure a corpse would show up.

'Guess I just have to believe that and do it.’

Miyagawa let out a small laugh and then walked away while using the pole to feel the bottom of the spring.

Gotou took in a deep breath and then began working again.

Just as he took a big step, he slipped n something.

The moment he realised, it was already too late. Gotou fell forward into the spring.

-

11

-

'I’m back.’

Haruka opened the door to the Movie Research Circle and went inside –

Yakumo had his arms crossed in his usual chair and looked up.

'This isn’t your house.’

That was the first thing out of his mouth.

Haruka wanted to be thanked for her hard work since she had investigated what Yakumo had asked, but it seemed it was pointless to expect that from Yakumo.

'Ah, that’s right.’

'So what are you here for?’ said Yakumo expressionlessly.

Haruka didn’t like Yakumo’s tone, but there was no helping it, since this was how Yakumo always was.

Haruka had told Yakumo all the information she had gathered on the phone. The truth was that she hadn’t needed to come, but she had come anyway.

There was so many puzzles with this case that everything was unclear. Haruka wanted to organise her head by coming to see Yakumo.

That said, she knew that Yakumo wouldn’t reply even if she told him that.

Haruka let out a deep sigh and sat opposite Yakumo.

Since Makoto had done most of the work, Haruka had just been listening from beside her, but she was still tired.

It was probably because she had heard many things she hadn’t wanted to.

'Hey, will this really solve the case? I feel like things are just getting more complicated…’ said Haruka in her dissatisfaction, putting her chin in her hand.

The start had been Kento’s request – to exorcise the spirit possessing Sachiko.

Then, it had become the pastor Kirino’s murder case.

It felt like they were moving further and further away from their original goal.

'Right now we’re looking into the backgrounds of these separated cases. Isolating the things that are related from those that aren’t will make it possible to see the entirety of the case.’

Is that really true – Haruka wasn’t sure.

'How much do you know now?’

'Nothing yet,’ replied Yakumo with a yawn.

It was like he didn’t care at all.

'Is this really OK?’

'Who knows?’

'That’s irresponsible of you.’

'Why would you say that? I didn’t ever say that I’d solve the case.’

It was true.

He had just told Kento that he would investigate the phenomena surrounding Sachiko.

Yakumo didn’t easily say things he couldn’t do. Though that could seem cold, Haruka knew it was Yakumo’s own form of kindness. But still –

'It’s not like you’re completely unconfident, right?’

Though Haruka felt like she had a blindfold on and didn’t know what to do, it was different for Yakumo.

No matter what he said,

He had given Gotou and Makoto instructions.

That meant that he knew where he should head, even if he didn’t know the finish line.

'What do you want to ask?’

'I’m troubled because I don’t know.’

'That’s a serious problem – ’

Yakumo shook his head in exasperation.

It made Haruka lose her will to ask anything. She sighed again and put her head against the table.

It was quiet –

With her eyelids shut in the dark, she could only her the faint sound of Yakumo’s and her own breathing.

Normally, she wouldn’t be able to relax in a silence like this, but it was strange how she felt comfortable with Yakumo.

She felt like some of her exhaustion had left her.

'If it were you – ’

Suddenly, Yakumo spoke.

Haruka slowly sat up. Her gaze met Yakumo’s. It made her feel strangely embarrassed, so she looked away.

'W-what?’

'I feel like the spirit possessing the woman named Sachiko is different from the ones I’ve seen before.’

'Mmhm.’

The scene from the hospital flashed back in Haruka’s mind.

It was completely different from the possessions Haruka had seen before. There wasn’t any suffering, sadness or anger.

She had just been – singing.

'Why do you think she keeps singing?’

'I don’t know. I don’t know, but…’

'But what?’

Haruka couldn’t answer right away.

If she said what had come to her mind now, Yakumo might laugh at her. And she didn’t have any proof in the first place – it was just her feeling.

She looked at Yakumo’s face.

It seemed he was silently waiting for Haruka to speak.

'That song sounded very kind to me.’

After Haruka said that, Yakumo frowned.

'Kind?’

'Yup. That’s just how I felt though…’

Yakumo put his chin on his hand like he was thinking about something.

There was a long silence –

'To be honest, I don’t understand…’

After a long silence, Yakumo lowered his eyelashes.

'Don’t understand what?’

'I don’t understand what that spirit wants.’

Yakumo looked up at the ceiling.

'You can’t save Sachiko-san without knowing what the spirit wants, right?’

'Correct.’

'What’ll happen to Sachiko-san then?’ asked Haruka.

Yakumo lowered his head and looked straight at Haruka.

Though he didn’t say anything, Haruka could easily imagine his answer. Everyone who was possessed ended up the same way.

They were slowly eaten away, and then finally –

Haruka didn’t want to think about the rest.

'In any case, nothing will start until we understand who that spirit is.’

Yakumo looked up at the ceiling again.

It was just as he said. All they could do was send their hopes towards Gotou and the others searching the spring.

Just as Haruka sighed once more, a mobile phone rang.

'Hello.’

Yakumo answered the phone.

After talking for a while, Yakumo said, 'I see.’ Then, he hung up, stretched, and stood.

'Are you going somewhere?’

'Yeah, there’s something I want to check.’

As Yakumo said that, his eyes had a strong glint in them.

-

12

-

'They didn’t find anything…’ said Makoto, feeling disappointed as she stood at the edge of the spring.

It was already dark. The investigation team members were already finishing up.

Makoto had heard from Yakumo that the search for the corpse had begun, so Makoto had parted with Haruka and gone to Kagami Spring.

Perhaps she could have just waited for the news, but she hadn’t been able to contain herself. Perhaps she was comparing Orita to herself.

Somewhere in her heart, she had been confident that the corpse would be found.

'I’m sorry…’

Ishii bowed his head from his position beside Makoto.

'No, I should be the one to apologise. I sent you on a wild goose chase. I am truly sorry.’

When Makoto bowed from the waist, Ishii hurriedly shook his head.

'Please stop that. It’s not your fault, Makoto-san.’

'But…’

'And something might come out if we search once more – ’

Ishii said that, but Makoto thought it was very unlikely.

This spring wasn’t that large, and it was only about four or five metres deep. It would have been different if they were looking for a ring or something, but they were looking for a corpse.

Twenty people had been unable to find it, so they’d probably get the same result no matter how many more times they tried. But –

'A spiritual phenomenon definitely happened here.’

A woman was possessed right now. Somebody had definitely died.

'Yes, that’s true.’

'Did anybody die here in an accident or in a suicide before?’ asked Makoto, looking for a ray of hope.

'No, Yakumo-shi asked me to look through the documents for that, but…’

Ishii stopped speaking there.

Makoto could tell what he was going to say even if he didn’t finish speaking. There was no evidence of it.

'I see…’

'It seems Yakumo-shi has been thinking of something else as well.’

'Something else?’

'Yes. He requested the information regarding a certain person, without narrowing the search to the spring.’

Ishii had been given that request before leaving Hata’s hospital.

'Is that so?’ said Makoto in surprise.

'Yes. And after looking into this, it seems this person disappeared about six years ago.’

'Then that’s the ghost?’

'He didn’t tell me the details, but I think Yakumo-shi might think that.’

'I see – ’

That was Yakumo for you.

As the investigation of Kagami Spring went on, he was trying to confirm the identity of the ghost from another line of questioning.

'If a corpse came up and matched with the person Yakumo-shi expected, that would have been the quickest method, but…’

'That’s right,’ replied Makoto, looking at Kagmi Spring again.

The legend about this spring came up in Makoto’s head. The spring of truth – why was there a rumour like that?

Places like this always had strange rumours, but still.

It had been in the video she watched too. You could hear a singing voice here.

How had that changed into a rumour about seeing your true reflection and being cursed to death?

When Makoto thought about it once more, it didn’t settle well with her.

'It doesn’t really make sense.’

'I agree,’ said Ishii.

Makoto glanced at Ishii7s profile. The corners of his eyes were turned a bit down and he looked unreliable at first glance, but Makoto knew that wasn’t true.

Ishii was hesitant in everyday life because he was excessively concerned about how other people felt. It was a flipped version of kindness.

Perhaps it was because of Ishii’s personality that Makoto could feel relaxed while she was with him.

However, it was unfortunate how Makoto always met Ishii at bloody crime scenes. Today, if there hadn’t been a search for a corpse or spiritual phenomena, they might have been able to look at the beautiful night view together.

'Is something the matter?’

Ishii suddenly spoke to Makoto.

'Eh?’

'You were just smiling rather happily…’

'Eh? Is that so? You’re just imagining things.’

Makoto hurriedly turned away from Ishii.

She felt like her face was on fire. She couldn’t believe she’d been fantasizing like a little girl at her age –

'By the way, is Gotou-san all right?’

Makoto hurriedly changed the topic.

Makoto was very concerned about how Gotou was taking everything. There was no way that he was all right.

'Though he doesn’t say it aloud, it seems he’s suffering…’ said Ishii, who then bit his lip.

His eyes behind his glasses looked sad enough to cry at any moment. Ishii was so kind. He must have felt the emotions like they were his own.

'Did they get along?’

'Detective Gotou says he hated him, but I think that’s not completely true.’

'Not completely?’

'From what I hear, Detective Gotou and Kirino-san had different personalities and often argued, but I think that’s not at all…’

'Sort of like Gotou-san and Yakumo-kun’s relationship?’

When Makoto said that, Ishii said, 'That’s it.’

'I think it’s very similar. Even though they argue, at the root of it, they acknowledge each other and trust each other – that’s how it felt.’

'Trusting each other no matter what they say aloud – it’s an envious thing.’

'It is. I would be happy if Detective Gotou could trust me like that one day, but…’

Ishii bowed his head like a child that had been scolded.

If Makoto were in the same position as Ishii, she might have thought the same way, but Ishii was definitely over-thinking things.

'Gotou-san trusts you, Ishii-san.’

'Then why won’t he say anything to me?’

That was difficult.

Trust relationships weren’t just about sharing everything, but even if Makoto said that, Ishii probably wouldn’t be able to accept that now.

'I think he’ll talk to you about it eventually.’

'Really?’

'Really.’

Though Makoto meant it as encouragement, she also meant it honestly.

'I hate that I can’t do anything at times like this.’

Ishii gripped his fists tightly.

His hands were shaking slightly. He was blaming himself again. It hurt Makoto to watch, but that was also one of Ishii’s good points.

'I think you just have to watch over him,’ said Makoto.

'Eh?’ Ishii lifted his head.

'Since Gotou-san has that kind of personality, I don’t think he wants somebody to tell him kind words.’

'Really?’

'That’s what I think. So I think all you have to do is be by Gotou-san’s side, as always.’

'Maybe you’re right.’

Ishii nodded and then smiled faintly.

'What are you grinning about?’

Suddenly, Gotou appeared and dropped his fist on Ishii’s head.

Ishii fell down, gripping his head.

'Did you hear that?’ asked Makoto.

Gotou snorted.

'I don’t make a habit of eavesdropping.’

It looked like he had heard. That said, saying that now would just make things more awkward.

'Then that’s good,’ replied Makoto with a smile, which Gotou responded to with a click of his tongue.

He really was an awkward man, but that made Gotou Gotou.

'Ishii, how long are you going to stay there? We’re going,’ declared Gotou, who then started walking briskly.

'Going? Where are we going to?’

Ishii hurriedly stood up.

'Yakumo’s place. That guy – there’s no corpse! I won’t feel better until I punch him.’

'P-please wait.’

Ishii hurriedly ran after Gotou.

He fell –

-

13

-
Haruka walked down the hospital corridor with Yakumo –

'Hey, what are you planning on doing?’

Haruka knew that Yakumo was headed for Sachiko’s hospital room, but she didn’t know what his goal was.

'You came without knowing anything?’

Yakumo stopped in front of the hospital room.

'Yup.’

'Honestly…’ said Yakumo in exasperation, running a hand through his hair.

Even if he acted that way, he hadn’t told her anything – it made sense for Haruka not to know. Well, she couldn’t deny that she had just followed him on her own –

'There’s something I want to check,’ said Yakumo, narrowing his eyes.

'What?’

'If it goes well, I might be able to determine the identity of the ghost possessing the woman named Sachiko.’

'Really!?’ said Haruka in shock.

Yakumo gave her a look before opening the hospital room door and entering.

Haruka followed him.

She saw a man beside the bed in which Sachiko was sleeping. It was Kento.

When Kento saw them, he nodded.

'I apologise for calling you out so suddenly…’

Yakumo walked up to Kento.

'It’s fine. More importantly, did you find something out?’ asked Kento.

Yakumo silently accepted that gaze. Soon, he said with a shrug, 'Well, something like that.’

'Will Sachiko-chan return to normal?’ said Kento pleadingly.

Yakumo slowly walked up to the window, as if to escape that question.

'You don’t really want to know about her condition,’ said Yakumo, looking out the window.

There were sudden, cold words.

'What do you mean?’

Kento looked confused.

Haruka felt the same way. What was Yakumo saying all of a sudden?

'Exactly what I said. I did some research. It seems that Sachiko-san used to be in a relationship with Takatoshi-san.’

'What about it?’

'You were more concerned about what was happening to your friend’s girlfriend than the spiritual phenomena occurring to your friend. Don’t you find that unnatural?’

Yakumo turned towards Kento.

Their two gazes clashed violently. All Haruka could do was hold her breath and watch.

'What – do you want to say?’ said Kento in a hoarse voice. It looked his forehead was sweaty.

'When you went to Kagami Spring, you saw a ghost. You recognized that ghost.’

'I…’

'You came to me not because you wanted to save Sachiko-san, but because you wanted to know the identity of that ghost – am I wrong?’

'Why do you think that?’

'At first, it was just my intuition. It might be better to call it physical unease.’

'Unease?’

Kento cocked his head.

Haruka felt the same way. She hadn’t felt that Kento was acting unnaturally then, and Yakumo himself had said his story had been consistent.

'Yes. You didn’t seem anxious at all. Furthermore, for somebody who had ran away in a fearful panic, your story was too consistent.’

Now that Yakumo said that, Haruka had to nod.

Kento had sounded like he was talking about something that hadn’t happened to him when he was explaining Sachiko’s situation. Furthermore, he had been incredibly calm when talking about what happened at Kagami Spring.

Kento looked up at the ceiling, as if to escape Yakumo’s straight gaze.

He didn’t move. He didn’t reply.

Yakumo didn’t do anything either. He just kept looking at Kento.

Though it was probably only thirty seconds, because of the heavy atmosphere, it felt preposterously long to Haruka.

Finally, Kento took in a deep breath and looked at Yakumo.

'It’s kind of amazing…’ said Kento with a bitter smile.

'What is?’

Yakumo looked dubious.

'It’s just as you say, Siatou-san. When I saw the ghost in Kagami Spring, I thought it just might be – ’

Kento’s voice shook.

'But you didn’t want to think that. That said, you couldn’t ignore it – ’

After Yakumo said that, Kento nodded.

As Kento bit his lower lip, his eyes glistened with tears.

'You thought that the ghost might be your older sister, who had disappeared six years ago.’

'Yes…’

Kento’s voice, which sounded like it had been strangled out of him, was tinged with tears.

Finally, Haruka understood the situation as well. That was probably why Yakumo had made her investigate Kento.

The call earlier had probably been from Gotou or Ishii to confirm whether Kento’s older sister had been reported missing.

'What will you do?’ asked Yakumo.

