Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – SECRET FILES: Kizuna - Volume 1 - Chapter 1

SECRET FILES – KIZUNA
each wish: chapter 1 (TRANSLATION NOTES)

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1

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Takagishi Akemi opened the classroom door at the same time as the chime went off and stood at the lectern.

The students were still noisy from the break.

Akemi put both hands on the lectern, looked around the classroom and waited for the students to quiet down on their own.

Takagishi knew that if you told children of this age to be quiet, they would just grow noisier.

Children in puberty didn’t like being told what to do, even if it was a little thing like that.

Rather than being taught that, Akemi had learnt it naturally through her life as a teacher.

The students grew calmer.

‘Now, let’s start.’

Akemi opened the attendance record and looked around the classroom again, when she noticed there was an empty seat.

The second seat from the back of the row by the corridor –

Somebody had been there during homeroom this morning.

'Where’s Saitou-kun?’

Akemi asked that question to all the students.

'Isn’t he just skipping again?’

The one who spoke with blatant dislike was Tsukasa, who sat in the very front row and had a leader role in the class.

– Again?

'How long’s he been gone?’

Akemi asked that question to Tsukasa, but the reply was an innocent 'I don’t know’.

'Sacchan, do you know?’

Akemi looked at Sachiko, who sat beside the empty seat.

'Ah, er, he was here until the end of the first class, but he left during break… I’m sorry.’

Sachiko spoke like a mother apologising for her child’s misconduct.

'It’s OK. It’s not your fault.’

Though Akemi said that to Sachiko, she sighed.

If he had been gone since the second class, there should have been some contact from the other teachers, but nobody had noticed that he was gone.

Akemi couldn’t understand at all why something like this had been let pass.

'Let’s have class already. I’m seriously itching to study,’ said Tsukasa.

'Liar!’

Youhei, in the seat right behind Tsukasa, made fun of him.

There was stifled laughter from all over the classroom.

Akemi couldn’t stop class for one person. She knew that. But –

'Please open to page 168 of the textbook and read that passage. I’ll be right back.’

The whole class let out a shrill 'Ehhhh!’ at Akemi’s words.

However, she still couldn’t continue class while ignoring a student who had skipped.

Akemi wrote the words 'Self Study’ on the blackboard and left the classroom.

She knew where he would be.

He was always in the same place, as if waiting for someone to bring him back.

Akemi ran to the end of the corridor, took the stairs up and opened the door to the rooftop.

The dry autumn wind hit her face.

Akemi covered her eyes and went out onto the rooftop.

– Just as I expected.

She saw the back of a male student looking at the scenery while standing by the rooftop fence.

– Saitou Yakumo.

The back looked somewhat sad, as if it was burdened with something.

Akemi slowly walked up to Yakumo.

– Why did you skip class?

She knew that she wouldn’t get an answer even if she asked Yakumo.

'Hey.’

Akemi called out to Yakumo’s back.

In response, Yakumo slowly turned around.

He wasn’t that different from Akemi in height. Around 150 centimetres. He was a bit short in comparison to other kids his age.

Akemi looked at Yakumo’s face, at the same height as her own.

Yakumo was slender and had well-defined features, though they still looked slightly childish. However, he was so pale that it made her doubt whether he was really alive.

Furthermore, his eyes were endlessly dark and cold.

Akemi didn’t know what he was thinking. His gaze was as expressionless as a machine’s.

Though pubescent boys were prone to trying to make themselves look bigger, most of that ended at vanity.

However, it was different for Yakumo.

There was something about Yakumo that didn’t match his fifteen years of age.

'What do you want?’ said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair like he thought this troublesome.

An uncertain voice that had just finished changing –

It felt like there was a rejection there, telling people not to approach him.

Yakumo wasn’t rejecting Akemi because she was his homeroom teacher.

Akemi had never seen Yakumo talk with the other classmates.

Of course, he talked when absolutely necessary, but that was all. The words that came out of Yakumo’s mouth were only short phrases like 'Ah’ and 'I see’.

What sort of person was Yakumo trying to become? What did he like? What did he dislike? There was probably nobody in this school whom he would reply to if asked.

'What are you looking at?’ asked Akemi, forcing herself to smile.

'The cherry blossoms…’ said Yakumo, narrowing his eyes.

Akemi felt like there was something wrong with Yakumo’s words. It was autumn now. There were just dead leaves on the branches.

'Even though the flowers aren’t blossoming?’

'Don’t people say this? That corpses are buried under cherry blossom trees,’ said Yakumo expressionlessly.

– Corpses.

Akemi thought that her heart would leap out of her mouth.

He had suddenly said such a frightening thing.

Come to think of it, she’d read something like that in a story before.

It was a story about a man who had the wild idea that the reason cherry blossoms were beautiful was that there were corpses buried underneath the tree and thought of them as symbolic of tragedy[1].

Did Yakumo think that way –

'So did you find it?’ asked Akemi as a joke.

'Find what?’

'A corpse.’

Yakumo seemed surprised by Akemi’s words, as his cheek twitched.

However, then his expression soon became his usual blank one, and he put his hands in his pockets and walked past Akemi to the door, as if to say he didn’t need anything else from her.

'Do you like it here?’ said Akemi, following Yakumo with her eyes.

The truth was, she didn’t actually want to know that. She just wanted to talk more with Yakumo, even if it was just a little.

If it became a chance for him to open his heart –

It might have been naive, but Akemi had that hope, though it was faint.

'Eh?’

Yakumo stopped right in front of the door.

'Since you’re always here.’

'Please just leave me alone, like everyone else.’

That was Yakumo’s answer.

'There’s no way I could leave you alone!’

Akemi felt irritated by what Yakumo said, and she accidently spoke roughly.

’…’

Yakumo said something, his back still facing her.

However, she couldn’t hear it.

'If you have something you want to say, say it clearly.’

The moment Akemi stepped forward to approach Yakumo, Yakumo turned around.

A chill ran down Akemi’s spine when he looked at her.

It felt like that gaze would freeze her.

Akemi lost her words and just stood there in a daze, like a frog under the gaze of a snake.

'I don’t really care, but you’re annoying.’

After a silence, Yakumo said just that and walked away briskly.

Akemi let out a huge sigh and then stood by the fence and looked at the scenery, as Yakumo had been doing.

She saw a cherry blossom tree in the courtyard.

'Annoying… eh…’

Akemi had come back from maternity leave and had been put in charge of Yakumo’s class this spring.

The previous instructor had warned her, saying, 'He’s not really any trouble, but you should leave him alone.’

Yakumo rejected everything besides himself, putting up an invisible wall and watching everything from inside of it.

No matter how she tried to reach out, he wouldn’t come out from behind that wall.

Trying to get involved just invited heartache.

Akemi herself had thought about giving up countless times.

There was a limit to what a schoolteacher could do. She knew that. But she just couldn’t leave Yakumo alone.

She knew that she had always had a meddlesome personality.

But was it just her personality making her concerned about Yakumo?

Akemi just couldn’t think of Yakumo as a stranger.

Naturally, they weren’t related by blood. But there was something else – she felt there was something like a connection.

She might have thought that way because of the rumours about him.

Anyway, there must have been a reason for Yakumo to close off his heart. He might have had problems in his family environment.

Come to think of it, Akemi only knew the Yakumo at school.

– Maybe I’ll go visit his house today.

Akemi made that decision.

-

2

-

The door opened quietly and Yakumo returned to the classroom.

– I’m glad.

Though this always happened, Sachiko felt relieved.

Every time Yakumo disappeared, Sachiko felt nervous. She would worry about whether he was causing trouble and feel anxious about whether he wouldn’t return to the classroom.

However, that was just Sachiko. The other students had a different response.

Everyone silently looked at Yakumo with scorn.

Someone who stuck out, throwing everyone’s circle out of order. It felt like they were blaming him that way.

However, Yakumo didn’t seem to care as he sat next to Sachiko’s seat and took a book as thick as a novel from his desk, flipping it open to a bookmark and then reading it with a serious expression.

At the same time, other people started talking.

'I really wish that guy would stop it already.’

'It’s kinda annoying.’

'But his grades are good.’

'He’s cheating, right?’

'Clairvoyance?’

'Ah, that might be true. In elementary school, there was a rumour that he could see ghosts.’

'Seriously?’

'And his eye’s actually red, says the rumours.’

'And his parents are missing.’

'I heard about that. He killed them or something.’

'Murderer.’

– It’s started again.

Sachiko wanted to cover her eyes.

It was Tsukasa and the others. They said awful things loudly on purpose so that Yakumo could hear them. It made sense for Yakumo to want to leave the classroom if he was treated this way.

Sachiko felt angry, but unfortunately, she wasn’t brave enough to say it aloud.

She glanced at Yakumo, in the seat beside her.

As if he hadn’t heard the gossip at all, Yakumo was focussed on reading. This was how Yakumo was different from the other students. He didn’t pay any attention to the backbiting classmates.

– Like an adult.

It was hard to think that he was the same age as Tsukasa, who was clearly showing his ill intent.

'They’re just jealous – don’t pay any attention to them,’ Sachiko told Yakumo.

Yakumo just lifted his head slightly without saying anybody.

He looked at her.

That was enough to make Sachiko’s heart race faster.

– When did I start paying attention to Yakumo?

That thought suddenly came to Sachiko’s mind. She couldn’t remember clearly, but when she noticed, she was already engrossed.

It wasn’t like they had particularly friendly conversations, but just looking at Yakumo was enough to make her happy for the rest of the day.

However, she had never talked about that with anybody.

Even when friends asked her if she had anybody she liked, she told them that she didn’t.

Everyone thought Yakumo was creepy because of all the really irritating rumours about him – that he could see ghosts, that his eye was red, that his parents had abandoned him, that he had killed them.

If Sachiko consulted anybody, she could tell that they would say she was creepy for liking a guy like that.

However, Sachiko knew that there were other hidden Yakumo fans besides herself.

Yakumo was cool, mysterious and had an inexplicable charm.

'Hey, Saitou. I hear you can see ghosts.’

Tsukasa’s voice brought Sachiko back to reality.

When she looked up, she saw that Tsukasa was standing in front of Yakumo. He had his hands on the belt at his waist as he looked down on Yakumo pompously.

– The unpleasant guy’s here.

Sachiko hated Tsukasa. She had a number of reasons.

First, he didn’t wear his uniform properly. His shirt buttons were open to his chest, and his necktie hung underneath that. He might have been trying to look rough, but when Tsukasa did it, it was just classless.

Furthermore, he always acted high and mighty and said he was good in a fight.

More than anything, Sachiko couldn’t bear how he always picked fights with Yakumo.

'Answer me. Can you really see ghosts?’

Tsukasa spoke quickly as he pressed Yakumo for a reply.

However, Yakumo just stared at his book. He didn’t even lift his head.

'Oi, you listening!?’

Tsukasa flew into a rage and smacked both of his hands on the desk, bringing his face so close to Yakumo’s that their noses were almost touching. He was clearly picking a fight.

'Hey, stop it.’

Sachiko couldn’t bear it – she grabbed Tsukasa’s arm. Tsukasa brushed her hand aside and glared.

'I’m just talking to him.’

'He obviously doesn’t like it.’

'Why are you covering for him?’

'Eh?’

Sachiko was lost for words.

She couldn’t answer that question.

'Do you like him?’

'That’s not it!’

When Tsukasa hit the bull’s-eye, she took it too seriously and spoke in a loud voice.

Everyone turned towards her, and her face grew hot in embarrassment.

'Oi, oi. Do you really like him?’

Tsukasa looked at Sachiko’s face.

– Don’t get so close to me. It’s creepy.

Sachiko leant back, putting as much distance between her and Tsukasa as she could.

'So what if I can see them?’

Somebody interrupted. It was Yakumo.

Tsukasa looked towards Yakumo again.

– Did he cover for me?

'Oh, so you can see them. Then come with me for a bit,’ said Tsukasa.

'For what?’

The complete opposite of Tsukasa, who was speaking threateningly, Yakumo spoke in a flat tone, as if he were reading a book.

'You’ve heard of it, right? The rumour that there’s a ghost at this school.’

Sachiko knew the rumour too.

When night fell, you could hear a creepy crying voice. A male student in the next class had made a fuss a while back about how he’d seen a man covered in blood.

'I don’t know it.’

'There’s a rumour like that!’

When Yakumo gave a disinterested tone, Tsukasa was obviously irritated.

'That so.’

'Let me see if you can really see ghosts.’

'And?’

'Tonight, we’re sneaking into the school to have a test of courage.’

'So?’

'You’re coming too,’ said Tsukasa with a smirk.

Sachiko thought it was in bad taste. It puzzled her how he could come up with something so boring.

'Got it.’

Yakumo suddenly looked up and said that quietly.

'Eh?’

Sachiko spoke up without thinking.

She had thought Yakumo would definitely refuse Tsukasa’s invitation.

It wasn’t just Sachiko who was surprised. Even Tsukasa, who had been the one who asked, had his mouth wide open at Yakumo’s unexpected reply.

'Do you need anything else?’ Yakumo said expressionlessly.

Sachiko couldn’t understand why Yakumo had agreed to Tsukasa’s invitation.

'Ah, no… We’re meeting up at eight today at the school gates.’

'Got it.’

Tsukasa gave the instructions in his confusion, and Yakumo gave a short reply.

'Wait, just stop this idiocy.’

Sachiko couldn’t help but interrupt.

Since it was Tsukasa, he would definitely do something mean to Yakumo. Going along with him in such a carefree manner was like jumping into the fire.

'Sachiko. You come too.’

Tsukasa looked at Sachiko.

'Eh?’

When the conversation suddenly turned to her, Sachiko couldn’t understand right away.

'I said, you come too.’

'Me?’

'Yeah. You.’

'No, but…’

– I don’t want to.

It would be easy to refuse, but Sachiko couldn’t reply.

'OK, we’re starting class again.’

The door opened, and Akemi came back into the classroom.

'You have to come. Don’t run away.’

Tsukasa left those parting words and returned to his own seat.

– The whole thing’s become a bit strange.

Sachiko looked at Yakumo’s profile again.

Though he had well-defined features, he was as expressionless as a machine. She couldn’t tell what he felt or thought at all.

Come to think of it, this was the only expression Sachiko had ever seen Yakumo make.

Perhaps she would be able to see another expression of his by participating in Tsukasa’s test of courage.

Looking at it a different way, this could be a chance.

Sachiko felt her heart beating more quickly –

-

3

-

'Damn it! He pisses me off!’

Gotou, who had returned to his seat, slammed his fists on the desk and then lit a cigarette.

The new chief was called Ideuchi. What the hell was he planning? He didn’t know anything about the scene. They wouldn’t be able to investigate with the personnel distributed like hat.

'Damn it.’

Gotou spat that out again and leant back on his chair, loosening his necktie.

'Don’t make such a fuss.’

Gotou turned around at the thick voice. It was Gotou’s boss, Miyagawa.

Miyagawa had a small frame, but with his bald head and sharp glance, he looked just like a yakuza.

With his hands in his pockets and that stiff expression, it made him look even more so. If he was walking around the street like that, everyone would avoid him.

'What is it?’

'That’s my line. You’re acting like some rebellious brat.’

Miyagawa said that curtly and took a cigarette out of his pocket. He flicked the filter as he bit down on it.

'I’m not really.’

Gotou swallowed his irritation and offered his lighter to Miyagawa.

'You really can’t hide anything.’

Miyagawa looked exasperated as he lit his cigarette.

Gotou couldn’t deny it. He knew himself that his thoughts showed right through in his attitude, just as Miyagawa said.

He’d been in Miyagawa’s care since he was a new recruit, so Miyagawa probably saw that in a more exaggerated fashion than most.

'So what are you so angry about?’ asked Miyagawa, slowly blowing out smoke.

Just earlier, Gotou had been angry enough to flip the table, but he felt himself calming down.

It wasn’t just this time. When he talked with Miyagawa, his mental state would become more stable.

No matter what the situation, it made him feel like things would work out. It might have been because of the absolute trust Gotou had in Miyagawa.

'No, I was just thinking about going on a diet.’

'Don’t talk like you’re asleep. If you’re going to try to fool me, say something better.’

Just as Miyagawa said, Gotou himself felt no persuasive power in what he’d told him.

'That’s right.’

'Well, whatever. Since it’s you, you probably just don’t get along with the new chief.’

Miyagawa could even see through to the type of people Gotou liked and disliked.

Instead of agreeing, Gotou scratched his head and frowned.

'Come with me for a bit.’

'Eh?’

'We’re going.’

Miyagawa ignored Gotou’s confusion and pressed his cigarette into the ashtray. Then, he started walking away briskly.

'Please wait.’

Gotou grabbed the jacket on his chair and hurriedly ran after Miyagawa.

'Where are you going?’

'The investigation, obviously.’

'Investigation?’

'Two men of our age wouldn’t be going for tea. Think about it a bit.’

That really would have been unpleasant, but Gotou still didn’t understand.

'What is the investigation for?’

When Gotou said that, Miyagawa smacked the back of Gotou’s head.

'You’re so noisy!’

Miyagawa glared at him with a click of his tongue.

'But…’

Gotou started speaking, but then Miyagawa slung an arm around Gotou’s shoulders and pulled him close. Then, they continued like that down the corridor.

After looking around to confirm that nobody was there, Miyagawa started speaking in a quiet voice.

'There was a tip-off just earlier.’

Though he spoke quietly, the pressure from his voice was still there.

'A tip? What were the contents?’

'The contents aren’t the problem. It’s just a bit strange.’

'Strange?’

Gotou’s expression was dubious.

Miyagawa was a veteran. He’d been on this path for twenty years. He probably wouldn’t be surprised by most things. That Miyagawa was saying it was strange.

Something bad was going to happen. Gotou had that feeling.

'Actually, the person who tipped us off called the detective department directly and even asked for me.’

'Do you have an idea about who it is?’

'I don’t. That’s why I’m concerned.’

It made sense for Miyagawa to think it was strange.

When civilians reported things to the police, they usually chose to call 110 or the consultation window at the local police box.

It’d have been different for a personal informer, but going out of their way to contact the detective department and call out the head there really was strange.

And Miyagawa had no idea who it was –

'Was it a man, or a woman?’

'I don’t know,’ Miyagawa replied immediately.

'What do you mean?’

'It was a voice whatchamacallit.’

'A voice changer?’

'Yes. They changed their voice with that.’

Miyagawa looked peevish as he scratched his neck.

Looked like the person had even used a voice changer to hide their identity. They really were concerned –

'So what were the contents?’ asked Gotou, which made Miyagawa look even grimmer.

'Well, the contents were a bit strange too…’

Miyagawa started to speak, but then he saw another investigation member walking down the corridor and shut his mouth.

From that reaction, it looked like he hadn’t told anybody about the tip yet.

'Anyway, let’s move elsewhere and talk.’

Miyagawa said that, hunching over as he started to walk with a quick gait.

-

4

-

When Akemi arrived there, it was already seven.

She had left school before five, but she had had to ask a friend to take in her daughter and call a number of people, which made her go past her intended time.

Akemi climbed the slope lined with gingko trees and stopped in front of a temple’s gates. She checked the address once more.

There was no doubt about it. Which meant that his home was a temple –

Akemi was confused as she walked up to the priests’ quarters, ahead of the gravel garden.

She had called ahead of time to say that she would be visiting. Somebody who was probably his father had answered and agreed to it pleasantly.

She was visiting because she thought that perhaps one of the reasons Yakumo had shut off his heart like that was his family environment.

That was why she had been prepared for a refusal. It had been anticlimactic.

She stood in front of the entrance and pressed the doorbell.

After a while, the sliding door opened to reveal a man with a bald head probably in his thirties, wearing a priest’s working clothes.

'Ah, I’ve been waiting,’ he said with a smile.

It was a gentle expression, like Maitreya’s. Akemi felt a sense of deja vu.

– I’ve seen this face before.

Akemi looked at his face. She knew somebody who looked very like him. Should she say something? But she could just be mistaking him for somebody else –

'Is there something on my face?’

He cocked his head, like he thought that Akemi’s staring was odd.

'Ah, sorry. I’m the one who called. I’m Yakumo-kun’s homeroom teacher, Takagishi.’

Akemi came back to her senses and hurriedly bowed her head.

This time, he furrowed his brows and peered at Akemi’s face, as if he sensed something.

Finally, he clapped his hands together, like he had come to an understanding.

'Could you be Takagishi Akemi-san?’ he said.

He knew his name. There was no doubt about it. This person was –

'Isshin-san,’ said Akemi, almost jumping up.

Isshin had been Akemi’s tutor when she was in the third year of high school.

Though she had thought something was different since now he had shaved his head bald, now that she remembered, the memories came back to her, as fresh as if they had happened yesterday.

Her heart returned to those times, filling her with bittersweet feelings.

'Ah, this is nostalgic.’

Isshin nodded a number of times.

'It has been a really long time.’

Akemi felt a bit embarrassed by this unexpected reunion and looked down.

'Are your parents well?’ said Isshin with his usual smile.

When Isshin was her tutor, Akemi’s parents had liked him a lot as well. Her mother had even said, 'If you’re going to get a boyfriend, get one like that.’

The truth was that Akemi would have liked to reminisce with her mother too, but that wasn’t possible.

'They died last year in an accident.’

The car that her parents had been in had been hit directly by a truck with a dozing driver. Her father, the driver, had died immediately. Her mother had been unconscious for a week before dying.

It had been a sudden incident right when Akemi had been in sinking spirits, when she had found out she was pregnant.

If her parents had still been healthy and alive, Akemi’s decision might have been very different, but that was only a hypothetical story.

Nothing would start from regret.

'That is.. a terrible loss. I’ve asked something inappropriate.’

Isshin put his hands together and looked down quietly.

'No…’

Akemi shook her head while the events that had happened ran through her head like a revolving lantern. The corners of her eyes felt warm.

'Let’s not just stand and talk; please come inside,’ said Isshin, waving away the solemn atmosphere.

'Ah, yes.’

She hadn’t come here today to talk about herself. Akemi put the current mood behind her.

Isshin invited her into the living room by the entrance.

Akemi knelt on the cushion and had just relaxed when memories from the past came back to her again.

Isshin hadn’t changed at all.

At the time, Isshin had been a university student, but he had had a calm demeanour and tolerance – or attractive force? – back then inappropriate for his age.

