https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=HellloBaka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]2026-05-02T18:56:18ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.1https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Knight%27s_and_Magic&diff=416225Knight's and Magic2015-02-10T12:45:31Z<p>Helllo: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Status|Active}}<br />
<br />
[[File:Knights and Magic v1 Cover.jpg|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]<br />
'''''Knights and Magic''''' (ナイツ＆マジック) is a Japanese web and light novel series written by Amazake No Hisago (天酒之瓢) and illustrated by Kurogin (黒銀). The series is ongoing with 6 web volumes and 4 published volumes.<br />
<br />
Knights and Magic series is also available in the following languages:<br />
*[[Knights and Magic ~Brazilian Portuguese~|Português Brasileiro (Brazilian Portuguese)]]<br />
<br />
==Story Synopsis==<br />
A young man from Japan passed away after a traffic accident. His soul was reincarnated in an alternate world into the body of a pretty young boy Ernesti Erchevalier with his memories intact. Influenced by his hobby from his previous life, Eru is a 'robot nerd' in this life too. He meets the giant humanoid battle robots in this world -- Silhouette Knights. The elated Eru started a series of plans in order to pilot the robots. He drags his childhood friend in this world along as he messes around in this world to satisfy his desire for robots.<br />
<br />
==Translations==<br />
Translations and editing by [http://skythewood.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html Skythewood Translations]<br />
<br />
==Updates==<br />
<br />
* January 21, 2015 - Volume 2 Started<br />
* September 28, 2014 - Volume 1 Complete<br />
* September 17, 2014 - Volume 1 Started<br />
<br />
==The ''Knight<br />
s and Magic'' series by Amazake No Hisago==<br />
<br />
===Volume 1 ([http://skythewood.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html Full Text])===<br />
[[File:Knights and Magic v1 Cover.jpg|right|200px]]<br />
'''All links below are external links to [http://skythewood.blogspot.com/ Skythewood Translations]'''<br />
::*[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-prologue.html Prologue]<br />
::*'''School Entry Arc'''<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-1.html Chapter 1. Alternate World]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-2.html Chapter 2. Let's Play with Friends]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-3.html Chapter 3. Let's go to School]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-4.html Chapter 4. Let's try Dueling]<br />
::*'''Demon Beast Attack Arc'''<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-5.html Chapter 5. Shadow of the Giant Beast]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-6.html Chapter 6. Let's go on a Field Trip]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-7-50.html Chapter 7. Let's fight a Demon Beast]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-8.html Chapter 8. Final Battle, Land Emperor]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/knights-magic-vol-1-chapter-9.html Chapter 9. After the Fight]<br />
<br />
<br style="clear:both"/><br />
<br />
===Volume 2===<br />
[[File:Knights and Magic v2 Cover.jpg|right|200px]]<br />
'''All links below are external links to [http://skythewood.blogspot.com/ Skythewood Translations]'''<br />
::*[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2015/01/K20.html Prologue]<br />
::*Arc 3<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2015/01/K210.html Chapter 10. Everyone's Beginning]<br />
::**[http://skythewood.blogspot.sg/2015/02/K211.html Chapter 11. Let’s Design, Build and Assemble]<br />
::**Chapter 12.<br />
::**Chapter 13. <br />
::*Arc 4<br />
::**Chapter 14.<br />
::**Chapter 15.<br />
::**Chapter 16.<br />
::**Chapter 17.<br />
::**Chapter 18.<br />
<br />
<br style="clear:both"/><br />
<br />
===Volume 3===<br />
[[File:Knights and Magic v3 Cover.jpg|right|200px]]<br />
<br />
<br style="clear:both"/><br />
<br />
===Volume 4===<br />
[[File:Knights and Magic v4 Cover.jpg|right|200px]]<br />
<br />
<br style="clear:both"/><br />
<br />
==Original Web Novel==<br />
*Original Web Novel: http://ncode.syosetu.com/n3556o/<br />
<br />
==Project Staff==<br />
*Project Administrator:<br />
*Project Supervisor:<br />
===Translators===<br />
:*Skythewood<br />
:*Shinkou (temporary, only on web novel beginning at where volume 1 leaves off at)<br />
<br />
===Editors===<br />
<br />
==Series Overview==<br />
# 《ナイツ&マジック 1》, 2013-01-30, ISBN 978-4-0728-8159-0<br />
# 《ナイツ&マジック 2》, 2013-05-31, ISBN 978-4-0728-9667-9<br />
# 《ナイツ&マジック 3》, 2013-09-30, ISBN 978-4-0729-2729-8<br />
# 《ナイツ&マジック 4》, 2014-04-28, ISBN 978-4-0729-6348-7<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hosted Projects]]<br />
[[Category:Light novel (English)]]</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414607Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-02-03T03:17:20Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
===Names===<br />
Ba Huang City -> 八荒城 (Home City of Xiao Yao)<br />
[Dong] Cheng Yue -> 东城月 - (Friend of Ling Wan Er)<br />
Fan Shu City-> 凡书城 - (Home City of Dong Cheng Yue and Ling Wan Er)<br />
Flying Dragon -> 龙翔 (A guild) <br />
Jiu Li City-> 九黎城 (Home city of “Glasses”) <br />
[Lin] Wan Er -> 林婉儿 (Daughter of Xiao Yao’s employer)<br />
Piggy -> 小猪 (Tyrant of Western Chu’s friend/underling)<br />
Prague -> 布拉格 (A major guild)<br />
Recognize -> 转正 (Graduate, go from Trainee to Practitioner)<br />
Refined Water -> 醒神水 (One of the ingredients for pills/potions)<br />
Seal -> 图鉴 (Required for sealing monsters into pets)<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟 (A monster)<br />
Sword Wave-> 剑起波澜 (A skill that Xiao Yao created)<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠 (A monster)<br />
Tyrant of Western Chu -> 西楚霸王 (Xiao Yao’s archnemesis)<br />
Whirling Claws -> 利爪破风 (Wild Wolf’s skill)<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在 (Main character)<br />
[Yue] Qing Qian -> 月倾浅 (Deputy Officer of Prague’s Guild)<br />
<br />
===Tier List===<br />
Black Iron -> Green -> Bronze -> Silver -> Gold -> Purple -> Emperor -> Sacred -> Saint -> Divine -> God</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414332Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-02-01T19:37:22Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms that might be unclear, that are used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
[Dong] Cheng Yue -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Flying Dragon -> 龙翔<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
[Ling] Wan Er -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Master -> 转正 (I don't know any other way to express this, check Ch. 17)<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Refreshing Water -> 醒神水<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在<br />
<br />
[Yue] Qing Qian -> 月倾浅</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414149Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T23:25:42Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms that might be unclear, that are used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
[Dong] Cheng Yue -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
[Ling] Wan Er -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Master -> 转正 (I don't know any other way to express this, check Ch. 17)<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Refreshing Water -> 醒神水<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在<br />
<br />
[Yue] Qing Qian -> 月倾浅</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414122Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T21:54:09Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms that might be unclear, that are used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
[Dong] Cheng Yue -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
[Ling] Wan Er -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Refreshing Water -> 醒神水<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在<br />
<br />
[Yue] Qing Qian -> 月倾浅</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414102Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T20:53:47Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms that might be unclear, that are used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
[Dong] Cheng Yue -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
