VOLU 9 – THE SPIRIT OF SALVATION file 02: frenzy ()
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1
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Haruka was shocked as she looked at Gotou.
In the corner of the Movie Research Circle room which Yakumo made his secret hideaway, Gotou was sitting in a wheelchair.
His hands and arms were bound with rope. It looked like he wasn’t conscious – he sat limp like a puppet which had had its strings cut. There was no trace of the usual Gotou there. Haruka had never even dreamt of seeing Gotou again like this.
‘Please tell in detail what happened,’ Yakumo said in a harsh tone, standing directly in front of Gotou.
’Sorry. It was my fault.’
The weak response ca from Eishin.
Eishin had both a large body and a large personality, but even he was listless in this situation.
’It doesn’t matter right now whose fault it was.’
With a sigh, Yakumo sat in his usual seat.
’Right...’ Eishin said to himself, and then he started explaining what had happened up until now.
In Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees, a woman had found a corpse while exploring. Then, there had been a phone call from a ghost –
And then Gotou had answered the ghost’s call, and no other than Eishin had been the one to goad him into doing it.
That was probably why he was saying it was his fault.
’Honestly. I have to say it was careless.’
Yakumo put his chin in his hand, exasperated.
Haruka felt the sa way. If they had been a bit more careful, this wouldn’t have happened.
’Painfully so.’
Eishin smiled bitterly.
’So what are you going to do?’ asked Haruka, leaning forward.
There was no point blaming what had happened. The problem was what to do next.
’In all probability, the spirit possessing Gotou-san is probably the ghost of the corpse that was found.’
’The problem is the corpse’s identity then.’
’Yeah. But there’s sothing that concerns .’
’The man with two red eyes?’ asked Eishin.
Haruka was concerned about that too. The man with two red eyes whom Rina had seen in the Sea of Trees – it couldn’t be just a coincidence.
’If he’s involved in this, there’s a chance that there’s so involvent with the case.’
’I see,’ replied Eishin, scratching his chin.
’Well, there’s no point thinking about it now. First, we have to gather information.’
Yakumo put his index finger on his brow.
His almond eyes seed to let off a cold light.
’Then what should I do?’ asked Eishin.
’That’s right. First of all, Eishin-san, could you talk to the man who went exploring with Rina-san?’
’There might be new developnts... right?’
’Yes.’
’Got it. I’ll give it a try.’
Eishin briskly got up and left the room.
’This is really troubleso...’ grumbled Yakumo. Then, he looked at Gotou again.
Haruka felt the sa way as Yakumo. She had never thought that Gotou would be possessed by a ghost.
’Hey, why was it Gotou-san?’
Haruka asked the question that suddenly ca to her head.
There were people who were possessed by ghosts, and people who weren’t. This ti, Gotou wasn’t the only person who answered the phone. The woman nad Rina had also answered.
But Gotou was the one who was possessed – why was that?
’I talked about this before, but I think it’s sothing similar to wavelengths.’
Yakumo’s eyes narrowed.
’Wavelengths...’
’The wavelength of a soul differs with each one. When they match up, possession can occur.’
Yakumo had compared possession to an organ transplant before. For the transplant to be successful, various conditions such as blood type had to match up.
’So Gotou-san’s wavelength just happened to match.’
’That’s it,’ said Yakumo.
Then, Gotou slowly lifted his drooping head.
Perhaps he had woken up.
’G-Gotou-san.’
Haruka tried to rush over to him, but Yakumo stopped her.
’Give it up.’
’But...’
’Ur... gh... Ya... Yakumo... Why are you here?’
Gotou spoke in a pained voice.
Yakumo got up from his seat and crossed his arms in front of Gotou.
’How do you feel?’
’The worst... My head hurts...’
’What happened?’
’I don’t know... I... answered the phone... and then...’
As Gotou spoke, it seed like it hurt him to breathe. His body wrested about violently. However, because he was bound with rope to the wheelchair, he couldn’t move as he wanted.