'Eh?’

Kento looked up.

'My eye can see what others can’t.’

'What others can’t?’

'Yes. The spirits of the dead – in short, ghosts. I can confirm whether the ghost possessing Sachiko-san is your sister.’

When Kento heard Yakumo’s words, he stared at Yakumo with wet eyes.

'Can you really…’

Kento’s eyes were filled with suspicion.

Haruka understood his feelings. Haruka herself hadn’t believed in Yakumo’s ability at first.

'Yakumo-kun is telling the truth,’ said Haruka, taking a step forward.

Kento looked at Haruka. His eyes appeared to be wavering. He was probably unsure as to whether or not to believe her.

'I don’t care if you don’t believe me, but you talked to me because you thought I could, correct?’ said Yakumo disinterestedly.

Kento looked down and clenched his hands into fists.

Kento probably didn’t have just one worry. If his sister was possessing Sachiko, that would mean she was already dead.

He would have to accept the cruel truth.

Depending on how you looked at it, maybe it was better to believe that his sister was alive and not know the truth –

'I want to know. I want to know what happened to my sister, no matter what it was – ’

Kento looked at Yakumo with a strong gaze.

'I understand. Do you have a photo of your sister?’

'If a mobile phone picture will do…’

'Would you show me?’

Kento pulled up an image on his mobile and handed it to Yakumo.

After Yakumo took it, he slowly walked up to Sachiko, sleeping on the bed, and looked down on her with sad eyes.

Kento watched him while holding his breath.

He was probably waiting for Yakumo to say he was wrong. Haruka wanted him to be wrong too as she looked at Yakumo.

Finally –

'You weren’t wrong. The spirit possessing Sachiko-san is your sister.’

Yakumo7s flat words rang in the silent hospital room.

'You’re lying,’ Kento said expressionlessly.

'No, there’s no doubt about it.’

'Please tell me it’s a lie. It can’t be my sister. I mean, my sister…’

Kento grabbed Yakumo’s shoulders and shook him.

Yakumo said nothing.

Soon, Kento collapsed to his knees.

Kento had been holding himself up frantically, but he was unable to hold up against this wave of emotion, and tears spilt from his eyes –

With that, Kento fell to the ground and started sobbing.

He probably felt a deep sadness.

Haruka looked away, unable to watch Kento like that.

How long did it last? Kento wiped his tears with his arm even as he sniffled and stood up.

'Please tell me. How did my sister die?’

Kento’s voice was tinged with tears, but it was still filled with a strong will.

'I don’t know that yet. In order to know the truth, could you tell me what sort of sister your sister was?’

Kento nodded in response to Yakumo’s question –

-

14

-

'There was no corpse anywhere!’

Right after entering the Movie Research Circle room, Gotou went right up to Yakumo, who was in the same seat as always.

Even though they had done a thorough search with that many people, they didn’t find even the traces of a corpse, let alone an actual one.

Though Gotou didn’t care about the people who were being obviously disagreeable, he felt like he’d done Miyagawa wrong, since Miyagawa had acted because he trusted them.

However, Yakumo yawned in boredom, like he couldn’t care less about how Gotou felt.

'Are you listening?’ yelled Gotou, grabbing Yakumo by the collar.

'Please don’t speak so loudly. It hearts my ears.’

Yakumo looked incredibly displeased as he stuck his fingers in his ears.

Gotou had thought that Yakumo would be a bit repentant, but it looked like he didn’t care at all.

'You little brat!’

Gotou raised his fist, but Ishii ran in, saying, 'Please calm down.’

'Let go!’

Gotou shook him off.

Ishii was thrust into the wall and fell to the floor. He held his back and groaned melodramatically.

'Honestly. You can let your emotions get the best of you if you want, but why don’t you try listening first?’ said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair.

His instructions made sense. And the way he said that made it sound like he had a plan for what to do next.

Gotou fixed his jacket and calmed down before sitting opposite Yakumo.

Ishii got up on wobbly feet and sat next to Gotou.

'You really didn’t find a corpse there then,’ said Yakumo once everyone had settled.

'We didn’t. We searched the whole spring, but nothing came up. A complete waste of time.’

Though Gotou said that as a complaint, Yakumo didn’t seem bothered at all. Rather, he seemed to be smiling in a scoffing manner.

'Why do you think finding nothing was a waste of time?’

Gotou hadn’t thought that was how Yakumo would respond.

'Why? It’s a waste of time 'cause we didn’t find what we were looking for, right?’

'We now know that there is no corpse in that spring. That’s new information, isn’t it?’

'That’s just quibbling…’

'It isn’t quibbling. In the first place, a corpse being in that spring was only one possibility,’ Yakumo said disinterestedly.

Gotou couldn’t ignore that.

'You used the police to search even though you didn’t know if anything was there?’

'Yes,’ Yakumo said calmly.

'You… How much work do you think you made for me?’

'Why are you angry? Isn’t this the work of the police in the first place?’

'What?’

'I’m saying that the work of the police is to think about all the possibilities and eliminate them by investigating them one by one.’

It was just as Yakumo said.

Police investigations was just a lot of spinning wheels, but it wasn’t pointless. Investigating like this made it possible to see the truth of the case.

'Though a corpse wasn’t found, I know the true identity of the spirit wandering there.’

Yakumo said something incredibly surprising like it was nothing special.

'W-what!?’

Gotou stood up in surprise, which made Yakumo look at him scornfully. 'You’re so noisy…’

Yakumo’s tone irritated him, but he bore with it for now.

'So who is it?’ asked gotou after sitting down again.

'I requested something at Hata-san’s, yes?’

'Did you?’

Gotou knew that Yakumo had requested something of Ishii before leaving Hata’s hospital, but he hadn’t heard what it was.

Yakumo sighed in exasperation before continuing.

'Six years ago, a woman went missing. Her name was Utsugi Kumi-san. The older sister of Kento-san, who came to consult me about a certain spiritual phenomenon.’

'What?’

'Kento-san showed me a photo for confirmation, so there is no doubt about it.’

Yakumo’s expression went hard.

'Then why didn’t we find a corpse?’ asked Ishii, pushing up his glasses with his finger.

That bothered Gotou too. They had used so many people to search but nothing had come up – that didn’t make sense.

'This is just a possibility, but perhaps Kumi-san did not die at that spring, but somewhere else – ’ murmured Yakumo.

'But then why was she wandering there?’ asked Gotou.

Yakumo ran a hand through his hair, seeming annoyed.

'I would actually like the ask the spirit herself, but all she will do is sing…’

That was probably what was bothering Yakumo the most.

He had nothing to go on if he didn’t know what the spirit possessing the woman wnated.

'It'shopeless then.’

Gotou raised his hadns in surrender.

When Yakumo saw that, he smiled wryly.

'It’s still too early to give up.’

'What?’

'There is still another possibility.’

Yakumo put his finger to his brow. His gaze was frightening, to the point it made a chill run down Gotou’s spine.

'What?’

'The corpse really was there – ’

Now the story was in a jumble again.

It wasn’t like Yakumo at all.

'I’m saying it wasn’t there.’

'If you look at a case with preconceptions, you lose sight of the truth.’

That condescending attitude irritated Gotou.

'You say that but you don’t get it either, do you?’ said Gotou, leaning forward.

Gotou had thought that Yakumo would object, but Yakumo looked into space and murmured something.

It seemed he was contemplating something. It’d be pointless to talk to him now.

'What will you do?’ asked Ishii, looking anxious.

Do? They’d done all they could. Gotou had no idea what to do next.

'No helping it. Let’s go.’

Just as Gotou gave up and stood, Yakumo called out to stop him.

'Could I see the scene of the crime?’ said Yakumo with a fearless smile, completely different from his expression earlier.

This response – he might’ve thought of something.

'Yeah, it’s probably fine.’

Since the investigation of the crime scene was finished, people could look at it as long as they didn’t mess things up. There were probably guards, but Gotou could fool them any day of the week.

'Then let’s go.’

Yakumo stood up.

Though he was a really irritating guy, at times like this, Yakumo felt very reliable.

'Yeah, let’s go,’ said Gotou, full of expectation.

-

15

-

Haruka returned to her flat and sighed.

So many things had happened since yesterday that she was physically and psychologically exhausted.

She boiled milk in the kitchen and made hot chocolate.

She sat in front of the table and took a sip before turning on her laptop.

She wanted to sleep immediately, but she couldn’t. Yakumo had given her more instructions.

There were too many things Haruka didn’t understand with this case. It seemed that Yakumo was troubled too.

Since Yakumo was always saving her, Haruka wanted to help Yakumo, even if just a little, and Haruka herself wouldn’t feel good leaving things like this.

Furthermore, part of her sympathised with Kento.

Afterwards, she heard about Kento’s tragic past in Sachiko’s hospital room.

Kento He had lost his mother early due to a sickness, and he had lost his father too in a traffic accident eight years ago. He had been forced to go to a care facility.

Kento and his older sister Kumi had lived depending on each other.

Kumi had left the care facility first after graduating high school and started living alone. They had continued to meet frequently.

Even though they had promised to live together one day, Kumi suddenly disappeared without any warning.

Kento had become alone in the world, but still he had frantically done his best and managed to even go to university with scholarship money.

Kento had probably been able to live positively because he had believed that Kumi was alive somewhere.

That faint hope had been mercilessly crushed.

When Kento left the hospital room, he had looked impermanent, like he could collapse at any moment.

Lives lost never came back.

All they could do was find the reason Kumi had died and was wandering the world to release her spirit.

After Haruka’s laptop started up, she opened a website.

It was the site that Makoto had found with a video of a spiritual phenomenon that had occurred at that spring.

There were red letters on the black screen.

Though it was a creepy site, that was probably its intention.

'This…’

Haruka clicked on the video and played it.

Three men went through a forest while chatting. Soon, the spring showed up on screen.

Haruka had only gone in the day, but looking at the spring at night like this gavei t a rather different impression.

The men seemed to hear something from somewhere, which made them scream and scatter.

Haruka played the same part once more and listened carefully.

Makoto had said this too, but the voice Haruka could hear faintly had rizum and tones to it. It could be a asong.

Sachiko’s song was rough and flat, as if it was being read. In contrast, though it was hard to hear what was being said in the video, there were clearly tones and rhythm.

Rather than a song, it sounded like something being played on an instrument.

'Is this…’

Haruka turned the volume up to the highest level and played the same part once more.

Though there was only a very short phrase, since the men’s screams had cut it short, Haruka could hear the tones and rhythm clearly.

– I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere before.

Haruka tried humming the phrase. Even though she voiced it aloud, she just couldn’t remember.

'Right.’

Haruka took out her mobile and listened to the video of Sachiko’s song once more.

'Ah!’

A cry slipped out in Haruka’s excitement.

She had thought that the lyrics were Japanese until now, but that was wrong. These were English lyrics.

Haruka listened once more with this knowledge – there was no doubt about it. She knew this song. She had played it in the orchestra circle before too.

She called Yakumo immediately.

<What?>

After a number of rings, Yakumo answered the phone in a displeased voice.

There was the sound of the wind. It seemed he was outside.

'I figured it out. I figured iut out!’

<Why not try calming down a bit?>

After Yakumo said that, Haruka realised she was excited.

'Sorry. OK. I figured out what song it is,’ said Haruka after taking a deep breath.

<What’s the name?>

'Probably this song is – ’

When Haruka explained the name of the song and the way the song had been written, Yakumo gave a short reply.

<I see – >

Haruka had thought Yakumo would be more surprised, but it was an incredibly flat response.

'Did you figure anything out?’ asked Haruka, though she felt a bit disappointed.

<Vaguely, but…>

Yakumo was speaking unclearly, which was unusual for him.

'Vaguely?’

<To be honest, I don’t understand the feeling, but maybe there is that sort of thing. This must be…>

After saying that much, Yakumo stopped.

'What?’

<No, it’s nothing. I just think that your feeling might have been correct.>

'My feeling?’

Haruka didn’t understand what on earth Yakumo was talking about, and when she asked the question, Yakumo interrupted her.

<There’s no point lining up theories now.>

'That’s true, but…’

<Anyway, you’ve helped me out – >

After saying just that, Yakumo hung up.

Haruka was a bit confused, but she decided it was fine since Yakumo had thanked her.

She put her mobile down and remembered something.

She had a CD from when she played this song. She searched through the CD rack and found it right away.

She put the CD in the CD player and played it.

The graceful, beautiful and solemn melody soon started to play –

Why was the spirit possessing Sachiko singing this song? Haruka shut her eyes and thought about that while listening to the music.

This song wasn’t filled with the emotions of loathing or hatred for someone. It was the complete opposite.

This song was filled with –

-

16

-

– This is creepy.

Ishii whispered that in his heart as he stepped into the church.

He had thought it was creepy the last time he came as well, but there was something else.

Maybe the fact that somebody had been killed here was making Ishii feel this way.

'Don’t be scared.’

Gotou hit Ishii’s head like he had read his mind.

'So what’s this for, Yakumo?’ gotou said to Yakumo, who was standing in front of the altar.

Yakumo slowly turned around.

It gave Ishii a start. Yakumo and a church – it was a strange combination, but something it felt solemn.

'Kirino-san was murdered in this waiting room in the back, correct?’

Yakumo pointed at the door behind the podium.

'Yeah,’ replied Gotou, at which point Yakumo walked without any hesitation to the broken door, opening it and going inside.

'Let’s go.’

Gotou followed im.

Ishii – didn’t want to go. He had a terribly bad feeling today. He’d wait here.

'Ishii! What are you doing?’ yelled Gotou, which made Ishii walk reflexively.

He hesitantly peered inside the room.

The room was six tatami mats in size.

There were still fresh dark red bloodstains on the floor. Wind blew in from the broken stained glass windows.

Yakumo crouched in front of the bloodstain and touched it lightly with a finger.

It was like he was praying.

'Gotou-san, when you came in, where was the suspect, Takatoshi-san?’ said Yakumo, slowly standing up.

'That wall.’

Gotou pointed with his finger.

Yakumo walked towards it, put his hand on his chen and murmured something.

– What are you saying?

Ishii was about to ask but he shut his mouth without thinking.

He felt a chin run down his spine. Somebody had touched him – that was what it felt like. He hurriedly turned around, but nobody was there.

'What’s wrong?’ asked Gotou.

'Ah, no, er…’

He couldn’t explain the feelings within him properly right now.

Ignoring Ishii’s state of mind, Yakumo walked up to the broken stained glass window.

'You said you heard the sound of breaking glass when you were outside the room, ’ said Yakumo with narrowed eyes.

'Yeah.’

'How about you, Ishii-san?’

'I-I heard it too,’ replied Ishii, which made Yakumo close his mouth again. He put his index finger to his brow and seemed to be thinking about something.

Ishii had no way of knowing what he was thinking about.

Also, Ishii thought that surely Takatoshi was the culprit in this murder case.

It wasn’t just Ishii. The investigation team were heading that way too. Though they had been having difficulties since Takatoshi’s grandfather was a retired cop, there was so much evidence that they couldn’t cover up the truth.

But then what on earth was Yakumo investigating?

Ishii had that question, but that response came to him unexpectedly easily.

Yakumo wasn’t an officer. He wasn’t trying to solve a murder case in the first place. He wanted to save the spirit of the woman who had been in Kagami Spring.

'Could I ask one thing?’

Yakumo walked up to Gotou and Ishii after he had finished thinking.