It was fun for Akemi to take lessons from Isshin.

She would be fidgety all day on the days Isshin was supposed to come, and she would take care in her hairstyle and clothing.

She tried not to think about why. If she thought about that during her lessons, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to study.

– If I’d told him my feelings then, how would it have gone?

'Sorry.’

Interrupting Akemi’s fantasies, Isshin came back with a tray that had teacups on it.

'Ah, no.’

Akemi looked up.

'It looks like Yakumo went off somewhere right after coming back.’

Isshin placed the tea in front of Akemi and said that with a sigh as he sat down.

'No, it’s fine I wanted to talk with his guardian today.’

She couldn’t let herself drown in nostalgia.

Akemi sat up straight and faced Isshin.

'But you’ve become a teacher, Akemi-chan. I’m surprised,’ said Isshin earnestly. He sipped his tea.

'I was surprised too. I never would have thought that you were Yakumo-kun’s father, Isshin-san.’

Isshin laughed aloud at Akemi’s words.

Akemi didn’t understand why he was laughing.

'Is that something to laugh at?’

'No, I was just thinking that I’m at the age where I would look like that.’

Isshin crossed his arms and nodded.

'Eh…’

'I’m not Yakumo’s real father.’

'Which means…’

A child from his partner’s previous marriage?

Akemi cocked her head.

'Though I’m acting as his parent, Yakumo’s not my child. Unfortunately, I’m still single. Well, I am his godparent,’ said Isshin with hearty laughter.

Now that he said that, it would have been unnatural. Isshin was four years older than Akemi. He was too young to have a fifteen year old child.

'Then…’

– Whose child is he?

'Yakumo is my older sister’s child.’

'Your older sister…’

Isshin nodded.

Why had Isshin taken in his older sister’s child? Akemi was curious, but she felt like she couldn’t ask.

Akemi had things she wouldn’t want other people to ask too.

'So you’ve come about Yakumo today.’

Instead of Akemi, who was lost for words, Isshin brought up the topic at hand.

'Yes.’

'Yakumo’s caused a problem at school then,’ said Isshin.

There was a slight shadow in his expression. The way he said it made it seem like he had been prepared for Yakumo to cause a problem at some time.

'Though it would be exaggerated to call it a problem…’

'What is it?’

'He skips class.’

That was Yakumo’s only problem. His grades were good, and he didn’t smoke or act violently.

The previous teacher had told her to leave him along because his actions didn’t cause the school any harm.

'Skips…’

Isshin looked up at the ceiling like he was thinking about something.

To Akemi, Yakumo’s skipping class had looked like a sign.

His heart was imbalanced and could break at any moment. He wanted somebody to notice and was asking for help.

It might have just been her own thinking, but she couldn’t abandon those thoughts.

'Yes. He doesn’t do anything besides that, but it looks like he is somewhat depressed. It’s hard to tell what he is thinking…’

It was partly because she was talking to Isshin, but Akemi unexpectedly spoke her feelings directly.

'I don’t know what Yakumo’s thinking either,’ said Isshin, his shoulders slumping.

'Eh?’

'I’ll say this because it’s you, Akemi-chan, but Yakumo’s mother is missing. We don’t know for sure who his father is. That’s why I took him in for now.’

'Missing…?’

Isshin nodded.

'Yakumo’s mother tried to kill him. Fortunately, he was saved by a passing police officer, but ever since then, his mother has been missing…’

Akemi couldn’t say anything at all.

Yakumo’s past, much harsher than she had imagined, just made her feel like she was suffocating. It was hard for her to keep her mind steady.

'I’m a man who hasn’t even married. I just lack too much to take a child of that age in…’

'That’s…’

'I don’t want to complain, but the truth is I don’t know how to connect to him.’

After saying that, Isshin shook his head.

The mood was heavy. The silence was so long it was like time had stopped –

'Why?’

Finally, Akemi said just that.

However, Isshin tilted his head. It looked like he didn’t understand the question.

Akemi took a deep breath to strengthen herself and asked again. 'Why did Yakumo-kun’s mother try to kill him?’

When Isshin heard that, he crossed his arms and said, 'Hmm.’ Then, he suddenly looked up.

'It might have been fate for you to become Yakumo’s homeroom teacher, Akemi-chan. I think that people meet the people they are meant to meet. Invisible threads draw people together.’

Fate –

The word Isshin said shook Akemi’s heart.

Meeting Isshin again like this might also not have been a coincidence but some great power drawing them together.

'I’ll tell you what I know to be true. Though I don’t know if you’ll believe me…’

Isshin gave that as a preface before beginning his story.

-

5

-

'So what are we investigating?’

Gotou, in the driver seat of the unmarked black sedan, spoke to Miyagawa in the passenger seat.

'Anyway, just go to the telephone booth at the intersection in Area 2. Right in front of the middle school,’ said Miyagawa, lighting his cigarette.

'The… phone booth?’

Gotou had thought that asking where they were going would help him understand the contents of the investigation, but that had been a wrong guess.

Well, there was no point thinking about it. Gotou stepped on the accelerator.

'Actually, I don’t know the contents either.’

Just as Gotou started driving, Miyagawa said that with a frown.

'You don’t know?’

The unexpected response made Gotou’s voice jump an octave.

A tip-off with unknown contents – thinking about it normally, it just seemed like a prank. He didn’t understand why Miyagawa believed it.

'You look like you’re not happy with this.’

'You can tell?’

Gotou admitted it honestly.

'You’re too straightforward.’

Miyagawa snorted and smiled.

'Is that so?’

'You should think about fitting in more.’

'I’m no good at that,’ replied Gotou with a wry smile.

'You’re the only one who’s going to suffer.’

Miyagawa couldn’t say anything either though. He would always bare his fangs for his subordinates, be it against the chief of the department or the chief of the police.

The higher-ups were frightened of him, thinking of him as a mad dog, while his subordinates looked up to him, thinking of him as an older brother. That was who he was. He just wasn’t good at getting along in the world.

It was the same with this tip.

It wasn’t necessary for the head of the detectives to go out of his way to check something when nothing was clear yet.

But the stupidly straightforward Miyagawa probably couldn’t leave the tip-off to somebody else, when it had been directed at him.

In that meaning, he and Gotou could be called similar.

Though Gotou thought it, he didn’t say it aloud. If he said something strange, a fist would come flying at him.

'So the tip said to go to the telephone booth?’

Gotou brought the conversation back on topic while driving.

'Yeah. Said that there was proof of a crime there.’

'Proof of a crime… Is that whistleblowing then?’

'Probably.’

Miyagawa pressed his cigarette into the ashtray with displeasure.

'But it’s strange for it to be a phone booth. What were they going to do if somebody else found it?’

'Practically nobody uses phone booths nowadays.’

Miyagawa leant back on his seat.

What Miyagawa said was true. Mobile phones and PHS[2] had become widespread recently, so public telephones were rarely used.

Because they hadn’t been used for so long, at some train stations, they were starting to take them down.

Back when pagers had been popular, there had been lines at phone booths, and there had been many counterfeit telephone cards – it had even become a societal phenomenon.

With the flow of time, the phone booths had been left behind, so now they could perhaps be considered a perfect place to hide something.

Gotou understood that, but there was still something he didn’t understand. That was –

'I wonder why they contacted you, Miyagawa-san.’

'That’s what I want to know!’ Miyagawa said brusquely, opening the window of the car.

Dry wind came into the car with a roar.

-

6

-

Sachiko arrived just in time for their agreed time at the school gates.

The truth was that she had planned on leaving the house earlier, but she hadn’t been able to decide on the clothes she wanted to wear.

She had thought about wearing her favourite miniskirt, but when she stood in front of the mirror, she lost her confidence and ended up just wearing on jeans.

And then, right before she left home, her mother had asked, 'Where are you going?’ It had taken time to come up with an excuse.

In front of the gates, Tsukasa, Tae and Youhei were already gathered.

Tsukasa was leaning against the fence, looking bored, while Tae and Youhei were close together, chatting like lovers.

If Tsukasa weren’t here, it could’ve been a double date –

That wish pressed against Sachiko’s heart as she walked forward.

On the other side of the gates, she saw the white school building standing out in the dark.

The school at night had an unspeakably uncanny atmosphere to it. It felt like the school gates led to another world.

Even though hundreds of people were here during the day, once night fell, nobody remained. That gap might have made it even more uncanny.

'Hey.’

Tsukasa noticed Sachiko and raised a hand.

He had his head turned towards the ground as he peered at her. She knew very well how people saw her.

'Where’s Yakumo-kun?’

Sachiko looked around to escape Tsukasa’s gaze.

'Not here yet,’ said Tsukasa with a click of his tongue.

'I see.’

– So he’s not here yet.

She had been hopeful, which made the disappointment greater.

Sachiko’s shoulders slumped as she walked up to the school gates.

'Hey you.’

Tsukasa still had his head turned down as he stood in front of Sachiko.

'What?’

'What’s so good about him?’

Different from his usual ill manners, Tsukasa seemed to be squirming as he said that.

Sachiko didn’t understand the meaning of his question.

'What are you talking about?’

'Well, you… about him… er…’

'Honestly. I don’t understand what you’re saying. Say it clearly.’

Sachiko was angry at Tsukasa’s vague attitude, so she spoke in an unrelenting tone.

'You’re aiming for Saitou, right?’

'What?’

Aiming or not aiming, Sachiko found that phrase discomfiting. Even though she just liked Yakumo with pure feelings, it sounded like she had secret intentions.

Love wasn’t something to be conscious of.

'I can tell even if you hide it,’ said Tsukasa with thin lips.

It looked like he’d taken Sachiko’s words to have a different meeting.

'Honestly, you’re so noisy.’

Sachiko didn’t feel like explaining and ended it there, but Tsukasa continued to speak.

'I don’t understand. He’s gloomy, and you can’t tell what he’s thinking, and I look way cooler.’

Tsukasa brushed back his dyed brown hair.

– I’m better than that guy.

He probably wanted to say that. However, he just had excessive self-confidence. And the shallowness of appealing to his qualities was unbearably unpleasant to Sachiko.

Yakumo definitely wouldn’t do that.

'You’re annoying.’

Sachiko moved her lips to form those words, so that Tsukasa wouldn’t hear.

'That guy’s still not here,’ said Youhei, stretching his arms up above him.

'He isn’t. I wonder when Yakumo-kun will be here?’

Sachiko answered Youhei to escape from Tsukasa.

'Let’s try calling,’ continued Tae.

'Tsukasa. You have a handy-phone?’ said Youhei.

'Can’t get one 'til I’m in high school.’

Tsukasa shrugged.

'Sachiko?’ asked Tae.

'I don’t have one.’

At Sachiko’s home, mobile phones and handy-phones had been put away until after high school entrance exams.

'Youhei, go to the phone booth.’

Tsukasa hit Youhei’s shoulder.

'Eh, what a pain.’

'Just go.’

Tsukasa kicked Youhei’s behind.

'What are you doing?’ complained Youhei, but he didn’t resist any more and started walking.

'He might’ve run,’ said Tsukasa as he watched Youhei leave.

– Yakumo didn’t run.

Sachiko felt like she understood after coming here.

Yakumo wouldn’t give any attention to people like Tsukasa. He’d had no intention of coming in the first place.

– If Yakumo’s not coming, I’ll think of an excuse to leave.

Sachiko looked up at the pale moon in the sky and thought that.

-

7

-

The phone booth was underneath the pedestrian bridge.

Normally, Gotou overlooked it as part of the scenery, but because of the tip-off and the dark, it seemed to appear out of the shadows.

'That’s it then.’

Gotou looked at Miyagawa in the passenger seat.

'Looks like it.’

Miyagawa gave a lazy reply and yawned.

Gotou passed the phone booth and parked the car on the side of the road before exiting.

It was a main road with two lanes on each side. There were quite a few cars. However, all of the cars were driving quickly – probably nobody would look at the telephone booth.

Gotou continued walking up to the phone booth.

Suspicious-looking advertisements were placed all over the glass, so he couldn’t even see inside.

Just as he put his hand on the door, Gotou’s heart started beating wildly.

– My fate will change drastically the moment I open this door.

A vague and baseless anxiety.

'What’s wrong?’

Miyagawa called out to him from behind. Perhaps he had noticed Gotou’s hesitation.

'If I open it, it won’t go “BANG” or something like that, right?’

It annoyed him to think that his fear had been noticed. Gotou made a joke.

'If that happens, I’ll pick up your bones,’ said Miyagawa with an exasperated expression as he lit his cigarette.

'I’ll be counting on you.’

Gotou smiled back and then turned towards the phone booth again.

He opened the door with vigour, and then a stagnant odour pierced his nose.

There was a familiar green telephone and underneath it, two thick telephone books.

Gotou couldn’t see anything strange at first glance.

'Where’s it hidden?’ mumbled Gotou, beginning to search inside the telephone booth.

He flipped through the phonebook pages, but he couldn’t find anything. Then, he looked at the ceiling.

All he saw was a fluorescent light with a broken cover.

'Is it there?’ said Miyagawa, opening the door.

'I couldn’t find it.’

'How about in the back?’

'The back?’

'The back of the phone.’

Miyagawa gestured at the telephone.

– That’s possible.

Gotou followed Miyagawa’s instruction and stuck his hand in the narrow gap between the booth and the telephone, grappling around.

His fingers touched something.

Gotou pressed his face against the booth to try to look and saw, behind the phone, something like a plastic bag stuck to the booth with tape.

'Is this it…’

Gotou thrust his hand in deeper and managed to touch the plastic bag.

Because of how narrow the place was, his body wouldn’t move the way he wanted to – he couldn’t get it out. After a tough battle, he finally managed to grab the plastic bag.

Inside the plastic bag was an A4-sized manila envelope.

'Got something?’

'Yes.’

Miyagawa peered inside from the entrance with a cigarette in his mouth. Gotou handed the manila envelope to him.

'So this is the info…’

Miyagawa leant against the pillar of the pedestrian bridge and opened the manila envelope, taking out a stack of documents.

Gotou picked the dust off his jacket, got out of the phone booth and was about to walk up to Miyagawa, when he suddenly stopped.

He felt someone’s gaze on his back.

– Who is it? 
Gotou’s eyes ran everywhere and spotted a man.

The slender man wore a black suit and was staring down at the phone booth from the pedestrian bridge.

– Could he be the tipper?

'What’s wrong?’

Miyagawa seemed to sense the situation as he spoke quietly.

Gotou signalled with his eyes to look up at the pedestrian bridge. Miyagawa walked up to Gotou and looked up at the bridge.

'How long’s he been there?’ Miyagawa said quietly.

'I don’t know.’

'Going to question him?’

'Yes.’

Right after answering, Gotou started going up the stairs of the pedestrian bridge.

Perhaps noticing that, the man turned around and started walking briskly.

'Oi. Got a minute?’ Gotou called out, after climbing the stairs.

However, the man continued walking at the same pace, like he hadn’t heard.

'You over there! I said to wait!’ Gotou yelled angrily, which made the man suddenly stop and his shoulders jolt, as if he were surprised.

'I want to ask you something.’

Gotou went up to the man and touched his shoulder.

That moment, the man turned around swiftly and knocked Gotou off his feet.

'Agh!’

With that surprise attack, Gotou fell backwards.

The man looked at Gotou’s face.

He smiled, showing his white teeth.

It was a cold smile that chilled Gotou to his core.

Furthermore, both of his eyes glowed red, like a blazing flame –

'What are you doing!?’ yelled Miyagawa, running over.

When the man noticed that, he evaded and ran off in the opposite direction.

'Damn it!’

– Making fun of me!

Gotou got right up and ran after the man.

-

8

-

The fate that Yakumo shouldered, told through Isshin’s mouth, was much darker than what Akemi had imagined.

At the same time, it affirmed many rumours surrounding Yakumo.

The repulsive incident surrounding Yakumo’s birth –

From the moment he was born, his left eye glowed red and had the unique ability, which he never wanted, to see the spirits of the dead.

Because of it, many people thought Yakumo frightening and persecuted him.

People were terribly cold towards those that were different from them. It hurt Akemi’s chest just to imagine how much damage Yakumo’s heart must have suffered.

That wasn’t all. Normally, the mother, who should have protected her child, had tried to murder him.

From the moment Yakumo was born, he had been burdened with many things that he didn’t want.

'I think Yakumo’s lost hope,’ said Isshin with sad eyes.

Yakumo’s face came up in Akemi’s head. As expressionless as a Noh mask, with lifeless eyes.

Until Akemi heard Isshin’s story, Akemi had thought that expression had been from sadness or loneliness.

However, what Yakumo carried was perhaps despair.

When his own mother, who had given birth to him, tried to kill him, Yakumo’s life had been saved, but his heart had died –

Those suffocating thoughts hurt Akemi.

'Why…’

Akemi said just that.

She couldn’t say anything else.

– Why did Yakumo’s mother try to kill him?

Akemi wanted to know why. She wanted there to be some sort of salvation there. She prayed for there to be.

'I don’t know,’ said Isshin, sensing Akemi’s feelings.

'Ah, of course.’

She had disappeared. No matter what reasons he gave, they would only be theories. People’s emotions were known only to themselves.

'I just can’t believe it.’

Isshin shook his head.

'Eh?’

'My sister had been troubled by the circumstances surrounding Yakumo, but to me, those had seemed like worries about her child’s future.’

'Her child’s future…’

Akemi mulled over those words.

It was true that the same worries could have different implications.

'Yes. My sister had been weak psychologically, but the sister I knew was not somebody who would lay a hand on her child.’

Isshin declared that, but his voice was weak.

He was between a rock and a hard place. Akemi felt that.

His love for his sister. And his love for his nephew, Yakumo.

Isshin held both these feelings, but when he compared the events of the past, it was difficult for both loves to coexist.

Akemi looked down, hesitant to look directly at Isshin.

Drip, drip –

Water dripped onto Akemi’s fists, clenched on her lap.

It took her some time to realise they were her own tears.

– Why am I crying?

Akemi knew that reason best.

She was overlapping Yakumo’s and his mother’s circumstances with her own.

'Are you all right?’

Isshin handed Akemi a handkerchief.

'Sorry.’

Akemi took it and lifted her head after wiping her face.

– I don’t have the right to cry.

Akemi told herself that to calm her unsteady heart.

Isshin said nothing and just sat there with his usual gentle expression.

Even though it was their reunion after ten years, Akemi felt safe, like he had always been there for her.

Isshin had said he lacked too much to be a father, but Akemi thought it was the opposite.

He had the deep love essential for being a parent.

If Isshin hadn’t been his parent, Yakumo would definitely have fallen inter a deeper darkness than he had now. He might have even lost his life.

Isshin’s existence had managed to stop that.

If Akemi had reunited with Isshin sooner, her own choice might have been different.

When she thought that, words naturally came out of Akemi’s mouth.

'I have a child as well.’

Isshin looked surprised by the sudden change in conversation, but that was just for a moment.

'Oh? How old?’

'A girl who’s just turned ten months.’

'I see. The most blissful years.’

Isshin’s smile was pleasant.

However, Akemi had circumstances that made it difficult for her to honestly accept the word 'blissful’.

'That isn’t true.’

'Isn’t true?’

'Actually, this child doesn’t have a father.’

'Is that so?’

Isshin’s gentle expression didn’t change.

No matter how tough, painful or sad it was, he would forgive everything.

Isshin’s heart was that wide.

Akemi started speaking falteringly, as if giving up the chains that had bound her heart.

'Actually, this child was born from rape.’

Just saying it was enough to revive her fear. Her fingers started shaking.

In her head, that man’s face came up again.

Even though the good memories had finally faded away, the horror was vivid no matter how much time passed.

She still couldn’t forget that man’s eyes.

'Is that so?’

'The culprit hasn’t been caught.’

By saying for the first time something she had always kept hidden, she felt like her pain was a bit lessened.

Akemi, who had felt the same thing, could understand slightly the pain of Yakumo’s mother.

'Do you hate him?’ said Isshin, his expression still the same.

'Yes.’

Akemi nodded.

She still hated the culprit now. Even if the culprit were caught and punished, that hatred wouldn’t disappear.

Akemi didn’t know if the culprit chose Akemi as his target by coincidence or for some reason.

However, it was a fact that the rest of her life had been ruined because of it.

'Do you think that you hate your child?’ said Isshin quietly.

'I…’

Akemi was lost for words.

Two conflicting thoughts fought in her heart.

'You’ve thought that you hate her,’ said Isshin, seeing through Akemi’s heart.

In front of Isshin, no matter what she said, the truth of her heart would be revealed.

'I have.’

Though Akemi responded herself, she shook at how awful those words were.

However, they were fact.

Though it wasn’t always, when she looked at her child’s face, she would sometimes remember that incident. That child was her child, but she was also that man’s child.

She overlapped her child’s face with that man’s face. Her child was not at fault. She knew that. But –

She had thought that Isshin would scorn her, but he nodded with his usual gentle expression, like he understood.

That was enough to make Akemi feel like she had been saved.

Isshin had an open heart that accepted other’s negative emotions.

'Then you love her, yes?’

After a silence, Isshin asked another question.

'Of course.’

Akemi gave a big nod.

That was no lie.

– No matter what, I’ll protect her.

She had that strong feeling at the bottom of her heart.

Two conflicting emotions.

Akemi felt anew how she was standing on top of a large contradiction.

'I’m glad to hear it.’

Isshin smiled pleasantly, showing his teeth.

'But I’m a failure as a parent for thinking even once that I hate my child…’

Akemi looked down, realising how awful she was when she said it.

I need to be strong for my child – even though she thought that, at times, she was incredibly weak.

'But Akemi-chan, your child is alive.’

Isshin said those words with force, which made Akemi look up in surprise.

'Yes.’

'And Yakumo’s alive. That is fact. No matter what the past is or how you feel, your child is alive now and will continue to live.’

'Continue to live…’

'That’s right. Let’s think about what we can do for those children. Together.’

Isshin’s words sank deep into the corners of Akemi’s heart.

Now that she thought about it, it was obvious. However, cornered by the burdens of life, she had forgotten the obvious.

'We might have both become parents without wanting to, but that isn’t the fault of our children. Nothing will start if we just look down.’

Akemi felt like there was a line of light in front of her, when she had been in pitch-black darkness before.