[Ling] Wan Er -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Refreshing Water -> 醒神水<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414075Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T18:16:21Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms that might be unclear, that are used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
Dong Cheng [Yue] -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
Ling Wan [Er] -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Refreshing Water -> 醒神水<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414060Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T17:08:31Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
The words within [] (square brackets) can be omitted if preferred. <br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
Dong Cheng [Yue] -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
Ling Wan [Er] -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王<br />
<br />
Xiao Yao [Zi Zai] -> 逍遙自在</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414055Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T16:48:48Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
Ba Huang -> 八荒<br />
<br />
Dong Cheng Yue -> 东城月<br />
<br />
Fan Shu -> 凡书<br />
<br />
Jiu Li -> 九黎<br />
<br />
Ling Wan Er -> 林婉儿<br />
<br />
Seal -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bat -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414052Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T16:35:55Z<p>Helllo: /* List of Names and Terms */</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
Piggy -> 小猪<br />
<br />
Seals -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bats -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:Names_And_Terms/&diff=414049Zhan Long:Names And Terms/2015-01-31T16:26:30Z<p>Helllo: Helllo moved page Zhan Long:Names And Terms/ to Zhan Long: Names And Terms: Asthetics</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Zhan Long: Names And Terms]]</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414048Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T16:26:30Z<p>Helllo: Helllo moved page Zhan Long:Names And Terms/ to Zhan Long: Names And Terms: Asthetics</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
<br />
Seals -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bats -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zhan_Long:_Names_And_Terms&diff=414047Zhan Long: Names And Terms2015-01-31T16:24:34Z<p>Helllo: Created page with "==List of Names and Terms== This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same word..."</p>
<hr />
<div>==List of Names and Terms==<br />
<br />
This will include the various names and terms used in the novel and the translations, so all of us can have the same translation for the same words.<br />
<br />
<br />
Seals -> 图鉴<br />
<br />
Silver-Feathered Bird -> 银翎鸟<br />
<br />
Vampire Bats -> 吸血蝙蝠<br />
<br />
Western Tyrant -> 西楚霸王</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Zhan_Long&diff=414032Talk:Zhan Long2015-01-31T15:22:29Z<p>Helllo: </p>
<hr />
<div>For 吸血蝙蝠, instead of Blood-sucking bats, I think "Vampire Bats" would be better.<br />
Also, instead of 圖鑑 -> Illustrations, I think "Seal" would be 圖鑑 better<br />
<br />
I (Helllo) am planning to join in this project for Volume 1, is that fine?<br />
<br />
== Full Project Status ==<br />
<br />
I have asuggestion, wouldn't be a good idea to break the novel into arks. Then, the novel can reach full project status.<br />
<br />
<br />
AA:Not a Bad idea except an ark hasnt finished yet for us to be able to, i mean it is 200+chapters per volume so arks would be better</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Zhan_Long&diff=414028Talk:Zhan Long2015-01-31T15:13:42Z<p>Helllo: </p>
<hr />
<div>For 吸血蝙蝠, instead of Blood-sucking bats, why not use "Vampire Bats" in place of that?<br />
<br />
I (Helllo) am planning to join in this project for Volume 1, is that fine?<br />
<br />
== Full Project Status ==<br />
<br />
I have asuggestion, wouldn't be a good idea to break the novel into arks. Then, the novel can reach full project status.<br />
<br />
<br />
AA:Not a Bad idea except an ark hasnt finished yet for us to be able to, i mean it is 200+chapters per volume so arks would be better</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Zhan_Long&diff=414025Talk:Zhan Long2015-01-31T14:56:42Z<p>Helllo: </p>
<hr />
<div>Also, instead of 圖鑑 -> Illustrations, I think "Seal" would represent 圖鑑 better, because it is sealing a pet within a card, what do you think?<br />
<br />
I (Helllo) am planning to join in this project for Volume 1, is that fine?<br />
<br />
== Full Project Status ==<br />
<br />
I have asuggestion, wouldn't be a good idea to break the novel into arks. Then, the novel can reach full project status.<br />
<br />
<br />
AA:Not a Bad idea except an ark hasnt finished yet for us to be able to, i mean it is 200+chapters per volume so arks would be better</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Zhan_Long&diff=413894Talk:Zhan Long2015-01-31T01:21:57Z<p>Helllo: </p>
<hr />
<div>I (Helllo) am planning to join in this project for Volume 1, is that fine?<br />
<br />
== Full Project Status ==<br />
<br />
I have asuggestion, wouldn't be a good idea to break the novel into arks. Then, the novel can reach full project status.<br />
<br />
<br />
AA:Not a Bad idea except an ark hasnt finished yet for us to be able to, i mean it is 200+chapters per volume so arks would be better</div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kamisama_no_Memochou:Volume_2_Chapter_5&diff=409720Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 2 Chapter 52015-01-06T01:22:03Z<p>Helllo: /* Chapter Five */ Fixed typos</p>
<hr />
<div>==Chapter Five==<br />
<br />
It was only until the day that Yondaime and I became sworn brothers that I found out that not only the third floor, but the second floor was also rented by the gang. The partitions in the second floor was broken down to become a hall of about twenty tatamis, the floor was covered with wooden boards, and there was an altar in the room. It looks just like a kendo dojo.<br />
<br />
Seven in the morning on Thursday, there were a lot of people gathered at the somewhat cold venue. Following Yondaime into the hall, I felt extremely surprised. So there were twenty...... no, probably even more than twenty in the gang? Were they all gathered here?<br />
<br />
Almost all of them were wearing their uniform, the black T-shirts, but only Rocky and Pole were wearing an odd costume. A large shoulder pad cut out from cardboard was hung on their upper torso, like a cut out person used for advertisements, and also baggy trousers for students.<br />
<br />
"Oi, what are you wearing that for? Is that a joke!?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime glared furiously at the two.<br />
<br />
"This is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Accessories_and_related_garments, haori] for a kimono."<br />
<br />
"As today is a day worthy of celebration, it's a pity that we don't have traditional warrior clothings to wear, so we made it yesterday."<br />
<br />
Are these guys idiots......? As expected, Yondaime tore up the cardboard cut out of traditional warrior clothing .<br />
<br />
"Ahhh, it's so cruel, I stayed up all night to do that too......"<br />
<br />
"Idiot! Our guests are coming, do you want to embarrass us!?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime roared, then Pole and Rocky cringed. Guests?<br />
<br />
At this moment, the steel door was opened, and outside wind blew into the venue for the ceremony that completely lacked a sense of nervousness.<br />
<br />
"Wow, it's so big in here!" The first person to enter, Meo, shouted joyfully.<br />
<br />
"It's been quite a while since I've been in here." The next was Tetsu-senpai, who was unexpectedly donning a blazer. Is it going to snow later?<br />
<br />
"I think the last time that I was here was probably when Hirasaka-gumi was founded?" I'm not sure if Major misunderstood something, but he was wearing military clothing of the Japanese naval army with an armband. What's with him? Is he here to act out a play?<br />
<br />
"It's such a pity, you should really use this floor better." Hiro wore a pure white suit of a hustler.<br />
<br />
The most surprising person who came in was Alice, carried on Hiro's back, and she was wearing a kimono too.<br />
<br />
It was a sumptuous, luxurious [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furisode, furisode] that was dyed with black edo yuzen dye, matched with pictures of pine, bamboo, plum and chrysanthemum. Even so, she was still holding her small, signature teddy on her hands. This scene really makes me speechless.<br />
<br />