'What?’ urged Gotou.

'Why was it this room?’

'Eh?’ said Ishii, unable to understand the meaning of Yakumo’s question.

'Kirino-san said that he couldn’t exorcise spirits. That he would clear Takatoshi-san’s delusions by putting on an act.’

'He did,’ said Gotou with a nod.

'Then why did he use this room?’

Yakumo cocked his head, like he didn’t understand at all.

– What problem does Yakumo-shi see?

Ishii didn’t know. Gotou seemed to think the same way, as he said, 'What do you want to say?’

'There’s nothing in this room,’ said Yakumo as he looked away.

– Nothing?

All Ishii could do was cock his head.

There was a table and chairs, though they had fallen during the fight. There wasn’t nothing.

Yakumo had to know that. Which meant Yakumo was trying to say something else –

Ishii looked over the room once more.

'What are you saying?’

Gotou’s brow was furrowed.

'Do you still not understand?’

'Ah!’ Ishii said, interrupting Yakumo.

Ishii understood what Yakumo was trying to say. Once he reached that thought, this situation seemed incredibly unnatural.

'It appears Ishii-san has noticed. Gotou-san, why not try learning from him?’

After saying that, Yakumo left the room.

'What the hell’s that supposed to mean!?’ said Gotou, anger evident as he ran after Yakumo.

Ishii tried to follow, but before he could, the door closed and blocked his way.

Did Gotou close it, or did –

Ishii reached towards the door, but then he stopped.

Again. The same feeling as earlier –

The cold gaze on his back. There was somebody right behind him.

'There’s no way,’ denied Ishii aloud.

Yakumo and Gotou had left the room. He had to be the only person in this room.

Even though Ishii was telling himself that, the unpleasant gaze didn’t leave him.

He would turn around to check. If nobody was there, then he would be able to accept that it was just his mistake.

Ishii took a deep breath and then turned around.

He stopped breathing –

There shouldn’t have been anyone there. And yet. And yet – in front of him, there was a man.

Ishii didn’t have a red left eye, but he still knew that the man in front of him wasn’t alive.

He loked at Ishii with cold eyes.

He didn’t know if it was from anger or sadness. He just knew it was an incredibly unpleasant gaze –

Ishii tried to run, but his feet tangled and he fell.

He hurriedly tried to get up, but the man reached forward with both hands to assault Ishii.

'Aahhh!’

Ishii’s consciousness and scream were swallowed by the darkness –

-

NOTES:

[1] Normally, Yakumo speaks in polite language (desu/masu) to everyone except Haruka. Even when he’s mocking Gotou, he speaks politely. However, he slips into casual language here. To replicate the effect, I’ve added italics.

[2] NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training and has been picked up in Japan as a term for young people who are unemployed, not in school or training for work, not doing housework and not looking for work.