Gotou’s body rattled loudly.
’Gotou-san! Please get a hold of yourself!’ Haruka yelled frantically.
Gotou let out a beastly howl, throwing his head back. Then, he stopped moving. ’Yakumo-kun.’
’It’s fine. He’s still alive.’
Yakumo ran a hand through his hair.
– Things have beco really serious.
All Haruka could do was look in shock.
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2
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Ishii visited isei University with Makoto.
After Ishii called Yakumo to tell him there was sothing he wanted his advice on, Yakumo had told him to co to the Movie Research Circle room.
’It feels a bit strange,’ said Makoto, looking around the campus like it was sothing mysterious. They had passed the school gates and were walking along the brick road.
’What do you an?’
’Doesn’t being at school remind you of your school days?’
’Ah, now that you ntion it, it does,’ agreed Ishii.
Ishii felt that way sotis too. However, Ishii didn’t have many enjoyable mories of his youth to rember.
I wonder what sort of university life Makoto had – Ishii suddenly wanted to know.
’And it’s even stranger to be walking with you, Ishii-san.’
’I-is that so?’
’Yes. It feels a bit strange. But it’s fun.’
Makoto stuck out her tongue playfully.
Why was Ishii’s heart beating so loudly? He thought about it, but he couldn’t find the reason.
While this was happening, they reached the prefabricated building in the back of Building B. After taking a deep breath, Ishii knocked on the door that had a plate that read .
’It’s open.’
Yakumo’s voice ca from within.
’E-excuse us.’
Ishii hesitantly opened the door.
’Ishii-san.’
Ishii saw Haruka there. Next to her was Yakumo.
’It’s been a long ti,’ greeted Ishii, putting a hand on his head.
Ishii was surprised at how strangely calm he was now, when his heart would soar just from seeing Haruka’s face in the past.
’Makoto-san’s with you too, I see,’ said Yakumo, noticing Makoto.
’Yes. It’s been a while. I apologise for coming uninvited.’
’No, I actually had a number of things I wanted to ask you too. Please co in.’
At Yakumo’s invitation, Ishii and Makoto entered the room.
’Ah!’
Then, Ishii’s eyes spotted sobody unexpected.
’Detective Gotou!’
Ishii had called Gotou after he quit, but it had been about a month since they had last t in person.
Ishii was so happy that he was about to embrace Gotou, but Yakumo grabbed Ishii’s arm, making it impossible for Ishii to approach Gotou any further.
’Please don’t carelessly approach him,’ Yakumo said sharply.
’Eh? Why not?’
’Gotou-san has been possessed by a ghost,’ Yakumo said with a sigh.
– Eh?
’By ghost, do you an that ghost?’
’Yes, that ghost.’
Ishii leapt away without thinking when he heard those words, which he was so sensitive to.
’W-w-w-w-wha!?’
When Ishii took a good look from a distance, he saw that Gotou was bound to a wheelchair and that his head was hanging limply.
It looked like he was unconscious.
’It’s because he runs ahead and does unnecessary things that this happens.’
Yakumo kicked the wheelchair casually.
’T-that’s awful.’
’It’s fine, since the one thing that’s sturdy about Gotou-san is his body.’
’No, that’s not the...’
’It seems like things are quite troubleso.’
Even Makoto sounded surprised by the situation.
’Yes, it’s an unwelco nuisance. More importantly, please sit down first.’
Yakumo urged them to sit in the opposite chairs.
After Ishii shared a look with Makoto, he sat down, though he was still confused. Yakumo waited until they were seated to sit down himself.
’Excuse ... Will Detective Gotou be all right?’ Ishii asked.
’To be honest, I don’t know.’
Yakumo ran a hand through his ssy hair.
His words sounded incredibly irresponsible.
’But that’s...’
’I don’t know who the ghost possessing Gotou-san is or what the ghost is trying to do. There’s nothing that can be done.’