As Alice stepped into the hall, the lackeys immediately stood up and bowed to her at the same time:<br />
<br />
"Ane-san, Second Brother Hiro, thanks for your hard work!"<br />
<br />
"Thanks for your hard work!"<br />
<br />
"Oi! Who told you to call all of them here!"<br />
<br />
Yondaime's brows raised because of anger.<br />
<br />
"Don't be like that, Alice can't come here alone anyways. I'd get angry if you don't tell me about such a fun thing." Tetsu-senpai pushed Yondaime in the chest after saying that. It's only at these times that I feel empathy with Yondaime, as we sighed at the same time.<br />
<br />
Alice walked to my side and pulled on my sleeves:<br />
<br />
"Aren't you working a bit too much? Things turning out like this, I really feel lazy to even scold you that you do things without thinking...... What is it? Why are you staring at me?"<br />
<br />
"Eh......? Ah, it's nothing." I shifted my gaze in embarrassment, it's not that I'm really staring at her because I'm attracted to it. "So you have these clothes too?"<br />
<br />
I once saw her in mourning attire, but she was only in her pajamas the other times, so I was quite surprised. To be exact, it felt like the only person who's wearing clothing suitable for the ceremony is Alice. Wearing a kimono, Alice had long, black hair that could almost touch the floor. From any angle you look at her, she just looks like a Japanese doll that can move.<br />
<br />
"I was only in time to bring my formal clothings when I left my home."<br />
<br />
"Oi, you guys should first sit down." Yondaime said to us, who were gathered at the entrance.<br />
<br />
Of course, I have never seen a sake ceremony of yakuza, so it's impossible for me to know how formal the preparations are. But to outsiders like us, it feels quite impressive. There were a row of cushions placed at the left and right side of the hall, while two seats of honor were placed for Yondaime and I, while there were also ceremonial objects placed in front, sake bottles, salt, and a living sea bream. There were also two wine dishes. Twelve huge candles were lighted in the ceremonial hall of the room, and there were also five scrolls hung behind them. These were written on them from right to left:<br />
<br />
'[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riki_Takeuchi, Takeuchi Riki]'<br />
<br />
'The Current Emperor'<br />
<br />
'[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu, Amaterasu]'<br />
<br />
'[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shennong, Emperor of the Five Grains]'<br />
<br />
'[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heihachi_Edajima, Edajima Heihachi]'<br />
<br />
What is this......?<br />
<br />
"You could say that Yondaime is a business-type yakuza......" Alice told me: "The origins of the Emperor of the Five Grains is debateable, but he's the third among the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sovereigns_and_Five_Emperors, three sovereigns and five emperors]. It is said that he gave mankind agriculture and medicine, and he invented strings for instruments and markets, so he's undeniably a businessman, so the businessmen pray to him as their god. As for the other four, you probably don't need me to explain, right?"<br />
<br />
Hey, I ''do'' need an explanation. I have absolutely no idea of what the leftmost and rightmost ones are......<br />
<br />
"Takeuchi Riki is......"<br />
<br />
"A Man." A man in black T-shirt answered.<br />
<br />
"A man among men."<br />
<br />
"And Edajima Heihachi is......?"<br />
<br />
"A Man."<br />
<br />
"A man among men among men!"<br />
<br />
I know that too...... But I don't really feel like knowing more about this......<br />
<br />
"Oi, didn't I tell you not to continue to misunderstand me?" Yondaime interrupted: "My family are just regular businessmen, not yakuza. If I'm really a yakuza, how can I inherit my father's business?"<br />
<br />
Only at these times, Alice and the black shirted men would pretend not to hear anything at the same time. Do they really want Hina to be the forth generation of a yakuza?<br />
<br />
Somewhat displeased, Yondaime said with a voice that penetrated the whole hall:<br />
<br />
"Let's begin!"<br />
<br />
The sake ceremony was much simpler than I thought. As we're going to become sworn brothers of equal status, we would only need to fill the two dishes with sake and drink it. Tetsu-senpai, as the person who filled the wine, filled up the dish, then Yondaime turned to me and said:<br />
<br />
"Do you know how the name 'Hirasaka-gumi' came to be?"<br />
<br />
I shook my head. I never noticed before this, but it's different from Yondaime's surname<br />
<br />
"There's this fellow called Hirasaka before this, he gathered the jobless people in this town to form a team. There wasn't a title called NEET before this, and he's not here anymore."<br />
<br />
Yondaime's wolf-like gaze become slightly gentler.<br />
<br />
"He's an idiot who loves movies. He named the gang, designed an emblem and set up tons of meaningless rules, settle arguements with fights, having a sake ceremony when joining the gang and the likes."<br />
<br />
"Is that so."<br />
<br />
"Often watching yakuza movies, the only Western movie Hirasaka liked was 'Ben-Hun'. Have you watched it before?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah......"<br />
<br />
At that moment, I immediately realized what Yondaime wanted to say after that. Is it that? Are we really going to do that? Uwaa, that's...... really embarrassing.<br />
<br />
"To become sworn brothers, we must do that."<br />
<br />
"Wouldn't this completely destroy our Japanese culture?"<br />
<br />
"Shut up!"<br />
<br />
Yondaime picked up the wine dish in front of me. Having no choice, I could only pick up the dish in front of Yondaime.<br />
<br />
The scene when the main character in the movie 'Ben-Hun' drank with his companions-- taking the wine dish of the other, cross each other's arms and drinking it directly. When the wine dish reaches the mouth of the two at the same time, the double loop formed from the arms, shoulders until the head would form a chain.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Kamisama no memochou vol02 247.png|thumb|''When the wine dish reaches the mouth of the two at the same time, the double loop formed from the arms, shoulders until the head would form a chain.<br />
'']]<br />
The first time I drank wine was the wine in the sake ceremony with a yakuza, probably I'm the only one who did that in his high school life in Japan, huh? The sake was spicy and bitter, and it felt like my tongue was going to break off.<br />
<br />
After that, we stacked the dishes together after finishing them.<br />
<br />
"Alice, since you're the go-between, say something."<br />
<br />
Yondaime said to Alice, kneeling at the highest place of honor at my side, beside Tetsu-senpai.<br />
<br />
"Anything? I didn't prepare a script for saying anything at any sake ceremonies."<br />
<br />
"Just say anything."<br />
<br />
"Regardless of health, illness, or joy, thou shalt--" "Stop joking!" "If anyone requests it, I can also perform Takasago (Note: It's a song from a Japanese play)." "Stop playing around......"<br />
<br />
When Yondaime was about to stand up in impatience, Alice smiled wryly and waved her hand:<br />
<br />
"Sorry, sorry. I'll be serious this time."<br />
<br />
While hugging her bear, Alice walked towards us in small steps, and sat down when the three of us formed a triangle, pushing away her sleeve with an elegant posture.<br />
<br />
Firstly, she told this to Yondaime:<br />
<br />
"I hope that you can take care of Narumi. Though he looks like he's unreliable on the outside, he's even more unreliable inside. I'm guessing that he probably thinks that Hirasaka-gumi is just a game where kids pretend to be yakuza. Or he wouldn't dare to make such a terrifying request, isn't that right?"<br />
<br />
Then, she shifted her gaze from Yondaime to me. I was quite shocked. I was seen through again......<br />
<br />
"I hope that your brotherhood would just end up only as a form. I don't think you really understand, but Hinamura Souchiro would not just become sworn brothers with anyone just to impress other people or because he's drunk...... Anyways, he's actually silently acknowledging your strengths."<br />
<br />
"Don't speak of these irrelavant things!"<br />
<br />
Yondaime shouted. I was startled and turned to look and him, only to shift my gaze again due to being glared at.<br />
<br />
Yondaime-- acknowledges me?<br />
<br />
How can this be? Because......<br />
<br />