ANOTHER FILES THE COFFIN OF PRAYERfile 02: that which the spring reflects TRANSLATION NOTES-1-Makoto was surprised when she was contacted Though it was late at night, she dressed herself immediately and ran out of her flat.When she reached the church which was the scene of the crime, it was filled with police and reporters.She wanted to confirm the situation, but there was a yellow No Trespassing' tape and guards on the watch, so she couldn't get closer.Makoto was feeling bewildered when she saw a face she knew on the other side of the tape.'Ishii-san!'After she waved, Ishii noticed her as well and went up to her.Perhaps it was because it was the middle of the night, but Ishii looked unusually gloomy.'What happened?' Makoto asked quickly, which made Ishii's eyes dart about.He probably didn't want to let the other investigation members see him giving information to a newspaper reporter.Let's go elsewhere.'Makoto and Ishii went a little away from the site.The church looked eerie, illuminated by the outdoor lights. Perhaps the fact that somebody had died here made Makoto feel that way though.'What on earth happened?' Makoto asked once more.'Kirino-san, the pastor at that church, went into the waiting room in the back to exorcise the spirit from Tozuka-san. After waiting a while, there were noises that sounded like a fight.''Noises?''Yes. Detective Gotou tried to open the door to see what was happening, but it was locked.'Ishii bit his lip and shook his head slightly.'Then what happened?''We heard a scream that sounded like Kirino-san from inside ''A scream?''Yes. He yelled, Stop! Detective Gotou and I broke the door and went in, but he was already'Kriino had probably already stopped breathing.'Why did that''I don't know. However, from looking at the situation, the person who killed him is probably 'Though Ishii didn't say it aloud, from thinking about the situation, Makoto could reach the conclusion herself as to who killed Kirino.However, that didn't mean she didn't have questions.'There is the possibility that somebody broke in from outside.''We thought about that too. However, the waiting room was a small room of six tatami inside, and there was only the one door from behind the podium. There were windows, but since it was stained glass, it wouldn't open.''It looked like a few were broken though'Earlier, when Makoto looked from outside, there had been some windows with broken stained glass. Though she didn't know if it was the room that Kirino had been performing the exorcism in, she couldn't abandon the possibility.''It is true that the room had a broken stained glass window.''Then''However, all the pieces fell outside. I think that it wasn't broken from an outside trespasser but during the fight.''I see'So it was a locked room, even if that hadn't been the intention. That meant that Takatoshi, who had been in the room with Kirino, was the killer thinking that would be natural.'What did Tozuka-san say?'When Makoto asked that, Ishii frowned.'He said that he doesn't remember anything?''Doesn't remember anything?''Yes.'Ishii nodded.Without a clear response, the police would probably be more suspicious. No, perhaps the investigation already thought that Takatoshi was the perpetrator.But something was off the reason Makoto thought that was probably motive. The situation pointed completely at Takatoshi as the culprit, but at this point, Makoto didn't know any reason for him to kill Kirino.The investigation might find an unexpected connection and make that clear afterwards, but Makoto still felt it was unnatural.'Ishii-san, what do you think?'When Makoto asked that, Ishii let out a quiet grown.'It reminds me of that case.''That case?''Tozuka-san was concerned about a spiritual phenomenon. A ghost was whispering to him that he would be killed, and he was in a very unstable psychological state.''So it seems.'Makoto hadn't met Takatoshi directly, but Ishii had explained to her that he had been very troubled psychologically.'If what Tozuka-san experienced was real, there is another theory.''What is it?''The person that the spirit possessing Tozuka-san wanted to kill might have been Kirnio-san.'Ishii looked up at Makoto.He had a sharp glint in his eyes, which was unusual for him.'In short, Tozuka-san was used by the ghost to kill Kirino-san 'When Makoto said that aloud, she realized what case Ishii had been talking about.There had been a case like that in the past.A number of misunderstandings had occurred a sad case. Ishii had been involved in that case not as a police officer, but personally.'That is a possibility.'Ishii's theory would explain the lack of motive for murder and made sense.But that brought up a new question. Who on earth is the spirit possessing Tozuka?'I wish Yakumo-shi could have met with Tozuka-san before the incident occurred' said Ishii with regret.Makoto felt the same way.If Yakumo had met Takatoshi, this case might not have happened.However, it was too late to regret that now. The problem was what to do next.While Makoto was thinking, she suddenly noticed something.'Where is Gotou-san?'She had heard that Gotou had been partnered with Kirino-san, the victim, in the past.Gotou always empathised with cases more than he needed too. This case must have hit Gotou hard.'It's terrible. He hit Tozuka-san It might be a problem during the trial'Since Gotou was so quick to action, it wasn't unexpected.'So where is he now?''That's I haven't seen him since earlier I don't know where he went'Ishii furrowed his brows in concern and shook his head.Right now, Gotou was on a complete rampage. Hopefully he wouldn't let his emotions get ahead of him and do anything unwise -2-Gotou found himself in front of the door He wasn't sure why he had come here.While handcuffing Takatoshi and asking him about the situation, he was contacted with the information that Kirino, who had been carried to the hospital, was confirmed dead.He had known that. Kirino hadn't been breathing and had had no pulse at the scene.But somewhere in his heart, he had had the futile hope that Kirino was OK.That hope had been cruelly crushed.His mind had been blank. He left the scene to Ishii. At first, he had planned on going ot the hospital, but he had stopped partway.Seeing Kirino's corpse now wouldn't change anything.Assaulted by a feeling of powerlessness and emptiness, his head felt dizzy.As a police and as a person, he had been completely useless. He hadn't been able to do anything even though a murder was occurring just one door away. You lose yourself in emotion.He felt like he heard Kirino's voice in his ear.Kirino had always said that when he was partnered with Gotou.Gotou didn't deny it. It was true that he had often lost his cool. But still, Gotou had things he couldn't protect.As a police officer no, as a person he had beliefs he wanted to persist with, but those feelings were always cruelly crushed.It had been the same then An unpleasant memory flashed through his mind.Gotou and Kirino had been on a case together. A robbery assault. There had been eyewitness testimony, and they had had a suspect for the perp.They had gone to the suspect for an interrogation. All they needed was proof and a confession.It should've been an easy case But that expectation was wrong. It left a deep scar on Gotou's heart. It had probably been the same for Kirino.'I 'While thinking that and wandering, he had ended up here.Gotou turned the doorknob, and the door opened. It wasn't locked.The room was dark.There was a silhouette sitting in the seat.Saitou Yakumo He wasn't wearing his black contact lens. In the dim lighting, his red left eye seemed to let off a suspicious glow.'I thought you would come,' Yakumo said quietly as he looked at Gotou.That challenging gaze made Gotou feel uncomfortable.'Why'd you think I would come?' asked Gotou.Yakumo's eyes narrowed.'I heard form Makoto-san that Kirino-san was killed.''I see'Just that information was enough to make Yakumo expect that Gotou would come. That was his good intuition for you. Maybe it was because he knew Gotou's personality well.'What do you plan to do next?''I'm going to quit the force.'That thought had kept flitting through his mind as he walked here.He didn't have the qualifications. Even though he'd talked big, he hadn't been able to do anything. He was a powerless, pathetic man.''Boring,' said Yakumo, his distaste clear.'What?'Gotou glared at Yakumo angrily, but Yakumo wasn't shaken. He returned the gaze scornfully.'Hiding in your shell like a child will solve nothing.''You brat''It seems you regret it.''You're the one to blame in the first place!' yelled Gotou.Saying that wouldn't solve anything. He hadn't come here to say that in the first place.Led by the unknown emotion welling up from deep within him, Gotou couldn't stop his mouth.'Perhaps that's true,' Yakumo readily agreed.Yakumo, who was normally so arrogant.That attitude, which was so unlike him, made Gotou's emotions even rougher.'What?''If I had met Takatoshi-san if I had answered the call from Gotou-san the case might not have happened,' said Yakumo clearly.There was no trace of doubt in his eyes.'What do you want to say?''You thought that too, Gotou-san that's why you came here, correct? To blame me.''Stop screwing around!'Gotou kicked the table forcefully.There was a thunderous noise as the table flipped onto its side. Still, Yakumo was not shaken. He looked at Gotou.'I'm not screwing around. I'm speaking seriously.''That's screwing around!'Gotou grabbed Yakumo by the collar.Still, Yakumo was not disturbed. He just looked straight at Gotou. It was like he was looking at a mirror.'Why is that?''Saying that now won't bring Kirino back from the dead!'Gotou's angry yell echoed through the small room.'No, it won't.''Then''Why are you stuck here even though you know that, Gotou-san?'Yakumo's words shook Gotou violently.That sharp and forceful gaze saw right through Gotou and made him lose his words for a moment.'What do you mean?''I mean exactly what I said. I have regrets as well, but speaking them now will not bring back the time that has been lost.''I'm saying I know that!''Butyou're stuck here blaming yourself, aren't you!?'1Yakumo's voice, close to a scream, splintered something deep in Gotou's heart.He lost all the power in his body. Before he noticed, he had let go of Yakumo and was sitting there on the floor.'I'Gotou held his head in his hands.He didn't know what to do any more. What was he angry at? What was he thinking? Why was he here?'Muscle idiots should just run around, right?'Yakumo stood in front of Yakumo.He looked unusually large.'What?''Gotou-san, you said this. That everyone should use their own abilities 'Now that Yakumo mentioned it, Gotou felt like he had said something like that.That was back when Yakumo was still in middle school. At the time, Yakumo had hated his red left eye, which could see the spirits of the dead, and saw the whole world with a twisted perspective.Gotou had said that to Yakumo then, unable to contain himself.What Gotou had wanted to say was that his red left eye was just an ability, like being smart or being good at sports.He had wanted to tell him that there was nothing to worry about. Like Yakumo-shi.Suddenly, what Ishii had said flashed through Gotou's mind.Now that Gotou thought about it again, the past Yakumo and Kirino had had similar eyes.That was why Gotou hadn't been able to leave Yakumo alone when they met again 'Gotou-san, you always empathise too much with each case,' said Yakumo coldly.Kirino had always said the same thing to Gotou.'I know that.''Even though you can't do anything, you arrogantly want to. It hurts me to watch.''You Once I let you say what you want''But there are people whom you've saved because of that, Gotou-san. Though it may only be a small number'Yakumo smiled cynically.'Screwing around''I'm not screwing around. Is your role to be stuck here and keep blaming yourself without doing anything, Gotou-san?'Gotou had never thought that some brat in university would teach him about his true self.'Don't be stupid. That's not like me at all!'As Gotou said that, he stood up.He had felt like he was walking on top of a cloud up until earlier, but it was different now. He was standing firmly on his own feet.Just as Yakumo said, he couldn't hide in his own shell now.He would run with these feet until the case was over. He would do what he could. That was all.'This is sudden, but there is something I would like you to investigate.''Investigate? The perp is''The identity of the perpetrator is not the problem. I wasn't investigating a murder case in the first place 'After saying that, Yakumo smirked meaningfully.-3-Haruka was in the Movie Research circle room early in the morning She was sitting next to Yakumo instead of in her usual seat. Opposite them, Kento sat with a solemn expression.Yakumo explained what had happened so far in a flat tone to Kento.Haruka was shocked.Of course, she had known about Sachiko and the call to Makoto, so there were no changes there.However it was the first she'd heard about the pastor Kirino being killed.On top of that, the suspect arrested was Tozuka Takatoshi, one of the people who had experienced the spiritual phenomenon with Kento.'Why did this' lamented Kento after hearing Yakumo's explanation.Haruka's impression of Kento was a guy with a bright smile, but even he was pale now, looking despondent.'I won't know the details without looking into it further,' said Yakumo, chin in his hand.'Did Takatoshi really kill someone?'Kento furrowed his brows.It felt like he still hadn't accepted the fact.'The police believe so.''Maybe Takatoshi was possessed by an evil spirit and then killed someone?'Actually, Haruka was thinking the same thing as Kento.The story didn't give a reason for Takatoshi to kill Kirino.'I cannot deny the possibility.''Would Takatoshi be not guilty in that situation?'Kento's voice echoed with urgency.'It would probably be difficult. The police do not acknowledge the existence of the spirits of the dead,' Yakumo said clearly.'But ghosts really exist,' persisted Kento.'The problem isn't whether they actually exist or not. The police's rule is that they don't exist. They investigate following that.'After being told that, Kento's shoulders slumped and he hung his head, like he had nothing to reply with.Haruka couldn't stop her sympathy after seeing such an obvious loss of heart, but she didn't know what to say.'Could I ask one thing?'Yakumo spoke after a silence.'Yes.'Kento lifted his head.'You didn't mention the spiritual phenomena occurring to Takatoshi-san the last time you came, correct?'Yakumo's eyes narrowed slightly.'I didn't' replied Kento in a hoarse voice.'Why didn't you talk about it then?''I was concerned about Takatoshi, but I was more concerned about Sachiko 'Haruka could understand why Kento would put Takatoshi off for later after seeing Sachiko.She had been so strange.'If I had listened to Takatoshi properly'said Kento hoarsely.His face was a bit red. He was probably anguished with regret and anger towards himself.'Blaming yourself now will change nothing. Furthermore 'Yakumo stopped partway through.'There's the possibility that Takatoshi killed him you want to say that, right?' Kento said, reading into what Yakumo hadn't said. His tone was hard, filled with hostility.'I'm just talking of possibilities. Furthermore, the investigation should be left to the police. The more important problem the original one is the spirit possessing Sachiko-san,' said Yakumo clearly.Kento smiled wryly. He seemed to have accepted Yakumo's words. 'That's right''Let us backstep a bit. How did Takatoshi-san talk about the spiritual phenomena'Yakumo's gaze became sharper.Normally, Yakumo had sleepy eyes, but when he faced a case, his face changed completely.'After what happened at the spring, Takatoshi said he could hear someone's voice.''Voice?''Yes. A woman's voice saying she'd kill him.''The spirit possessing Sachiko-san is also female, right?'Haruka looked at Yakumo for agreement.'What do you want to say?'Yakumo's displeasure was clear in his reply.'Maybe it's the same woman'The moment Haruka said that, she knew she had screwed up.There was no way it could be the same woman, now that she thought about it. If they were, it would meant that the spirit possessing Sachiko had had to choose the time to whisper that she'd kill Takatoshi.That would be too unnatural.'That is also very possible.'Yakumo said something completely different from what Haruka had imagined.'It is?'It made Haruka want to ask.'I've said that ghosts are clusters of people's emotions.''Yes.''Human emotions are not always one way. Even if they ahve love, they can also have hatred.'Haruka understood that.There was the saying. Excessive tenderness switches to hundredfold hatred.'So the spirit can split?''It's nothing so exaggerated. If a spirit has strong emotions, something like residual thoughts are born. As a result, there are living ghosts.'Haruka had heard of living ghosts before.The strong emotions of living human beings showed up as spiritual phenomena.'In short, Takatoshi and Sachiko-chan could be possessed by the same woman?' said Kento, clearly shocked.'Of course I can't deny the possibility that there were two spirits there.'Somehow, things felt very complicated.If Yakumo had met Takatoshi, perhaps the story wouldn't have become so convoluted. That was probably why he had asked why Kento didn't explain about Takatoshi from the beginning.That said, nobody was to blame. Probably neither Yakumo nor Kento had imagined this would happen.'Er What will you do next'Kento looked at Yakumo searchingly after a silence.'I will leave Takatoshi-san to the police and investigate Sachiko-san:s case,' said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair.'Thank you very much.'After bowing his head deeply, Kento stood up.'One last thing ' said Yakumo, calling out to Kento who was about to leave the room.'What is it?'Kento turned around.'Why did you come to consult me?'They had received the answer to that question when Kento came yesterday. Why was Yakumo asking again?Haruka thought about it, but she couldn't ask.'What do you mean?'Kento looked dubious.'You didn't come here to have me exorcise the spirit possessing Sachiko-san is what I want to say.'Kento froze at Yakumo's words.'Are you suspicious of me?'Kento looked at Yakumo grimly.'If you are talking about the murder of the pastor then the answer is no. However, from another perspective, the answer is yes.''I don't know what you're saying.''Then let's change the question. You saw a ghost at Kagami Spring, correct?''Yes.''Didn't you recognise that ghost from somewhere? That's why you came. More than the spirit possessing Sachiko-san, you wanted to know the true identity of the ghost. Am I wrong?'Yakumo looked straight at Kento.Haruka held her breath in the sentence.'You're mistaken. That's not how it is,' Kento replied with a smile.'Then that's fine.'Haruka had thought Yakumo would trick Kento into replying, but he backed off unexpectedly readily. Kento looked unsettled, but he left the room.'Hey, was that true?' asked Haruka once the door closed.'He said it wasn't, right?''But'Yakumo ignored Haruka and stood up, taking the coat on the hanger.'Are you going somewhere?''Yeah. That's right. I have a little request.'After saying that, Yakumo smirked.Though Haruka was happy that Yakumo was relying on her, she had a terribly bad feeling.