Yakumo had a point, but still –
’I need to help Detective Gotou right now!’
’Ishii-san, you’re following a different case right now, right?’
’That’s true, but...’
’This is just a suspicion I have, but I think that the ghost possessing Gotou-san and the case you are following are connected in so way.’
’I-is that so?’
’It’s only a suspicion, but she ntioned a deep forest and told to save soone...’
’What are you talking about?’
’Just talking to myself. Please don’t concern yourself over it.’
’Haa...’
Ishii didn’t understand, but he didn’t press any further.
It was Yakumo. He had to be thinking of sothing.
’Anyway, first we have to clean up the various problems in front of us. I think that will be a shortcut to solving the case.’
It sounded like Yakumo was trying to convince himself with his words.
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3
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Eishin sat at a table in a family restaurant in front of the station.
Since it was dinnerti, the shop was rather crowded. Perhaps it was unusual for a robed monk to be sitting by himself – a lot of people were staring. He was used to it though.
’Are you the monk nad Eishin?’
After a while, a young man ca in front of Eishin.
He had a long, thin body and a wide grin.
Eishin had asked Rina to call out the young man who had gone with her into the Sea of Trees so that Eishin could talk to him. The truth was, it would be faster to have her here too, but she refused.
It seed like she had been disillusioned by the incident with him in the Sea of Trees.
’Are you Hiroki-kun?’
’Yeah,’ Hiroki replied with a shrug.
– Deplorable.
Young people these days didn’t know how to speak to their elders. Maybe they were trying to act like people in Europe or Arica, but Japan had Japanese culture.
’Well, sit down,’ Eishin urged, repressing his irritation.
’Hey, you an exorcist?’ asked Hiroki once he sat down.
– An incredibly rude guy.
’Decide for yourself.’
’Eh!? Seriously?! Try showing !’
Hiroki’s eyes sparkled like a child, like he was happy about sothing.
– He’s really annoying.
’If you tell what happened in the Sea of Trees, I’ll put a curse on you.’
’OK!’
After giving that carefree reply, Hiroki started talking about the events that occurred in the Sea of Trees.
However, since there was an incredible amount of bragging and sound effects in his story, it took him a long ti to get anywhere. It took a full forty minutes for Hiroki to finish, but in contrast to that length, there was no substance. If you talked normally, it would only take five minutes.
’So you didn’t see a ghost?’ asked Eishin.
Hiroki nodded.
’I see. So then you contacted the police.’
’Yeah. Rina-chan had fainted so I was seriously panicked,’ said Hiroki, shuddering dramatically. Though his gestures were exaggerated, there was no anxiety in his words.
It looked like he couldn’t even understand the gravity of finding a corpse.
’Were you questioned by the police?’
’Yeah, but they just acted where I was and stuff like that and took the video cara I was using to film.’
’Oh?’
’Actually, I’d like you to get that back.’
’?’
Eishin couldn’t believe his ears.
’I’m begging you, man. It’d be a pain to go all the way to Yamanashi.’
Hiroki leant back and forth, like a kid begging for a toy.
– Why do I have to do your errands?
Eishin swallowed his anger right before it erupted and stood up from his seat.
’That was helpful.’
’If that’s all you need, call any ti.’
Hiroki stood up and patted Eishin’s shoulder.
That mont, the anger within Eishin erupted. Yelling at a brat like this wouldn’t have any effect though.
’Hiroki-kun, right?’
’Yeah.’
’I’m just going to give you a warning.’
’What?’
’The spirits in the Sea of Trees are incredibly ill-willed. You’ll be the next to be cursed.’
’Joking around?’
Hiroki laughed.
However, Eishin’s expression didn’t change. He looked straight at Hiroki.
Led by the force in Eishin’s eyes, Hiroki’s smile turned into a frown. Then, sweat started pouring down his forehead.
’You’re kidding, right...?’