"You don't use your brain most of the times, but for some reason, when things become out of our control at the last second, your assumptions would instead make things seem quite logical."<br />
<br />
A warm smile appeared on Alice's face.<br />
<br />
"Instead of being a detective, it's better for you to get another occupation."<br />
<br />
Another occupation?<br />
<br />
After Alice's speech ended, she stood up and turned to the others.<br />
<br />
"And so, hurry up and give applause for celebration. Staying in such a big room gives me a headache, so please raise your hands......"<br />
<br />
Before Yondaime even had time to complain, everyone stood up, and an invigorating applause rang in the hall.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
"Mnn, this place is more or less like my room, I can relax more here."<br />
<br />
After bringing Alice to the study, she immediately stretched out her feet on the bed, and looked around her as if she was in her own room. Hey hey, don't forget that you're wearing a kimono, this posture is really dangerous......<br />
<br />
"Why didn't you go home yet?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime walked into the crowded room. Meo and I sat at a side of the bed, Major sat on the table with the computer and telephone on it, while Hiro sat on the bookshelf near the entrance. Only Tetsu-senpai left immediately after the ceremony ended. He said that he was still worried of Min-san, so he would continue to guard Hanamaru Ramen Shop.<br />
<br />
"Don't we need to have a tactical meeting right now? And now Yondaime's involved in this too." Alice said.<br />
<br />
Yondaime glared at Meo sitting beside me, while the best thing about Meo is that she could still face him with a smile in this situation. In the end, Yondaime sat on another bookshelf.<br />
<br />
"Uwaa! The US aircrafts wallpapers I saved in the computer are all gone! Vice Admiral Fujishima, look what you've done!" Major roared. The computer was actually picked up by Major and randomly set up.<br />
<br />
"If you have time to collect wallpapers, can't you please install Norton Antivirus first......?"<br />
<br />
"Even if I installed it, nobody in Hirasaka-gumi could update it."<br />
<br />
He has a point, nobody here would think of updating the antivirus software regularly. Eh? Why is Major playing with the computer since just now? After a glace, it seems like he was printing information from his USB disk. And then, a sound came from the printer, and a paper was printed out.<br />
<br />
Major kicked the cardboard box beside his foot to the center and used it as a table, then placed the printed paper on top of it.<br />
<br />
"What map is this?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime pushed away Hiro and stared at the paper.<br />
<br />
"...... Ahhh, it's the strongholds of Tabara-gumi."<br />
<br />
Seeing the two places circled with red pen, Yondaime seemed to realize it immediately.<br />
<br />
"As expected of Yondaime. This one is the office, while the other one is a room in a building used as a warehouse. Of course, we aren't sure where Kusakabe is right now. Since it can't be confirmed from the recordings, and the people in charge of monitoring the places didn't report any suspicious people brought there."<br />
<br />
Alice squeezed between Meo and I like a caterpillar, and pointed at the red circles in turn while saying. Both of the places were quite a distance form the station.<br />
<br />
"The case this time is quite special, because we have already grasped the true identity of the kidnappers. I would like to take the initiative to call them and request them to let Kusakabe Masaya answer the phone. No matter what, we must make sure if Kusakabe is alive or not. If we're lucky, we might even be able to confirm his current location."<br />
<br />
"Can we talk to dad?"<br />
<br />
Blocking Meo who was about to go forward, Yondaime said:<br />
<br />
"Wait. Do you mean we don't negotiate with these people? Just directly barge in and save him?"<br />
<br />
"Unfortunately, that's correct."<br />
<br />
"It's not that simple. Don't look down on Tabara-gumi, this is different from ambushing them on the road. Don't be so ridiculous even if you want to borrow our strength, I can't let my underlings get caught."<br />
<br />
"Anyways, we must first make sure of Kusakabe's location, then we can decide if we want to fight or not."<br />
<br />
Yondaime gnashed his teeth.<br />
<br />
"Sou-san, I'm coming in."<br />
<br />
The door opened, and Pole poked his head inside.<br />
<br />
"There's this thing in front of the entrance."<br />
<br />
A small box entangled with tape was held in Pole's hand.<br />
<br />
"What's that?"<br />
<br />
"It says 'Kusakabe' on the lid."<br />
<br />
Yondaime's expression changed immediately after hearing that, and he snatched the box. He placed the box on the cardboard box table and tore down the tape.<br />
<br />
After he looked at the contents of the box, his brows twitched. When Alice and Meo was about to check it out, Yondaime immediately closed the box.<br />
<br />
"Don't look!"<br />
<br />
"What are you doing?"<br />
<br />
"...... Don't look."<br />
<br />
It's more abnormal for Yondaime to be able to stay calm. Hiro's face was pale, and I think I might be the same...... That's because I could clearly see the contents of the box from my position.<br />
<br />
The box was filled with the phone that I saw with Kusakabe Masaya, and there was also a human ear stained with blood.<br />
<br />
My hand tightly holding my knee could not move. They're serious...... Tabara-gumi is serious about this.<br />
<br />
"What's inside?"<br />
<br />
"An ear."<br />
<br />
Alice hesitated.<br />
<br />
The phone rang, and my throat felt as if it's being pulled at.<br />
<br />
"Major, get it for me."<br />
<br />
Yondaime caught the cordless phone that Major threw over. Major connected the phone to the computer, letting the computer speaker blare out the conversation.<br />
<br />
"This is Hirasaka-gumi."<br />
<br />
'I sent you a present. Is the girl over there?'<br />
<br />
Meo was about to stand up, but I stopped her.<br />
<br />
"Is Kusakabe still alive?"<br />
<br />
'I feel like letting him talk to his daughter while his other ear is still here.'<br />
<br />
Major took a sleek, silver object and threw it to Yondaime. After picking it up, Yondaime stuck it to the receiver with a small piece of tape. It was an IC recorder. So Major planned to record the conversation. Understanding Major's nimble actions in a flash, Yondaime sure has acute senses.<br />
<br />
"Kusakabe's daughter is by my side right now, do you want her on the phone?"<br />
<br />
'Tell her to pick up the phone.'<br />
<br />
Yondaime wordlessly handed the receiver to Meo, while Meo took it with her hands trembling slightly.<br />
<br />
"I'm...... Meo."<br />
<br />
There was a silence at the other side of the phone for a moment.<br />
<br />
Then, the hoarse voice of a man came from the phone, and it was familiar. Oh yeah, I heard it that dawn outside the hut, it was Kusakabe Masaya's voice.<br />
<br />
'...... Idiot. Why haven't you escaped!'<br />
<br />
"Dad!" Meo shouted: "Dad, are you alright!? Are yo okay!? Where are yo--"<br />
<br />
'Shut up! Stop caring about me! Just get all the money that you want, get rid of the rest and escape to Thailand!'<br />
<br />
"What are you talking about? How could I do such a thing......"<br />
<br />
'You're not my child, I don't want to care about this!'<br />
<br />
Oi, what are you talking about!? Angry shouts and sounds of fighting came from the other side of the phone. Even so, Kusakabe Masaya continued to shout:<br />
<br />
'Haven't you realized yet? Your mother and I had a fake marriage. It's just for the sake of fooling the customs that we're living together, you're not even my daughter, so just get back to Thailand!'<br />
<br />
"Bu- But, dad......"<br />
<br />
'It's a waste of time and effort anyways. Things have ended, so don't meddle anymore!'<br />
<br />
Kusakabe Masaya's voice became extremely solemn. A waste of time and effort? What does that mean? Since you risked the danger of being caught in the city, what are you trying to do?<br />
<br />
Lastly, a loud shout in another language came from the other side of the phone, and it seemed like Kusakabe Masaya used all of his effort to shout that out. And what interrupted his voice after that was the sounds of something rolling about and angry shouts.<br />
<br />
What? What did he say?<br />
<br />
'Talking time with papa has ended, now you'll listen to me.' The man just now picked up the phone again.<br />
<br />
"Let me...... Let me talk to dad!"<br />