-4-Makoto stared at the computer monitor She had searched through all the rumours regarding Kagami Spring on the internet.Kirino's murder last night wasn't a regular murder. It was related to what happened at Kagami Spring somehow that was what Makoto thought.She didn't have any concrete proof. Though it was just her gut instinct, she still couldn't clear that thought from her head.She was able to find a number of rumours regarding Kagmi Spring on a site that gathered information about spiritual phenomena.There was something that seemed off to her though.Normally, there were reasons for places to be spiritual spots, such as a large fire or battle in the past, or a place that was common for murders or suicides.However, no sites had information of that sort about Kagami Spring.Perhaps it had something to do with it, but Makoto thought there was something odd about how the rumours were only from the past few years.Furthermore, she couldn't find any articles on the curse Takatoshi had talked about.It was true that a spiritual phenomenon had occurred there. Something definitely happened. As Makoto continued to search, she came across a site.The site claimed to have a video of a wandering ghost.Makoto put in her earphones and clicked the video to lpay it.It looked like the video was taken with a home video camera. It was in night mode, which made the whole screen green.There were three men, probably university age, chatting as they went through the forest towards the spring.Since an amateur was filming, the video shook terribly, and it made Makoto feel dizzy just from watching.She skipped ahead slightly and started playing against once they reached the spring.This is the spring famous for ghost sightings.The man standing by the spring had a smile that didn't match the location.Come out, ghost!Another man threw a branch that had been on the ground towards the spring, but then he lost his balance and fell.The man with the camera stifled his laughter, which made the camera shake.Maybe they had just uploaded a joke video. Makoto gave up and was just about to close the sight when suddenly, the tension changed in the video.Did you hear something just now?The man on the screen spoke.Yeah, I did.Another man answered.No way. I didn't hear anything.The man holding the camera replied while laughing.There, again The first man stopped moving as he spoke.The other man stopped moving too. The man holding the camera held his breath.A long silence Makoto strained her ears too.She suddenly heard a voice.Though it was faint, it was a woman's voice. However, Makoto couldn't hear what she was saying.The men screamed, drowning out the voice, and they started running. The video cut off suddenly.Makoto played the part where she heard the voice once more.Though there was background noise, she could definitely hear it She strained her ears to listen once more. Rather than a voice, it sounded like a song. Could it be?Makoto had just thought that when she received a call on her mobile.She was a bit surprised when she saw the screen. Though it was a call from somebody she didn't usually get calls from, being contacted by him perhaps meant that something had happened.'Hello, Hijikata speaking.'I apologise for calling so suddenly.Yakumo replied politely from the other end of the phone.There was a bit of background noise. Perhaps he was outside.'No, I was just thinking that I wanted your opinion on something too.'My opinion regarding what?Makoto explained what she had noticed while researching Kagami Spring and the video she had seen on the internet.Interesting. I will check it later.'How are things on your end, Yakumo-kun?'Actually, there's something I'd like you to look into.'Loko into?'Of course, it is to do with the case. If it goes well, we might find the person who called you, Makoto-san.Yakumo spoke in a calm tone.If it goes well is what Yakumo said, but since it was Yakumo, it probably wasn't just some gut feeling.'Understood. What should I look into?'Takatoshi-san's relationships back in middle school. I want to know about the situation at the time in as much detail as possible.'The police are investigating that, aren't they?'Takatoshi was a suspect in a murder. The police were definitely thoroughly investigating his relationships. Makoto felt like there was nothing for them to do.The police will be focusing on the present. I want to know about his past.'So you think that past has something to do with Kagami Spring.'Well, yes.'Understood. I'll contact you once I've looked into it.'Thank you. Though I don't think it'll be much help, I will be sending you an assistant, so please ask the details then.'Assistant?'My ride is here, so let's end the conversation here The call ended without an answer to the question. That said, Makoto had a pretty good idea who the assistant was. It was probably her.Just as Makoto had a bit of a break, the phone on her desk rang. She had a strange feeling. Makoto immediately picked up the phone.'Hello, this is the culture department of Hokutou Newspaper.'Did you find the corpse?This voice no doubt about it, it was the man from last night.'We haven't found it yet, but we are working on it,' Makoto said politely. She wanted to get as much information from him as she could.I'm not lyingThe man's voice was shaking.What on earth was he thinking 'I know. But in order to prove that, first I'd like your name.'I can't say.'Why not?'I'm hanging up.'Wait a second. You're the person who was at Kagami Spring yesterday, right?'After Makoto asked that, there was a long silence, and then the call ended.-5-Ishii had just stopped the car when he saw Yakumo leaning against the school gate.It looked like he was talking on the phone. After a while, Yakumo noticed Ishii was there, hung up and slowly walked over to him.He let out a yawn while running his hand through his messy hair.Even though such a serious incident had occurred, Yakumo didn't seem disturbed, nervous or anxious.Was he hiding it well in his heart or did he really not feel anything Ishii still didn't know.'You're late,' Yakumo complained to Gotou in the passenger seat as he got into the back.'Shut up. We're busy too,' rebutted Gotou without a pause.'I apologise for bothering you when you are so busy. Please continue the hard work I'll leave the rest to you.'After saying that calmly, Yakumo put his hand on the car door and made a move to leave.'Where are you going?' Gotou said hurriedly.'I'm obviously returning.''Why?''You're busy, aren't you?''You little !'Gotou looked like he would hit Yakumo in his anger.'P-please calm down!' interrupted Ishii frankly. If he left the situation like this, Gotou would probably actually hit Yakumo, and Yakumo would probably leave without any mercy.'Let's keep things peaceful, please.'Ishii put his hands together, as if in prayer. If Yakumo left now, the investigation wouldn't go anywhere.Maybe Ishii's prayer went through, as Yakumo let out a sigh and sat in the backseat again. Gotou also calmed down, though he still looked anger. Thank goodness.With a sigh of relief, Ishii started the car.'So how is the questioning going with Takatoshi-san?' asked Yakumo after the car had been going for a while.'Tozuka-san keeps saying he doesn't know what happened, so the conversation isn't going anywhere,' replied Ishii with a sigh.'He was at the scene though.''Yes,' replied Ishii, looking at Yakumo's face through the rear-view mirror.As usual, he had a lazy-looking expression on his face and Ishii had no idea what he was thinking. This was how Yakumo always was.'It is clear that he met Kirino-san, the victim, immediately before the incident. And yet he's denying it?''That guy keeps saying he can't remember,' said Gotou, looking like he had eaten something bitter.'Can't remember?''He remembers up 'til he got inside and the exorcism started, but he says that Kirino was on the floor before he realised it.''That's strange.'Yakumo put his index finger to his brow.'What is?' asked Gotou.'The two of you heard the sound of fighting, didn't you?' said Yakumo as a reminder.Gotou nodded. Ishii remembered too. At the time, there had been loud noises and yelling. That was why they had forced their way in.'And yet Takatoshi-san denies it by saying he can't remember.''The guy's lying,' replied Gotou, kicking the glove compartment.Though Ishii did understand how Gotou felt, he felt like Gotou was letting his emotions overrule his mind because of what happened to Kirino.'It didn't look like he was lying to me.'That was what Ishii felt immediately.'Don't just talk on feeling.'Gotou immediately hit Ishii's head.Ishii swerved and almost ran into a telephone pole.He hadn't been just talking on feeling. Though Takatoshi's testimony had been vague in many parts, they had been consistent.It made Ishii think that Takatoshi really couldn't remember.It felt like Gotou was the one talking on feeling, but naturally, Ishii couldn't say that.'Gotou-san, what is your evidence for thinking that Takatoshi-san is lying?' said Yakumo in his usual calm tone.'That room was a locked room. If he didn't kill Kirino, who did?' said Gotou, turning around from the passenger seat.Ishii couldn't deny that it had been a locked room. There was only one door to the waiting room, and it was behind the podium.The broken stained glass shards had all been outside the building.That meant that there hadn't been intruders who came in from there. However, Ishii was caught on another point.'Tozuka-san may be the one who killed him. However''What?'Gotou glared at Ishii.Ishii felt like he'd be hit if he spoke more, but keeping quiet wouldn't start anything. Ishii opened his mouth, determined.'What if the ghost possessing Tozuka-san committed the murder?'Ishii revealed his theory.If that was the case, it would explain why Takatoshi couldn't remember what had happened right before the murder.'What?' Gotou looked openly displeased. 'Don't be stupid. The ghost possessing Tozuka was trying to kill Tozuka.''Please recall the words carefully. The ghost only said, I'll kill you. It didn't specify who you was.'It was like a light bulb had come on in Gotou's head.He had probably accepted it as a possibility.'Yakumo. What do you think?' asked Gotou, leaning towards the backseat.'I can't deny the possibility, but that would mean that the spirit possessing Takatoshi-san had wanted to kill Kirino-san.'When Gotou heard Yakumo's explanation, his expression clouded over.Though Yakumo hadn't said anything aloud, Gotou had probably heard the hidden meaning in those words.'You saying that the ghost hated Kirino? To the point that it'd want to kill him ''What do you think, Gotou-san?' said Yakumo casually, even though he had to know Gotou felt.Ishii was worried that Gotou might yell in anger again, but Gotou was unexpectedly calm.'It isn't unthinkable,' said Gotou with a stiff expression.'Does that mean Kirino-san was a person who was easy to dislike?' asked Ishii, which made Gotou's fist come his way.'He was an ex-cop. It's pretty much his job to be hated.'Ishii understood now. Just as Gotou said, working as a police officer made people hate you.If they solved the case, the perpetrators hated them, but if they couldn't solve the case, the relatives of the victim became angry with them for not being able to do anything. That was their job.When, where, who even if those questions remained, the possibility that Kirino was hated enough to be killed was high.'It feels like the number of suspects just increased by a lot' said Ishii, feeling disappointed. He glanced at Yakumo in the backseat.Though Yakumo had been the one who brought up the topic, he was looking out the window vacantly, like he wasn't interested at all.He had pale and well-defined features, but his face was blank. Ishii had no idea what he was thinking.But still, Ishii felt like Yakumo might have already seen through the whole case.-6-Gotou was in a dark room There was a large window in front of him.To be more accurate, it was a one-way mirror. Though he could see through to the other side, the opposite side couldn't see him.Naturally, the interrogation room was on the other side of the one-way mirror.Takatoshi was slumped over on a chair. He looked much thinner than he had when they first met. There were bruises all over his face. They were from when Gotou had hit him.Miyagawa and Ishii sat opposite Takatoshi as they questioned him.'How is it?'Gotou looked at Yakumo, who was standing next to him.He had his index on his brow and looked serious as he stared through the one-way mirror.Gotou was having Yakumo check whether Takatoshi was possessed by a ghost or not.He had wanted to let Yakumo meet Takatoshi directly. Since it was Yakumo, he might have been able to find some new information.However, Gotou just hadn't been able to get permission.Yakumo had met suspects in secret before countless times. Miyagawa had silently accepted it to solve cases, but this time, they had a tough opponent.Takatoshi was the grandson of a retired cop. If they weren't careful, they would cause a big problem. It was even worse since Gotou had already raised a hand towards him.'He isn't possessed by a spirit of the dead now.'Yakumo shook his head and then turned around to lean against the one-way mirror.Gotou didn't feel disappointed. Yakumo's not seeing anything was another piece of info. In short 'Tozuka was lying then.'When Gotou declared that, Yakumo snorted aloud.'You're a helpless idiot, as usual.''What did you say?''Not being possessed by a spirit right now does not make everything Takatoshi-san said a lie.''What are you talking about?''Have you forgotten? Gotou-san, you thought that it was a prank at first.'Now that Yakumo mentioned it, that was right.There was the possibility that somebody was acting out these spiritual phenomena. If that was true, that would mean Takatoshi wasn't lying.However, that was just in regards to the spiritual phenomena.'In any case, the possibility Ishii mentioned about Takatoshi killing somebody while possessed won't fly any more.'Though Gotou said that with confidence, Yakumo just shook his head and sighed in exasperation.'This is why you're an idiot.''Why? You said that Tozuka wasn't possessed, right?' Gotou retorted, but Yakumo looked as calm as always.'I did say that he wasn't possessed now ''Ah.' So that's what he meant.Gotou finally understood and clapped his hands together.'So you're saying it's possible the ghost left Tozuka's body after killing Kirino.''Yes.'Though Yakumo said that with confidence, Gotou just couldn't accept it.'Isn't that too convenient?''What do you mean? That's how spirits wandering the world are.''What are you talking about?' asked Gotou, which made Yakumo run a hand through his hair like he thought explaining would be troublesome.Even if Yakumo acted that way, Gotou didn't understand what he didn't understand. He glared at Yakumo for an explanation, which made Yakumo finally open his mouth.'What if the spirit possessing Takatoshi-san had a grudge against Kirino-san and wanted to kill him?'Gotou was finally able to understand after listening to Yakumo's explanation.'Killing Kirino got them their goal 'After Gotou said those words like they were strangled out of him, Yakumo nodded.Come to think of it, that had always been the case. Spirits that wandered had unfinished business. Yakumo found those feelings and helped them finish their business properly, while sometimes he made the spirits' feelings change and solved cases that way.If Takatoshi had really been possessed by a ghost that hated Kirino and wanted to kill him, now that that business was finished, there would be no reason to wander any longer.That would mean it was too late 'Gotou-san.'Yakumo called out to him.Gotou looked over, but Yakumo had his hands in his pockets and was looking down, even though he was the one who had called out.'What?''It's fine if it's just what you know. Please tell me Kirino-san's history.'For a moment, Gotou hesitated, but nothing would change by hiding it now.'Kirino graduated from the religion department of a university and joined the force. He worked at a station for some years and then got sent to Criminal Affairs.''When did he partner with you, Gotou-san?''About eight years ago ''A bit before you met me again.''Yeah.'A case ended his partnership with Kirino and made Gotou partner with Miyagawa again. Then, he had met Yakumo, who had been a middle school student.'When did he quit the force?'Yakumo glanced at Gotou'I hear it was right after we stopped being partners,' said Gotou, though hesitant.Gotou had found out when Kirino quit at this morning's investigation briefing.'What is the reason Kirino-san quit the police?''Some personal business. Even the boss back then doesn't know.''Do you not know either, Gotou-san?'Yakumo's gaze was sharp.Yakumo was probably suggesting that it had something to do with the end of their partnership, since Kirino had quit immediately afterwards.'I don't know.'To be honest, Gotou had an idea of why Kirino had quit, but he hadn't heard it from Kirino's mouth or anything.He didn't really know.'Is that true?'Yakumo put his chin in his hands.He was clearly suspicious. Gotou thought about explaining the case, but in the end, he just shook his head and said, 'I don't know.'It's got nothing to do with this maybe he was telling himself that.'I understand. How about after he quit the police?'Yakumo backed off unusually easily and asked another question.'Seems he had some training and became a pastor at that church.'It probably hadn't been that hard for him to change jobs to become a pastor since he had come out of a religion department.'Did he keep in contact with people related to the police after he quit?''Seems nobody kept in contact. Everyone was shocked that Kirino was a pastor.''I see what sort of person was he like while he was on the force?'Yakumo narrowed his eyes.Come to think of it, Ishii had asked the same question last night. Gotou started to speak, even though he found it annoying.'The complete opposite of me.''How were you different?''He sees things logically, like you. He's never moved by his emotions. Just checks the facts that type of guy.''That's also a way of thinking.'Gotou knew that.No, he should say that he had come to understand that recently.'I'm not saying that one's right or wrong he just had his own way of thinking. But at the time, I couldn't understand that. Obviously it was the same for him too though.''I see''Kirino didn't try to listen to suspects talk he just went forward with the truth. He didn't care how people were during questionings either just gathered the facts.''You must not have been able to forgive him then.''Yeah.'Gotou didn't deny it. It was the truth.Humans were emotional creatures. Criminals had their excuses, and victims were sometimes partly to blame. Ignoring that wouldn't really solve cases Gotou had believed that, never doubting it.'So we always argued. Well, it was just me yelling at him.'Even as Gotou said it, he started smiling without thinking.Now that he thought back on it, it was similar to his relationship with Yakumo now.'With just this information, I don't understand why he quit the police force and became a pastor 'It was the same for Gotou.What on earth happened to Kirino Gotou wanted to ask him, but that wish wouldn't be granted.