Hiroki’s voice was shaking.
’Unfortunately, you’ll die in the near future.
’W-wai... Stop that.’
Eishin ignored Hiroki’s frantic pleas. He went to the counter to pay and then left the family restaurant.
– It’ll be good dicine for him.
Eishin let out a satisfied sigh before walking away.
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4
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Haruka headed for the temple where Gotou lived.
She was going to tell Atsuko, Gotou’s wife, what had happened. She passed through the gate and went to the priests’ quarters. Her legs felt weak.
She really didn’t want to go tell such heavy news.
However, there was no point standing here and worrying about it. Haruka gathered her determination and pressed the intercom button at the entrance.
’Yes?’
Haruka heard a voice. Then, the entrance’s sling door opened to show Atsuko.
’Oh, hello, Haruka-chan,’ said Atsuko, sounding surprised.
It was the first ti Haruka had co here alone since Isshin had died.
’Good evening. Actually, there is sothing I need to tell you...’ said Haruka, still feeling troubled.
Atsuko seed to sense sothing as her expression hardened. ’Co in,’ she said, inviting Haruka inside.
Haruka went to the living room and crouched on the tatami. Nao, drawing in a sketchbook, looked up.
’Nao-chan, it’s been a while.’
After Haruka said that, Nao’s face lit up. Nao leapt towards her.
’You doing well?’ said Haruka, patting Nao’s head.
– Yeah!
Haruka heard that voice in her head. Nao couldn’t hear, but in exchange, she talked directly to people’s hearts like this.
’Well, sit down,’ urged Atsuko.
Haruka sat on a cushion. Nao sat next to her with a smile.
’Would you rather have tea or coffee?’
’Please don’t mind .’
’You don’t have to restrain yourself. We’re going to be relatives in the future anyway.’
’Eh?’ said Haruka, confused.
’Well, when you and Yakumo-kun get married, won’t we be relatives?’
Though Haruka understood what Atsuko ant, unfortunately there were no plans of that.
Haruka didn’t want to take it seriously and deny it either, so she decided to let it pass with a wry smile.
’Then I’ll have tea.’
After a while, Atsuko returned with tea from the kitchen.
’So what did you have to tell ?’ said Atsuko, sitting across from Haruka.
With Atsuko in front of her like this, Haruka didn’t know what she should say.
However, thinking about it wouldn’t start anything. Haruka took in a deep breath and started to speak.
’Actually, this is about Gotou-san...’
’Did sothing happen?’
Atsuko’s expression beca grim imdiately.
With a deep breath to calm herself down, Haruka told Atsuko what had happened to Gotou.
Atsuko listened to Haruka in silence. Since Atsuko’s expression didn’t change much, Haruka didn’t know what she was feeling.
After a silence, Atsuko put a hand over her mouth and started giggling.
’Eh?’
’He really is an idiot.’
Atsuko laughed aloud like she couldn’t keep it in any longer.
Nao started laughing too.
’Excuse ... I don’t think it’s a laughing matter...’
Haruka wasn’t sure what to do with the unexpected response.
’It is. It’s like that saying – going for wool and coming ho shorn.’
’Aren’t you worried?’
’I am.’
For just a mont, Atsuko’s expression clouded over.
Those were probably her true feelings – Haruka understood that.
’I’m worried, but all I can do at a ti like this is believe, right?’
Atsuko showed Haruka a smile.
’Atsuko-san...’
– She’s strong.
Haruka felt that anew.
When Gotou had gone missing before, and when Isshin had been stabbed, Atsuko had stood firmly on her own.
No matter what happened, she waited and believed. Perhaps she had the resolve to do that.
’I thought it’d be tough when I married him,’ Atsuko said suddenly.
’Eh?’
’I an, he never thinks before acting, right? He always sticks his neck into danger.’
’Yes, well...’
Haruka felt like she understood.
Even though Gotou treated others’ lives with care, for so reason, he didn’t have that sa care for his own. Yakumo was the sa way.