<br />
'Shut up! You just take the cash and the phone that we sent you just now to the entrance of Tomin Commercial Building. There would be people from our gang watching over there, and we'll keep in contact by phone that time.'<br />
<br />
Yondaime snatched the phone from Meo's hands:<br />
<br />
"Damn, what are you talking about! You're the ones forced to a corner, so don't get so cocky!"<br />
<br />
'Blasted kid, shut up! Who are you to think that you can talk things out with us!? We're not playing around. If the girl doesn't come, I'll cut off a finger from Kusakabe's hands every two hours, and when there are no more--'<br />
<br />
"NO!" Meo shouted.<br />
<br />
At that moment, another commotion started from the other side of the phone. Shouts of a somewhat feminine male voice came:<br />
<br />
'-- Hey, who are you calling? Didn't I tell you not to take action by yourself, listen to my orde--'<br />
<br />
'Stop that noise!' 'Outsiders should shut up!'<br />
<br />
'I'll call you later!' And he hung up immediately after saying that.<br />
<br />
The room that was cold to the bones was only filled with sounds of weeping, and I only noticed at that moment that Meo was crying on my arm. The other parts of my body felt like a rusted machine, only the part that Meo was touching felt warm.<br />
<br />
I felt so lifeless that I couldn't move.<br />
<br />
"...... There seems to be arguments at the other side."<br />
<br />
Hiro's words broke the silence.<br />
<br />
"Letting Kusakabe Masaya on the phone, this is an inexplicably dumb action. It might be the actions of the small potatoes in Tabara-gumi taking action by themselves." Alice smiled, slightly pleased: "The recording just now could prove that Kusakabe Masaya did not defalcate the company. They probably never thought that we could record it immediately, I wouldn't have done that if it were me."<br />
<br />
Indeed. Kusakabe Masaya ran away because his defalcation failed, that's the version of the script that they want. It's obvious from the recording that he was imprisoned by someone, so the recording has the power to overthrow the whole script.<br />
<br />
But Kishiwada-kai is different from the police, would they believe in things like evidence?<br />
<br />
` The manipulator behind the scenes-- who is it? Is it the other person who gave orders to Tabara-gumi?<br />
<br />
"What if we use the recording to force them to negotiate with us?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime took down the IC recorder from the receiver.<br />
<br />
"A pity, but it can't be done. After all, we can't negotiate in this matter, Tabara-gumi is definitely planning to kill Kusakabe Masaya."<br />
<br />
"Then what should we do? We obviously have more trump cards than them, why do we still have to be limited?"<br />
<br />
Yondaime made an impatient noise, while our gazes naturally fell on Meo.<br />
<br />
The main reason that our options are so limited would be because of Meo's unauthorized actions. Maybe she felt the atmosphere, she deeply pressed her face on my arm.<br />
<br />
"It's because I'm too proud, so that I can seek happiness for all people."<br />
<br />
Alice said. Her words doesn't seem to be polite consolations for Meo. We raised the stakes ourselves, so we can't give up right now.<br />
<br />
"Or we can do as Kusakabe says, just ignore him? Helping a woman to run away isn't that hard. Didn't you hear it just now? He didn't even want to be rescued."<br />
<br />
After hearing Yondaime's words, Meo's shoulders trembled. At times like this, an inexplicable anger for Yondaime rose in my heart. Shut up! Don't deliberately say these things like they're confirmed.<br />
<br />
'You're not even my kid.'<br />
<br />
'We just got together to fool the customs.'<br />
<br />
My anger even shifted to Kusakabe Masaya, who I never even met. Stop joking! Everyone- everyone's trying to save you, how could you say such cruel words to Meo!?<br />
<br />
He said things like that-- does Meo even want to save her father anymore?<br />
<br />
The young girl tightly leaning against my arm stayed silent.<br />
<br />
"Major, please rewind the recording. I want to listen to Kusakabe's words again to confirm something."<br />
<br />
"Alice, stop that." I spoke for Meo. Listening to that again? It's too cruel. After glancing at me, Alice didn't answer. Major connected the IC recorder to the computer speaker and rewinded it a bit.<br />
<br />
'-- you're not even my daughter, so just get back to Thailand!'<br />
<br />
'It's a waste of time and effort anyways. Things have ended, so don't meddle anymore!'<br />
<br />
The sound of Meo's crying intensified, and Kusakabe's suffocating voice came from the speaker at the last moment. Not Japanese, but some incomprehensible language, then a rough voice drowned it. I really couldn't look at Meo right now, and rose to turn off the recorder; but Major switched it off one step quicker.<br />
<br />
The awkward silence stung as if there were metal fragments mixed in the air.<br />
<br />
Only Alice was indifferent to that, nodded and said:<br />
<br />
"-- I understand now. So that's how things stand."<br />
<br />
"What do you know?" Hiro asked: "I think he said something at the last moment......"<br />
<br />
"It's Thai. Just like that, all the matters have been tied up."<br />
<br />
For some reason, Alice's expression made people feel refreshed.<br />
<br />
I shifted my gaze from Alice to Meo, while she buried her face in her hands.<br />
<br />
"What is--"<br />
<br />
"We can't say for the moment."<br />
<br />
Alice rapidly interrupted me.<br />
<br />
"And I might never be able to speak of this matter. And also, if we can't save Kusakabe Masaya, this sentence would be brought to the grave with him."<br />
<br />
Don't talk like that. I know that even if you don't say so.<br />
<br />
"To save a person that doesn't want to be saved, this isn't our style." Hiro said with a hoarse voice.<br />
<br />
"But even so, my client isn't Kusakabe Masaya." Alice said: "His stubbornness does not concern me. His despair, lies, excuses, abandonment, giving up, all of them cannot hinder the truth on my hands. I will definitely rescue him without so much of a scratch."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
Alice went back to Hanamaru Ramen Shop on Hiro's car, while almost all the lackeys were out to check out Tabara-gumi's strongholds. The only people left were Yondaime, Pole, Rocky, Major and I. As for Meo, we left her in the study to cool down.<br />
<br />
Looking at the clock in the office, it was already over noon; the long Thursday was only half over. Cutting off a finger every two hours-- what a random threat, Yondaime even laughed at that. But I couldn't laugh.<br />
<br />
Major occupied the sofa of the office, calling someone while saving the recording to the computer with one hand, then said after stuffing his notebook-sized computer into his backpack:<br />
<br />
"Alice would definitely be able to check out the phone log just now, but most probably it'll be from a handphone, so we wouldn't know the location just now."<br />
<br />
"Does that mean our only clue left is the recording?"<br />
<br />
"That's right. I know someone in the Coast Guards who knows how to use the sonar, so I'm planning to ask him to check out if there's anything that we can use as evidence. But there's only one day left, so I don't know if it would be on time."<br />
<br />
"Ten fingers would mean twenty hours-- one day left. If the threat was real, then we must find the location for Kusakabe Masaya's confinement in a day, think of a plan and barge in to save him.<br />
<br />
"I could confirm the pathway of our invasion of time is sufficient, but we don't even know where he is right now."<br />
<br />
"But didn't we lock on to two places now? Can't we start monitoring from now?"<br />
<br />
"But that would be assuming that he's imprisoned at the offices of Tabara-gumi, right? There are countless places that could be used to imprison someone. If they just imprison him in a basement of any building, we wouldn't be able to find him."<br />
<br />
I bit my lips. Indeed, the only evidence that can be traced to Kusakabe Masaya is only the IC recorder in Major's pocket.<br />
<br />
"Weren't there some people arguing at the back? Something like outsiders shut up, so there might be people not from the gang present at that time."<br />
<br />
I felt an electric current flowing through my body.<br />
<br />
A panicked voice of a young man. A person not from the gang.<br />
<br />
"Major, lend me the recorder for a sec."<br />
<br />
"What do you want to do with it?"<br />