Though she had come here originally to find out about Yakumo’s family environment, the situation had turned around before she noticed.

This was blatantly advice for Akemi.

However, she had found out some things.

Yakumo was living with a heavy burden on his small heart.

He had Isshin’s deep love and had managed to keep on, but he would break if his balance faltered even slightly.

Just as the conversation came to a lull, the phone rang.

Isshin said, 'Please wait,’ and then he stood up from his seat.

Akemi slowly swallowed Isshin’s words. Each time she thought about them, the warmth spread within her.

Isshin hadn’t changed at all since ten years ago.

When Akemi looked at Isshin, she always became defenceless. Isshin always overcame the boundaries that people put up with ease.

It wasn’t frightening.

It was pleasant, like being wrapped up in a fluffy blanket.

While Akemi was thinking about that, Isshin came back. He looked somewhat dissatisfied.

'What is it?’ asked Akemi.

'Is there some sort of event at school tonight?’

Isshin cocked his head.

There shouldn’t have been any events. If there had been, Akemi wouldn’t have come here.

'What do you mean?’

'Ah, there was a call from Youhei-kun, a kid in Yakumo’s class. He said that he was waiting for Yakumo at the school, but he wasn’t there yet…’

'They can’t have really gone!’

Akemi stood up as she exclaimed.

'Do you have any ideas?’

'Those kids.’

She had an idea.

After she brought Yakumo back today, she had heard Tsukasa and the others talking in the classroom. She had thought it was just talk and left it alone, but it looked like that hadn’t been the case.

Akemi picked up her pack and quickly prepared to leave.

'What’s wrong?’

'Those kids are definitely planning a test of courage.’

'A test of courage?’

'Yes.’

'In this season?’

Just as Isshin said, it was the wrong season. However, that wasn’t the problem right now.

'I heard a number of students planning to take Yakumo-kun to the school for a test of courage. I thought it was a joke – students always make plans like that.’

Isshin responded to Akemi’s hurried speech with a nod.

'Akemi-chan, are you planning to go there now?’

'Yes. It would be troublesome if a problem comes up…’

'Then I’ll go with you,’ said Isshin with a smile.

'Eh?’

'Yakumo might be involved.’

'Yes…’

'Then I can’t leave the situation alone.’

What Isshin said made sense.

'But…’

'And it would be dangerous for a woman to walk by herself.’

Isshin finished the conversation and left the room ahead of Akemi.

-

9

-

Yakumo was hunched over, looking at his feet as he walked.

It was already dark.

He hadn’t planned on going to the test of courage that his classmate had incited in the first place.

If he stayed at home, there was the possibility that he would be called out by phone. He left the house to avoid any complications.

Tests of courage were just a joke.

They didn’t know what ghosts really were.

If they knew, they was no way they would think up something as stupid as a test of courage.

Ghosts were clusters of people’s emotions.

To put it another way, they were raw, exposed emotion.

It was much more painful than others imagined to be involved with that daily.

'How stupid,’ muttered Yakumo, quickening his pace.

It wasn’t that he had a goal.

He was looking for somewhere he could be.

Narrow roads, riverbeds, high ground – Yakumo didn’t think he had any place anywhere.

However, if he stayed in one place, it would destroy him.

Finally, as he reached a small park, he stopped.

Creak, creak.

The wind shook the swing. The sound of the rusted metal echoed.

Coming and going without a destination –

Just like him right now.

Yakumo smiled self-derisively and walked up to the swing.

– Can I be here?

He asked that in his heart, but there was no reply.

Creak, creak.

Yakumo sat on the swing.

Ever since his mother tried to kill him, Yakumo had kept asking himself that.

His existence had been rejected by the mother who had given birth to him – did he have a place anywhere?

Perhaps he really should have been killed by his mother that day. Then he wouldn’t have needed to search for a place.

He wouldn’t have worried or suffered –

-

10

-

Sachiko leant against the fence and looked at the road.

– Won’t Yakumo-kun come soon?

With time, that hope turned to resignation.

Beside her, Tsukasa sat on the asphalt and kept talking to her, but Sachiko didn’t even bother listening.

Tsukasa always said the same thing.

He talked about how awesome he was, or bragged about something. Listening was just a waste of time.

'Youhei’s late,’ said Tae with a frown.

He was. It had already been thirty minutes since he’d gone to make the phone call. Even if he was walking slowly to the phone booth, he should have arrived there in five minutes.

He might have just gone home alone.

'Hey, let’s go back already,’ said Sachiko.

Tsukasa glared at her with furrowed brows. Not so much frightening as disappointing.

'Yeah, it’s late. Let’s go back,’ agreed Tae. Then, there was the sound of someone running to them.

– Yakumo-kun?

Sachiko turned her eyes the other direction and saw that Youhei was the one running up.

'Sorry I’m late!’ said Youhei, out of breath.

'You’re really late! What were you doing!? The phone booth’s right there, right? Are you a turtle!?’ yelled Tsukasa, sounding like he might punch Youhei at any moment.

'I couldn’t do anything about it. There were two people who looked like yakuza at the phone booth, so I had to look for another one.’

'Hah? Yakuza? Are you an idiot?’

'If you’ve got a complaint, you should have just gone yourself!’

Youhei was becoming enraged along with Tsukasa, and the two of them glared at each other.

The atmosphere was restless.

They probably thought that yelling at other people without letting their opinions bend was cool. Sachiko hated seeing such childish outbursts.

She didn’t even feel like taking part.

'So where’s Saitou-kun?’ asked Tae, stepping between the two.

Youhei calmed down immediately and his expression softened.

'He wasn’t home. Seems like he went out somewhere, but I don’t know where.’

'So maybe he’s coming?’

Tae cocked her head.

'Probably?’ agreed Youhei.

Sachiko wanted that to be the case, but she didn’t feel like Yakumo would come.

Yakumo wasn’t stupidly obstinate like Tsukasa. He wouldn’t come if he didn’t want to. That was all.

'Hey, what are you going to do?’

Sachiko turned the conversation to Tsukasa.

'That guy ran away 'cause he’s afraid.’

Tsukasa sounded threatening even though the person he wanted to threaten wasn’t here.

– Yakumo-kun wasn’t afraid.

Sachiko murmured that in her heart. If she said it aloud, Tsukasa would just get angrier.

'Let’s just forget about that guy and go,’ declared Tsukasa. Then, he started to climb the fence which was about his height.

'Hey, what will you do?’

Tae asked Youhei for his opinion.

'Once that guy says something, he won’t listen to anyone.’

'Right.’

Tae and Youhei seemed reluctant, but they started to climb after Tsukasa.

– No way. They’re all going?

Sachiko was undecided about what to do.

'Sachiko. Hurry. We’re going,’ said Tae, who had finished climbing the fence.

Tsukasa walked quickly, growing increasingly farther away.

'Let’s go.’

Youhei started walking.

Tae started walking with him.

Though Sachiko didn’t want to go, she definitely didn’t want to be the only one left behind.

Seeing no way out of it, Sachiko climbed the fence into the school grounds and ran after everyone else.

-

11

-

– I lost him.

Gotou had just reached the park by the main road when he slowed down and finally stopped, giving up.

'Damn it! Where the hell did he go!?’

Gotou yelled and kicked the ground in his irritation.

He had seen that man’s back until he turned the second corner.

– I’ll catch up soon.

Right after he thought that, the man disappeared like smoke.

– Did I underestimate him?

When Gotou thought that, he grew even angrier. Even though he knew it was no use, he looked around to see if the man might have been hiding somewhere.

Then, Gotou spotted somebody.

Five metres ahead of him, sitting on the park’s swing, he was watching Gotou’s behaviour.

– Could it be?

Led by his instincts, Gotou had already put himself on guard, but then he realised immediately that it was somebody else.

He was clearly different from the man he saw earlier. A boy in a blazer uniform.

Gotou had seen that uniform before. It was from a local middle school.

A middle school student was by himself on a park swing at this time. There was nothing more suspicious.

Kids these days would do anything. Just the other day, middle school students had brutally killed a homeless person sleeping in the park.

Gotou would go give a warning before the guy had any unnecessary thoughts.

Gotou walked up to the boy on the swing.

The boy stayed on the swing, as if waiting for Gotou to arrive.

'Boy. Got some time?’

When Gotou called out to him, the boy very slowly lifted his face.

His face was so pale it made Gotou doubt whether blood flowed through it. The two eyes looking at Gotou were endlessly dark.

– Is this brat on drugs?

Gotou was on guard as he continued to speak.

'What are you doing here at this time?’

'Wasting time.’

The boy replied in a voice that was still had a hint of childishness.

'Wasting time…’

'Do you need anything else?’

The boy ran a hand through his hair, like he thought Gotou annoying.

'This isn’t a good time for brats to be spending alone.’

'That has nothing to do with you.’

The boy’s retort lit Gotou’s anger.

– This brat! Looking down on me!

It was better to scare guys like this a bit. Gotou knew it wasn’t mature of him, but he took his police ID out of his jacket and showed it to the boy.

However, the boy’s expression didn’t change even a bit upon seeing it.

'I’m a police officer…’

'I know,’ said the boy, interrupting Gotou’s words.

Gotou was taken aback and didn’t know what to say next.

– What does he mean, he knows?

'You’re annoying. It must be nice for you to think that showing your police ID would frighten anybody.’

Ignoring Gotou’s confusion, the boy spoke in a flat tone.

'What did you say?’

'The blood goes straight to your head. The same as always.’

– This brat doesn’t shut up.

This type always confessed to something or other under pressure. Perhaps it’d be better to take him into custody and question him.

'What’s your name?’

The boy’s eyes narrowed at Gotou’s question.

'I told you before, didn’t I?’

'Eh?’

'Have you already forgotten?’ said the boy, sounding disappointed.

This was the first time Gotou had seen this boy. He was just wrapping things up in smoke by speaking at random.

'I don’t know you!’

'It amazes me that you can be a detective with such a crude memory, Police Sergeant Gotou.’

As the boy said that, he stood up.

'Wha – !’

Gotou couldn’t say anything else in his confusion.

The boy turned around and started walking away briskly.

– Why does he know my name?

Gotou couldn’t think up an answer. All he could do was watch that back walk away silently.

-

12

-

– I’m scared.

Sachiko walked with her fear.

With Tsukasa at the front, they went through the schoolyard to the main building, where all of them stopped.

In the dark, the school building stood out with impressive presence.

Sachiko pressed a hand against her chest.

Fear and anxiety shook her feet.

She wanted to run away right now, but she didn’t even have the courage to leave alone. She wanted to cling to something, but there was nothing to cling to.

She saw that Tae and Youhei were holding hands. Though touching somebody else’s skin might calm her down, she didn’t want to hold hands with Tsukasa.

Sachiko put her hands behind her.

'But isn’t that rumour strange?’

Youhei was the one who spoke.

His voice shook slightly. He was probably talking to wave away his fear.

'What’s strange about it?’ asked Tae.

'You’re supposed to be able to hear a baby crying, but there’s no way a baby would be at school.’

'Now that you say it, that’s true.’

'Right?’

'People just made a fuss – it was really wind or something like that, right?’

'That might be true.’

Sachiko didn’t care about Youhei’s theory at all.

She didn’t want to know the truth behind the spiritual phenomenon. She just wanted to get home as soon as possible.

'Let’s go back,’ said Sachiko, unable to hold it in.

'It’s fine – I’m here.’

Tsukasa said that as he puffed out his chest – he seemed to have the wrong idea – and walked forward full of confidence.

'Wait!’

Tae suddenly called out and grabbed Tsukasa’s arm.

'Augh!’

It was so sudden that Tsukasa leapt up in surprise.

Tsukasa had acted tough, but he was probably frightened too.

'What are you doing all of a sudden?’

Tsukasa glared at Youhei, who was suppressing his laughter, and stuck his hands in his pockets, acting calm, as if he hadn’t been surprised at all.

'Didn’t you hear something just now?’

Nobody responded to Tae’s words.

In the silence, they strained their ears.

–

'Ah.’

Sachiko thought that her heart would stop.

– I heard it.

With the sound of the wind, though it was faint, she heard something.

Sachiko hoped she had just misheard as she looked at the other people’s faces.

All three of them had their eyes wide open in shock.

'I’m just hearing things. You didn’t hear anything, right?’ Sachiko said frantically, but nobody replied.

Everyone was stunned, like they couldn’t believe it.

– Wahhh.

She heard it again.

– Wahhh.

Even though she’d thought she was just hearing things.

– Wahhh.

The voice was getting louder.

'No!’

Sachiko covered her ears and sat down.

– Wahhh.

She could still hear the voice.

'Over there.’

Tsukasa suddenly pointed.

Everyone looked the same way.

He was pointing at the fence that split the school and the road, and the cherry blossom trees that stood along it.

'Stop it already!’

Sachiko’s plea was pointless. Tsukasa kept walking.

Tae and Youhei followed too.

I’m scared. I don’t want to go. But I don’t want to be alone more –

Still covering her ears, Sachiko stood up and walked forward, hiding behind Tae and Youhei.

After reaching the bottom of the cherry blossom tree, the echoing cries of the baby suddenly stopped.

Sachiko timidly took her hands off her ears.

– I can’t hear it any more.

'W-w-what was that? I was really scared!’ shouted Tae, grabbing Youhei’s arm.

Sachiko’s knees buckled underneath her from relief. She clasped her hands in front of her chest. Her heart was pounding wildly.

'What? So boring.’

Tsukasa spat on the ground, seeming dissatisfied.

– That’s the end of this boring test of courage.

Sachiko let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the cherry blossom tree.

Then, she felt something heavy on her chest.

– What is that?

While she was thinking, that weight kept getting heavier.

Sachiko slowly looked down at her chest.

– Something’s there.

She saw something that wasn’t hers clinging to her chest.

– What is this?

It was a baby.

The baby, which had deathly pale skin, was clinging to Sachiko.

– This can’t be happening.

She couldn’t breathe properly.

– Hic, hic, hic, hic.

The baby slowly raised the face it had buried in Sachiko’s chest.

Its two eyes were dyed a deep blood-red.

'Nooo!’

As Sachiko screamed, her consciousness fell into a pitch-black darkness.

-

13

-

She really should have stopped them when she heard them talking in the hall.

A belated regret spread through Akemi.

After bringing Yakumo back, she had heard Tsukasa and the others talking about a test of courage, but she had started class again, thinking it would just end as talk.

If I had stopped them properly then –

Even though nothing had happened yet, she felt increasingly anxious.

She could see the school.

Akemi naturally began walking more quickly.

'It’d be better not to brood too much,’ said Isshin soothingly from beside her.

'But I…’

'It’s good that you’re enthusiastic, but one person can’t watch over everything. It isn’t good to blame yourself for everything and think too much about it.’

'But…’

'Akemi-chan, you’re a bit too serious. It’d be better to relax a bit more.’

Isshin gave her a friendly smile.

Just as Isshin said, Akemi could sometimes be a bit inflexible.

Her worrywart nature was the cause. At times, she became too strict, so the students would think of her as a nuisance.

'That might be true.’

Akemi consciously slowed her walking pace.

It was stupid to imagine what awful things might have happened when nothing had happened yet. She told herself to relax.

'Right, right. That smile’s good.’

When Isshin said that, Akemi realised that she was smiling.

'When I’m with you, Isshin-san, it feels like I’m back at school again.’

Akemi felt a bit embarrassed and looked down.

Even though it was a reunion after so many years, Akemi was relying on Isshin, just as she had during her school days. It made her feel lost.

'Is that so? It’s my fault for calling you Akemi-chan. You’re Yakumo’s homeroom teacher now, so I should properly call you Takagishi-sensei,’ said Isshin formally after clearing his throat.

'No, that isn’t what I meant.’

Akemi hurriedly denied Isshin’s words.

– Takagishi-sensei.

If he called her that, it would just make her feel like he was putting distance between them. Though she felt lost, that wasn’t unpleasant. Rather, it felt nice.

So many things had happened up until now.

Without her knowing, she had taken everything on her own shoulders – every day became a burden.

She felt like she had put down all she had been carrying in this short time – not even an hour – since she had reunited with Isshin.

So, even just a little –

'It’s fine to call me Akemi-chan, like you’ve always done,’ said Akemi, looking at her feet.

'Then please allow me to call you Akemi-chan with no reservations,’ said Isshin, sounding bashful.

After that, the two of them continued walking the asphalt road silently.

It really did make her feel like she was in high school again.

'It looks like somebody’s there.’

Isshin pointed upon reaching the back of the building.

Akemi saw a group of boys and girls on the opposite side of the fence drawing the boundary between the road and the school.

'Those kids…’ murmured Akemi.

She had seen those faces before. The Tsukasa and Youhei pair. And Tae. Even Sachiko was there. However, Yakumo wasn’t.

'Nooo!’

Just as Akemi had approached the fence, she heard a scream.

Sachiko was clutching at her chest, and then she fell down.

'Are you all right!?’

Tae ran up to Sachiko.

Tsukasa and Youhei were flailing about like they didn’t know what to do.

'Sacchan!’ Akemi called out, pressing against the fence.

However, there was no reply from Sachiko. Her arms and legs just twitched.

'Sensei, help.’

Tae noticed Akemi was there and spoke, almost in tears.

'I’ll be right there.’

Akemi frantically climbed over the fence and jumped onto the school grounds.

Because she was wearing pumps, she lost her balance when she landed and almost fell.

'Are you all right?’

Isshin had climbed over the fence like Akemi did and supported her.

'Thank you very much.’

While thanking Isshin, Akemi went up to Sachiko, and with Tae’s help, she turned her face-up.

Sachiko’s spasms wouldn’t stop.

With drooped shoulders, Tsukasa and Youhei looked down on Sachiko silently.

Akemi felt angry, but rather than blaming them now, she had to help Sachiko first.

'It looks like she is having convulsions. We need to call an ambulance quickly,’ said Isshin, as if he’d read Akemi’s thoughts. Then, he sat Sachiko up and promptly started first-aid.

'Understood.’

Akemi took out her mobile, quickly pressed 119 and explained the current location and situation in a concise manner. Then, she looked at Sachiko, who had lost the colour in her face.

'Why did this happen…’

Akemi bit her lip.

'This is Yakumo’s field,’ murmured Isshin.

– Yakumo’s field.

What did he mean by that?

Interrupting Akemi’s thoughts, she heard a faraway ambulance siren.

-

14

-

– What on earth is this?

Sachiko couldn’t accept what was happening to her.

It had gone past the bounds of reason and sense.

She couldn’t believe it, and she didn’t want to, but the reality was in front of her.

Ever since the night of the test of courage, a baby had been stuck to Sachiko’s chest.

– You’re seeing a bad dream.

– You’re just tired.

Her parents and the doctor had all said that.

They didn’t believe Sachiko.

Why can only I see it?

Why can’t other people see it?

Why is the baby here?

The same questions kept running through Sachiko’s head.

– Wahhh.

It cried, clinging to Sachiko.

That continuous cry made it impossible for Sachiko to sleep properly.

She would go insane if this continued.

Please.

Somebody, save me.

The baby looked up.

Please don’t look at me.

Don’t look at me with those red eyes.

All Sachiko could do was curl up and cry.

-

15

-

Akemi walked down to the corridor for the next class.

She knew herself that she was lifeless today.

The events of the night before were still in a corner of her head.

After that, Sachiko had been taken to the hospital right away.

Though she was in a panicked state, there were no problems in particular with her body. She was given a sedative and brought home by her parents.

Sachiko’s father had been furious at Tsukasa and the others, who had taken his daughter, and even shouted at them, but Isshin interrupted and managed somehow to calm the situation down.

It seemed like Tsukasa had felt guilty, as he had been so dispirited that it made Akemi pity him just from looking at his expression.

It seemed like Sachiko would take one or two days off from school, but nothing terrible had happened – it was a relief, or it should have been.

However, Sachiko still hadn’t returned to school after three days.

According to Sachiko’s mother, she had been shut in her room ever since that day without taking even one step outside.

Isshin’s words came up in Akemi’s head.

– This is Yakumo’s field.

Akemi had no proof, but she thought that those words had something to do with Sachiko’s current situation.

She could ask Isshin what those words meant.

While thinking, Akemi passed the classroom she was supposed to go to, when there was a loud noise, like something had been flipped over.

'Don’t act all cool!’

The yell echoed. That voice was –

Akemi opened the door immediately and flew into the classroom.

There was a group of people in the corner of the classroom.

Akemi forced her way through.

Tsukasa had grabbed Yakumo by the collar and was glaring at him.

In his agitation, his eyes were wide and his shoulders were shaking.

On the other hand, Yakumo was as expressionless as if the situation had nothing to do with him.

'Why are you always like this?’ yelled Tsukasa.

However, it was like Yakumo didn’t hear his voice at all.

'You’re just making fun of everyone else, right!?’

Yakumo’s attitude made Tsukasa even angrier. His yells reverberated through the room.

'You bastard! I’ll beat you up!’

Tsukasa’s anger had reached its peak. He lifted his fist.

'Stop that!’

Akemi yelled as loudly as she could and tried to step between them, but it was too late.

Tsukasa’s fist hit Yakumo’s cheek.

There was the sound of bone hitting bone.

The left part of Yakumo’s lip was cut. The blood flowing out dripped off his chin to the floor.

Akemi lost her words when looking at the strange scene.

The students around them were also so quiet that it was like the noise earlier hadn’t happened.

'What are you!?’

Tsukasa’s emotions were still raging. He tried to hit Yakumo again.

'Get a hold of yourself!’

Akemi pushed herself between Yakumo and Tsukasa.

'Shut up! Get out of the way!’ yelled Tsukasa after Akemi approached him.

'Stop it already!’

'I said to get out of the way!’

Tsukasa was still agitated as he pushed Akemi’s shoulder aside and tried to go towards Yakumo again. In this situation, finally a group of students, with Youhei at the head, went to stop Tsukasa.

'Why aren’t you angry? If you don’t like it, bring it on!? Come on!’

Even though Youhei and the others were holding Tsukasa back, he continued to yell with his face completely red.

Tsukasa still saw Yakumo as a rival. Though he might not have realised himself, it was obvious to anyone to looked.

However, to Yakumo, Tsukasa was just another classmate. He didn’t even see him.

That was pure humiliation for Tsukasa.

'Because of you – because of you – Sachiko – !’

Tears fell from Tsukasa’s eyes.