-7-Haruka stood in front of the gates to a city middle school Since there were classes right now, the grounds were quiet. It was strange how coming here made her feel nostalgic, even though this wasn't her old school.'Sorry I'm late.'Haruka turned towards the voice and saw Makoto coming towards her.Makoto's grey pantsuit and tied-up hair matched her slender frame well.'Ah, no, I just came here myself.''Then let's get going.'Makoto went through the gate.'Er Is it all right for us just to go in?' asked Haruka as she went after Makoto.'I've called in advance, so it's fine. I'm going to talk to his old home room teacher,' Makoto said quickly as she walked briskly.That was a woman who could do things for you. Haruka was impressed by Makoto's preparations. But 'What did you tell them?'It would have been difficult to say they were investigating a spiritual phenomenon. And if they weren't careful, the story might not match up.'Exactly what we're here for,' Makoto said frankly.'What do you mean by exactly?''I told them that we want to investigate Tozuka-san's case.''Wouldn't the school not like that?''Of course they wouldn't like that if we went through the proper channels, but this is my old school.''Oh!'Haruka was surprised, but she understood. Makoto was walking forward without any hesitation because this was her old school, which she knew well.Haruka followed Makoto through the front entrance and switched into slippers.They went down the first floor corridor. At the front of the staff office, Makoto said, 'Wait for me a bit here,' and went inside.After a while, Makoto came out alone.'The reception room's on the second floor. Let's go.''Ah, yes.'As if being pulled forward by Makoto, who was acting swiftly, Haruka went p the stairs into a room with a doorplate that read 'Reception Room'.It was a Spartan room that only had sofas in it.Haruka sat down with Makoto.'I never would have thought that this was your old school, Makoto-san.''Why not?''You have the image of somebody who came out of some private all-girls school.''That wouldn't go well with me,' Makoto said immediately.'Really?''I was really gloomy back in middle school. I practically never talked to my classmates.''You don't look it.''It's true. When I went to the reunion, practically nobody remembered me.'Haruka couldn't imagine it at all from how Makoto was now.Then, the door opened and a woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties came into the room.She was plump and had a friendly image to her.Haruka and Makoto stood up and bowed deeply together.'I sincerely apologise for coming at such a busy time. My name is Hijikata Makoto, and I come from Hokutou Newspaper. This is my assistant, Ozawa.'Makoto held out her business card and introduced Haruka as well. The female teacher took the business card and said in a quiet voice, 'My name is Namioka.'Namioka sat down opposite them and said, looking down, 'Sorry there aren't many things to say'It was clear that she was on guard.Her old student, Takatoshi, was suspect in a murder case. Haruka could understand those feelings painfully.'I know. Please relax I won't write anything improper about my old school,' Makoto said gently as she smiled.'What do you want to ask?'As Namioka said that, her expression and tone were still hard.'I heard that Tozuka Takatoshi-san was rather rough while he was in school.'Namioka looked surprised.'You've heard about that?''Yes, I talked to other people before coming here.'When Makoto said that, Namioka seemed to relax. Perhaps she felt better knowing that other people had talked as well.'Well, it's true that there were problems with his behavior.''What sort of things exactly?''Hm Dyeing his hair, smoking at school there were even rumours of extortion.'Namioka looked very displeased, but it sounded a bit like she was talking about something that had happened to somebody else. What would I do if my student were the subject of rumours like that?Haruka suddenly thought about that.Namioka had probably wanted to escape the problem, but had she done nothing?'Did you ever ask him about it?' said Haruka, knowing that she was doing something she shouldn't.'I didn't.''Why not?''A teacher's job is to teach studying, but reprimands are family problems. And if the teacher isn't careful, the parents will come in. Tozuka-kun's grandfather was in the police, so it would have been troublesome if anything happened,' Namioka said flatly.Though Haruka just couldn't accept that, she didn't say anything else. It would just take the conversation off track.'Were there students that he was friendly with?' asked Makoto after a moment.'Hm Kuriyama-kun and Nomoto-kun were friendly with him, I think.''Could you show us a photoof him at the time?''Would the graduation album be OK?''Yes.''Please wait a moment.'Namioka stood up and left the room.'Haruka-chan, you were in education, right?' commented Makoto after the door closed.'I am.'Don't become a teacher like that.'It was like Makoto had read Haruka's mind.Though Haruka felt happy, at the same time, she felt heavy pressure. She might not end up become the person she wanted to be.Namioka must have wanted to be an ideal teacher when she started. Would Haruka be able to be the teacher she wanted Namioka came back with the graduation album before Haruka found an answer.'You can't take it out.''I understand.'Makoto replied with a smile and opened the album.Haruka looked from beside her.She found Takatoshi's name in the class photos. Just as Namioka had said, his hair was dyed blond. He seemed to be glaring.There was a picture of Kento too.Though Takatoshi seemed to have calmed down since then, Kento didn't seem to have changed at all.'Just as Yakumo-kun thought.'Makoto spoke quietly as she pointed at a photo.At first, Haruka didn't understand who it was. She remembered once she saw the large injury on the right side of the face.The young man they'd seen at Kagami Spring. The man who had probably called Makoto 'Do you remember him?' Makoto asked Namioka while pointing at the photo.Namioka leant forward and then said, 'Ah,' sounding disappointed.'Orita-kun, eh''what sort of student was he?'Namioka thought for a while.'Well, in one word, he was a liar.''A liar?''There were a number of behaviour problems. Forgot his homework, was late often. It was tough warning him every time.'Haruka felt there was a contradiction in Namioka's words.Even tohugh she had said that reprimands were for the household with Takatoshi, she gave Orita warnings. That meant she changed her attitude depending on the person.Haruka had a number of things she wanted to say, but she managed to keep them in.'But why do you say he was a liar?' asked Makoto.'Ah, that's right. When I asked him why he was late, he'd say things like he was attacked by a dog or he fell in a river just whatever he wanted.''Is that so'Makoto sounded disappointed.'Come to think of it, he called me once saying he found a corpse.''A corpse?' said Haruka and Makoto at the same time.'Yes, he said he found a corpse and wanted me to come look. Said he knew the person who did it.''What happened?''I called the police and they went there, but there was no corpse. The police complained to me it was awful,' said Namioka, sounding fed up.In contrast to that, Haruka felt excited. Makoto's eyes were wide open too.'Did he say that he found a corpse at Kagami Spring? The spring on the hill to the west of the city,' asked Makoto with a serious gaze.'You might be right, come to think of it.'Though Namioka's response was vague, Haruka was sure of it. Makoto nodded, seeming to think the same thing.They had asked for the main story, but Haruka had another thing she wanted to know.'Excuse me, but how was Utsugi-kun?' she asked.'Kento-kun? He was a serious student. He underwent a lot.''Is that so?'Kento still seemed like a serious young man now.'Kento-kun used to be in a care facility.''Eh?'Haruka's eyes went wide at the unexpected response.'His parents died young and he didn't have any relatives to take him in, so he and his older sister were in a facility.''Is that so'Kento's refreshing smile flashed through Haruka's mind.Haruka couldn't feel even the smallest bit of sadness from living through painful experiences there. It made Haruka think that he was probably a strong person.'A lot of people turned a cold shoulder towards him because of that. Some even said some distasteful things. It must have been hard, but he never really showed it.'His parentless home environment was like Yakumo's.'One last thing 'After the conversation about Kento had ended, Makoto brought up another topic.What is it?''Namioka-san, what do you think about this incident?'Namioka froze upon hearing Makoto's question.'All I'll say is that, well, Tozuka-kun was that kind of child'Though it was a vague response, Haruka could understand exactly what Namioka meant.Namioka had probably been surprised by the case, but it wasn't that she couldn't believe it.-8-Ishii held his breath in the eerily dim corridor of the hospital basement. I don't like this place.He had come here many times in the past, but he still wasn't used to it. He always felt like he would never be able to return if he went down this corridor.'What are you standing there for?'Gotou pushed Ishii's back. Yakumo was beside him too.'I-I apologise.'Ishii reluctantly walked forward.He went down the straight corridor to the door to the room at the very back. After a deep breath, he knocked on the door.'It's open.'Ishii heard a hoarse voice from within.When Ishii opened the door, he saw Hata Hideyoshi sipping tea in his seat.He was wrinkled all over and had bulging eyes. His appearance and atmosphere were frightening, just like a demon's. He was a strange person who thought of his work as a coroner as his hobby.'My, my, Ishii-kun, have you finally run out of patience with the bear?'After saying that in a cool voice, Hata let out a creepy giggle.'Who are you calling a bear?' Gotou said threateningly as he came into the room.'What, you're alive? A useless bear like you should hurry up and be dissected by me.'Hata's neck shook as he laugh.Hata was frightening because you couldn't tell whether he meant things like that seriously or as a joke.'Shut up, you demonic old man.'Hata didn't care about Gotou's threat at all. He just kept giggling.'It has been a long time since we last met.'Yakumo, who came into the room last, bowed his head politely.'Oh, Yakumo-kun. Won't you let me research that left eye already?'Hata said something frightening again.Yakumo didn't seem to take it seriously, as he just said lightly, 'If there's a chance ''So what are you all here for today?' said Hata, playing the fool as he sipped his tea.'What are you all here for? Obviously to hear the results of the autopsy for yesterday's case.'Hata shook his head when he saw Gotou's agitated demeanour.'You really are just a noisy good-for-nothing.''Shut up and hand it over already!''Bears really know no manners. Here.'Hata took a file from his drawer and threw it towards Ishii.Because of how sudden it was and his lack of athletic ability, Ishii wasn't able to catch the file, which fell to the floor.'What are you doing?' Gotou hit Ishii's head.'I-I apologise.'Ishii hurriedly tried to gather the files spread out on the floor, but then the photo of Kirino's corpse caught his eye and made him freeze.The raw memories from then came back to him fresh in his mind. Ishii broke out into a cold sweat. It was hard to breathe.'Are you all right?'Yakumo was the one who came to ask him that.'I'm fine,' replied Ishii, which made Yakumo smile slightly before picking up Kirino's photo.He looked at the photo grimly, like he had noticed something.'What are you spacing out for?' reprimanded Gotou. Ishii hurriedly picked up the rest of the files.'What was the cause of death?' asked Yakumo, staring at the photo.'Blood loss. The left artery in his neck was cut clean through. Don't know if he could've been saved even if he was taken to a hospital immediately' said Hata with a serious gaze.Though there were problems with the way he spoke, Hata was an excellent coroner.'Any other external injuries?' asked Yakumo, still looking at the photo.'Nothing. The corpse is beautiful,' Hata said firmly.'Is the weapon definitely the knife that was at the scene?''From the shape of the wound, there's probably no doubt about it.'Hata nodded a number of times like he was convincing himself.Ishii looked at the documents he picked up and found a document saying the same thing.'How about fingerprints on the knife?'Yakumo looked towards Gotou.Ishii thought that Gotou would reply immediately, but Gotou looked troubled and then turned to Ishii.It seemed that Gotou didn't know the situation. Gotou was at a loss after letting his emotions get ahead of him.Ishii nodded and began the explanation.'There were two sets of fingerprints on the knife. One was Kirino-san's. The other was Tozuka-san's.''Did Takatoshi-san bring the knife?''No, it was Kirino-san's. A fruit knife you could find anyway.''Then it was in the room from the beginning.''Probably 'As Ishii nodded, he felt like Takatoshi's crime wasn't certain from the situation.The problem was that Takatoshi had no motive for murder. However, if he had been possessed by a ghost that would give an explanation.There was also the question of why the spirit possessing Takatoshi would have wanted to kill Kirino, but all Ishii could do for that was rely on Yakumo.'Ah, that's right. There was something that caught my interest when I was analyzing the corpse,' said Hata, clapping his hands together.'What is it?'Yakumo looked suspicious.'It's in the files.'Hata sipped his tea.Ishii was about to check the files when Yakumo took them from him.Yakumo furrowed his brows and read the documents with a serious gaze. What on earth is written there?Ishii was about to ask when Gotou's mobile phone rang.'Who is it?'Gotou answered the phone with his usual bad manners.'You serious!?' shouted Gotou with a jump.'You are a pointlessly noisy man,' complained Hata with a sigh. Yakumo continued looking at the documents like he hadn't heard anything.'What happened?' asked Ishii once Gotou hung up.'We've got permission to search that spring.''R-really?'Ishii hadn't thought for a second that they would have been able to get the investigation team after giving such a vague explanation.'Seems Miyagawa-san was helping out.'Ishii understand after hearing that explanation.Though Miyagawa said what he did, he was the sort of person who did things properly when he had to.'We're going too.'Gotou started moving.'Yes sir!' said Ishii. He went right after Gotou, but Gotou suddenly stopped. Ishii was unable to stop himself from running into Gotou's back.'Yakumo, you're going too.'After gotou said that, Yakumo looked up with an incredibly annoyed expression.'I don't want to.''Why not?''I don't like cold places.''You 'Ishii hurriedly tried to stop Gotou, who looked like he would hit Yakumo, but Ishii ended up being pushed back instead.-9-Makoto and Haruka were in a coffee shop in front of the station The shop had an antique interior with a calm atmosphere, unlike a chain store.A young man named Nomoto Susumu sat opposite them.He had an oval face with distinct features. His clothes were in a hip-hop style and his knit cap was low on his head.They had contacted somebody who was friendly with Takatoshi back when he was in middle school.They hadn't thought they would be able to get anyone since it was noon on a weekday, but fortunately, it seemed that Nomoto was a NEET2 and they were able to call him out easily.'If I'm to give information to two such beautiful woman, I'll welcome it any time,' said Nomoto with a frivolous smile.His attitude was the picture of imprudence. Haruka didn't seem to like men like this either her expression was somewhat stiff.'We would like to talk to you today regarding Tozuka Takatoshi-san's case''Right. The police came too.'Susumu spoke over Makoto.'Though the questions might overlap, what was he like back then?' said Makoto in an incredibly business-like manner.This type of person would keep talking even if Makoto didn't say anything. If she was carelessly friendly, he might misunderstand.'He just did stupid things with us.''Could you give specific examples?''Well, fights and shoplifting, I guess.'Makoto thought that he wasn't so foolish that he would talk about shoplifting in front of police, but still, it wasn't something to talk about proudly.Young people these days Makoto didn't like that phrase, but when she saw this level of rashness, it made her want to say it.'Did you contact him after graduating from middle school?''Sometimes. That guy went to a famous private high school, right? So we didn't really hang out after that.'Susumu slurped his iced coffee loudly.'Do you recall Orita-san?'Makoto asked another question.There's a corpse the person who might have made that call to Makoto.'Orita Orita Ah, Horata?'Susumu clapped his hands together like he had remembered.Even without an explanation, Makoto was able to understand where it came from. Since Orita kept telling lies, they probably called him Horata instead of Orita.'What sort of person was he?''Takatoshi's servant.''Servant' said Haruka, sounding shocked.Though there was distaste in her voice, Susumu seemed to take the words differently and said with a flippant smile, 'It's convenient having a servant.'He didn't understand that what they had done was awful. Makoto felt a fierce anger, but she swallowed it and continued asking questions.'So there was an absolute power relationship.''Yeah. Takatoshi had Orita finance him.''Finance?''Yeah. Called it taxes and made him pay. A real villain, right? Well, we were a part of it too though.'Susumu said that jokingly and laughed aloud.Makoto was completely incapable of understand what was so funny. She glanced behind her and saw Haruka's face twitching.Susumu continued talking, missing how Makoto and Haruka felt.'Orita lied all the time, so it was just a penalty for that.''What sort of lies did he tell?''When we called ut Orita, he'd say things like his parents had suddenly collapsed, or when we asked him for money, he'd say it was stolen on the way. Said things like how he had had the money but it just disappeared the worst excuses.' What on earth?The anger within Makoto was close to eruption .From what she'd heard, Orita wasn't a complete liar. The heartless Takatoshi and Susumu had been the ones who made him lie.Namioka, the teacher, had also said that he was all excuses and lies, but it was very likely that Takatoshi and the others had been the cause of the problems with his homework and tardiness.Orita just hadn't been able to say that aloud, so he offered the first lies that came to mind.When Makoto thought that, a pain ran through her chest.To be honest, she didn't even want to breathe the same air as Susumu any more. She was about to end things when unexpectedly, Haruka spoke up.'Excuse me ''What? If you want my number, I'll tell you any time.'Susumu's words made even Haruka look angry, but she went past that immediately.'What sort of person was Utsugi-san?' asked Haruka.'Ah' Susumu said slowly. 'He was creepy'It seemed Susumu didn't like Utsugi.'What do you mean?' asked Haruka with patience.'Couldn't ever tell what he was thinking. He was friendly in his own way, but it was hard for us to get close to him, so we didn't talk much.''But Takatoshi-san and Utsugi-san are friendly though, right?'Haruka's question made Susumu look displeased again.'Not at all during middle school though.''They weren't friendly?''It's not like they fought or anything, but they didn't really hang out. He was pretty popular with the girls, but I have no idea what's so good about a guy like that'The biggest reason Susumu disliked Kento was probably Kento's popularity with girls.It was in some ways natural for people to be worried about that during puberty.'Did he have any good friends?' asked Haruka, going at it from another angle.'Come to think of it, he might've been pretty friendly with Orita.''Orita-san''Yeah. And there was a rumour that Utsugi was a sister's boy.''He has an older sister, right?' said Haruka, which made Susumu smile in an incredibly vulgar way.'I saw her a couple of times she was a real beauty.''Is that so?''She was sexy or well, stimulating? Takatoshi was seriously aiming for her at one point.'Susumu laughed frivolously as he talked proudly. It was incredibly unpleasant.Haruka had shut her mouth, unable to deal with how unpleasant she felt this was, so Makoto made some vague replies instead.'Oh! Takatoshi's friendly with Utsugi, so maybe he's still aiming for his sister,' said Susumu.If they let this continue, they would probably hear even more useless information.'Thank you very much.'Makoto forced the conversation to a stop and thanked Susumu.Susumu seemed to still want to talk, but he probably just wanted to flirt with Haruka. Makoto left it by saying they would ask him for information again.'That was a bit unpleasant' said Makoto with a sigh.Haruka nodded. She seemed to feel the same way.They had gathered a variety of information, but Makoto didn't know how it all connected.She had come to solve the puzzle, but she didn't feel like they had advanced at all.'Can I ask one thing?'Makoto looked at Haruka.'Yes.''Why did you ask about Kento-san?'Haruka had asked a number of questions about Kento with Namioka and Susumu.Makoto didn't understand the reason.'I don't know either.''Eh?''Yakumo-kun told me to.''Does he suspect Kento-san?'If Yakumo was concerned about it, there must have been some doubts there.'I asked him the same thing.''What did he say?' asked Makoto, feeling rather nervous.'It appears he doesn't think he's the culprit, but he thinks he knows something.''I see'It was unclear who had what roles, but Yakumo probably thought that Takatoshi, Orita and Kento's past would become the key to unraveling the mystery.'Haruka-chan'Makoto was about to ask another question when a mobile phone rang. It was Haruka's.'Excuse me,' said Haruka before answering the phone.Makoto looked ut the window.Orita had to be the one who called aobut the corpse in Kagami Spring.He had been called a liar in middle school, but Takatoshi and Susumu were definitely the cause of that.What they had done was the worst. The teacher Namioka should have been able to see the truth behind Orita's lies. There must have been a number of ways she could have dealt with it.Orita had probably suffered by himself, with darkness within him.However, Makoto didn't understand. Why had Orita gone out of his way to contact the newspaper company to say there was a corpse in Kagami Spring?''Excuse me 'Haruka's voice brought Makoto back to reality.'What is it?''It's Yakumo-kun. It seems he wants to talk with you, Makoto-san.'Haruka held her mobile out.'Hijikata speaking.'Makoto took the mobile from Haruka and answered.I apologise for asking so much of you.Makoto heard Yakumo's calm voice from the other end of the phone.'It's fine. I can't leave things as they are myself'Then would you allow me to ask one more thing of you?'That's fine.'Makoto took out her memo pad and wrote down Yakumo's instructions.To be honest, Makoto didn't know what investigating this would bring out, but it was Yakumo. There had to be a meaning to it.'I understand. I will do as much as I can.'Thank you very much. Also, the police have finally begun the investigation for the corpse. Gotou-san and Ishii-san are going there now.That was new information. If a corpse was found at that spring, they would be able to answer a number of questions. Makoto would take a look afterwards.