<br />
Lazy to even explain, I just took out my phone and called Yi Ling-san.<br />
<br />
"...... Ah, it's me. Sorry for yesterday. Eh? Ah, it's okay. Can you......"<br />
<br />
I felt my voice getting louder:<br />
<br />
"Yi Ling-san, would you be able to recognise Director Mikawa's voice...... That's right, we have one. Please listen to this recording."<br />
<br />
Major widened his eyes in surprise. I snatched the IC recorder from his hands, then pressed the play button while pressing it to the receiver.<br />
<br />
I hung up after thanking Yi Ling-san, then immediately called Alice. My voice trembled when I wan explaining, and my tongue became rather slow because of excitement.<br />
<br />
'...... I understand. I'll ask Hiro to keep an eye on Mikawa's side. Ask Yondaime to send a few people from Hirasaka-gumi to Mikawa's home.'<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if it's just me, but I felt that Alice was rather excited at the other side of the phone as well. When I was about to turn to Yondaime, he already picked up the phone on the table to give orders to his lackeys. He's quick!<br />
<br />
And then, Rocky pushed open the steel door with energy that almost tore the door apart, and rushed in. Major already left for about ten minutes.<br />
<br />
"Sou-san, they sent something else again!"<br />
<br />
Yondaime snatched the coffee colored envelope from Rocky's hands. The word 'Kusakabe' that was written outside the paper with marker pen looked blurry due to something oozing out from the bag.<br />
<br />
When the tape was torn down, something like a coffee colored caterpillar rolled out from it. A strangled sound came from my parched throat.<br />
<br />
It was a whole, cut out finger.<br />
<br />
Yellowish bones could be seen in the dried blood, and my vision suddenly blurred. "A- Aniki, are you alright!?" Rocky supported me, who nearly fainted, and brought me to the sofa. While sitting on the sofa, a sense of wanting to puke came upon me.<br />
<br />
"Did you see who sent this?" Yondaime threw the finger back to the paper bag and asked.<br />
<br />
"No. They stuck it to the mailbox with tape."<br />
<br />
"Hmph! Gutless people. Do you think I'll get scared just like that?"<br />
<br />
Gutless? This is gutless?<br />
<br />
I really don't know how insensitive Yondaime is.<br />
<br />
I raised my head to look at the clock, indeed, it has been two hours and thirty minutes from that time. They're serious.<br />
<br />
"Oi, Gardening Club kid. Don't get scared just from these meaningless performances."<br />
<br />
"His fingers might all be cut off, how is this gutless!?" I unknowingly stood up and shouted.<br />
<br />
"Calm down, it's impossible that they would do that."<br />
<br />
"Why can you still say thi--!"<br />
<br />
I didn't even see Yondaime's fists coming. The more surprising thing is, I almost didn't feel a hint of pain at all. I just felt that my body became weightless, then I fell onto the sofa with a plunk. Bouts of pain gradually came from my chest, then I realized that I was punched in the heart.<br />
<br />
"I don't think your job is to scream blue murder over here, is it?"<br />
<br />
The eyes of the wolf gazed directly at me.<br />
<br />
"Do you understand? We can't just take action as soon as we know the location of Kusakabe. Some things can't be handled just by getting a crowd. Listen, I'm only helping because that girl is your friend."<br />
<br />
Yondaime forcibly pressed my shoulders onto the sofa and said:<br />
<br />
"Think of some other way, bro."<br />
<br />
When I walked into the study, Meo was hugging her Boston bag on the bed, facing the walls, unmoving. I sat down in front of the turned on computer.<br />
<br />
Did she hear all that I shouted out just now? I thought while looking at Meo's back. I'm just too careless. I could not tell her the matter about the finger being sent here, or she might just rush out again.<br />
<br />
I'll have to think of some other way.<br />
<br />
I repeatedly thought of Yondaime's words. I couldn't think of anything. As Alice said, they don't have any wish of negotiation.<br />
<br />
But if we continue to hide Meo like this, ignoring their wishes, what would happen then? Their condition is actually quite troublesome as well, so should we collect information as soon as possible when both parties are in trouble? I shook my head to fling out the thought that was too good to be true. These matters are just impossible. The opponents of Tabara-gumi aren't just us, if Kusakabe fell into Kishiwada-kai's hands alive, that would be fatal. They planned to kill him from the start. Might they have already killed him after the phone call? Cutting down fingers from a corpse would probably be easy. As my imagination kept running away to an exaggerated and bad side, I pressed my thumb onto my thigh with force.<br />
<br />
Is there a simpler way of knowing the place of his confinement? Oh yeah, Mikawa isn't a yakuza, so threats might work on him. He probably goes to work almost everyday, so it's easier to find him as well. If we kidnapped Mikawa and used him as a hostage, would that be better? That won't work, from the phone just now, Mikawa seems to be powerless, Tabara-gumi seems to have all the power.<br />
<br />
Suddenly noticing that I easily thought of ways like threats or kidnapping, I felt scared of myself. I looked at my palms. Right now, I might already be numb of my daily life. Or maybe I should just rush out myself, give Mikawa a punch and kidnap him? That's not so, I probably just want to ask people from Hirasaka-gumi to do it? Self-disgust welled up in me. I obviously can't do anything myself, and even so--<br />
<br />
I raised my head because I felt a gaze on me.<br />
<br />
Meo was silently looking at my face. Trails of tears were still on her face.<br />
<br />
Having her father say that to her, being sad is inevitable.<br />
<br />
And even so-- does she still want to save him?<br />
<br />
Oi, Meo. Things that have been damaged can never recover to it's original state. Even if you and your father met again by some miracle, the dream that you'll be a family again has already completely disappeared.<br />
<br />
And the kind big sisters living at Hello Palace can't live in Japan anymore. Everyone's lives have been destroyed......<br />
<br />
But Meo just smiled while shaking her head:<br />
<br />
"There's nothing that can't be recovered, it's just that Mr. Assistant doesn't know it."<br />
<br />
"...... Mnn, I don't know. I don't know what Meo is talking about."<br />
<br />
The last words that Kusakabe Masaya said.<br />
<br />
Those words-- are they the key? The thing that he wanted to do. His feelings.<br />
<br />
But for some reason, I couldn't pursue the matter anymore.<br />
<br />
"Even Miss Detective doesn't know about some things. I heard it that time, she said that she doesn't know why Dad wants me to hide with the money."<br />
<br />
At that time-- the contents of the conversation Alice had with me. So she heard all that?<br />
<br />
'--Among them, the only inexplicable choice is to tell Meo to hide the two hundred million yen, and hide himself as well.'<br />
<br />
This is the mystery that continues to tie Alice to the case.<br />
<br />
"I know the reason."<br />
<br />
I blankly stared at Meo's lips.<br />
<br />
"I know why. Just as Meo love Dad, Dad loves Meo as well."<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Why is this girl so--<br />
<br />
"...... Having such cruel words said to you, do you still want to save your father?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah." Meo threw the Boston bag down the bed, at the side of my foot. "I don't want the money, I just want Dad to come back."<br />
<br />
At this moment, something started to link up in my heart.<br />
<br />
Just want dad to be back.<br />
<br />
That's what she wanted. Why did I make things so complicated?<br />
<br />
The context is simple.<br />
<br />
It's okay if Kusakabe Masaya could just come back.<br />
<br />
And the money is now in my hands. The two hundred million yen--<br />
<br />
Kishiwada-kai, Mikawa, Hello Corporation, money laundering. These factors resounded in my mind, intercrossed, and formed a concrete shape.<br />
<br />
The road that was so zigzagging and roundabout that it was stupid became straight. Will this really work? I poured water into the waterway in my mind to test it out. The first problem is time. Today is Thursday, and it's already two in the afternoon. There's still tomorrow left. It would be barely in time. Next up is the number of people. Though I have next to no friends, I could still borrow Hiro and Yondaime's strengths. That's right, I could also ask Yi Ling-san and the others for help. Of course, there are some flaws in this. I should say that there's a lot of flaws. But Alice and Major should be able to close up the loopholes. Lastly, I could only rely on Tetsu-senpai's fists.<br />