Akemi finally realised the reason for the fight.

However, it was a false accusation. The person who had suggested the test of courage in the first place was Tsukasa. And Yakumo hadn’t been there.

'You OK?’

Akemi left Tsukasa to Youhei and the others for now and spoke to Yakumo.

Akemi took out her handkerchief and tried to put it to Yakumo’s lip injury, but he pushed her away.

'People who want to hit me can hit me as much as they want,’ said Yakumo expressionlessly.

There wasn’t any inflection in that voice, let alone emotion.

That sentence lit the fire of Tsukasa’s anger again, just as it had been calmed.

'What did you say!? You bastard!’

Tsukasa pushed aside the people around him, thrust Akemi away and hit Yakumo’s left cheek again.

Yakumo’s head was pushed back from the impact.

However, that was all. His arms were limp as his side. He didn’t try to resist.

'Are you satisfied?’ said Yakumo in his usual tone.

'You’re scum! Even your parents abandoned you! You red-eyed freak! You don’t have the right to live!’

Tsukasa shouted at Yakumo.

That moment, Yakumo’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

– Frightening.

Akemi felt a chill upon seeing those eyes.

They were incredibly dark and cold.

'What are you looking…’

Tsukasa couldn’t finish his sentence.

Yakumo quickly raised his right hand and pressed it against Tsukasa’s Adam’s apple, gripping his neck tightly.

Tsukasa squirmed frantically, trying to get Yakumo’s hand off him, but his fingers were wrapped tightly around his neck.

Unable to bear it, Tsukasa fell to the floor.

However, Yakumo still didn’t let go.

'Die.’

A smile appeared on Yakumo’s lips.

'Stop!’ yelled Akemi, thrusting Yakumo aside.

Yakumo’s hand left Tsukasa’s throat.

Tsukasa coughed a number of times and fell forward.

Yakumo watched him with a blank expression.

-

16

-

Gotou leant back on his seat and looked up at the ceiling while breathing out cigarette smoke.

The documents from the tip that he found with Miyagawa had the details of crimes that occurred regularly at a clinic with copies of medical reports as support.

For three days, he’d been running around investigating that, and he was completely burnt out.

'Man, I really got the short end of the stick…’ said Miyagawa, sitting on the chair beside Gotou.

Gotou ended up laughing without thinking. Short end of the stick, he said.

'Aren’t you the one who stuck your neck in?’

'Shut up. Anyway, bum me one.’

Gotou gave Miyagawa a cigarette.

'You finished on your end?’ asked Miyagawa, lighting the cigarette.

'Yes. We have testimony from one of the patients.’

'And?’ urged Miyagawa.

'Black. Completely black,’ said Gotou.

It was disgusting.

The crimes from the tip were unauthorised abortion and infertility treatments at a maternity and gynaecology clinic.

Abortions could only be done by doctors appointed by the medical association under conditions regarding the mother’s health.

The doctor in charge had to send a report afterwards to the prefecture, but the doctor at the problem clinic hadn’t even been appointed by the medical association – forget about sending reports.

If that were all, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would have dealt with it, but there was still a problem.

With the money from patients who wanted abortions, they offered the children who were born to couples who had fertility problems for a fee.

Though overseas they had surrogate mothers, this was completely different.

This was clearly human trafficking.

At first, Gotou had been doubtful, but from this three-day investigation, it was proven that the doctor was working without a licence, and with the testimony from the patient, that doubt turned to certainty.

'I feel black too,’ said Miyagawa, blowing out smoke.

'So the tip was true.’

'Looks like it.’

'But who could it have been from?’

Gotou asked the question smoulder in his chest.

Miyagawa frowned.

The investigation into the person who had given the tip was going nowhere.

The documents form the phone booth had been sent to forensics, but they had only found a strand of hair. It would take time to analyse.

– Who did this, and why?

There was just that question.

'I don’t know. Probably some random guy. You guys should just catch the culprit without thinking about pointless things,’ said Miyagawa with a click of his tongue.

This guy really only had one face.

'That’s right.’

Gotou ended up smiling without thinking.

Though this person was the worst in the precinct in the way he used people, but if it was him, no matter how unreasonable the instruction, Gotou could run forward without worrying.

For Gotou, who was never good at thinking anyway, having somebody he could trust irrevocably was irreplaceable.

'Anyway, do you have time?’ said Miyagawa, pressing his cigarette into the ashray.

'I do, but…’

'Want to go take a look at their face?’

'The suspect’s?’

'Who else?’

Gotou wanted to know what sort of person the suspect was. But –

'I don’t have a warrant.’

'We’re not going to arrest them. Just taking a look.’

Gotou didn’t think Miyagawa would really stop at just taking a look.

Though this would go against the orders from the top, Gotou didn’t dislike Miyagawa’s recklessness.

Rather, Gotou was the same way.

'Understood,’ replied Gotou as he stood up.

-

17

-

After finishing work, Akemi went to Sachiko’s house.

If Sachiko were just tired, Akemi wouldn’t go to her house, but there was that test of courage. And Akemi was concerned about the fight between Yakumo and Tsukasa.

That night, something that Akemi didn’t know about might have happened.

Akemi didn’t think that the problem would be solved just by her visit, but she couldn’t just do nothing.

Sachiko’s house was past the shopping district in front of the station. It was at the corner of a newly built residential area.

The roads were laid in a criss-cross pattern, with buildings in the same square shape.

Everything looked the same – it took more time than she thought to get there.

At the entrance door, Akemi checked the nameplate before pressing the intercom.

<Please wait.>

After hearing a voice from the intercom, the door opened, and Sachiko’s mother, Tomoko, looked out.

She was a woman in her early forties who seemed fragile.

'Sorry; thank you for coming all this way.’

Tomoko bowed her head humbly.

'I apologise for coming so suddenly.’

'No, it isn’t any trouble at all. Please come in.’

After exchanging greetings, Akemi went inside, as invited by Tomoko.

The house was well-kept.

'My daughter is upstairs.’

Tomoko looked gloomily at the stairs that went up from the corridor right by the entrance.

Akemi looked up as well.

'How does Sacchan look?’

'She still won’t come out of her room.’

Tomoko’s shoulders slumped.

'Would it be all right if I went to see her?’

'Please do.’

Tomoko went up the stairs first to lead Akemi.

'Sachiko. Sensei’s here.’

After going up the stairs, Tomoko knocked on the closest door and called out.

However, there was no response.

'Sachiko, you’re here, right?’

Tomoko spoke again, but the result was the same.

Tomoko shook her head in disappointment.

'Sacchan, it’s Takagishi.’

Akemi put her face close to the door and spoke in as gentle a voice as she could.

'Let’s talk for a bit.’

She spoke again.

'I don’t want to talk.’

After a while, she heard a hoarse voice from the other side of the door.

She sounded like a different person.

'Everyone in the class is worried.’

Akemi put her ear near the door.

She heard the sound of cloth, but there was no response.

'Hey, I want to talk with you, even if it’s just for a bit. Could I open – ’

'Don’t come in!’

Before Akemi could finish, she heard a shrill voice which pierced her ears.

Akemi was so shocked she backed away from the door instinctively.

'She isn’t normally like this,’ said Tomoko with a cloudy expression.

'I know.’

Akemi could tell easily that Sachiko wasn’t acting normally. Though she was a bit quiet, she was an honest and serious girl, which was uncommon for this age.

'What should I do…’

Tomoko’s voice was trembling slightly.

'Has she been like this since the day of the test of courage?’

'Yes. Ever since then, Sachiko’s been talking about a ghost…’

'A ghost?’

'She says there’s the ghost of a baby, but I can’t see anything… I think she’s just imagining things.’

Sachiko shook her head and sighed, like she had given up.

– This is Yakumo’s field.

Isshin’s words came up in Akemi’s head.

-

18

-

When Gotou reached the clinic, the sun had already set.

It was two storeys too, an old building that mimicked Western architecture. There was ivy on the walls.

It was a vaguely eerie building.

Gotou had seen a very similar building before. It had been in a horror movie called the devil’s something or other.

'Is this really the right place?’

Gotou cocked his head.

It really didn’t seem like a place for a maternity and gynaecology clinic.

'Says so on the sign.’

Miyagawa pointed at the metal plate stuck on the wall with his chin.

Though it was rusty, the plate did say Shimomura Maternity and Gynaecology.

It looked like was definitely the clinic in question.

Shimomura Yuusuke, forty years old, was currently working at this clinic.

However, there was something Gotou didn’t get. This clinic had been operated by Shimomura’s parent, and he had taken it up after them.

'So Shimomura’s parent was a doctor too?’ asked Gotou.

'Yeah.’

'Then wouldn’t they have noticed that their son was working as a doctor without a licence?’

'Probably?’ replied Miyagawa, as if it were natural.

'Why’d they let him take over if they knew he didn’t have a licence?’

'It’s decency. Well, his parent is dead, so we can’t check.’

'That so?’

'You’ll understand if you become a parent.’

Miyagawa awkwardly rubbed his bald head.

'Is that so…’

As Gotou gave a vague reply, the face of his wife Atsuko came up in his head.

It had been half a year since Atsuko had a miscarriage.

When Gotou got to the hospital, the surgery had already finished.

– Sorry.

On the hospital bed, Atsuko had said that with a trembling voice.

She had done nothing wrong. She had just been unlucky. She didn’t need to apologise.

But Gotou had been unable to say that – he had just nodded silently.

'What’s wrong?’

Miyagawa looked at Gotou’s clouded expression.

'It’s nothing. Let’s go.’

Gotou cut off his negative thoughts and headed first, opening the gates.

He walked along the brick road up to the entrance and stood in front of the engraved door.

The pillar by the door had a sign that said 'No Consultations’.

He hadn’t come as a patient today. Gotou rang the doorbell.

However, there was no response.

The building’s lights were on, and there was a Benz in the garage.

'It doesn’t look like he’s away.’

Gotou ran the doorbell again and put his ear to the door.

There was the sound of a thump –

Then somebody’s brisk footsteps –

However, the front door didn’t open.

There was the faint smell of something burning.

– Something’s odd.

'I’ll go around.’

After telling Miyagawa that, Gotou left the entrance and went to the back of the building.

He saw a line of white smoke coming up from the duct on the wall.

'He can’t be – !’

Gotou went up to a nearby window.

It had frosted glass, so he couldn’t see inside clearly, but he could see crackling flames.

– The hell is going on.

Gotou used his elbow to crack the glass.

When the glass broke, a whirl of smoke and fire burst out.

'Shit!’

Gotou backed away without thinking.

'What happened!?’

Miyagawa heard the noise and ran over.

Gotou didn’t have to explain. The moment Miyagawa saw it, he ran to the car to call a firefighter.

Gotou left the calling to Miyagawa and broke another window in the back with his elbow.

Smoke came out, but the fire didn’t appear to have reached here yet.

– This could work.

Gotou put his hand in and unlocked the window. After opening it, he jumped in.

The room was probably the nursery.

There were a number of small beds for babies. Gotou couldn’t see clearly because of the smoke.

He took the nearby gauze and covered his nose and mouth as he looked around.

He saw a shadow moving by the entrance.

A man in a white gown.

'You’re Shimomura Yuusuke, right?’

When Gotou said that, Shimomura ran away.

'Wait!’

Gotou ran right after Shimomura.

While kicking aside a number of small beds, he finally got out of the room.

He spotted Shimomura about five metres ahead of him down the corridor.

'You need to get out of here.’

Gotou signalled at him with his hand to tell him to come over.

However, Shimomura just stood there like a doll.

– Even though he was running earlier. What is he thinking?

'Do you want to die!? Hurry up!’

Gotou yelled again. At the same time, Shimomura picked up a box as large as a cooler with both of his hands.

– What is he doing?

Shimomura threw the box towards Gotou.

Gotou guarded his head with his hands and escaped a direct hit to his head.

The box fell to the floor with a thump.

The liquid in the box spilt out.

There was a unique strong smell.

– This is gasoline.

'Shit!’

It was too late when he realised.

Shimomura lit the lighter in his hand and dropped it on the floor.

Fire danced up and shot towards Gotou like a snake.

'Damn it!’

As Gotou yelled, he turned around and ran as quickly as he could down the corridor.

Fire caught his arm.

But he didn’t have the time to mind.

At the end of the corridor, he saw a small window.

If I jump through there – but can my body fit?

He didn’t have the time to hesitate.

Gotou covered his face with his arm and jumped at the window.

After the sound of the glass breaking, his body turned once and his back hit something. The pain made him bend over.

'Oi. You OK?’

Gotou sat up upon hearing the voice.

He saw Miyagawa running over.

It looked like he’d managed to get out of the building.

– Thank God.

Gotou sighed in relief.

'Oi – your arm’s on fire!’

When Miyagawa ran up to him and said that, Gotou noticed for the first time.

'Hot!’

Gotou hurriedly took off his jacket and hit it against the ground.

Then, there was an incredibly loud clattering as the second storey crumbled.

-

19

-

After leaving Sachiko’s house, Akemi went to Isshin’s temple and stood outside the priests’ living quarters.

She knew it was illogical.

However, Akemi had nobody else to turn to for advice.

– This is Yakumo’s field.

She was also curious about Isshin’s words.

It sounded almost like he knew something.

Akemi gathered her determination and pressed the intercom button.

The sliding door opened right away and Isshin showed up with a gentle expression on his face.

'I apologise for coming late at night.’

Akemi gave an apology right away for her rudeness.

She had thought that Isshin would be suspicious about such a sudden visit, but he nodded like he understood.

'I thought that you’d be along soon,’ said Isshin with a smile. 'Please come in.’

It was just like she had known about Akemi’s visit from the start.

Akemi felt at a loss, but she followed Isshin into the living room.

Yakumo was there.

He was sitting with his legs crossed and was looking out the window. Even though he must have known that Akemi was in the room, he didn’t move at all.

'Good evening.’

Akemi spoke to Yakumo’s back, but there was no response, as expected.

'Well, please sit down.’

Urged on by Isshin, Akemi sat on the cushion.

'I’ll prepare tea,’ said Isshin. Then, he left the room.

'Why are you here?’

Waiting until Isshin was gone, Yakumo said just that.

It was an emotionless voice.

'There was something I wanted to ask.’

'If it’s about what happened today, it’s already over.’

Yakumo ran a hand through his hair.

'No it isn’t. I didn’t hear the reason for it either…’

'There was no reason. Go home.’

Akemi had nothing to reply to that.

'That’s no way to talk.’

Isshin came back into the room with teacups on a tray.

Yakumo clicked his tongue, but he didn’t object.

'Honestly,’ muttered Isshin as he placed a teacup in front of Akemi and sat opposite her.

'Now, where should we start?’

Isshin brought up the topic at hand now that the situation had calmed down.

Before talking about the main point, there was something that had caught Akemi’s interest.

'Could I ask one thing?’

'Please go ahead,’ urged Isshin, sipping his tea.

'How did you know I would come?’

'Hm,’ said Isshin, looking up at the ceiling. 'Well, to put it simply, it was a gut feeling.’

'Gut feeling?’

'Since Yakumo came home with a bruise on his face, I asked him about the situation.’

Akemi came back to her senses upon hearing Isshin’s explanation.

So many things had happened that the order of events had become jumbled. Normally, she would first have to reprimand Yakumo and apologise for the fight in the school in which Yakumo had become injured.

'I sincerely apologise. It was because of my negligence. The student who hit him will apologise tomorrow…’

Akemi hurriedly apologised, but Isshin interrupted her to tell her not to worry about it.

'Yakumo was part of the problem.’

'But Yakumo-kun wasn’t at fault.’

Akemi said the thought on her mind.

'Is that because Yakumo didn’t do anything?’

'Yes.’

Akemi nodded.

Tsukasa had one-sidedly picked a fight with Yakumo. That was clear to anybody.

'I think that it’s because Yakumo didn’t do anything that he is at fault.’

Isshin’s tone was unusually strict.

'What do you mean?’

'With human relationships, doing nothing can often conversely rub other’s the wrong way.’

'Is that so?’

'Even if it isn’t intentional, it can come off as provocative. It’s because it’s difficult to know what they’re thinking that the other person can feel insecure.’

Isshin’s words made sense.

That said, Akemi still thought that Tsukasa had done too much. No matter how angry he was, violence wasn’t the answer.

'However…’

'It’s fine. Yakumo probably felt better after being hit.’

'But…’

'And fighting with somebody is a big step for Yakumo.’

Isshin’s eyes closed as he smiled, seeming amused.

'Is that so?’

Akemi looked at Yakumo’s back.

She thought that he would object to Isshin’s words, but he just sat there.

'Anyway, after looking for the cause of the fight, it seems to be that young lady.’

The young lady Isshin was talking about was probably Sachiko.

'And then you thought I’d come?’

Isshin nodded.

'She hasn’t gone to school since, correct?’

'She hasn’t.’

'And that was the cause of the fight. Since you’re such a worrywart, Akemi-chan, I thought that you’d show up sooner or later.’

'Ah…’

'The other day, I said something rather telling. That this was Yakumo’s field…’

If Isshin knew that, the conversation would go quickly.

'Could you two not just say whatever you want?’ said Yakumo, still turned away from them.

His voice was hateful, unlike his earlier expressionlessness.

'But it’s true that it’s your field,’ said Isshin.

'I refuse. I’ve got nothing to do with this. I definitely won’t do it.’

Yakumo refused in an even stronger tone than earlier.

'He’s been like this ever since. Saying he’s got nothing to do with it.’

Isshin shook his head in exasperation.

However, Akemi didn’t understand what the two of them were talking about.

Whether he’d do it or not, she didn’t understand what Yakumo was refusing to do.

'What are you talking about?’ Akemi questioned, unable to keep it in.

'Right, I didn’t explain properly. Sorry.’

Isshin smiled wryly before explaining.

'Do you remember how I talked before about Yakumo’s unique ability – or rather, physical quality?’

Yakumo’s left eye, which had been red from birth, could see the spirits of the dead.

Isshin had told Akemi that.

He had inherited that ability – or rather, physical quality – from his missing father. For Akemi, this story was something she didn’t want to forget, nor could she forget it.

'Yes.’

'Wait a second – why’d you tell her that!?’ yelled Yakumo, turning around quickly.

His expression was clearly angry.

It was the first time Akemi had seen Yakumo make his emotions clear.

She had thought up until now that Yakumo didn’t have any emotions – or she had had that suspicion. However, she realised now that she was wrong.

Now that she thought of it, there was no way that there would be someone without emotions.

Yakumo must have just always put a lid on all his emotions – his pain, his sadness, his anger – and endured it.

'Sorry for telling her on my own.’

Isshin sent a gentle gaze Yakumo’s way before continuing.

'However, since it’s Sensei, she’ll definitely understand you. That’s what I thought. You must have felt that way a bit too, right?’

Yakumo didn’t reply to Isshin’s words. He just turned around again.

At school, Yakumo was aloof, but with Isshin, it was mysterious how he looked like a regular rebellious middle-school student.

That was probably just another sign of how accepting Isshin was.

'Let’s get back on topic. That girl is probably possessed by a ghost.’

Isshin looked at Akemi with serious eyes.

'Possessed by a ghost?’ exclaimed Akemi in her surprise.

However, Isshin wasn’t fazed; he continued speaking.

'I can’t see them like Yakumo can. I can’t say for certain, but from the situation, I think that is how it is.’

That night, Sachiko had been afraid of something.

Something that other people couldn’t see –

The examination at the hospital had shown nothing particularly strange with Sachiko’s body.

Yet, she still wouldn’t leave her room.

Tomoko, Sachiko’s mother, had said this.

– Sachiko’s been talking about a ghost…

If Akemi accepted Isshin’s theory, she felt like it would explain everything.

'Yakumo. Won’t you help her?’ Isshin said formally.

'They were the ones who decided to play around with something so stupid – they brought it on themselves! It’s got nothing to do with me!’ shouted Yakumo.

When Akemi heard those words, she understood –

Why did Yakumo refuse everyone around him to this extent?

Why didn’t he show his emotions?

Why did he want to be alone?

Why did he sometimes leave class?

Everything connected –

'Yakumo-kun. You’re afraid, aren’t you?’

Yakumo was afraid.

'Afraid? I am?’ said Yakumo, still looking away.

Yakumo was afraid that, like with his mother, the people he believed would reject his existence one day because of his unique physical quality.

From his fear, he became smaller and hid himself in his shell.

'You are, aren’t you?’

'What do you know?’

Yakumo’s words were tinged with irritation.

When his mother almost killed him, Yakumo must have lost hope in everything.

In order to keep the balance of his heart, he built a wall around himself.

'It’s OK – I won’t be afraid of you.’

Yakumo suddenly stood up, turned towards her and looked down while taking something out of his left eye.

Then, when he lifted his head again, Yakumo’s left eye glowed red like a blazing flame.

Akemi didn’t look away – she accepted that gaze.

'I’m cursed, just like the rumours say. Don’t bother with me any more.’

Akemi shook her head.

– You haven’t been cursed by anyone.

Akemi stood up and faced Yakumo directly.

Their eyes were at the same height –

Until yesterday, his expression had seemed adult-like.

However, Yakumo looked small to her now.

Yakumo, who had put up a wall around him, was probably trembling, all alone.

'It’s fine. I won’t be afraid of you.’

As Akemi said that, she put her arms around Yakumo and hugged him.

She could hear Yakumo’s heartbeat –

He was alive. Though he didn’t show it, he felt sad, he suffered, and he worried – he was alive.

For a while, Yakumo just stood there, but then he suddenly pushed Akemi away.

'What the hell are you doing? Why would a teacher go this far?’

Akemi had no way of answering Yakumo’s question.

Akemi wanted to know herself why she was doing so much for just one student –

She looked at Yakumo’s eyes. She felt like the answer was there.

Finally, Yakumo looked away from Akemi and tried to leave the room.

'Yakumo.’

Isshin admonishingly called out to Yakumo.

In response, Yakumo put his hand on the sliding screen and stood there, shaking his head in annoyance.

'I’m just going to say this, but I’m not an exorcist. I can’t exorcise spirits.’

'Spirits of the dead aren’t new forms of life or demons – they’re clusters of people’s emotions. That’s your theory, right? If that’s the case, exorcism won’t be necessary,’ said Isshin.

'If I’m not supposed to exorcise the ghost, what are you telling me to do? All I can do is see them.’