-10-'Damn, that Yakumo' muttered gotou angrily.He didn't think he'd have to walk around in the spring in this freezing cold.He knew that it was necessary to search the spring for a corpse in order to solve the case.They couldn't investigate if they didn't know the identity of the ghost.But what made Gotou angry was that Yakumo hadn't come, even though he had been the one to mention it. He had been firm with his statement that he didn't like cold places.Gotou had given up, knowing it was no use, but it didn't change the fact that he was irritated.He had tall boots on so so that he wouldn't get wet, but it still made him cold to the core.Gotou wasn't the only one in the spring. Ishii was walking unsteadily a little ways away.There were about twenty investigation team members too, thanks to Miyagawa.They were using poles to search the bottom of the spring as they walked around. They kept doing the same thing. Doing the same simple work over and over made Gotou more irritated.'Damn it!' shouted Gotou, who thrust his pole into the ground.'Don't splash around.' said Miyagawa, who was wearing long boots like Gotou.'What are you doing, Miyagawa-san?''You can tell from looking, right?'Miyagawa spread his arms.It looked like he planned on helping with the investigation.'This isn't something the chief of the detectives should do, right?' said Gotou, which made Miyagawa snort.'I'm the one who gave you this job, and I'm the one who asked for the investigation. There's something called responsibility. And I need to get out every once in a while too. Doing paperwork all the time will make me flabby.'Miyagawa shrugged.He didn't just lean back on his chair haughtily. This was the main reason why people liked working under Miyagawa.'You're getting up in years, so please don't overwork yourself.''Shut up. More importantly, don't blame yourself too much.'Miyagawa's face was shadowed.'It's fine. I'll think about everything when it's over.''Right. That's good. But I can't believe Kirino was killed'Miyagawa spoke seriously.Miyagawa had been a detective at the same time, so naturally he knew Kirino.'I know.''Did you know Kirino'd become a pastor?''I didn't. I found out for the first time with this case. Did you hear anything about it, Miyagawa-san?''No. I heard there was a fight when he left though.''But nobody mentioned that during the investigation briefing.''Probably didn't want to say.'Miygawa looked up at the red sky.Maybe that was true. Kirino's boss probably didn't want people nosing around about that now.'Did Kirin quit because of that case?' asked Gotou, which made Miyagawa's face harden.That was enough. As Gotou thought, Kirino had quit because of that case. You killed him!The words from then flashed through Gotou's head. The words gotou had yelled at Kirino.Maybe Gotou himself had been the one who made Kirino quit. When he thought that, it was hard to breathe.'I told you not to blame yourself.'Miyagawa placed a hand on Gotou's shoulder.'But''Kirino looked like that, but he had a strong sense of justice.''It didn't seem that way to me,' said Gotou, which made Miyagawa snort.'Man, you're really alike.''Alike?''You and Kirino.'It was the first time Gotou had ever been told that.'I think we're complete opposites though.''No, you're really alike. Do you know why Kirino joined the force?'Gotou felt like he'd asked before, but to be honest, he couldn't remember what Kirino had said then.'I don't know.''Kirino's dad had been a pastor.''Then shouldn't he have just become a pastor too?'He had even joined the religion department in a university. If he had just kept going with the path he believed in, he probably would never have met Gotou.'He had probably planned on doing that too, but when Kirino was in the third year of university, his dad was killed.''Ah I remember.'Gotou spoke up without thinking.That was right. When he asked Kirino why he had joined the police, he had said that his dad had been killed.'It was an unpleasant case. A man who'd committed a robbery was being chased by the police and ran into a church. Kirino's dad bravely went to try to convince the perp.''And then he was killed ''Yeah. Right in front of Kirino. That's why he decided to join the force. Not like he wanted revenge probably just wanted to do something.'After hearing Miyagawa, a memory came up fresh in Gotou's mind. No matter how much they believe, people will betray other people, and God won't save them.Kirino had said that.At that time, his relationship with Kirino had been at its worst, and Gotou hadn't thought about those words properly. He had completely forgotten about them until now.But now that he thought about it, he felt like all of Kirino's emotions were in those words.Kirino's father's death had not only taken away Kirino's faith in God it might have even made him lose his faith in people.Catching a glimpse of a side of Kirino that Gotou had never tried to know made another question come to Gotou's head.If that was the case, why did Kirino start believing again and become a pastor 'More importantly, is there really a corpse here?' said Miyagawa, interrupting Gotou's thoughts.It had been two hours since the start of the investigation. It wasn't that large of a spring. Most of it had been investigated, but there hadn't been any nose. But still 'There was definitely a ghost here. Places with ghosts have corpses, from my experience.'The other investigation team members would probably have laughed if Gotou said that in front of them, but Miyagawa was different.'That brat of yours?'Miyagawa looked nostalgic.Miyagawa had met Yakumo during a certain case, and he knew about his ability too.'Yes. And the lady from the newspaper also got an anonymous call about a corpse in this spring.'Gotou looked towards Makoto, who was watching from the cliff.With the requirements like this, it was worthwhile to investigate. Gotou was sure a corpse would show up.'Guess I just have to believe that and do it.'Miyagawa let out a small laugh and then walked away while using the pole to feel the bottom of the spring.Gotou took in a deep breath and then began working again.Just as he took a big step, he slipped n something.The moment he realised, it was already too late. Gotou fell forward into the spring.-11-'I'm back.'Haruka opened the door to the Movie Research Circle and went inside Yakumo had his arms crossed in his usual chair and looked up.'This isn't your house.'That was the first thing out of his mouth.Haruka wanted to be thanked for her hard work since she had investigated what Yakumo had asked, but it seemed it was pointless to expect that from Yakumo.'Ah, that's right.''So what are you here for?' said Yakumo expressionlessly.Haruka didn't like Yakumo's tone, but there was no helping it, since this was how Yakumo always was.Haruka had told Yakumo all the information she had gathered on the phone. The truth was that she hadn't needed to come, but she had come anyway.There was so many puzzles with this case that everything was unclear. Haruka wanted to organise her head by coming to see Yakumo.That said, she knew that Yakumo wouldn't reply even if she told him that.Haruka let out a deep sigh and sat opposite Yakumo.Since Makoto had done most of the work, Haruka had just been listening from beside her, but she was still tired.It was probably because she had heard many things she hadn't wanted to.'Hey, will this really solve the case? I feel like things are just getting more complicated' said Haruka in her dissatisfaction, putting her chin in her hand.The start had been Kento's request to exorcise the spirit possessing Sachiko.Then, it had become the pastor Kirino's murder case.It felt like they were moving further and further away from their original goal.'Right now we're looking into the backgrounds of these separated cases. Isolating the things that are related from those that aren't will make it possible to see the entirety of the case.'Is that really true Haruka wasn't sure.'How much do you know now?''Nothing yet,' replied Yakumo with a yawn.It was like he didn't care at all.'Is this really OK?''Who knows?''That's irresponsible of you.''Why would you say that? I didn't ever say that I'd solve the case.'It was true.He had just told Kento that he would investigate the phenomena surrounding Sachiko.Yakumo didn't easily say things he couldn't do. Though that could seem cold, Haruka knew it was Yakumo's own form of kindness. But still 'It's not like you're completely unconfident, right?'Though Haruka felt like she had a blindfold on and didn't know what to do, it was different for Yakumo.No matter what he said,He had given Gotou and Makoto instructions.That meant that he knew where he should head, even if he didn't know the finish line.'What do you want to ask?''I'm troubled because I don't know.''That's a serious problem 'Yakumo shook his head in exasperation.It made Haruka lose her will to ask anything. She sighed again and put her head against the table.It was quiet With her eyelids shut in the dark, she could only her the faint sound of Yakumo's and her own breathing.Normally, she wouldn't be able to relax in a silence like this, but it was strange how she felt comfortable with Yakumo.She felt like some of her exhaustion had left her.'If it were you 'Suddenly, Yakumo spoke.Haruka slowly sat up. Her gaze met Yakumo's. It made her feel strangely embarrassed, so she looked away.'W-what?''I feel like the spirit possessing the woman named Sachiko is different from the ones I've seen before.''Mmhm.'The scene from the hospital flashed back in Haruka's mind.It was completely different from the possessions Haruka had seen before. There wasn't any suffering, sadness or anger.She had just been singing.'Why do you think she keeps singing?''I don't know. I don't know, but''But what?'Haruka couldn't answer right away.If she said what had come to her mind now, Yakumo might laugh at her. And she didn't have any proof in the first place it was just her feeling.She looked at Yakumo's face.It seemed he was silently waiting for Haruka to speak.'That song sounded very kind to me.'After Haruka said that, Yakumo frowned.'Kind?''Yup. That's just how I felt though'Yakumo put his chin on his hand like he was thinking about something.There was a long silence 'To be honest, I don't understand'After a long silence, Yakumo lowered his eyelashes.'Don't understand what?''I don't understand what that spirit wants.'Yakumo looked up at the ceiling.'You can't save Sachiko-san without knowing what the spirit wants, right?''Correct.''What'll happen to Sachiko-san then?' asked Haruka.Yakumo lowered his head and looked straight at Haruka.Though he didn't say anything, Haruka could easily imagine his answer. Everyone who was possessed ended up the same way.They were slowly eaten away, and then finally Haruka didn't want to think about the rest.'In any case, nothing will start until we understand who that spirit is.'Yakumo looked up at the ceiling again.It was just as he said. All they could do was send their hopes towards Gotou and the others searching the spring.Just as Haruka sighed once more, a mobile phone rang.'Hello.'Yakumo answered the phone.After talking for a while, Yakumo said, 'I see.' Then, he hung up, stretched, and stood.'Are you going somewhere?''Yeah, there's something I want to check.'As Yakumo said that, his eyes had a strong glint in them.-12-'They didn't find anything' said Makoto, feeling disappointed as she stood at the edge of the spring.It was already dark. The investigation team members were already finishing up.Makoto had heard from Yakumo that the search for the corpse had begun, so Makoto had parted with Haruka and gone to Kagami Spring.Perhaps she could have just waited for the news, but she hadn't been able to contain herself. Perhaps she was comparing Orita to herself.Somewhere in her heart, she had been confident that the corpse would be found.'I'm sorry'Ishii bowed his head from his position beside Makoto.'No, I should be the one to apologise. I sent you on a wild goose chase. I am truly sorry.'When Makoto bowed from the waist, Ishii hurriedly shook his head.'Please stop that. It's not your fault, Makoto-san.''But''And something might come out if we search once more 'Ishii said that, but Makoto thought it was very unlikely.This spring wasn't that large, and it was only about four or five metres deep. It would have been different if they were looking for a ring or something, but they were looking for a corpse.Twenty people had been unable to find it, so they'd probably get the same result no matter how many more times they tried. But 'A spiritual phenomenon definitely happened here.'A woman was possessed right now. Somebody had definitely died.'Yes, that's true.''Did anybody die here in an accident or in a suicide before?' asked Makoto, looking for a ray of hope.'No, Yakumo-shi asked me to look through the documents for that, but'Ishii stopped speaking there.Makoto could tell what he was going to say even if he didn't finish speaking. There was no evidence of it.'I see''It seems Yakumo-shi has been thinking of something else as well.''Something else?''Yes. He requested the information regarding a certain person, without narrowing the search to the spring.'Ishii had been given that request before leaving Hata's hospital.'Is that so?' said Makoto in surprise.'Yes. And after looking into this, it seems this person disappeared about six years ago.''Then that's the ghost?''He didn't tell me the details, but I think Yakumo-shi might think that.''I see 'That was Yakumo for you.As the investigation of Kagami Spring went on, he was trying to confirm the identity of the ghost from another line of questioning.'If a corpse came up and matched with the person Yakumo-shi expected, that would have been the quickest method, but''That's right,' replied Makoto, looking at Kagmi Spring again.The legend about this spring came up in Makoto's head. The spring of truth why was there a rumour like that?Places like this always had strange rumours, but still.It had been in the video she watched too. You could hear a singing voice here.How had that changed into a rumour about seeing your true reflection and being cursed to death?When Makoto thought about it once more, it didn't settle well with her.'It doesn't really make sense.''I agree,' said Ishii.Makoto glanced at Ishii7s profile. The corners of his eyes were turned a bit down and he looked unreliable at first glance, but Makoto knew that wasn't true.Ishii was hesitant in everyday life because he was excessively concerned about how other people felt. It was a flipped version of kindness.Perhaps it was because of Ishii's personality that Makoto could feel relaxed while she was with him.However, it was unfortunate how Makoto always met Ishii at bloody crime scenes. Today, if there hadn't been a search for a corpse or spiritual phenomena, they might have been able to look at the beautiful night view together.'Is something the matter?'Ishii suddenly spoke to Makoto.'Eh?''You were just smiling rather happily''Eh? Is that so? You're just imagining things.'Makoto hurriedly turned away from Ishii.She felt like her face was on fire. She couldn't believe she'd been fantasizing like a little girl at her age 'By the way, is Gotou-san all right?'Makoto hurriedly changed the topic.Makoto was very concerned about how Gotou was taking everything. There was no way that he was all right.'Though he doesn't say it aloud, it seems he's suffering' said Ishii, who then bit his lip.His eyes behind his glasses looked sad enough to cry at any moment. Ishii was so kind. He must have felt the emotions like they were his own.'Did they get along?''Detective Gotou says he hated him, but I think that's not completely true.''Not completely?''From what I hear, Detective Gotou and Kirino-san had different personalities and often argued, but I think that's not at all''Sort of like Gotou-san and Yakumo-kun's relationship?'When Makoto said that, Ishii said, 'That's it.''I think it's very similar. Even though they argue, at the root of it, they acknowledge each other and trust each other that's how it felt.''Trusting each other no matter what they say aloud it's an envious thing.''It is. I would be happy if Detective Gotou could trust me like that one day, but'Ishii bowed his head like a child that had been scolded.If Makoto were in the same position as Ishii, she might have thought the same way, but Ishii was definitely over-thinking things.'Gotou-san trusts you, Ishii-san.''Then why won't he say anything to me?'That was difficult.Trust relationships weren't just about sharing everything, but even if Makoto said that, Ishii probably wouldn't be able to accept that now.'I think he'll talk to you about it eventually.''Really?''Really.'Though Makoto meant it as encouragement, she also meant it honestly.'I hate that I can't do anything at times like this.'Ishii gripped his fists tightly.His hands were shaking slightly. He was blaming himself again. It hurt Makoto to watch, but that was also one of Ishii's good points.'I think you just have to watch over him,' said Makoto.'Eh?' Ishii lifted his head.'Since Gotou-san has that kind of personality, I don't think he wants somebody to tell him kind words.''Really?''That's what I think. So I think all you have to do is be by Gotou-san's side, as always.''Maybe you're right.'Ishii nodded and then smiled faintly.'What are you grinning about?'Suddenly, Gotou appeared and dropped his fist on Ishii's head.Ishii fell down, gripping his head.'Did you hear that?' asked Makoto.Gotou snorted.'I don't make a habit of eavesdropping.'It looked like he had heard. That said, saying that now would just make things more awkward.'Then that's good,' replied Makoto with a smile, which Gotou responded to with a click of his tongue.He really was an awkward man, but that made Gotou Gotou.'Ishii, how long are you going to stay there? We're going,' declared Gotou, who then started walking briskly.'Going? Where are we going to?'Ishii hurriedly stood up.'Yakumo's place. That guy there's no corpse! I won't feel better until I punch him.''P-please wait.'Ishii hurriedly ran after Gotou.He fell -13-Haruka walked down the hospital corridor with Yakumo 'Hey, what are you planning on doing?'Haruka knew that Yakumo was headed for Sachiko's hospital room, but she didn't know what his goal was.'You came without knowing anything?'Yakumo stopped in front of the hospital room.'Yup.''Honestly' said Yakumo in exasperation, running a hand through his hair.Even if he acted that way, he hadn't told her anything it made sense for Haruka not to know. Well, she couldn't deny that she had just followed him on her own 'There's something I want to check,' said Yakumo, narrowing his eyes.'What?''If it goes well, I might be able to determine the identity of the ghost possessing the woman named Sachiko.''Really!?' said Haruka in shock.Yakumo gave her a look before opening the hospital room door and entering.Haruka followed him.She saw a man beside the bed in which Sachiko was sleeping. It was Kento.When Kento saw them, he nodded.'I apologise for calling you out so suddenly'Yakumo walked up to Kento.'It's fine. More importantly, did you find something out?' asked Kento.Yakumo silently accepted that gaze. Soon, he said with a shrug, 'Well, something like that.''Will Sachiko-chan return to normal?' said Kento pleadingly.Yakumo slowly walked up to the window, as if to escape that question.'You don't really want to know about her condition,' said Yakumo, looking out the window.There were sudden, cold words.'What do you mean?'Kento looked confused.Haruka felt the same way. What was Yakumo saying all of a sudden?'Exactly what I said. I did some research. It seems that Sachiko-san used to be in a relationship with Takatoshi-san.''What about it?''You were more concerned about what was happening to your friend's girlfriend than the spiritual phenomena occurring to your friend. Don't you find that unnatural?'Yakumo turned towards Kento.Their two gazes clashed violently. All Haruka could do was hold her breath and watch.'What do you want to say?' said Kento in a hoarse voice. It looked his forehead was sweaty.'When you went to Kagami Spring, you saw a ghost. You recognized that ghost.''I''You came to me not because you wanted to save Sachiko-san, but because you wanted to know the identity of that ghost am I wrong?''Why do you think that?''At first, it was just my intuition. It might be better to call it physical unease.''Unease?'Kento cocked his head.Haruka felt the same way. She hadn't felt that Kento was acting unnaturally then, and Yakumo himself had said his story had been consistent.'Yes. You didn't seem anxious at all. Furthermore, for somebody who had ran away in a fearful panic, your story was too consistent.'Now that Yakumo said that, Haruka had to nod.Kento had sounded like he was talking about something that