<br />
The rest is the arguments and timing.<br />
<br />
I stood up. The trembling of my knees are no longer caused by fear.<br />
<br />
"...... Mr. Assistant?"<br />
<br />
Meo looked at me, confused, while I nodded in answer:<br />
<br />
"If you don't want it, then I'll take it then."<br />
<br />
"...... What?"<br />
<br />
"I'll spend it all, all of the two hundred million yen."<br />
<br />
Temporarily ignoring the wide-eyed Meo, I picked up my phone. Even my fingers pressing the buttons were trembling in excitement. Calm down, I need to calm down.<br />
<br />
"Is it Alice? I'm going to tell you my plan right now. If there are parts that are too far-fetched, please say so."<br />
<br />
'Plan? What are you talking about?'<br />
<br />
Interrupting the words of the impatient NEET detective, I started to explain my plan. The feverish mutterings were fragmented at times, but the words continued to gush out form my mouth. It's as if they weren't thought out by myself. It might be possible that at this moment, I'm just reading out the contents in God's notebook word by word.<br />
<br />
"...... How is it?"<br />
<br />
Saying all of them almost in one breath, I asked her opinion and started to pant. Alice answered in a voice full of reluctance:<br />
<br />
'Many parts are just too far-fetched, it's quite a wonder that you could think of a plan that's so stupid.'<br />
<br />
At that moment, darkness appeared before me.<br />
<br />
"But--"<br />
<br />
And this time, Alice was the one to interrupt me..<br />
<br />
'But I'll help you to handle the far-fetched parts. Just do it. You're in charge of the front-line commands, while my mission is just to hack in, right?'<br />
<br />
I gazed at the ceiling and heaved a long sigh. If I relax right now, I'll feel so happy that I'll shout (even in front of Meo).<br />
<br />
"Yeah. Please make a large-scale ruckus."<br />
<br />
'I just have two requests.'<br />
<br />
"What is it?"<br />
<br />
'The first is the matter about the remittance into the accounts.'<br />
<br />
The orders that Alice gave me that moment wasn't something that I could easily understand.<br />
<br />
"...... Why must we do that? They'll know of the details easily like that."<br />
<br />
'They don't have that much time to check the accounts and the sum of money.'<br />
<br />
"But we don't need to do that even the--"<br />
<br />
'I already know what Kusakabe Masaya wants to do.'<br />
<br />
After hearing Alice's words, I stayed silent.<br />
<br />
The thing that Kusakabe Masaya wanted to do- the only mystery that tied Alice to the case.<br />
<br />
The matter-- finally had an answer.<br />
<br />
But how is that connected to the inexplicable things that she wants me to do?<br />
<br />
'I can't explain right now.'<br />
<br />
"Yet again! You do that every time!"<br />
<br />
'About this matter, the difference between the truth and the facts won't be a problem. And I cannot explain the reason that I cannot explain this. So just follow my instructions about the remittance of money into the accounts.'<br />
<br />
It just gets more and more muddled. Feeling Meo's worried gaze at the side, I repeatedly stood up and sat down again on the bed because of impatience.<br />
<br />
'Narumi, didn't I discuss with you about the helplessness of a NEET detective before this?'<br />
<br />
Alice continued to say, as if tightly holding the receiver:<br />
<br />
'I am a NEET detective, I don't have the power to protect or to help people from birth, and I probably wouldn't have the power to do so in my life. Because that was written in my page of God's notebook. Even so, Even if that's so, Narumi......'<br />
<br />
I suddenly thought, is she crying? Alice is crying? How is that possible? But listening to the voice that was gradually growing weaker, it was like my throat was throttled by someone.<br />
<br />
'There are times that I have to bleed, letting my blood mix with old, dry bones, pulling myself back to the borders of the world. Even if it's a fake magic that is meaningless to people other than me...... Do you understand what I mean?'<br />
<br />
Of course I don't understand. I stayed silent. I just felt that if I said something that I shouldn't without thinking, Alice would devastated at the other side of the phone.<br />
<br />
"...... I understand. I'll follow your instructions."<br />
<br />
After awhile, it was like I saw Alice smiling at the other side of the phone.<br />
<br />
'You're really bad at lying, you know. Even though I can't see your face, I know that from your voice.'<br />
<br />
"''So'' sorry for that. What's your second request?"<br />
<br />
'You must remember to return the Boston bag to Meo.'<br />
<br />
My jaw dropped, and I looked at the Boston bag by my leg.<br />
<br />
"...... Why? Well, it doesn't matter, but is there anything else inside?"<br />
<br />
'Yeah, all the answers are inside.'<br />
<br />
I couldn't say a word. I don't understand at all. Alice's answer told me that she didn't want to explain anymore. Besides, it would just feel like dumb questions if I continued to ask, so I answered in a small voice: "Got it."<br />
<br />
At the instant when I was about to hang up, I heard some rather rare words. Alice apologized.<br />
<br />
'Sorry, I think I'm looking at you somewhat differently now. Thank you.'<br />
<br />
I stared at the now silent phone for awhile. It feels as if Alice's slight warmth was on it.<br />
<br />
My conclusion is, about Alice's thoughts and the feelings entangling her, I couldn't understand a thing.<br />
<br />
Even so-- she still believed in my words as her assistant.<br />
<br />
That's why I need to trust her as well.<br />
<br />
"Are you serious?"<br />
<br />
When I reported to Yondaime right after I walked out of the study, that was his reaction. Pole and Rocky said something like: "Erm, aniki...... Can you explain it again?" "Forget it, idiots like us can't understand aniki's great plan."<br />
<br />
"Indeed, an odd detective would have a strange assistant."<br />
<br />
Yondaime narrowed his eyes that were sleek like a wolf, and scratched his porcupine-like hair.<br />
<br />
"How many people do you need?"<br />
<br />
"Well, as much as possible, because there's two hundred million yen. Ah, but we need people who have an identity card and an account. They must also be people who would listen to instructions and accept it......"<br />
<br />
"I know that, who do you think I am!"<br />
<br />
"And then...... Lastly, people who can use force......"<br />
<br />
Yondaime turned over and ordered Pole and Rocky behind him:<br />
<br />
"Get a car that can't be traced, then find four people other than you two."<br />
<br />
"Understood! We're going to barge into enemy territory, right?" "I'll go hone my manly aura right away!"<br />
<br />
After the two walked out of the room, Yondaime glanced at the door of the study and said quietly:<br />
<br />
"To Kusakabe, being caught by the people from Tabara-gumi might be better."<br />
<br />
I gulped, then raised my head to look at Yondaime.<br />
<br />
I have this feeling too. Though I don't know why, I just felt that Kusakabe Masaya didn't want us to save him. Is it connected to the reason that he stayed in the city while risking his own life?<br />
<br />
"If so, our enemies are not only Tabara-gumi, but himself as well. Understand?"<br />
<br />
After hesitating for a moment, I nodded.<br />
<br />
'Narumi, you're becoming more and more like Alice.'<br />
<br />
Those were the first words that Hiro said to me after hearing my explanation on the phone. They said that again. I'm like Alice? How?<br />
<br />
'Especially the point that you'll talk nonsense seriously. But it feels quite fun. Okay, I'll tell the girls that I know. Any other things that I can help out with?'<br />
<br />
"Erm...... As we need to know where Mikawa would go tomorrow......"<br />
<br />
'Got it. I'll keep an eye on him, so just relax.'<br />
<br />
'Vice Admiral Fujishima is probably a land-type. After boasting a whole lot of grand ambitions, then cooperating to dispatch manpower, this type of thinking is really incomprehensible to marine-type people like me.'<br />
<br />
To me, what Major said was more incomprehensible to me. What does marine-type mean?<br />
<br />
'Then what's my mission?'<br />
<br />