'But if you can see them, you might be able to take it away.’

'You make it sound so simple. Isn’t that the most difficult part?’

Yakumo snorted.

To Akemi, their exchange sounded like a Zen dialogue.

They were trying to find an answer to something by conversing.

'So what are you going to do? Run away again?’

Isshin’s expression was unusually strict.

Without responding to that question, Yakumo just stood there, but finally, his shoulders slumped, like he had given up.

At the same time, Isshin smirked.

'Tomorrow happens to be a day off. That’s fine, right?’

'Do what you want,’ muttered Yakumo as he left the room.

Dumbfounded, Akemi was just watching him when a handkerchief was held in front of her. It was from Isshin.

Akemi took the handkerchief and noticed for the first time that she was crying.

'Please sit.’

At Isshin’s insistence, Akemi sat on the cushion and wiped her tears.

What emotion did these tears come from? Akemi couldn’t answer that question.

'It’s thanks to you, Akemi-chan.’

'I didn’t…’

Akemi didn’t understand what Isshin meant.

She didn’t think she’d been able to do anything for Yakumo.

'Yakumo has to overcome this.’

'Overcome?’

'Yes. Yakumo hates his red left eye, which can see the spirits of the dead. He’s thought of it as something useless – something that just makes others treat him like a monster.’

'It doesn’t seem that way to me,’ said Akemi, leaning forward.

By thinking that way, Yakumo was cornering himself.

Isshin crossed his arms and nodded.

'I think the same way as you. I think there’s a reason he can see them. Like with how people meet, you see the things that you should.’

'Are you talking about fate?’

'Yes. That’s why I think that actively using his ability for somebody else might help Yakumo overcome his dark past…’

Now, Akemi finally understood. That was why Isshin had suggested that Yakumo resolve the incident.

His red left eye and the ability it held were a large part of the reason why Yakumo had shut off his heart.

In order to open that heart, Yakumo himself would first need to accept that ability and conquer it.

'That’s why it’s thanks to you, Akemi-chan.’

Isshin added that at the end.

However, Akemi still didn’t think she’d done anything. Isshin had been the one who led Yakumo.

'I didn’t… I’ve just been watching.’

'That’s important.’

'Is that so?’

It didn’t seem that way to Akemi.

Her presence hadn’t changed anything.

'It is. It isn’t something that started now. Akemi-chan, you’ve always looked at Yakumo. You looked at him without averting your eyes.’

'That’s natural for a teacher to do.’

'No, it isn’t. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been anyone until now who has faced Yakumo directly without averting their eyes.’

When Akemi heard Isshin’s words, she recalled what the previous homeroom teacher had said.

– It’d be better to leave him alone.

Perhaps it was true that nobody had tried to face Yakumo.

However, something troubled Akemi.

– Is this really OK?

Thinking of Yakumo’s circumstances, wouldn’t continuing to stay away from others make him happier?

Was she just forcing her own perspective on him and leading him down a path he didn’t want to tread?

'Well, he’s still just at the start line. What happens from now on will be the most tough.’

Isshin let out a happy laugh completely different from how Akemi was feeling.

-

NOTES:

General comment – Yakumo uses the pronoun ore (俺) to refer to himself in this novel rather than boku (僕) as he does in the others. Both are generally masculine, but boku is seen as more polite; usually ore is used more with people you’re familiar with and can be considered rude otherwise. The pronoun boku is also used more frequently by younger boys, who will often change to using ore around middle school.

[1] The story being referred to is Beneath the Cherry Trees by Kajii Motojirou.

[2] PHS stands for Personal Handy-phone System. The personal handy-phone is like a cordless telephone at home and a mobile phone outside.