That was why it frightened Haruka to watch. It was hard to be the one waiting.
’At first there were many sleepless nights for , but I realised sothing.’
’What did you realise?’
’No matter how reckless he is, he always cos back. That’s why I wait and believe in him.’
’I see. Definitely...’
’And it’s fine with Yakumo-kun there. He’ll do sothing about it.’
Atsuko patted Haruka’s shoulder.
’Yes.’
Haruka nodded.
’Ah, that’s right. I’ll show you sothing good.’
It looked like Atsuko had rembered sothing as she clapped her hands together and stood up.
’Sothing good?’
’Old pictures.’
After saying that, Atsuko left the living room.
Nao took Haruka’s hand and smiled. She definitely believed in Gotou too. That was why she could smile like this.
– I need to believe to.
In her heart, Haruka thought that with conviction.
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5
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After Ishii returned to the precinct, he contacted Shimamura Eriko of the Criminal Affairs division imdiately.
She was one of the detectives in charge of Hideaki’s case. Ishii chose her because she had been Gotou’s past partner.
Ishii thought that she would give him a bit more information than another detective.
’I would like so information regarding Hideaki-shi’s case, but...’
After saying that, Ishii was told to wait at the conference room.
Ishii went into the conference room, as he was instructed. It looked like Shimamura wasn’t here yet. Ishii sat on a chair and leant back.
He had never thought that Gotou would be possessed by a ghost.
Yakumo had said that Gotou’s incident and Imoto’s suicide in his flat were connected, but Ishii didn’t understand why Yakumo thought that.
However, all Ishii could do was believe and act.
’Sorry I’m late.’
About ten minutes later, the conference door opened, and a woman in a dark blue suit ca in.
She had wide shoulders for a woman and a heavy fra. It felt like she could be in a gang.
’No, I’m sorry for calling you out.’
’It’s fine.’
Shimamura waved away Ishii’s concern and sat across from him.
’Ah, I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My na is...’
’Ishii, right? I’ve heard about you from Gotou and Atsuko.’
’Eh?’
Ishii cocked his head unconsciously.
It made sense for Shimamura to know Gotou, but Ishii hadn’t thought that she also knew his wife, Atsuko.
’You didn’t know?’
’Didn’t know what?’
’I’m the one who introduced Atsuko to Gotou.’
’Eh!?’
Ishii was so shocked that he almost fell from his chair.
’Unexpectedly, you don’t know much about Gotou, even though you were his partner.’
It was true.
Though Ishii and Gotou had always been together as partners, they virtually never talked about their private lives.
They unexpectedly knew very little about each other.
’I-I’m sorry.’
’It’d be better for you to stop apologising so quickly like that.’
’Ah, no, but...’
’I’m just saying this here, but Gotou’s got high hopes for you.’
’Eh?’
Ishii was shocked once more.
’He’s a clumsy guy so he can be cold, but he’s different on the inside.’
’I-is that so?’
Ishii couldn’t believe it.
Ishii had never seen even a tiny amount of that from Gotou. Ishii felt like he had always just been tripping over himself and causing trouble.
’You didn’t even realise that?’
’I-I’m sorry.’
’You’re apologising again.’
’I...’
Ishii hurriedly swallowed the words he was about to say.
’Ishii’ll beco a good detective, he said...’
’?’
’When he quit being a detective, he went out of his way to find and bowed his head to . Telling to help you if you were in trouble.’
’Detective Gotou did that...’
Ishii felt sothing warm welling up within him.
Will I be able to live up to those expectations – Ishii had lanted the lack of Gotou’ presence and had given up, thinking he could do nothing, and shut himself inside a shell. His own biased view.
– I’ll live up to Detective Gotou’s expectations.
Ishii was filled with strong determination.
’Let’s leave the soppy stories now. Here’re the case files.’
Shimamura placed a bundle of docunts on the desk.
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