hadn't happened to him when he was explaining Sachiko's situation. Furthermore, he had been incredibly calm when talking about what happened at Kagami Spring.Kento looked up at the ceiling, as if to escape Yakumo's straight gaze.He didn't move. He didn't reply.Yakumo didn't do anything either. He just kept looking at Kento.Though it was probably only thirty seconds, because of the heavy atmosphere, it felt preposterously long to Haruka.Finally, Kento took in a deep breath and looked at Yakumo.'It's kind of amazing' said Kento with a bitter smile.'What is?'Yakumo looked dubious.'It's just as you say, Siatou-san. When I saw the ghost in Kagami Spring, I thought it just might be 'Kento's voice shook.'But you didn't want to think that. That said, you couldn't ignore it 'After Yakumo said that, Kento nodded.As Kento bit his lower lip, his eyes glistened with tears.'You thought that the ghost might be your older sister, who had disappeared six years ago.''Yes'Kento's voice, which sounded like it had been strangled out of him, was tinged with tears.Finally, Haruka understood the situation as well. That was probably why Yakumo had made her investigate Kento.The call earlier had probably been from Gotou or Ishii to confirm whether Kento's older sister had been reported missing.'What will you do?' asked Yakumo.'Eh?'Kento looked up.'My eye can see what others can't.''What others can't?''Yes. The spirits of the dead in short, ghosts. I can confirm whether the ghost possessing Sachiko-san is your sister.'When Kento heard Yakumo's words, he stared at Yakumo with wet eyes.'Can you really'Kento's eyes were filled with suspicion.Haruka understood his feelings. Haruka herself hadn't believed in Yakumo's ability at first.'Yakumo-kun is telling the truth,' said Haruka, taking a step forward.Kento looked at Haruka. His eyes appeared to be wavering. He was probably unsure as to whether or not to believe her.'I don't care if you don't believe me, but you talked to me because you thought I could, correct?' said Yakumo disinterestedly.Kento looked down and clenched his hands into fists.Kento probably didn't have just one worry. If his sister was possessing Sachiko, that would mean she was already dead.He would have to accept the cruel truth.Depending on how you looked at it, maybe it was better to believe that his sister was alive and not know the truth 'I want to know. I want to know what happened to my sister, no matter what it was 'Kento looked at Yakumo with a strong gaze.'I understand. Do you have a photo of your sister?''If a mobile phone picture will do''Would you show me?'Kento pulled up an image on his mobile and handed it to Yakumo.After Yakumo took it, he slowly walked up to Sachiko, sleeping on the bed, and looked down on her with sad eyes.Kento watched him while holding his breath.He was probably waiting for Yakumo to say he was wrong. Haruka wanted him to be wrong too as she looked at Yakumo.Finally 'You weren't wrong. The spirit possessing Sachiko-san is your sister.'Yakumo7s flat words rang in the silent hospital room.'You're lying,' Kento said expressionlessly.'No, there's no doubt about it.''Please tell me it's a lie. It can't be my sister. I mean, my sister'Kento grabbed Yakumo's shoulders and shook him.Yakumo said nothing.Soon, Kento collapsed to his knees.Kento had been holding himself up frantically, but he was unable to hold up against this wave of emotion, and tears spilt from his eyes With that, Kento fell to the ground and started sobbing.He probably felt a deep sadness.Haruka looked away, unable to watch Kento like that.How long did it last? Kento wiped his tears with his arm even as he sniffled and stood up.'Please tell me. How did my sister die?'Kento's voice was tinged with tears, but it was still filled with a strong will.'I don't know that yet. In order to know the truth, could you tell me what sort of sister your sister was?'Kento nodded in response to Yakumo's question -14-'There was no corpse anywhere!'Right after entering the Movie Research Circle room, Gotou went right up to Yakumo, who was in the same seat as always.Even though they had done a thorough search with that many people, they didn't find even the traces of a corpse, let alone an actual one.Though Gotou didn't care about the people who were being obviously disagreeable, he felt like he'd done Miyagawa wrong, since Miyagawa had acted because he trusted them.However, Yakumo yawned in boredom, like he couldn't care less about how Gotou felt.'Are you listening?' yelled Gotou, grabbing Yakumo by the collar.'Please don't speak so loudly. It hearts my ears.'Yakumo looked incredibly displeased as he stuck his fingers in his ears.Gotou had thought that Yakumo would be a bit repentant, but it looked like he didn't care at all.'You little brat!'Gotou raised his fist, but Ishii ran in, saying, 'Please calm down.''Let go!'Gotou shook him off.Ishii was thrust into the wall and fell to the floor. He held his back and groaned melodramatically.'Honestly. You can let your emotions get the best of you if you want, but why don't you try listening first?' said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair.His instructions made sense. And the way he said that made it sound like he had a plan for what to do next.Gotou fixed his jacket and calmed down before sitting opposite Yakumo.Ishii got up on wobbly feet and sat next to Gotou.'You really didn't find a corpse there then,' said Yakumo once everyone had settled.'We didn't. We searched the whole spring, but nothing came up. A complete waste of time.'Though Gotou said that as a complaint, Yakumo didn't seem bothered at all. Rather, he seemed to be smiling in a scoffing manner.'Why do you think finding nothing was a waste of time?'Gotou hadn't thought that was how Yakumo would respond.'Why? It's a waste of time 'cause we didn't find what we were looking for, right?''We now know that there is no corpse in that spring. That's new information, isn't it?''That's just quibbling''It isn't quibbling. In the first place, a corpse being in that spring was only one possibility,' Yakumo said disinterestedly.Gotou couldn't ignore that.'You used the police to search even though you didn't know if anything was there?''Yes,' Yakumo said calmly.'You How much work do you think you made for me?''Why are you angry? Isn't this the work of the police in the first place?''What?''I'm saying that the work of the police is to think about all the possibilities and eliminate them by investigating them one by one.'It was just as Yakumo said.Police investigations was just a lot of spinning wheels, but it wasn't pointless. Investigating like this made it possible to see the truth of the case.'Though a corpse wasn't found, I know the true identity of the spirit wandering there.'Yakumo said something incredibly surprising like it was nothing special.'W-what!?'Gotou stood up in surprise, which made Yakumo look at him scornfully. 'You're so noisy'Yakumo's tone irritated him, but he bore with it for now.'So who is it?' asked gotou after sitting down again.'I requested something at Hata-san's, yes?''Did you?'Gotou knew that Yakumo had requested something of Ishii before leaving Hata's hospital, but he hadn't heard what it was.Yakumo sighed in exasperation before continuing.'Six years ago, a woman went missing. Her name was Utsugi Kumi-san. The older sister of Kento-san, who came to consult me about a certain spiritual phenomenon.''What?''Kento-san showed me a photo for confirmation, so there is no doubt about it.'Yakumo's expression went hard.'Then why didn't we find a corpse?' asked Ishii, pushing up his glasses with his finger.That bothered Gotou too. They had used so many people to search but nothing had come up that didn't make sense.'This is just a possibility, but perhaps Kumi-san did not die at that spring, but somewhere else ' murmured Yakumo.'But then why was she wandering there?' asked Gotou.Yakumo ran a hand through his hair, seeming annoyed.'I would actually like the ask the spirit herself, but all she will do is sing'That was probably what was bothering Yakumo the most.He had nothing to go on if he didn't know what the spirit possessing the woman wnated.'It'shopeless then.'Gotou raised his hadns in surrender.When Yakumo saw that, he smiled wryly.'It's still too early to give up.''What?''There is still another possibility.'Yakumo put his finger to his brow. His gaze was frightening, to the point it made a chill run down Gotou's spine.'What?''The corpse really was there 'Now the story was in a jumble again.It wasn't like Yakumo at all.'I'm saying it wasn't there.''If you look at a case with preconceptions, you lose sight of the truth.'That condescending attitude irritated Gotou.'You say that but you don't get it either, do you?' said Gotou, leaning forward.Gotou had thought that Yakumo would object, but Yakumo looked into space and murmured something.It seemed he was contemplating something. It'd be pointless to talk to him now.'What will you do?' asked Ishii, looking anxious.Do? They'd done all they could. Gotou had no idea what to do next.'No helping it. Let's go.'Just as Gotou gave up and stood, Yakumo called out to stop him.'Could I see the scene of the crime?' said Yakumo with a fearless smile, completely different from his expression earlier.This response he might've thought of something.'Yeah, it's probably fine.'Since the investigation of the crime scene was finished, people could look at it as long as they didn't mess things up. There were probably guards, but Gotou could fool them any day of the week.'Then let's go.'Yakumo stood up.Though he was a really irritating guy, at times like this, Yakumo felt very reliable.'Yeah, let's go,' said Gotou, full of expectation.-15-Haruka returned to her flat and sighed.So many things had happened since yesterday that she was physically and psychologically exhausted.She boiled milk in the kitchen and made hot chocolate.She sat in front of the table and took a sip before turning on her laptop.She wanted to sleep immediately, but she couldn't. Yakumo had given her more instructions.There were too many things Haruka didn't understand with this case. It seemed that Yakumo was troubled too.Since Yakumo was always saving her, Haruka wanted to help Yakumo, even if just a little, and Haruka herself wouldn't feel good leaving things like this.Furthermore, part of her sympathised with Kento.Afterwards, she heard about Kento's tragic past in Sachiko's hospital room.Kento He had lost his mother early due to a sickness, and he had lost his father too in a traffic accident eight years ago. He had been forced to go to a care facility.Kento and his older sister Kumi had lived depending on each other.Kumi had left the care facility first after graduating high school and started living alone. They had continued to meet frequently.Even though they had promised to live together one day, Kumi suddenly disappeared without any warning.Kento had become alone in the world, but still he had frantically done his best and managed to even go to university with scholarship money.Kento had probably been able to live positively because he had believed that Kumi was alive somewhere.That faint hope had been mercilessly crushed.When Kento left the hospital room, he had looked impermanent, like he could collapse at any moment.Lives lost never came back.All they could do was find the reason Kumi had died and was wandering the world to release her spirit.After Haruka's laptop started up, she opened a website.It was the site that Makoto had found with a video of a spiritual phenomenon that had occurred at that spring.There were red letters on the black screen.Though it was a creepy site, that was probably its intention.'This'Haruka clicked on the video and played it.Three men went through a forest while chatting. Soon, the spring showed up on screen.Haruka had only gone in the day, but looking at the spring at night like this gavei t a rather different impression.The men seemed to hear something from somewhere, which made them scream and scatter.Haruka played the same part once more and listened carefully.Makoto had said this too, but the voice Haruka could hear faintly had rizum and tones to it. It could be a asong.Sachiko's song was rough and flat, as if it was being read. In contrast, though it was hard to hear what was being said in the video, there were clearly tones and rhythm.Rather than a song, it sounded like something being played on an instrument.'Is this'Haruka turned the volume up to the highest level and played the same part once more.Though there was only a very short phrase, since the men's screams had cut it short, Haruka could hear the tones and rhythm clearly. I feel like I've heard this somewhere before.Haruka tried humming the phrase. Even though she voiced it aloud, she just couldn't remember.'Right.'Haruka took out her mobile and listened to the video of Sachiko's song once more.'Ah!'A cry slipped out in Haruka's excitement.She had thought that the lyrics were Japanese until now, but that was wrong. These were English lyrics.Haruka listened once more with this knowledge there was no doubt about it. She knew this song. She had played it in the orchestra circle before too.She called Yakumo immediately.What?After a number of rings, Yakumo answered the phone in a displeased voice.There was the sound of the wind. It seemed he was outside.'I figured it out. I figured iut out!'Why not try calming down a bit?After Yakumo said that, Haruka realised she was excited.'Sorry. OK. I figured out what song it is,' said Haruka after taking a deep breath.What's the name?'Probably this song is 'When Haruka explained the name of the song and the way the song had been written, Yakumo gave a short reply.I see Haruka had thought Yakumo would be more surprised, but it was an incredibly flat response.'Did you figure anything out?' asked Haruka, though she felt a bit disappointed.Vaguely, butYakumo was speaking unclearly, which was unusual for him.'Vaguely?'To be honest, I don't understand the feeling, but maybe there is that sort of thing. This must beAfter saying that much, Yakumo stopped.'What?'No, it's nothing. I just think that your feeling might have been correct.'My feeling?'Haruka didn't understand what on earth Yakumo was talking about, and when she asked the question, Yakumo interrupted her.There's no point lining up theories now.'That's true, but'Anyway, you've helped me out After saying just that, Yakumo hung up.Haruka was a bit confused, but she decided it was fine since Yakumo had thanked her.She put her mobile down and remembered something.She had a CD from when she played this song. She searched through the CD rack and found it right away.She put the CD in the CD player and played it.The graceful, beautiful and solemn melody soon started to play Why was the spirit possessing Sachiko singing this song? Haruka shut her eyes and thought about that while listening to the music.This song wasn't filled with the emotions of loathing or hatred for someone. It was the complete opposite.This song was filled with -16- This is creepy.Ishii whispered that in his heart as he stepped into the church.He had thought it was creepy the last time he came as well, but there was something else.Maybe the fact that somebody had been killed here was making Ishii feel this way.'Don't be scared.'Gotou hit Ishii's head like he had read his mind.'So what's this for, Yakumo?' gotou said to Yakumo, who was standing in front of the altar.Yakumo slowly turned around.It gave Ishii a start. Yakumo and a church it was a strange combination, but something it felt solemn.'Kirino-san was murdered in this waiting room in the back, correct?'Yakumo pointed at the door behind the podium.'Yeah,' replied Gotou, at which point Yakumo walked without any hesitation to the broken door, opening it and going inside.'Let's go.'Gotou followed im.Ishii didn't want to go. He had a terribly bad feeling today. He'd wait here.'Ishii! What are you doing?' yelled Gotou, which made Ishii walk reflexively.He hesitantly peered inside the room.The room was six tatami mats in size.There were still fresh dark red bloodstains on the floor. Wind blew in from the broken stained glass windows.Yakumo crouched in front of the bloodstain and touched it lightly with a finger.It was like he was praying.'Gotou-san, when you came in, where was the suspect, Takatoshi-san?' said Yakumo, slowly standing up.'That wall.'Gotou pointed with his finger.Yakumo walked towards it, put his hand on his chen and murmured something. What are you saying?Ishii was about to ask but he shut his mouth without thinking.He felt a chin run down his spine. Somebody had touched him that was what it felt like. He hurriedly turned around, but nobody was there.'What's wrong?' asked Gotou.'Ah, no, er'He couldn't explain the feelings within him properly right now.Ignoring Ishii's state of mind, Yakumo walked up to the broken stained glass window.'You said you heard the sound of breaking glass when you were outside the room, ' said Yakumo with narrowed eyes.'Yeah.''How about you, Ishii-san?''I-I heard it too,' replied Ishii, which made Yakumo close his mouth again. He put his index finger to his brow and seemed to be thinking about something.Ishii had no way of knowing what he was thinking about.Also, Ishii thought that surely Takatoshi was the culprit in this murder case.It wasn't just Ishii. The investigation team were heading that way too. Though they had been having difficulties since Takatoshi's grandfather was a retired cop, there was so much evidence that they couldn't cover up the truth.But then what on earth was Yakumo investigating?Ishii had that question, but that response came to him unexpectedly easily.Yakumo wasn't an officer. He wasn't trying to solve a murder case in the first place. He wanted to save the spirit of the woman who had been in Kagami Spring.'Could I ask one thing?'Yakumo walked up to Gotou and Ishii after he had finished thinking.'What?' urged Gotou.'Why was it this room?''Eh?' said Ishii, unable to understand the meaning of Yakumo's question.'Kirino-san said that he couldn't exorcise spirits. That he would clear Takatoshi-san's delusions by putting on an act.''He did,' said Gotou with a nod.'Then why did he use this room?'Yakumo cocked his head, like he didn't understand at all. What problem does Yakumo-shi see?Ishii didn't know. Gotou seemed to think the same way, as he said, 'What do you want to say?''There's nothing in this room,' said Yakumo as he looked away. Nothing?All Ishii could do was cock his head.There was a table and chairs, though they had fallen during the fight. There wasn't nothing.Yakumo had to know that. Which meant Yakumo was trying to say something else Ishii looked over the room once more.'What are you saying?'Gotou's brow was furrowed.'Do you still not understand?''Ah!' Ishii said, interrupting Yakumo.Ishii understood what Yakumo was trying to say. Once he reached that thought, this situation seemed incredibly unnatural.'It appears Ishii-san has noticed. Gotou-san, why not try learning from him?'After saying that, Yakumo left the room.'What the hell's that supposed to mean!?' said Gotou, anger evident as he ran after Yakumo.Ishii tried to follow, but before he could, the door closed and blocked his way.Did Gotou close it, or did Ishii reached towards the door, but then he stopped.Again. The same feeling as earlier The cold gaze on his back. There was somebody right behind him.'There's no way,' denied Ishii aloud.Yakumo and Gotou had left the room. He had to be the only person in this room.Even though Ishii was telling himself that, the unpleasant gaze didn't leave him.He would turn around to check. If nobody was there, then he would be able to accept that it was just his mistake.Ishii took a deep breath and then turned around.He stopped breathing There shouldn't have been anyone there. And yet. And yet in front of him, there was a man.Ishii didn't have a red left eye, but he still knew that the man in front of him wasn't alive.He loked at Ishii with cold eyes.He didn't know if it was from anger or sadness. He just knew it was an incredibly unpleasant gaze Ishii tried to run, but his feet tangled and he fell.He hurriedly tried to get up, but the man reached forward with both hands to assault Ishii.'Aahhh!'Ishii's consciousness and scream were swallowed by the darkness -NOTES:1 Normally, Yakumo speaks in polite language desu/masu to everyone except Haruka. Even when he's mocking Gotou, he speaks politely. However, he slips into casual language here. To replicate the effect, I've added italics.2 NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training and has been picked up in Japan as a term for young people who are unemployed, not in school or training for work, not doing housework and not looking for work.