SECRET FILES KIZUNAeach wish: chapter 1 TRANSLATION NOTES-1-Takagishi Akemi opened the classroom door at the same time as the chime went off and stood at the lectern.The students were still noisy from the break.Akemi put both hands on the lectern, looked around the classroom and waited for the students to quiet down on their own.Takagishi knew that if you told children of this age to be quiet, they would just grow noisier.Children in puberty didn't like being told what to do, even if it was a little thing like that.Rather than being taught that, Akemi had learnt it naturally through her life as a teacher.The students grew calmer.Now, let's start.'Akemi opened the attendance record and looked around the classroom again, when she noticed there was an empty seat.The second seat from the back of the row by the corridor Somebody had been there during homeroom this morning.'Where's Saitou-kun?'Akemi asked that question to all the students.'Isn't he just skipping again?'The one who spoke with blatant dislike was Tsukasa, who sat in the very front row and had a leader role in the class. Again?'How long's he been gone?'Akemi asked that question to Tsukasa, but the reply was an innocent 'I don't know'.'Sacchan, do you know?'Akemi looked at Sachiko, who sat beside the empty seat.'Ah, er, he was here until the end of the first class, but he left during break I'm sorry.'Sachiko spoke like a mother apologising for her child's misconduct.'It's OK. It's not your fault.'Though Akemi said that to Sachiko, she sighed.If he had been gone since the second class, there should have been some contact from the other teachers, but nobody had noticed that he was gone.Akemi couldn't understand at all why something like this had been let pass.'Let's have class already. I'm seriously itching to study,' said Tsukasa.'Liar!'Youhei, in the seat right behind Tsukasa, made fun of him.There was stifled laughter from all over the classroom.Akemi couldn't stop class for one person. She knew that. But 'Please open to page 168 of the textbook and read that passage. I'll be right back.'The whole class let out a shrill 'Ehhhh!' at Akemi's words.However, she still couldn't continue class while ignoring a student who had skipped.Akemi wrote the words 'Self Study' on the blackboard and left the classroom.She knew where he would be.He was always in the same place, as if waiting for someone to bring him back.Akemi ran to the end of the corridor, took the stairs up and opened the door to the rooftop.The dry autumn wind hit her face.Akemi covered her eyes and went out onto the rooftop. Just as I expected.She saw the back of a male student looking at the scenery while standing by the rooftop fence. Saitou Yakumo.The back looked somewhat sad, as if it was burdened with something.Akemi slowly walked up to Yakumo. Why did you skip class?She knew that she wouldn't get an answer even if she asked Yakumo.'Hey.'Akemi called out to Yakumo's back.In response, Yakumo slowly turned around.He wasn't that different from Akemi in height. Around 150 centimetres. He was a bit short in comparison to other kids his age.Akemi looked at Yakumo's face, at the same height as her own.Yakumo was slender and had well-defined features, though they still looked slightly childish. However, he was so pale that it made her doubt whether he was really alive.Furthermore, his eyes were endlessly dark and cold.Akemi didn't know what he was thinking. His gaze was as expressionless as a machine's.Though pubescent boys were prone to trying to make themselves look bigger, most of that ended at vanity.However, it was different for Yakumo.There was something about Yakumo that didn't match his fifteen years of age.'What do you want?' said Yakumo, running a hand through his hair like he thought this troublesome.An uncertain voice that had just finished changing It felt like there was a rejection there, telling people not to approach him.Yakumo wasn't rejecting Akemi because she was his homeroom teacher.Akemi had never seen Yakumo talk with the other classmates.Of course, he talked when absolutely necessary, but that was all. The words that came out of Yakumo's mouth were only short phrases like 'Ah' and 'I see'.What sort of person was Yakumo trying to become? What did he like? What did he dislike? There was probably nobody in this school whom he would reply to if asked.'What are you looking at?' asked Akemi, forcing herself to smile.'The cherry blossoms' said Yakumo, narrowing his eyes.Akemi felt like there was something wrong with Yakumo's words. It was autumn now. There were just dead leaves on the branches.'Even though the flowers aren't blossoming?''Don't people say this? That corpses are buried under cherry blossom trees,' said Yakumo expressionlessly. Corpses.Akemi thought that her heart would leap out of her mouth.He had suddenly said such a frightening thing.Come to think of it, she'd read something like that in a story before.It was a story about a man who had the wild idea that the reason cherry blossoms were beautiful was that there were corpses buried underneath the tree and thought of them as symbolic of tragedy1.Did Yakumo think that way 'So did you find it?' asked Akemi as a joke.'Find what?''A corpse.'Yakumo seemed surprised by Akemi's words, as his cheek twitched.However, then his expression soon became his usual blank one, and he put his hands in his pockets and walked past Akemi to the door, as if to say he didn't need anything else from her.'Do you like it here?' said Akemi, following Yakumo with her eyes.The truth was, she didn't actually want to know that. She just wanted to talk more with Yakumo, even if it was just a little.If it became a chance for him to open his heart It might have been naive, but Akemi had that hope, though it was faint.'Eh?'Yakumo stopped right in front of the door.'Since you're always here.''Please just leave me alone, like everyone else.'That was Yakumo's answer.'There's no way I could leave you alone!'Akemi felt irritated by what Yakumo said, and she accidently spoke roughly.''Yakumo said something, his back still facing her.However, she couldn't hear it.'If you have something you want to say, say it clearly.'The moment Akemi stepped forward to approach Yakumo, Yakumo turned around.A chill ran down Akemi's spine when he looked at her.It felt like that gaze would freeze her.Akemi lost her words and just stood there in a daze, like a frog under the gaze of a snake.'I don't really care, but you're annoying.'After a silence, Yakumo said just that and walked away briskly.Akemi let out a huge sigh and then stood by the fence and looked at the scenery, as Yakumo had been doing.She saw a cherry blossom tree in the courtyard.'Annoying eh'Akemi had come back from maternity leave and had been put in charge of Yakumo's class this spring.The previous instructor had warned her, saying, 'He's not really any trouble, but you should leave him alone.'Yakumo rejected everything besides himself, putting up an invisible wall and watching everything from inside of it.No matter how she tried to reach out, he wouldn't come out from behind that wall.Trying to get involved just invited heartache.Akemi herself had thought about giving up countless times.There was a limit to what a schoolteacher could do. She knew that. But she just couldn't leave Yakumo alone.She knew that she had always had a meddlesome personality.But was it just her personality making her concerned about Yakumo?Akemi just couldn't think of Yakumo as a stranger.Naturally, they weren't related by blood. But there was something else she felt there was something like a connection.She might have thought that way because of the rumours about him.Anyway, there must have been a reason for Yakumo to close off his heart. He might have had problems in his family environment.Come to think of it, Akemi only knew the Yakumo at school. Maybe I'll go visit his house today.Akemi made that decision.-2-The door opened quietly and Yakumo returned to the classroom. I'm glad.Though this always happened, Sachiko felt relieved.Every time Yakumo disappeared, Sachiko felt nervous. She would worry about whether he was causing trouble and feel anxious about whether he wouldn't return to the classroom.However, that was just Sachiko. The other students had a different response.Everyone silently looked at Yakumo with scorn.Someone who stuck out, throwing everyone's circle out of order. It felt like they were blaming him that way.However, Yakumo didn't seem to care as he sat next to Sachiko's seat and took a book as thick as a novel from his desk, flipping it open to a bookmark and then reading it with a serious expression.At the same time, other people started talking.'I really wish that guy would stop it already.''It's kinda annoying.''But his grades are good.''He's cheating, right?''Clairvoyance?''Ah, that might be true. In elementary school, there was a rumour that he could see ghosts.''Seriously?''And his eye's actually red, says the rumours.''And his parents are missing.''I heard about that. He killed them or something.''Murderer.' It's started again.Sachiko wanted to cover her eyes.It was Tsukasa and the others. They said awful things loudly on purpose so that Yakumo could hear them. It made sense for Yakumo to want to leave the classroom if he was treated this way.Sachiko felt angry, but unfortunately, she wasn't brave enough to say it aloud.She glanced at Yakumo, in the seat beside her.As if he hadn't heard the gossip at all, Yakumo was focussed on reading. This was how Yakumo was different from the other students. He didn't pay any attention to the backbiting classmates. Like an adult.It was hard to think that he was the same age as Tsukasa, who was clearly showing his ill intent.'They're just jealous don't pay any attention to them,' Sachiko told Yakumo.Yakumo just lifted his head slightly without saying anybody.He looked at her.That was enough to make Sachiko's heart race faster. When did I start paying attention to Yakumo?That thought suddenly came to Sachiko's mind. She couldn't remember clearly, but when she noticed, she was already engrossed.It wasn't like they had particularly friendly conversations, but just looking at Yakumo was enough to make her happy for the rest of the day.However, she had never talked about that with anybody.Even when friends asked her if she had anybody she liked, she told them that she didn't.Everyone thought Yakumo was creepy because of all the really irritating rumours about him that he could see ghosts, that his eye was red, that his parents had abandoned him, that he had killed them.If Sachiko consulted anybody, she could tell that they would say she was creepy for liking a guy like that.However, Sachiko knew that there were other hidden Yakumo fans besides herself.Yakumo was cool, mysterious and had an inexplicable charm.'Hey, Saitou. I hear you can see ghosts.'Tsukasa's voice brought Sachiko back to reality.When she looked up, she saw that Tsukasa was standing in front of Yakumo. He had his hands on the belt at his waist as he looked down on Yakumo pompously. The unpleasant guy's here.Sachiko hated Tsukasa. She had a number of reasons.First, he didn't wear his uniform properly. His shirt buttons were open to his chest, and his necktie hung underneath that. He might have been trying to look rough, but when Tsukasa did it, it was just classless.Furthermore, he always acted high and mighty and said he was good in a fight.More than anything, Sachiko couldn't bear how he always picked fights with Yakumo.'Answer me. Can you really see ghosts?'Tsukasa spoke quickly as he pressed Yakumo for a reply.However, Yakumo just stared at his book. He didn't even lift his head.'Oi, you listening!?'Tsukasa flew into a rage and smacked both of his hands on the desk, bringing his face so close to Yakumo's that their noses were almost touching. He was clearly picking a fight.'Hey, stop it.'Sachiko couldn't bear it she grabbed Tsukasa's arm. Tsukasa brushed her hand aside and glared.'I'm just talking to him.''He obviously doesn't like it.''Why are you covering for him?''Eh?'Sachiko was lost for words.She couldn't answer that question.'Do you like him?''That's not it!'When Tsukasa hit the bull's-eye, she took it too seriously and spoke in a loud voice.Everyone turned towards her, and her face grew hot in embarrassment.'Oi, oi. Do you really like him?'Tsukasa looked at Sachiko's face. Don't get so close to me. It's creepy.Sachiko leant back, putting as much distance between her and Tsukasa as she could.'So what if I can see them?'Somebody interrupted. It was Yakumo.Tsukasa looked towards Yakumo again. Did he cover for me?'Oh, so you can see them. Then come with me for a bit,' said Tsukasa.'For what?'The complete opposite of Tsukasa, who was speaking threateningly, Yakumo spoke in a flat tone, as if he were reading a book.'You've heard of it, right? The rumour that there's a ghost at this school.'Sachiko knew the rumour too.When night fell, you could hear a creepy crying voice. A male student in the next class had made a fuss a while back about how he'd seen a man covered in blood.'I don't know it.''There's a rumour like that!'When Yakumo gave a disinterested tone, Tsukasa was obviously irritated.'That so.''Let me see if you can really see ghosts.''And?''Tonight, we're sneaking into the school to have a test of courage.''So?''You're coming too,' said Tsukasa with a smirk.Sachiko thought it was in bad taste. It puzzled her how he could come up with something so boring.'Got it.'Yakumo suddenly looked up and said that quietly.'Eh?'Sachiko spoke up without thinking.She had thought Yakumo would definitely refuse Tsukasa's invitation.It wasn't just Sachiko who was surprised. Even Tsukasa, who had been the one who asked, had his mouth wide open at Yakumo's unexpected reply.'Do you need anything else?' Yakumo said expressionlessly.Sachiko couldn't understand why Yakumo had agreed to Tsukasa's invitation.'Ah, no We're meeting up at eight today at the school gates.''Got it.'Tsukasa gave the instructions in his confusion, and Yakumo gave a short reply.'Wait, just stop this idiocy.'Sachiko couldn't help but interrupt.Since it was Tsukasa, he would definitely do something mean to Yakumo. Going along with him in such a carefree manner was like jumping into the fire.'Sachiko. You come too.'Tsukasa looked at Sachiko.'Eh?'When the conversation suddenly turned to her, Sachiko couldn't understand right away.'I said, you come too.''Me?''Yeah. You.''No, but' I don't want to.It would be easy to refuse, but Sachiko couldn't reply.'OK, we're starting class again.'The door opened, and Akemi came back into the classroom.'You have to come. Don't run away.'Tsukasa left those parting words and returned to his own seat. The whole thing's become a bit strange.Sachiko looked at Yakumo's profile again.Though he had well-defined features, he was as expressionless as a machine. She couldn't tell what he felt or thought at all.Come to think of it, this was the only expression Sachiko had ever seen Yakumo make.Perhaps she would be able to see another expression of his by participating in Tsukasa's test of courage.Looking at it a different way, this could be a chance.Sachiko felt her heart beating more quickly -3-'Damn it! He pisses me off!'Gotou, who had returned to his seat, slammed his fists on the desk and then lit a cigarette.The new chief was called Ideuchi. What the hell was he planning? He didn't know anything about the scene. They wouldn't be able to investigate with the personnel distributed like hat.'Damn it.'Gotou spat that out again and leant back on his chair, loosening his necktie.'Don't make such a fuss.'Gotou turned around at the thick voice. It was Gotou's boss, Miyagawa.Miyagawa had a small frame, but with his bald head and sharp glance, he looked just like a yakuza.With his hands in his pockets and that stiff expression, it made him look even more so. If he was walking around the street like that, everyone would avoid him.'What is it?''That's my line. You're acting like some rebellious brat.'Miyagawa said that curtly and took a cigarette out of his pocket. He flicked the filter as he bit down on it.'I'm not really.'Gotou swallowed his irritation and offered his lighter to Miyagawa.'You really can't hide anything.'Miyagawa looked exasperated as he lit his cigarette.Gotou couldn't deny it. He knew himself that his thoughts showed right through in his attitude, just as Miyagawa said.He'd been in Miyagawa's care since he was a new recruit, so Miyagawa probably saw that in a more exaggerated fashion than most.'So what are you so angry about?' asked Miyagawa, slowly blowing out smoke.Just earlier, Gotou had been angry enough to flip the table, but he felt himself calming down.It wasn't just this time. When he talked with Miyagawa, his mental state would become more stable.No matter what the situation, it made him feel like things would work out. It might have been because of the absolute trust Gotou had in Miyagawa.'No, I was just thinking about going on a diet.''Don't talk like you're asleep. If you're going to try to fool me, say something better.'Just as Miyagawa said, Gotou himself felt no persuasive power in what he'd told him.'That's right.''Well, whatever. Since it's you, you probably just don't get along with the new chief.'Miyagawa could even see through to the type of people Gotou liked and disliked.Instead of agreeing, Gotou scratched his head and frowned.'Come with me for a bit.''Eh?''We're going.'Miyagawa ignored Gotou's confusion and pressed his cigarette into the ashtray. Then, he started walking away briskly.'Please wait.'Gotou grabbed the jacket on his chair and hurriedly ran after Miyagawa.'Where are you going?''The investigation, obviously.''Investigation?''Two men of our age wouldn't be going for tea. Think about it a bit.'That really would have been unpleasant, but Gotou still didn't understand.'What is the investigation for?'When Gotou said that, Miyagawa smacked the back of Gotou's head.'You're so noisy!'Miyagawa glared at him with a click of his tongue.'But'Gotou started speaking, but then Miyagawa slung an arm around Gotou's shoulders and pulled him close. Then, they continued like that down the corridor.After looking around to confirm that nobody was there, Miyagawa started speaking in a quiet voice.'There was a tip-off just earlier.'Though he spoke quietly, the pressure from his voice was still there.'A tip? What were the contents?''The contents aren't the problem. It's just a bit strange.''Strange?'Gotou's expression was dubious.Miyagawa was a veteran. He'd been on this path for twenty years. He probably wouldn't be surprised by most things. That Miyagawa was saying it was strange.Something bad was going to happen. Gotou had that feeling.'Actually, the person who tipped us off called the detective department directly and even asked for me.''Do you have an idea about who it is?''I don't. That's why I'm concerned.'It made sense for Miyagawa to think it was strange.When civilians reported things to the police, they usually chose to call 110 or the consultation window at the local police box.It'd have been different for a personal informer, but going out of their way to contact the detective department and call out the head there really was strange.And Miyagawa had no idea who it was 'Was it a man, or a woman?''I don't know,' Miyagawa replied immediately.'What do you mean?''It was a voice whatchamacallit.''A voice changer?''Yes. They changed their voice with that.'Miyagawa looked peevish as he scratched his neck.Looked like the person had even used a voice changer to hide their identity. They really were concerned 'So what were the contents?' asked Gotou, which made Miyagawa look even grimmer.'Well, the contents were a bit strange too'Miyagawa started to speak, but then he saw another investigation member walking down the corridor and shut his mouth.From that reaction, it looked like he hadn't told anybody about the tip yet.'Anyway, let's move elsewhere and talk.'Miyagawa said that, hunching over as he started to walk with a quick gait.-4-When Akemi arrived there, it was already seven.She had left school before five, but she had had to ask a friend to take in her daughter and call a number of people, which made her go past her intended time.Akemi climbed the slope lined with gingko trees and stopped in front of a temple's gates. She checked the address once more.There was no doubt about it. Which meant that his home was a temple Akemi was confused as she walked up to the priests' quarters, ahead of the gravel garden.She had called ahead of time to say that she would be visiting. Somebody who was probably his father had answered and agreed to it pleasantly.She was visiting because she thought that perhaps one of the reasons Yakumo had shut off his heart like that was his family environment.That was why she had been prepared for a refusal. It had been anticlimactic.She stood in front of the entrance and pressed the doorbell.After a while, the sliding door opened to reveal a man with a bald head probably in his thirties, wearing a priest's working clothes.'Ah, I've been waiting,' he said with a smile.It was a gentle expression, like Maitreya's. Akemi felt a sense of deja vu. I've seen this face before.Akemi looked at his face. She knew somebody who looked very like him. Should she say something? But she could just be mistaking him for somebody else 'Is there something on my face?'He cocked his head, like he thought that Akemi's staring was odd.'Ah, sorry. I'm the one who called. I'm Yakumo-kun's homeroom teacher, Takagishi.'Akemi came back to her senses and hurriedly bowed her head.This time, he furrowed his brows and peered at Akemi's face, as if he sensed something.Finally, he clapped his hands together, like he had come to an understanding.'Could you be Takagishi Akemi-san?' he said.He knew his name. There was no doubt about it. This person was 'Isshin-san,' said Akemi, almost jumping up.Isshin had been Akemi's tutor when she was in the third year of high school.Though she had thought something was different since now he had shaved his head bald, now that she remembered, the memories came back to her, as fresh as if they had happened yesterday.Her heart returned to those times, filling her with bittersweet feelings.'Ah, this is nostalgic.'Isshin nodded a number of times.'It has been a really long time.'Akemi felt a bit embarrassed by this unexpected reunion and looked down.'Are your parents well?' said Isshin with his usual smile.When Isshin was her tutor, Akemi's parents had liked him a lot as well. Her mother had even said, 'If you're going to get a boyfriend, get one like that.'The truth was that Akemi would have liked to reminisce with her mother too, but that wasn't possible.'They died last year in an accident.'The car that her parents had been in had been hit directly by a truck with a dozing driver. Her father, the driver, had died immediately. Her mother had been unconscious for a week before dying.It had been a sudden incident right when Akemi had been in sinking spirits, when she had found out she was pregnant.If her parents had still been healthy and alive, Akemi's decision might have been very different, but that was only a hypothetical story.Nothing would start from regret.'That is.. a terrible loss. I've asked something inappropriate.'Isshin put his hands together and looked down quietly.'No'Akemi shook her head while the events that had happened ran through her head like a revolving lantern. The corners of her eyes felt warm.'Let's not just stand and talk; please come inside,' said Isshin, waving away the solemn atmosphere.'Ah, yes.'She hadn't come here today to talk about herself. Akemi put the current mood behind her.Isshin invited her into the living room by the entrance.Akemi knelt on the cushion and had just relaxed when memories from the past came back to her again.Isshin hadn't changed at all.At the time, Isshin had been a university student, but he had had a calm demeanour and tolerance or attractive force? back then inappropriate for his age.It was fun for Akemi to take lessons from Isshin.She would be fidgety all day on the days Isshin was supposed to come, and she would take care in her hairstyle and clothing.She tried not to think about why. If she thought about that during her lessons, she knew that she wouldn't be able to study. If I'd told him my feelings then, how would it have gone?'Sorry.'Interrupting Akemi's fantasies, Isshin came back with a tray that had teacups on it.'Ah, no.'Akemi looked up.'It looks like Yakumo went off somewhere right after coming back.'Isshin placed the tea in front of Akemi and said that with a sigh as he sat down.'No, it's fine I wanted to talk with his guardian today.'She couldn't let herself drown in nostalgia.Akemi sat up straight and faced Isshin.'But you've become a teacher, Akemi-chan. I'm surprised,' said Isshin earnestly. He sipped his tea.'I was surprised too. I never would have thought that you were Yakumo-kun's father, Isshin-san.'Isshin laughed aloud at Akemi's words.Akemi didn't understand why he was laughing.'Is that something to laugh at?''No, I was just thinking that I'm at the age where I would look like that.'Isshin crossed his arms and nodded.'Eh''I'm not Yakumo's real father.''Which means'A child from his partner's previous marriage?Akemi cocked her head.'Though I'm acting as his parent, Yakumo's not my child. Unfortunately, I'm still single. Well, I am his godparent,' said Isshin with hearty laughter.Now that he said that, it would have been unnatural. Isshin was four years older than Akemi. He was too young to have a fifteen year old child.'Then' Whose child is he?'Yakumo is my older sister's child.''Your older sister'Isshin nodded.Why had Isshin taken in his older sister's child? Akemi was curious, but she felt like she couldn't ask.Akemi had things she wouldn't want other people to ask too.'So you've come about Yakumo today.'Instead of Akemi, who was lost for words, Isshin brought up the topic at hand.'Yes.''Yakumo's caused a problem at school then,' said Isshin.There was a slight shadow in his expression. The way he said it made it seem like he had been prepared for Yakumo to cause a problem at some time.'Though it would be exaggerated to call it a problem''What is it?''He skips class.'That was Yakumo's only problem. His grades were good, and he didn't smoke or act violently.The previous teacher had told her to leave him along because his actions didn't cause the school any harm.'Skips'Isshin looked up at the ceiling like he was thinking about something.To Akemi, Yakumo's skipping class had looked like a sign.His heart was imbalanced and could break at any moment. He wanted somebody to notice and was asking for help.It might have just been her own thinking, but she couldn't abandon those thoughts.'Yes. He doesn't do anything besides that, but it looks like he is somewhat depressed. It's hard to tell what he is thinking'It was partly because she was talking to Isshin, but Akemi unexpectedly spoke her feelings directly.'I don't know what Yakumo's thinking either,' said Isshin, his shoulders slumping.'Eh?''I'll say this because it's you, Akemi-chan, but Yakumo's mother is missing. We don't know for sure who his father is. That's why I took him in for now.''Missing?'Isshin nodded.'Yakumo's mother tried to kill him. Fortunately, he was saved by a passing police officer, but ever since then, his mother has been missing'Akemi couldn't say anything at all.Yakumo's past, much harsher than she had imagined, just made her feel like she was suffocating. It was hard for her to keep her mind steady.'I'm a man who hasn't even married. I just lack too much to take a child of that age in''That's''I don't want to complain, but the truth is I don't know how to connect to him.'After saying that, Isshin shook his head.The mood was heavy. The silence was so long it was like time had stopped 'Why?'Finally, Akemi said just that.However, Isshin tilted his head. It looked like he didn't understand the question.Akemi took a deep breath to strengthen herself and asked again. 'Why did Yakumo-kun's mother try to kill him?'When Isshin heard that, he crossed his arms and said, 'Hmm.' Then, he suddenly looked up.'It might have been fate for you to become Yakumo's homeroom teacher, Akemi-chan. I think that people meet the people they are meant to meet. Invisible threads draw people together.'Fate The word Isshin said shook Akemi's heart.Meeting Isshin again like this might also not have been a coincidence but some great power drawing them together.'I'll tell you what I know to be true. Though I don't know if you'll believe me'Isshin gave that as a preface before beginning his story.-5-'So what are we investigating?'Gotou, in the driver seat of the unmarked black sedan, spoke to Miyagawa in the passenger seat.'Anyway, just go to the telephone booth at the intersection in Area 2. Right in front of the middle school,' said Miyagawa, lighting his cigarette.'The phone booth?'Gotou had thought that asking where they were going would help him understand the contents of the investigation, but that had been a wrong guess.Well, there was no point thinking about it. Gotou stepped on the accelerator.'Actually, I don't know the contents either.'Just as Gotou started driving, Miyagawa said that with a frown.'You don't know?'The unexpected response made Gotou's voice jump an octave.A tip-off with unknown contents thinking about it normally, it just seemed like a prank. He didn't understand why Miyagawa believed it.'You look like you're not happy with this.''You can tell?'Gotou admitted it honestly.'You're too straightforward.'Miyagawa snorted and smiled.'Is that so?''You should think about fitting in more.''I'm no good at that,' replied Gotou with a wry smile.'You're the only one who's going to suffer.'Miyagawa couldn't say anything either though. He would always bare his fangs for his subordinates, be it against the chief of the department or the chief of the police.The higher-ups were frightened of him, thinking of him as a mad dog, while his subordinates looked up to him, thinking of him as an older brother. That was who he was. He just wasn't good at getting along in the world.It was the same with this tip.It wasn't necessary for the head of the detectives to go out of his way to check something when nothing was clear yet.But the stupidly straightforward Miyagawa probably couldn't leave the tip-off to somebody else, when it had been directed at him.In that meaning, he and Gotou could be called similar.Though Gotou thought it, he didn't say it aloud. If he said something strange, a fist would come flying at him.'So the tip said to go to the telephone booth?'Gotou brought the conversation back on topic while driving.'Yeah. Said that there was proof of a crime there.''Proof of a crime Is that whistleblowing then?''Probably.'Miyagawa pressed his cigarette into the ashtray with displeasure.'But it's strange for it to be a phone booth. What were they going to do if somebody else found it?''Practically nobody uses phone booths nowadays.'Miyagawa leant back on his seat.What Miyagawa said was true. Mobile phones and PHS2 had become widespread recently, so public telephones were rarely used.Because they hadn't been used for so long, at some train stations, they were starting to take them down.Back when pagers had been popular, there had been lines at phone booths, and there had been many counterfeit telephone cards it had even become a societal phenomenon.With the flow of time, the phone booths had been left behind, so now they could perhaps be considered a perfect place to hide something.Gotou understood that, but there was still something he didn't understand. That was 'I wonder why they contacted you, Miyagawa-san.''That's what I want to know!' Miyagawa said brusquely, opening the window of the car.Dry wind came into the car with a roar.-6-Sachiko arrived just in time for their agreed time at the school gates.The truth was that she had planned on leaving the house earlier, but she hadn't been able to decide on the clothes she wanted to wear.She had thought about wearing her favourite miniskirt, but when she stood in front of the mirror, she lost her confidence and ended up just wearing on jeans.And then, right before she left home, her mother had asked, 'Where are you going?' It had taken time to come up with an excuse.In front of the gates, Tsukasa, Tae and Youhei were already gathered.Tsukasa was leaning against the fence, looking bored, while Tae and Youhei were close together, chatting like lovers.If Tsukasa weren't here, it could've been a double date That wish pressed against Sachiko's heart as she walked forward.On the other side of the gates, she saw the white school building standing out in the dark.The school at night had an unspeakably uncanny atmosphere to it. It felt like the school gates led to another world.Even though hundreds of people were here during the day, once night fell, nobody remained. That gap might have made it even more uncanny.'Hey.'Tsukasa noticed Sachiko and raised a hand.He had his head turned towards the ground as he peered at her. She knew very well how people saw her.'Where's Yakumo-kun?'Sachiko looked around to escape Tsukasa's gaze.'Not here yet,' said Tsukasa with a click of his tongue.'I see.' So he's not here yet.She had been hopeful, which made the disappointment greater.Sachiko's shoulders slumped as she walked up to the school gates.'Hey you.'Tsukasa still had his head turned down as he stood in front of Sachiko.'What?''What's so good about him?'Different from his usual ill manners, Tsukasa seemed to be squirming as he said that.Sachiko didn't understand the meaning of his question.'What are you talking about?''Well, you about him er''Honestly. I don't understand what you're saying. Say it clearly.'Sachiko was angry at Tsukasa's vague attitude, so she spoke in an unrelenting tone.'You're aiming for Saitou, right?''What?'Aiming or not aiming, Sachiko found that phrase discomfiting. Even though she just liked Yakumo with pure feelings, it sounded like she had secret intentions.Love wasn't something to be conscious of.'I can tell even if you hide it,' said Tsukasa with thin lips.It looked like he'd taken Sachiko's words to have a different meeting.'Honestly, you're so noisy.'Sachiko didn't feel like explaining and ended it there, but Tsukasa continued to speak.'I don't understand. He's gloomy, and you can't tell what he's thinking, and I look way cooler.'Tsukasa brushed back his dyed brown hair. I'm better than that guy.He probably wanted to say that. However, he just had excessive self-confidence. And the shallowness of appealing to his qualities was unbearably unpleasant to Sachiko.Yakumo definitely wouldn't do that.'You're annoying.'Sachiko moved her lips to form those words, so that Tsukasa wouldn't hear.'That guy's still not here,' said Youhei, stretching his arms up above him.'He isn't. I wonder when Yakumo-kun will be here?'Sachiko answered Youhei to escape from Tsukasa.'Let's try calling,' continued Tae.'Tsukasa. You have a handy-phone?' said Youhei.'Can't get one 'til I'm in high school.'Tsukasa shrugged.'Sachiko?' asked Tae.'I don't have one.'At Sachiko's home, mobile phones and handy-phones had been put away until after high school entrance exams.'Youhei, go to the phone booth.'Tsukasa hit Youhei's shoulder.'Eh, what a pain.''Just go.'Tsukasa kicked Youhei's behind.'What are you doing?' complained Youhei, but he didn't resist any more and started walking.'He might've run,' said Tsukasa as he watched Youhei leave. Yakumo didn't run.Sachiko felt like she understood after coming here.Yakumo wouldn't give any attention to people like Tsukasa. He'd had no intention of coming in the first place. If Yakumo's not coming, I'll think of an excuse to leave.Sachiko looked up at the pale moon in the sky and thought that.-7-The phone booth was underneath the pedestrian bridge.Normally, Gotou overlooked it as part of the scenery, but because of the tip-off and the dark, it seemed to appear out of the shadows.'That's it then.'Gotou looked at Miyagawa in the passenger seat.'Looks like it.'Miyagawa gave a lazy reply and yawned.Gotou passed the phone booth and parked the car on the side of the road before exiting.It was a main road with two lanes on each side. There were quite a few cars. However, all of the cars were driving quickly probably nobody would look at the telephone booth.Gotou continued walking up to the phone booth.Suspicious-looking advertisements were placed all over the glass, so he couldn't even see inside.Just as he put his hand on the door, Gotou's heart started beating wildly. My fate will change drastically the moment I open this door.A vague and baseless anxiety.'What's wrong?'Miyagawa called out to him from behind. Perhaps he had noticed Gotou's hesitation.'If I open it, it won't go BANG or something like that, right?'It annoyed him to think that his fear had been noticed. Gotou made a joke.'If that happens, I'll pick up your bones,' said Miyagawa with an exasperated expression as he lit his cigarette.'I'll be counting on you.'Gotou smiled back and then turned towards the phone booth again.He opened the door with vigour, and then a stagnant odour pierced his nose.There was a familiar green telephone and underneath it, two thick telephone books.Gotou couldn't see anything strange at first glance.'Where's it hidden?' mumbled Gotou, beginning to search inside the telephone booth.He flipped through the phonebook pages, but he couldn't find anything. Then, he looked at the ceiling.All he saw was a fluorescent light with a broken cover.'Is it there?' said Miyagawa, opening the door.'I couldn't find it.''How about in the back?''The back?''The back of the phone.'Miyagawa gestured at the telephone. That's possible.Gotou followed Miyagawa's instruction and stuck his hand in the narrow gap between the booth and the telephone, grappling around.His fingers touched something.Gotou pressed his face against the booth to try to look and saw, behind the phone, something like a plastic bag stuck to the booth with tape.'Is this it'Gotou thrust his hand in deeper and managed to touch the plastic bag.Because of how narrow the place was, his body wouldn't move the way he wanted to he couldn't get it out. After a tough battle, he finally managed to grab the plastic bag.Inside the plastic bag was an A4-sized manila envelope.'Got something?''Yes.'Miyagawa peered inside from the entrance with a cigarette in his mouth. Gotou handed the manila envelope to him.'So this is the info'Miyagawa leant against the pillar of the pedestrian bridge and opened the manila envelope, taking out a stack of documents.Gotou picked the dust off his jacket, got out of the phone booth and was about to walk up to Miyagawa, when he suddenly stopped.He felt someone's gaze on his back. Who is it?Gotou's eyes ran everywhere and spotted a man.The slender man wore a black suit and was staring down at the phone booth from the pedestrian bridge. Could he be the tipper?'What's wrong?'Miyagawa seemed to sense the situation as he spoke quietly.Gotou signalled with his eyes to look up at the pedestrian bridge. Miyagawa walked up to Gotou and looked up at the bridge.'How long's he been there?' Miyagawa said quietly.'I don't know.''Going to question him?''Yes.'Right after answering, Gotou started going up the stairs of the pedestrian bridge.Perhaps noticing that, the man turned around and started walking briskly.'Oi. Got a minute?' Gotou called out, after climbing the stairs.However, the man continued walking at the same pace, like he hadn't heard.'You over there! I said to wait!' Gotou yelled angrily, which made the man suddenly stop and his shoulders jolt, as if he were surprised.'I want to ask you something.'Gotou went up to the man and touched his shoulder.That moment, the man turned around swiftly and knocked Gotou off his feet.'Agh!'With that surprise attack, Gotou fell backwards.The man looked at Gotou's face.He smiled, showing his white teeth.It was a cold smile that chilled Gotou to his core.Furthermore, both of his eyes glowed red, like a blazing flame 'What are you doing!?' yelled Miyagawa, running over.When the man noticed that, he evaded and ran off in the opposite direction.'Damn it!' Making fun of me!Gotou got right up and ran after the man.-8-The fate that Yakumo shouldered, told through Isshin's mouth, was much darker than what Akemi had imagined.At the same time, it affirmed many rumours surrounding Yakumo.The repulsive incident surrounding Yakumo's birth From the moment he was born, his left eye glowed red and had the unique ability, which he never wanted, to see the spirits of the dead.Because of it, many people thought Yakumo frightening and persecuted him.People were terribly cold towards those that were different from them. It hurt Akemi's chest just to imagine how much damage Yakumo's heart must have suffered.That wasn't all. Normally, the mother, who should have protected her child, had tried to murder him.From the moment Yakumo was born, he had been burdened with many things that he didn't want.'I think Yakumo's lost hope,' said Isshin with sad eyes.Yakumo's face came up in Akemi's head. As expressionless as a Noh mask, with lifeless eyes.Until Akemi heard Isshin's story, Akemi had thought that expression had been from sadness or loneliness.However, what Yakumo carried was perhaps despair.When his own mother, who had given birth to him, tried to kill him, Yakumo's life had been saved, but his heart had died Those suffocating thoughts hurt Akemi.'Why'Akemi said just that.She couldn't say anything else. Why did Yakumo's mother try to kill him?Akemi wanted to know why. She wanted there to be some sort of salvation there. She prayed for there to be.'I don't know,' said Isshin, sensing Akemi's feelings.'Ah, of course.'She had disappeared. No matter what reasons he gave, they would only be theories. People's emotions were known only to themselves.'I just can't believe it.'Isshin shook his head.'Eh?''My sister had been troubled by the circumstances surrounding Yakumo, but to me, those had seemed like worries about her child's future.''Her child's future'Akemi mulled over those words.It was true that the same worries could have different implications.'Yes. My sister had been weak psychologically, but the sister I knew was not somebody who would lay a hand on her child.'Isshin declared that, but his voice was weak.He was between a rock and a hard place. Akemi felt that.His love for his sister. And his love for his nephew, Yakumo.Isshin held both these feelings, but when he compared the events of the past, it was difficult for both loves to coexist.Akemi looked down, hesitant to look directly at Isshin.Drip, drip Water dripped onto Akemi's fists, clenched on her lap.It took her some time to realise they were her own tears. Why am I crying?Akemi knew that reason best.She was overlapping Yakumo's and his mother's circumstances with her own.'Are you all right?'Isshin handed Akemi a handkerchief.'Sorry.'Akemi took it and lifted her head after wiping her face. I don't have the right to cry.Akemi told herself that to calm her unsteady heart.Isshin said nothing and just sat there with his usual gentle expression.Even though it was their reunion after ten years, Akemi felt safe, like he had always been there for her.Isshin had said he lacked too much to be a father, but Akemi thought it was the opposite.He had the deep love essential for being a parent.If Isshin hadn't been his parent, Yakumo would definitely have fallen inter a deeper darkness than he had now. He might have even lost his life.Isshin's existence had managed to stop that.If Akemi had reunited with Isshin sooner, her own choice might have been different.When she thought that, words naturally came out of Akemi's mouth.'I have a child as well.'Isshin looked surprised by the sudden change in conversation, but that was just for a moment.'Oh? How old?''A girl who's just turned ten months.''I see. The most blissful years.'Isshin's smile was pleasant.However, Akemi had circumstances that made it difficult for her to honestly accept the word 'blissful'.'That isn't true.''Isn't true?''Actually, this child doesn't have a father.''Is that so?'Isshin's gentle expression didn't change.No matter how tough, painful or sad it was, he would forgive everything.Isshin's heart was that wide.Akemi started speaking falteringly, as if giving up the chains that had bound her heart.'Actually, this child was born from rape.'Just saying it was enough to revive her fear. Her fingers started shaking.In her head, that man's face came up again.Even though the good memories had finally faded away, the horror was vivid no matter how much time passed.She still couldn't forget that man's eyes.'Is that so?''The culprit hasn't been caught.'By saying for the first time something she had always kept hidden, she felt like her pain was a bit lessened.Akemi, who had felt the same thing, could understand slightly the pain of Yakumo's mother.'Do you hate him?' said Isshin, his expression still the same.'Yes.'Akemi nodded.She still hated the culprit now. Even if the culprit were caught and punished, that hatred wouldn't disappear.Akemi didn't know if the culprit chose Akemi as his target by coincidence or for some reason.However, it was a fact that the rest of her life had been ruined because of it.'Do you think that you hate your child?' said Isshin quietly.'I'Akemi was lost for words.Two conflicting thoughts fought in her heart.'You've thought that you hate her,' said Isshin, seeing through Akemi's heart.In front of Isshin, no matter what she said, the truth of her heart would be revealed.'I have.'Though Akemi responded herself, she shook at how awful those words were.However, they were fact.Though it wasn't always, when she looked at her child's face, she would sometimes remember that incident. That child was her child, but she was also that man's child.She overlapped her child's face with that man's face. Her child was not at fault. She knew that. But She had thought that Isshin would scorn her, but he nodded with his usual gentle expression, like he understood.That was enough to make Akemi feel like she had been saved.Isshin had an open heart that accepted other's negative emotions.'Then you love her, yes?'After a silence, Isshin asked another question.'Of course.'Akemi gave a big nod.That was no lie. No matter what, I'll protect her.She had that strong feeling at the bottom of her heart.Two conflicting emotions.Akemi felt anew how she was standing on top of a large contradiction.'I'm glad to hear it.'Isshin smiled pleasantly, showing his teeth.'But I'm a failure as a parent for thinking even once that I hate my child'Akemi looked down, realising how awful she was when she said it.I need to be strong for my child even though she thought that, at times, she was incredibly weak.'But Akemi-chan, your child is alive.'Isshin said those words with force, which made Akemi look up in surprise.'Yes.''And Yakumo's alive. That is fact. No matter what the past is or how you feel, your child is alive now and will continue to live.''Continue to live''That's right. Let's think about what we can do for those children. Together.'Isshin's words sank deep into the corners of Akemi's heart.Now that she thought about it, it was obvious. However, cornered by the burdens of life, she had forgotten the obvious.'We might have both become parents without wanting to, but that isn't the fault of our children. Nothing will start if we just look down.'Akemi felt like there was a line of light in front of her, when she had been in pitch-black darkness before.Though she had come here originally to find out about Yakumo's family environment, the situation had turned around before she noticed.This was blatantly advice for Akemi.However, she had found out some things.Yakumo was living with a heavy burden on his small heart.He had Isshin's deep love and had managed to keep on, but he would break if his balance faltered even slightly.Just as the conversation came to a lull, the phone rang.Isshin said, 'Please wait,' and then he stood up from his seat.Akemi slowly swallowed Isshin's words. Each time she thought about them, the warmth spread within her.Isshin hadn't changed at all since ten years ago.When Akemi looked at Isshin, she always became defenceless. Isshin always overcame the boundaries that people put up with ease.It wasn't frightening.It was pleasant, like being wrapped up in a fluffy blanket.While Akemi was thinking about that, Isshin came back. He looked somewhat dissatisfied.'What is it?' asked Akemi.'Is there some sort of event at school tonight?'Isshin cocked his head.There shouldn't have been any events. If there had been, Akemi wouldn't have come here.'What do you mean?''Ah, there was a call from Youhei-kun, a kid in Yakumo's class. He said that he was waiting for Yakumo at the school, but he wasn't there yet''They can't have really gone!'Akemi stood up as she exclaimed.'Do you have any ideas?''Those kids.'She had an idea.After she brought Yakumo back today, she had heard Tsukasa and the others talking in the classroom. She had thought it was just talk and left it alone, but it looked like that hadn't been the case.Akemi picked up her pack and quickly prepared to leave.'What's wrong?''Those kids are definitely planning a test of courage.''A test of courage?''Yes.''In this season?'Just as Isshin said, it was the wrong season. However, that wasn't the problem right now.'I heard a number of students planning to take Yakumo-kun to the school for a test of courage. I thought it was a joke students always make plans like that.'Isshin responded to Akemi's hurried speech with a nod.'Akemi-chan, are you planning to go there now?''Yes. It would be troublesome if a problem comes up''Then I'll go with you,' said Isshin with a smile.'Eh?''Yakumo might be involved.''Yes''Then I can't leave the situation alone.'What Isshin said made sense.'But''And it would be dangerous for a woman to walk by herself.'Isshin finished the conversation and left the room ahead of Akemi.-9-Yakumo was hunched over, looking at his feet as he walked.It was already dark.He hadn't planned on going to the test of courage that his classmate had incited in the first place.If he stayed at home, there was the possibility that he would be called out by phone. He left the house to avoid any complications.Tests of courage were just a joke.They didn't know what ghosts really were.If they knew, they was no way they would think up something as stupid as a test of courage.Ghosts were clusters of people's emotions.To put it another way, they were raw, exposed emotion.It was much more painful than others imagined to be involved with that daily.'How stupid,' muttered Yakumo, quickening his pace.It wasn't that he had a goal.He was looking for somewhere he could be.Narrow roads, riverbeds, high ground Yakumo didn't think he had any place anywhere.However, if he stayed in one place, it would destroy him.Finally, as he reached a small park, he stopped.Creak, creak.The wind shook the swing. The sound of the rusted metal echoed.Coming and going without a destination Just like him right now.Yakumo smiled self-derisively and walked up to the swing. Can I be here?He asked that in his heart, but there was no reply.Creak, creak.Yakumo sat on the swing.Ever since his mother tried to kill him, Yakumo had kept asking himself that.His existence had been rejected by the mother who had given birth to him did he have a place anywhere?Perhaps he really should have been killed by his mother that day. Then he wouldn't have needed to search for a place.He wouldn't have worried or suffered -10-Sachiko leant against the fence and looked at the road. Won't Yakumo-kun come soon?With time, that hope turned to resignation.Beside her, Tsukasa sat on the asphalt and kept talking to her, but Sachiko didn't even bother listening.Tsukasa always said the same thing.He talked about how awesome he was, or bragged about something. Listening was just a waste of time.'Youhei's late,' said Tae with a frown.He was. It had already been thirty minutes since he'd gone to make the phone call. Even if he was walking slowly to the phone booth, he should have arrived there in five minutes.He might have just gone home alone.'Hey, let's go back already,' said Sachiko.Tsukasa glared at her with furrowed brows. Not so much frightening as disappointing.'Yeah, it's late. Let's go back,' agreed Tae. Then, there was the sound of someone running to them. Yakumo-kun?Sachiko turned her eyes the other direction and saw that Youhei was the one running up.'Sorry I'm late!' said Youhei, out of breath.'You're really late! What were you doing!? The phone booth's right there, right? Are you a turtle!?' yelled Tsukasa, sounding like he might punch Youhei at any moment.'I couldn't do anything about it. There were two people who looked like yakuza at the phone booth, so I had to look for another one.''Hah? Yakuza? Are you an idiot?''If you've got a complaint, you should have just gone yourself!'Youhei was becoming enraged along with Tsukasa, and the two of them glared at each other.The atmosphere was restless.They probably thought that yelling at other people without letting their opinions bend was cool. Sachiko hated seeing such childish outbursts.She didn't even feel like taking part.'So where's Saitou-kun?' asked Tae, stepping between the two.Youhei calmed down immediately and his expression softened.'He wasn't home. Seems like he went out somewhere, but I don't know where.''So maybe he's coming?'Tae cocked her head.'Probably?' agreed Youhei.Sachiko wanted that to be the case, but she didn't feel like Yakumo would come.Yakumo wasn't stupidly obstinate like Tsukasa. He wouldn't come if he didn't want to. That was all.'Hey, what are you going to do?'Sachiko turned the conversation to Tsukasa.'That guy ran away 'cause he's afraid.'Tsukasa sounded threatening even though the person he wanted to threaten wasn't here. Yakumo-kun wasn't afraid.Sachiko murmured that in her heart. If she said it aloud, Tsukasa would just get angrier.'Let's just forget about that guy and go,' declared Tsukasa. Then, he started to climb the fence which was about his height.'Hey, what will you do?'Tae asked Youhei for his opinion.'Once that guy says something, he won't listen to anyone.''Right.'Tae and Youhei seemed reluctant, but they started to climb after Tsukasa. No way. They're all going?Sachiko was undecided about what to do.'Sachiko. Hurry. We're going,' said Tae, who had finished climbing the fence.Tsukasa walked quickly, growing increasingly farther away.'Let's go.'Youhei started walking.Tae started walking with him.Though Sachiko didn't want to go, she definitely didn't want to be the only one left behind.Seeing no way out of it, Sachiko climbed the fence into the school grounds and ran after everyone else.-11- I lost him.Gotou had just reached the park by the main road when he slowed down and finally stopped, giving up.'Damn it! Where the hell did he go!?'Gotou yelled and kicked the ground in his irritation.He had seen that man's back until he turned the second corner. I'll catch up soon.Right after he thought that, the man disappeared like smoke. Did I underestimate him?When Gotou thought that, he grew even angrier. Even though he knew it was no use, he looked around to see if the man might have been hiding somewhere.Then, Gotou spotted somebody.Five metres ahead of him, sitting on the park's swing, he was watching Gotou's behaviour. Could it be?Led by his instincts, Gotou had already put himself on guard, but then he realised immediately that it was somebody else.He was clearly different from the man he saw earlier. A boy in a blazer uniform.Gotou had seen that uniform before. It was from a local middle school.A middle school student was by himself on a park swing at this time. There was nothing more suspicious.Kids these days would do anything. Just the other day, middle school students had brutally killed a homeless person sleeping in the park.Gotou would go give a warning before the guy had any unnecessary thoughts.Gotou walked up to the boy on the swing.The boy stayed on the swing, as if waiting for Gotou to arrive.'Boy. Got some time?'When Gotou called out to him, the boy very slowly lifted his face.His face was so pale it made Gotou doubt whether blood flowed through it. The two eyes looking at Gotou were endlessly dark. Is this brat on drugs?Gotou was on guard as he continued to speak.'What are you doing here at this time?''Wasting time.'The boy replied in a voice that was still had a hint of childishness.'Wasting time''Do you need anything else?'The boy ran a hand through his hair, like he thought Gotou annoying.'This isn't a good time for brats to be spending alone.''That has nothing to do with you.'The boy's retort lit Gotou's anger. This brat! Looking down on me!It was better to scare guys like this a bit. Gotou knew it wasn't mature of him, but he took his police ID out of his jacket and showed it to the boy.However, the boy's expression didn't change even a bit upon seeing it.'I'm a police officer''I know,' said the boy, interrupting Gotou's words.Gotou was taken aback and didn't know what to say next. What does he mean, he knows?'You're annoying. It must be nice for you to think that showing your police ID would frighten anybody.'Ignoring Gotou's confusion, the boy spoke in a flat tone.'What did you say?''The blood goes straight to your head. The same as always.' This brat doesn't shut up.This type always confessed to something or other under pressure. Perhaps it'd be better to take him into custody and question him.'What's your name?'The boy's eyes narrowed at Gotou's question.'I told you before, didn't I?''Eh?''Have you already forgotten?' said the boy, sounding disappointed.This was the first time Gotou had seen this boy. He was just wrapping things up in smoke by speaking at random.'I don't know you!''It amazes me that you can be a detective with such a crude memory, Police Sergeant Gotou.'As the boy said that, he stood up.'Wha !'Gotou couldn't say anything else in his confusion.The boy turned around and started walking away briskly. Why does he know my name?Gotou couldn't think up an answer. All he could do was watch that back walk away silently.-12- I'm scared.Sachiko walked with her fear.With Tsukasa at the front, they went through the schoolyard to the main building, where all of them stopped.In the dark, the school building stood out with impressive presence.Sachiko pressed a hand against her chest.Fear and anxiety shook her feet.She wanted to run away right now, but she didn't even have the courage to leave alone. She wanted to cling to something, but there was nothing to cling to.She saw that Tae and Youhei were holding hands. Though touching somebody else's skin might calm her down, she didn't want to hold hands with Tsukasa.Sachiko put her hands behind her.'But isn't that rumour strange?'Youhei was the one who spoke.His voice shook slightly. He was probably talking to wave away his fear.'What's strange about it?' asked Tae.'You're supposed to be able to hear a baby crying, but there's no way a baby would be at school.''Now that you say it, that's true.''Right?''People just made a fuss it was really wind or something like that, right?''That might be true.'Sachiko didn't care about Youhei's theory at all.She didn't want to know the truth behind the spiritual phenomenon. She just wanted to get home as soon as possible.'Let's go back,' said Sachiko, unable to hold it in.'It's fine I'm here.'Tsukasa said that as he puffed out his chest he seemed to have the wrong idea and walked forward full of confidence.'Wait!'Tae suddenly called out and grabbed Tsukasa's arm.'Augh!'It was so sudden that Tsukasa leapt up in surprise.Tsukasa had acted tough, but he was probably frightened too.'What are you doing all of a sudden?'Tsukasa glared at Youhei, who was suppressing his laughter, and stuck his hands in his pockets, acting calm, as if he hadn't been surprised at all.'Didn't you hear something just now?'Nobody responded to Tae's words.In the silence, they strained their ears.'Ah.'Sachiko thought that her heart would stop. I heard it.With the sound of the wind, though it was faint, she heard something.Sachiko hoped she had just misheard as she looked at the other people's faces.All three of them had their eyes wide open in shock.'I'm just hearing things. You didn't hear anything, right?' Sachiko said frantically, but nobody replied.Everyone was stunned, like they couldn't believe it. Wahhh.She heard it again. Wahhh.Even though she'd thought she was just hearing things. Wahhh.The voice was getting louder.'No!'Sachiko covered her ears and sat down. Wahhh.She could still hear the voice.'Over there.'Tsukasa suddenly pointed.Everyone looked the same way.He was pointing at the fence that split the school and the road, and the cherry blossom trees that stood along it.'Stop it already!'Sachiko's plea was pointless. Tsukasa kept walking.Tae and Youhei followed too.I'm scared. I don't want to go. But I don't want to be alone more Still covering her ears, Sachiko stood up and walked forward, hiding behind Tae and Youhei.After reaching the bottom of the cherry blossom tree, the echoing cries of the baby suddenly stopped.Sachiko timidly took her hands off her ears. I can't hear it any more.'W-w-what was that? I was really scared!' shouted Tae, grabbing Youhei's arm.Sachiko's knees buckled underneath her from relief. She clasped her hands in front of her chest. Her heart was pounding wildly.'What? So boring.'Tsukasa spat on the ground, seeming dissatisfied. That's the end of this boring test of courage.Sachiko let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the cherry blossom tree.Then, she felt something heavy on her chest. What is that?While she was thinking, that weight kept getting heavier.Sachiko slowly looked down at her chest. Something's there.She saw something that wasn't hers clinging to her chest. What is this?It was a baby.The baby, which had deathly pale skin, was clinging to Sachiko. This can't be happening.She couldn't breathe properly. Hic, hic, hic, hic.The baby slowly raised the face it had buried in Sachiko's chest.Its two eyes were dyed a deep blood-red.'Nooo!'As Sachiko screamed, her consciousness fell into a pitch-black darkness.-13-She really should have stopped them when she heard them talking in the hall.A belated regret spread through Akemi.After bringing Yakumo back, she had heard Tsukasa and the others talking about a test of courage, but she had started class again, thinking it would just end as talk.If I had stopped them properly then Even though nothing had happened yet, she felt increasingly anxious.She could see the school.Akemi naturally began walking more quickly.'It'd be better not to brood too much,' said Isshin soothingly from beside her.'But I''It's good that you're enthusiastic, but one person can't watch over everything. It isn't good to blame yourself for everything and think too much about it.''But''Akemi-chan, you're a bit too serious. It'd be better to relax a bit more.'Isshin gave her a friendly smile.Just as Isshin said, Akemi could sometimes be a bit inflexible.Her worrywart nature was the cause. At times, she became too strict, so the students would think of her as a nuisance.'That might be true.'Akemi consciously slowed her walking pace.It was stupid to imagine what awful things might have happened when nothing had happened yet. She told herself to relax.'Right, right. That smile's good.'When Isshin said that, Akemi realised that she was smiling.'When I'm with you, Isshin-san, it feels like I'm back at school again.'Akemi felt a bit embarrassed and looked down.Even though it was a reunion after so many years, Akemi was relying on Isshin, just as she had during her school days. It made her feel lost.'Is that so? It's my fault for calling you Akemi-chan. You're Yakumo's homeroom teacher now, so I should properly call you Takagishi-sensei,' said Isshin formally after clearing his throat.'No, that isn't what I meant.'Akemi hurriedly denied Isshin's words. Takagishi-sensei.If he called her that, it would just make her feel like he was putting distance between them. Though she felt lost, that wasn't unpleasant. Rather, it felt nice.So many things had happened up until now.Without her knowing, she had taken everything on her own shoulders every day became a burden.She felt like she had put down all she had been carrying in this short time not even an hour since she had reunited with Isshin.So, even just a little 'It's fine to call me Akemi-chan, like you've always done,' said Akemi, looking at her feet.'Then please allow me to call you Akemi-chan with no reservations,' said Isshin, sounding bashful.After that, the two of them continued walking the asphalt road silently.It really did make her feel like she was in high school again.'It looks like somebody's there.'Isshin pointed upon reaching the back of the building.Akemi saw a group of boys and girls on the opposite side of the fence drawing the boundary between the road and the school.'Those kids' murmured Akemi.She had seen those faces before. The Tsukasa and Youhei pair. And Tae. Even Sachiko was there. However, Yakumo wasn't.'Nooo!'Just as Akemi had approached the fence, she heard a scream.Sachiko was clutching at her chest, and then she fell down.'Are you all right!?'Tae ran up to Sachiko.Tsukasa and Youhei were flailing about like they didn't know what to do.'Sacchan!' Akemi called out, pressing against the fence.However, there was no reply from Sachiko. Her arms and legs just twitched.'Sensei, help.'Tae noticed Akemi was there and spoke, almost in tears.'I'll be right there.'Akemi frantically climbed over the fence and jumped onto the school grounds.Because she was wearing pumps, she lost her balance when she landed and almost fell.'Are you all right?'Isshin had climbed over the fence like Akemi did and supported her.'Thank you very much.'While thanking Isshin, Akemi went up to Sachiko, and with Tae's help, she turned her face-up.Sachiko's spasms wouldn't stop.With drooped shoulders, Tsukasa and Youhei looked down on Sachiko silently.Akemi felt angry, but rather than blaming them now, she had to help Sachiko first.'It looks like she is having convulsions. We need to call an ambulance quickly,' said Isshin, as if he'd read Akemi's thoughts. Then, he sat Sachiko up and promptly started first-aid.'Understood.'Akemi took out her mobile, quickly pressed 119 and explained the current location and situation in a concise manner. Then, she looked at Sachiko, who had lost the colour in her face.'Why did this happen'Akemi bit her lip.'This is Yakumo's field,' murmured Isshin. Yakumo's field.What did he mean by that?Interrupting Akemi's thoughts, she heard a faraway ambulance siren.-14- What on earth is this?Sachiko couldn't accept what was happening to her.It had gone past the bounds of reason and sense.She couldn't believe it, and she didn't want to, but the reality was in front of her.Ever since the night of the test of courage, a baby had been stuck to Sachiko's chest. You're seeing a bad dream. You're just tired.Her parents and the doctor had all said that.They didn't believe Sachiko.Why can only I see it?Why can't other people see it?Why is the baby here?The same questions kept running through Sachiko's head. Wahhh.It cried, clinging to Sachiko.That continuous cry made it impossible for Sachiko to sleep properly.She would go insane if this continued.Please.Somebody, save me.The baby looked up.Please don't look at me.Don't look at me with those red eyes.All Sachiko could do was curl up and cry.-15-Akemi walked down to the corridor for the next class.She knew herself that she was lifeless today.The events of the night before were still in a corner of her head.After that, Sachiko had been taken to the hospital right away.Though she was in a panicked state, there were no problems in particular with her body. She was given a sedative and brought home by her parents.Sachiko's father had been furious at Tsukasa and the others, who had taken his daughter, and even shouted at them, but Isshin interrupted and managed somehow to calm the situation down.It seemed like Tsukasa had felt guilty, as he had been so dispirited that it made Akemi pity him just from looking at his expression.It seemed like Sachiko would take one or two days off from school, but nothing terrible had happened it was a relief, or it should have been.However, Sachiko still hadn't returned to school after three days.According to Sachiko's mother, she had been shut in her room ever since that day without taking even one step outside.Isshin's words came up in Akemi's head. This is Yakumo's field.Akemi had no proof, but she thought that those words had something to do with Sachiko's current situation.She could ask Isshin what those words meant.While thinking, Akemi passed the classroom she was supposed to go to, when there was a loud noise, like something had been flipped over.'Don't act all cool!'The yell echoed. That voice was Akemi opened the door immediately and flew into the classroom.There was a group of people in the corner of the classroom.Akemi forced her way through.Tsukasa had grabbed Yakumo by the collar and was glaring at him.In his agitation, his eyes were wide and his shoulders were shaking.On the other hand, Yakumo was as expressionless as if the situation had nothing to do with him.'Why are you always like this?' yelled Tsukasa.However, it was like Yakumo didn't hear his voice at all.'You're just making fun of everyone else, right!?'Yakumo's attitude made Tsukasa even angrier. His yells reverberated through the room.'You bastard! I'll beat you up!'Tsukasa's anger had reached its peak. He lifted his fist.'Stop that!'Akemi yelled as loudly as she could and tried to step between them, but it was too late.Tsukasa's fist hit Yakumo's cheek.There was the sound of bone hitting bone.The left part of Yakumo's lip was cut. The blood flowing out dripped off his chin to the floor.Akemi lost her words when looking at the strange scene.The students around them were also so quiet that it was like the noise earlier hadn't happened.'What are you!?'Tsukasa's emotions were still raging. He tried to hit Yakumo again.'Get a hold of yourself!'Akemi pushed herself between Yakumo and Tsukasa.'Shut up! Get out of the way!' yelled Tsukasa after Akemi approached him.'Stop it already!''I said to get out of the way!'Tsukasa was still agitated as he pushed Akemi's shoulder aside and tried to go towards Yakumo again. In this situation, finally a group of students, with Youhei at the head, went to stop Tsukasa.'Why aren't you angry? If you don't like it, bring it on!? Come on!'Even though Youhei and the others were holding Tsukasa back, he continued to yell with his face completely red.Tsukasa still saw Yakumo as a rival. Though he might not have realised himself, it was obvious to anyone to looked.However, to Yakumo, Tsukasa was just another classmate. He didn't even see him.That was pure humiliation for Tsukasa.'Because of you because of you Sachiko !'Tears fell from Tsukasa's eyes.Akemi finally realised the reason for the fight.However, it was a false accusation. The person who had suggested the test of courage in the first place was Tsukasa. And Yakumo hadn't been there.'You OK?'Akemi left Tsukasa to Youhei and the others for now and spoke to Yakumo.Akemi took out her handkerchief and tried to put it to Yakumo's lip injury, but he pushed her away.'People who want to hit me can hit me as much as they want,' said Yakumo expressionlessly.There wasn't any inflection in that voice, let alone emotion.That sentence lit the fire of Tsukasa's anger again, just as it had been calmed.'What did you say!? You bastard!'Tsukasa pushed aside the people around him, thrust Akemi away and hit Yakumo's left cheek again.Yakumo's head was pushed back from the impact.However, that was all. His arms were limp as his side. He didn't try to resist.'Are you satisfied?' said Yakumo in his usual tone.'You're scum! Even your parents abandoned you! You red-eyed freak! You don't have the right to live!'Tsukasa shouted at Yakumo.That moment, Yakumo's eyes suddenly narrowed. Frightening.Akemi felt a chill upon seeing those eyes.They were incredibly dark and cold.'What are you looking'Tsukasa couldn't finish his sentence.Yakumo quickly raised his right hand and pressed it against Tsukasa's Adam's apple, gripping his neck tightly.Tsukasa squirmed frantically, trying to get Yakumo's hand off him, but his fingers were wrapped tightly around his neck.Unable to bear it, Tsukasa fell to the floor.However, Yakumo still didn't let go.'Die.'A smile appeared on Yakumo's lips.'Stop!' yelled Akemi, thrusting Yakumo aside.Yakumo's hand left Tsukasa's throat.Tsukasa coughed a number of times and fell forward.Yakumo watched him with a blank expression.-16-Gotou leant back on his seat and looked up at the ceiling while breathing out cigarette smoke.The documents from the tip that he found with Miyagawa had the details of crimes that occurred regularly at a clinic with copies of medical reports as support.For three days, he'd been running around investigating that, and he was completely burnt out.'Man, I really got the short end of the stick' said Miyagawa, sitting on the chair beside Gotou.Gotou ended up laughing without thinking. Short end of the stick, he said.'Aren't you the one who stuck your neck in?''Shut up. Anyway, bum me one.'Gotou gave Miyagawa a cigarette.'You finished on your end?' asked Miyagawa, lighting the cigarette.'Yes. We have testimony from one of the patients.''And?' urged Miyagawa.'Black. Completely black,' said Gotou.It was disgusting.The crimes from the tip were unauthorised abortion and infertility treatments at a maternity and gynaecology clinic.Abortions could only be done by doctors appointed by the medical association under conditions regarding the mother's health.The doctor in charge had to send a report afterwards to the prefecture, but the doctor at the problem clinic hadn't even been appointed by the medical association forget about sending reports.If that were all, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would have dealt with it, but there was still a problem.With the money from patients who wanted abortions, they offered the children who were born to couples who had fertility problems for a fee.Though overseas they had surrogate mothers, this was completely different.This was clearly human trafficking.At first, Gotou had been doubtful, but from this three-day investigation, it was proven that the doctor was working without a licence, and with the testimony from the patient, that doubt turned to certainty.'I feel black too,' said Miyagawa, blowing out smoke.'So the tip was true.''Looks like it.''But who could it have been from?'Gotou asked the question smoulder in his chest.Miyagawa frowned.The investigation into the person who had given the tip was going nowhere.The documents form the phone booth had been sent to forensics, but they had only found a strand of hair. It would take time to analyse. Who did this, and why?There was just that question.'I don't know. Probably some random guy. You guys should just catch the culprit without thinking about pointless things,' said Miyagawa with a click of his tongue.This guy really only had one face.'That's right.'Gotou ended up smiling without thinking.Though this person was the worst in the precinct in the way he used people, but if it was him, no matter how unreasonable the instruction, Gotou could run forward without worrying.For Gotou, who was never good at thinking anyway, having somebody he could trust irrevocably was irreplaceable.'Anyway, do you have time?' said Miyagawa, pressing his cigarette into the ashray.'I do, but''Want to go take a look at their face?''The suspect's?''Who else?'Gotou wanted to know what sort of person the suspect was. But 'I don't have a warrant.''We're not going to arrest them. Just taking a look.'Gotou didn't think Miyagawa would really stop at just taking a look.Though this would go against the orders from the top, Gotou didn't dislike Miyagawa's recklessness.Rather, Gotou was the same way.'Understood,' replied Gotou as he stood up.-17-After finishing work, Akemi went to Sachiko's house.If Sachiko were just tired, Akemi wouldn't go to her house, but there was that test of courage. And Akemi was concerned about the fight between Yakumo and Tsukasa.That night, something that Akemi didn't know about might have happened.Akemi didn't think that the problem would be solved just by her visit, but she couldn't just do nothing.Sachiko's house was past the shopping district in front of the station. It was at the corner of a newly built residential area.The roads were laid in a criss-cross pattern, with buildings in the same square shape.Everything looked the same it took more time than she thought to get there.At the entrance door, Akemi checked the nameplate before pressing the intercom.Please wait.After hearing a voice from the intercom, the door opened, and Sachiko's mother, Tomoko, looked out.She was a woman in her early forties who seemed fragile.'Sorry; thank you for coming all this way.'Tomoko bowed her head humbly.'I apologise for coming so suddenly.''No, it isn't any trouble at all. Please come in.'After exchanging greetings, Akemi went inside, as invited by Tomoko.The house was well-kept.'My daughter is upstairs.'Tomoko looked gloomily at the stairs that went up from the corridor right by the entrance.Akemi looked up as well.'How does Sacchan look?''She still won't come out of her room.'Tomoko's shoulders slumped.'Would it be all right if I went to see her?''Please do.'Tomoko went up the stairs first to lead Akemi.'Sachiko. Sensei's here.'After going up the stairs, Tomoko knocked on the closest door and called out.However, there was no response.'Sachiko, you're here, right?'Tomoko spoke again, but the result was the same.Tomoko shook her head in disappointment.'Sacchan, it's Takagishi.'Akemi put her face close to the door and spoke in as gentle a voice as she could.'Let's talk for a bit.'She spoke again.'I don't want to talk.'After a while, she heard a hoarse voice from the other side of the door.She sounded like a different person.'Everyone in the class is worried.'Akemi put her ear near the door.She heard the sound of cloth, but there was no response.'Hey, I want to talk with you, even if it's just for a bit. Could I open ''Don't come in!'Before Akemi could finish, she heard a shrill voice which pierced her ears.Akemi was so shocked she backed away from the door instinctively.'She isn't normally like this,' said Tomoko with a cloudy expression.'I know.'Akemi could tell easily that Sachiko wasn't acting normally. Though she was a bit quiet, she was an honest and serious girl, which was uncommon for this age.'What should I do'Tomoko's voice was trembling slightly.'Has she been like this since the day of the test of courage?''Yes. Ever since then, Sachiko's been talking about a ghost''A ghost?''She says there's the ghost of a baby, but I can't see anything I think she's just imagining things.'Sachiko shook her head and sighed, like she had given up. This is Yakumo's field.Isshin's words came up in Akemi's head.-18-When Gotou reached the clinic, the sun had already set.It was two storeys too, an old building that mimicked Western architecture. There was ivy on the walls.It was a vaguely eerie building.Gotou had seen a very similar building before. It had been in a horror movie called the devil's something or other.'Is this really the right place?'Gotou cocked his head.It really didn't seem like a place for a maternity and gynaecology clinic.'Says so on the sign.'Miyagawa pointed at the metal plate stuck on the wall with his chin.Though it was rusty, the plate did say Shimomura Maternity and Gynaecology.It looked like was definitely the clinic in question.Shimomura Yuusuke, forty years old, was currently working at this clinic.However, there was something Gotou didn't get. This clinic had been operated by Shimomura's parent, and he had taken it up after them.'So Shimomura's parent was a doctor too?' asked Gotou.'Yeah.''Then wouldn't they have noticed that their son was working as a doctor without a licence?''Probably?' replied Miyagawa, as if it were natural.'Why'd they let him take over if they knew he didn't have a licence?''It's decency. Well, his parent is dead, so we can't check.''That so?''You'll understand if you become a parent.'Miyagawa awkwardly rubbed his bald head.'Is that so'As Gotou gave a vague reply, the face of his wife Atsuko came up in his head.It had been half a year since Atsuko had a miscarriage.When Gotou got to the hospital, the surgery had already finished. Sorry.On the hospital bed, Atsuko had said that with a trembling voice.She had done nothing wrong. She had just been unlucky. She didn't need to apologise.But Gotou had been unable to say that he had just nodded silently.'What's wrong?'Miyagawa looked at Gotou's clouded expression.'It's nothing. Let's go.'Gotou cut off his negative thoughts and headed first, opening the gates.He walked along the brick road up to the entrance and stood in front of the engraved door.The pillar by the door had a sign that said 'No Consultations'.He hadn't come as a patient today. Gotou rang the doorbell.However, there was no response.The building's lights were on, and there was a Benz in the garage.'It doesn't look like he's away.'Gotou ran the doorbell again and put his ear to the door.There was the sound of a thump Then somebody's brisk footsteps However, the front door didn't open.There was the faint smell of something burning. Something's odd.'I'll go around.'After telling Miyagawa that, Gotou left the entrance and went to the back of the building.He saw a line of white smoke coming up from the duct on the wall.'He can't be !'Gotou went up to a nearby window.It had frosted glass, so he couldn't see inside clearly, but he could see crackling flames. The hell is going on.Gotou used his elbow to crack the glass.When the glass broke, a whirl of smoke and fire burst out.'Shit!'Gotou backed away without thinking.'What happened!?'Miyagawa heard the noise and ran over.Gotou didn't have to explain. The moment Miyagawa saw it, he ran to the car to call a firefighter.Gotou left the calling to Miyagawa and broke another window in the back with his elbow.Smoke came out, but the fire didn't appear to have reached here yet. This could work.Gotou put his hand in and unlocked the window. After opening it, he jumped in.The room was probably the nursery.There were a number of small beds for babies. Gotou couldn't see clearly because of the smoke.He took the nearby gauze and covered his nose and mouth as he looked around.He saw a shadow moving by the entrance.A man in a white gown.'You're Shimomura Yuusuke, right?'When Gotou said that, Shimomura ran away.'Wait!'Gotou ran right after Shimomura.While kicking aside a number of small beds, he finally got out of the room.He spotted Shimomura about five metres ahead of him down the corridor.'You need to get out of here.'Gotou signalled at him with his hand to tell him to come over.However, Shimomura just stood there like a doll. Even though he was running earlier. What is he thinking?'Do you want to die!? Hurry up!'Gotou yelled again. At the same time, Shimomura picked up a box as large as a cooler with both of his hands. What is he doing?Shimomura threw the box towards Gotou.Gotou guarded his head with his hands and escaped a direct hit to his head.The box fell to the floor with a thump.The liquid in the box spilt out.There was a unique strong smell. This is gasoline.'Shit!'It was too late when he realised.Shimomura lit the lighter in his hand and dropped it on the floor.Fire danced up and shot towards Gotou like a snake.'Damn it!'As Gotou yelled, he turned around and ran as quickly as he could down the corridor.Fire caught his arm.But he didn't have the time to mind.At the end of the corridor, he saw a small window.If I jump through there but can my body fit?He didn't have the time to hesitate.Gotou covered his face with his arm and jumped at the window.After the sound of the glass breaking, his body turned once and his back hit something. The pain made him bend over.'Oi. You OK?'Gotou sat up upon hearing the voice.He saw Miyagawa running over.It looked like he'd managed to get out of the building. Thank God.Gotou sighed in relief.'Oi your arm's on fire!'When Miyagawa ran up to him and said that, Gotou noticed for the first time.'Hot!'Gotou hurriedly took off his jacket and hit it against the ground.Then, there was an incredibly loud clattering as the second storey crumbled.-19-After leaving Sachiko's house, Akemi went to Isshin's temple and stood outside the priests' living quarters.She knew it was illogical.However, Akemi had nobody else to turn to for advice. This is Yakumo's field.She was also curious about Isshin's words.It sounded almost like he knew something.Akemi gathered her determination and pressed the intercom button.The sliding door opened right away and Isshin showed up with a gentle expression on his face.'I apologise for coming late at night.'Akemi gave an apology right away for her rudeness.She had thought that Isshin would be suspicious about such a sudden visit, but he nodded like he understood.'I thought that you'd be along soon,' said Isshin with a smile. 'Please come in.'It was just like she had known about Akemi's visit from the start.Akemi felt at a loss, but she followed Isshin into the living room.Yakumo was there.He was sitting with his legs crossed and was looking out the window. Even though he must have known that Akemi was in the room, he didn't move at all.'Good evening.'Akemi spoke to Yakumo's back, but there was no response, as expected.'Well, please sit down.'Urged on by Isshin, Akemi sat on the cushion.'I'll prepare tea,' said Isshin. Then, he left the room.'Why are you here?'Waiting until Isshin was gone, Yakumo said just that.It was an emotionless voice.'There was something I wanted to ask.''If it's about what happened today, it's already over.'Yakumo ran a hand through his hair.'No it isn't. I didn't hear the reason for it either''There was no reason. Go home.'Akemi had nothing to reply to that.'That's no way to talk.'Isshin came back into the room with teacups on a tray.Yakumo clicked his tongue, but he didn't object.'Honestly,' muttered Isshin as he placed a teacup in front of Akemi and sat opposite her.'Now, where should we start?'Isshin brought up the topic at hand now that the situation had calmed down.Before talking about the main point, there was something that had caught Akemi's interest.'Could I ask one thing?''Please go ahead,' urged Isshin, sipping his tea.'How did you know I would come?''Hm,' said Isshin, looking up at the ceiling. 'Well, to put it simply, it was a gut feeling.''Gut feeling?''Since Yakumo came home with a bruise on his face, I asked him about the situation.'Akemi came back to her senses upon hearing Isshin's explanation.So many things had happened that the order of events had become jumbled. Normally, she would first have to reprimand Yakumo and apologise for the fight in the school in which Yakumo had become injured.'I sincerely apologise. It was because of my negligence. The student who hit him will apologise tomorrow'Akemi hurriedly apologised, but Isshin interrupted her to tell her not to worry about it.'Yakumo was part of the problem.''But Yakumo-kun wasn't at fault.'Akemi said the thought on her mind.'Is that because Yakumo didn't do anything?''Yes.'Akemi nodded.Tsukasa had one-sidedly picked a fight with Yakumo. That was clear to anybody.'I think that it's because Yakumo didn't do anything that he is at fault.'Isshin's tone was unusually strict.'What do you mean?''With human relationships, doing nothing can often conversely rub other's the wrong way.''Is that so?''Even if it isn't intentional, it can come off as provocative. It's because it's difficult to know what they're thinking that the other person can feel insecure.'Isshin's words made sense.That said, Akemi still thought that Tsukasa had done too much. No matter how angry he was, violence wasn't the answer.'However''It's fine. Yakumo probably felt better after being hit.''But''And fighting with somebody is a big step for Yakumo.'Isshin's eyes closed as he smiled, seeming amused.'Is that so?'Akemi looked at Yakumo's back.She thought that he would object to Isshin's words, but he just sat there.'Anyway, after looking for the cause of the fight, it seems to be that young lady.'The young lady Isshin was talking about was probably Sachiko.'And then you thought I'd come?'Isshin nodded.'She hasn't gone to school since, correct?''She hasn't.''And that was the cause of the fight. Since you're such a worrywart, Akemi-chan, I thought that you'd show up sooner or later.''Ah''The other day, I said something rather telling. That this was Yakumo's field'If Isshin knew that, the conversation would go quickly.'Could you two not just say whatever you want?' said Yakumo, still turned away from them.His voice was hateful, unlike his earlier expressionlessness.'But it's true that it's your field,' said Isshin.'I refuse. I've got nothing to do with this. I definitely won't do it.'Yakumo refused in an even stronger tone than earlier.'He's been like this ever since. Saying he's got nothing to do with it.'Isshin shook his head in exasperation.However, Akemi didn't understand what the two of them were talking about.Whether he'd do it or not, she didn't understand what Yakumo was refusing to do.'What are you talking about?' Akemi questioned, unable to keep it in.'Right, I didn't explain properly. Sorry.'Isshin smiled wryly before explaining.'Do you remember how I talked before about Yakumo's unique ability or rather, physical quality?'Yakumo's left eye, which had been red from birth, could see the spirits of the dead.Isshin had told Akemi that.He had inherited that ability or rather, physical quality from his missing father. For Akemi, this story was something she didn't want to forget, nor could she forget it.'Yes.''Wait a second why'd you tell her that!?' yelled Yakumo, turning around quickly.His expression was clearly angry.It was the first time Akemi had seen Yakumo make his emotions clear.She had thought up until now that Yakumo didn't have any emotions or she had had that suspicion. However, she realised now that she was wrong.Now that she thought of it, there was no way that there would be someone without emotions.Yakumo must have just always put a lid on all his emotions his pain, his sadness, his anger and endured it.'Sorry for telling her on my own.'Isshin sent a gentle gaze Yakumo's way before continuing.'However, since it's Sensei, she'll definitely understand you. That's what I thought. You must have felt that way a bit too, right?'Yakumo didn't reply to Isshin's words. He just turned around again.At school, Yakumo was aloof, but with Isshin, it was mysterious how he looked like a regular rebellious middle-school student.That was probably just another sign of how accepting Isshin was.'Let's get back on topic. That girl is probably possessed by a ghost.'Isshin looked at Akemi with serious eyes.'Possessed by a ghost?' exclaimed Akemi in her surprise.However, Isshin wasn't fazed; he continued speaking.'I can't see them like Yakumo can. I can't say for certain, but from the situation, I think that is how it is.'That night, Sachiko had been afraid of something.Something that other people couldn't see The examination at the hospital had shown nothing particularly strange with Sachiko's body.Yet, she still wouldn't leave her room.Tomoko, Sachiko's mother, had said this. Sachiko's been talking about a ghostIf Akemi accepted Isshin's theory, she felt like it would explain everything.'Yakumo. Won't you help her?' Isshin said formally.'They were the ones who decided to play around with something so stupid they brought it on themselves! It's got nothing to do with me!' shouted Yakumo.When Akemi heard those words, she understood Why did Yakumo refuse everyone around him to this extent?Why didn't he show his emotions?Why did he want to be alone?Why did he sometimes leave class?Everything connected 'Yakumo-kun. You're afraid, aren't you?'Yakumo was afraid.'Afraid? I am?' said Yakumo, still looking away.Yakumo was afraid that, like with his mother, the people he believed would reject his existence one day because of his unique physical quality.From his fear, he became smaller and hid himself in his shell.'You are, aren't you?''What do you know?'Yakumo's words were tinged with irritation.When his mother almost killed him, Yakumo must have lost hope in everything.In order to keep the balance of his heart, he built a wall around himself.'It's OK I won't be afraid of you.'Yakumo suddenly stood up, turned towards her and looked down while taking something out of his left eye.Then, when he lifted his head again, Yakumo's left eye glowed red like a blazing flame.Akemi didn't look away she accepted that gaze.'I'm cursed, just like the rumours say. Don't bother with me any more.'Akemi shook her head. You haven't been cursed by anyone.Akemi stood up and faced Yakumo directly.Their eyes were at the same height Until yesterday, his expression had seemed adult-like.However, Yakumo looked small to her now.Yakumo, who had put up a wall around him, was probably trembling, all alone.'It's fine. I won't be afraid of you.'As Akemi said that, she put her arms around Yakumo and hugged him.She could hear Yakumo's heartbeat He was alive. Though he didn't show it, he felt sad, he suffered, and he worried he was alive.For a while, Yakumo just stood there, but then he suddenly pushed Akemi away.'What the hell are you doing? Why would a teacher go this far?'Akemi had no way of answering Yakumo's question.Akemi wanted to know herself why she was doing so much for just one student She looked at Yakumo's eyes. She felt like the answer was there.Finally, Yakumo looked away from Akemi and tried to leave the room.'Yakumo.'Isshin admonishingly called out to Yakumo.In response, Yakumo put his hand on the sliding screen and stood there, shaking his head in annoyance.'I'm just going to say this, but I'm not an exorcist. I can't exorcise spirits.''Spirits of the dead aren't new forms of life or demons they're clusters of people's emotions. That's your theory, right? If that's the case, exorcism won't be necessary,' said Isshin.'If I'm not supposed to exorcise the ghost, what are you telling me to do? All I can do is see them.''But if you can see them, you might be able to take it away.''You make it sound so simple. Isn't that the most difficult part?'Yakumo snorted.To Akemi, their exchange sounded like a Zen dialogue.They were trying to find an answer to something by conversing.'So what are you going to do? Run away again?'Isshin's expression was unusually strict.Without responding to that question, Yakumo just stood there, but finally, his shoulders slumped, like he had given up.At the same time, Isshin smirked.'Tomorrow happens to be a day off. That's fine, right?''Do what you want,' muttered Yakumo as he left the room.Dumbfounded, Akemi was just watching him when a handkerchief was held in front of her. It was from Isshin.Akemi took the handkerchief and noticed for the first time that she was crying.'Please sit.'At Isshin's insistence, Akemi sat on the cushion and wiped her tears.What emotion did these tears come from? Akemi couldn't answer that question.'It's thanks to you, Akemi-chan.''I didn't'Akemi didn't understand what Isshin meant.She didn't think she'd been able to do anything for Yakumo.'Yakumo has to overcome this.''Overcome?''Yes. Yakumo hates his red left eye, which can see the spirits of the dead. He's thought of it as something useless something that just makes others treat him like a monster.''It doesn't seem that way to me,' said Akemi, leaning forward.By thinking that way, Yakumo was cornering himself.Isshin crossed his arms and nodded.'I think the same way as you. I think there's a reason he can see them. Like with how people meet, you see the things that you should.''Are you talking about fate?''Yes. That's why I think that actively using his ability for somebody else might help Yakumo overcome his dark past'Now, Akemi finally understood. That was why Isshin had suggested that Yakumo resolve the incident.His red left eye and the ability it held were a large part of the reason why Yakumo had shut off his heart.In order to open that heart, Yakumo himself would first need to accept that ability and conquer it.'That's why it's thanks to you, Akemi-chan.'Isshin added that at the end.However, Akemi still didn't think she'd done anything. Isshin had been the one who led Yakumo.'I didn't I've just been watching.''That's important.''Is that so?'It didn't seem that way to Akemi.Her presence hadn't changed anything.'It is. It isn't something that started now. Akemi-chan, you've always looked at Yakumo. You looked at him without averting your eyes.''That's natural for a teacher to do.''No, it isn't. Unfortunately, there hasn't been anyone until now who has faced Yakumo directly without averting their eyes.'When Akemi heard Isshin's words, she recalled what the previous homeroom teacher had said. It'd be better to leave him alone.Perhaps it was true that nobody had tried to face Yakumo.However, something troubled Akemi. Is this really OK?Thinking of Yakumo's circumstances, wouldn't continuing to stay away from others make him happier?Was she just forcing her own perspective on him and leading him down a path he didn't want to tread?'Well, he's still just at the start line. What happens from now on will be the most tough.'Isshin let out a happy laugh completely different from how Akemi was feeling.-NOTES:General comment Yakumo uses the pronoun ore to refer to himself in this novel rather than boku as he does in the others. Both are generally masculine, but boku is seen as more polite; usually ore is used more with people you're familiar with and can be considered rude otherwise. The pronoun boku is also used more frequently by younger boys, who will often change to using ore around middle school.1 The story being referred to is Beneath the Cherry Trees by Kajii Motojirou.2 PHS stands for Personal Handy-phone System. The personal handy-phone is like a cordless telephone at home and a mobile phone outside.