"This is actually a precautionary step, to block telephone communications. Can you do that?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, I see, so you want them to be unable to confirm with the phone. This isn't hard, but don't you know where Mikawa would be that day? Where should I block the telephone?'<br />
<br />
"I'm guessing that he might be at the company, but I'm not sure yet."<br />
<br />
Ah, no, wait. If Mikawa's phone couldn't call, he wouldn't be able to give orders, then can the plan still proceed? I felt a chill because of the rashness of my plan. Major said at that moment:<br />
<br />
'Mnn? Then wouldn't it be okay if I just block the bank's phones?'<br />
<br />
Ah...... That's right.<br />
<br />
I never thought about it, but it's actually much better.<br />
<br />
Indeed, I can't do anything alone, it's a good thing that Major was here. But I couldn't just frankly express my gratitude, but said something like this:<br />
<br />
"Major, it seems that you're only good at thinking about these things."<br />
<br />
'I'm not as good as Vice Admiral Fujishima. We'll meet again at Yasukuni Shrine!'<br />
<br />
Explaining the plan so that the clueless Yi Ling-san would understand was really quite a trial.<br />
<br />
'To be honest, I'm still not too clear about the current situation.'<br />
<br />
"I'm really sorry, I can't explain all of it to you."<br />
<br />
It's hard to explain the details on the phone, and I don't really want Yi Ling-san and the others to know about the criminal part of this.<br />
<br />
'All of this is for Meo, right?'<br />
<br />
"That's right."<br />
<br />
'I understand. I'll explain things to the people in our building. Though it might be slightly late, I'll tell you how many people are willing to help today.'<br />
<br />
"Ah, it's okay no matter how late."<br />
<br />
I'll have to stay up all night today anyways.<br />
<br />
That night, Meo and I poured all the money in the bag onto the table, then packed them up in envelopes.<br />
<br />
Hiro and Yondaime gathered more people than I could imagine. Thinking that I'm involving hundreds of people in this stupid plan, my hands filling the envelopes stared to tremble.<br />
<br />
During the last stage, my fingers and brain started to numb. Staring at the countless Fukuzawa Yukichis on the countless ten thousand yen notes in a dark room alone with Meo, my thoughts that time were that two hundred million yen seems to be not as much as I imagined. Divided by two hundred, it'd be a million, and it'll be ten thousand if we divide it by two thousand. If we just divide it by two hundred million, it'll be just one! I think I'm having late symptoms. In reality, the sum of money can't be obtained even if the office workers in Japan work for a lifetime.<br />
<br />
That is why, people would die for the money.<br />
<br />
The phone in the office would ring every few hours, and Yondaime tightly closed the door of the study so that we won't hear him answering. They wouldn't have killed Meo's father because of impatience, would they? I tried not to think of the pain and terror of having fingers cut off one after another. I definitely can't let Meo see through me.<br />
<br />
The last job of the day was to think of an 'explanation' for a hundred people.<br />
<br />
There must be a reason for the money to flow.<br />
<br />
I must do this.<br />
<br />
I don't know if the plan would succeed. I whole-heartedly prayed that Kusakabe Masaya's miracle would still be present.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
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| Forward to [[Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 2 Chapter 6|Chapter 6]]<br />
|-<br />
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</noinclude></div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kamisama_no_Memochou:Volume_2_Chapter_4&diff=409719Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 2 Chapter 42015-01-06T01:19:45Z<p>Helllo: /* Chapter 4 */ Fixed a bunch of typos</p>
<hr />
<div>==Chapter 4==<br />
<br />
On Wednesday morning, a bitter taste like when I first took the drug remained in my mouth. I started my day with that unpleasant taste. As I couldn't sleep until three in the night, it was already half past eight when I woke up; my sister went to work ages ago.<br />
<br />
Walking downstairs to the living room and turning on the television, the news, of course, weren't broadcasting the news that an ex-yakuza, currently the vice-chairman of a company, ran away with a large amount of cash. All of this started from darkness, and will end in darkness. To be honest, tragedies like this happening in the world, probably they happen more than someone being in the spotlight, right?<br />
<br />
I blankly stare at the television screen that is playing a TV drama for about fifteen minutes, then changed clothes and walked out of the door.<br />
<br />
The words that Min-san said yesterday were still echoing in my mind-- 'Don't meddle.'Yondaime told me something similar to that before, but I just couldn't stay at home, doing nothing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
A dead alley was formed in front of Hanamaru Ramen Shop because of the not-too-tall buildings surrounding the shop, and it was so silent there that it's eerie. I parked my bike beside the main road, then inspected if there are any yakuza underlings in front of the shop, but I didn't even see the shadow of a kitten. There weren't even anyone in the windows and balconies of the surrounding buildings, but that might be just my imagination-- Isn't it like that usually? Nobody was outside drying blankets or mats, and there weren't any potted plants placed outside.<br />
<br />
The only thing that remained was a yellow stain on the steel door of the ramen shop and the road in front of it. Going to check out the place because people thought that something happened there, only to see that the shop had been splashed with paint. What a malicious way of harassment.<br />
<br />
"Min-san, outside--"<br />
<br />
When I pulled open the sliding door and was about to walk inside, Meo and Min-san raised their heads at the same time to look at me from the other side of the counter, causing me to be somewhat surprised. Min-san had taken off her sleeveless vest, leaving only her white sarashi wrapped around her chest. From her right shoulder to the side of her abdomen and her arm, all of them were stained with blood. Meo was helping her with cleaning up.<br />
<br />
"What happened to you!?"<br />
<br />
"I was ambushed when I was coming back from shopping!" Min-san answered while frowning. "I was too careless. If it were to be me from the past, beating up two or three of them should be easy."<br />
<br />
Besides being shocked, I felt the flames of anger burning as well. A strong dizziness came upon me, making me feel as if the universe is warping.<br />
<br />
"It's okay, they just pushed me a bit. And they ran away immediately as well, so it isn't anything serious."<br />
<br />
"This is far from being okay!"<br />
<br />
Meo answered in a crying voice. From cleaning the wound until bandaging it, Meo continued to cry.<br />
<br />
"It's so noisy! You're not the one hurt, what in the world are you crying for!"<br />
<br />
"But, it's because of me......"<br />
<br />
"It's not your fault. Listen, it's obviously the fault of those guys. Making you feel that it's your fault, that's their aim. So don't think like that!"<br />
<br />
I thought to myself, why is this person so tough? While I- I--<br />
<br />
Min-san turned her head over after hearing the sound of the kitchen backdoor opening.<br />
<br />
A young girl wearing pajamas stood in front of the door, staring at the not-completely-bandaged, painful-looking wound on Min-san's body with widened eyes, causing her white skin to appear even paler than usual.<br />
<br />
"Hikikomori? What are you doing here?"<br />
<br />
Min-san said in a forced voice, while Alice stayed silent. Her upper torso trembled slightly all of a sudden, and I immediately ran into the kitchen past the counter, holding onto Alice before she collapse.<br />
<br />
"Narumi...... Sorry."<br />
<br />
Alice held me tightly while trembling non-stop and said:<br />
<br />
"I saw that Master coming back drenched with blood, so I came to verify the blood that flowed because of my own stupidity and idiocy, and also to confirm my own helplessness......"<br />
<br />
"I'm not here for your viewing pleasure, so just stay obediently in your room, idiot."<br />
<br />
Min-san heaved a long sigh after saying that and sat on the the round chair. At the instant when she sat down, I saw her frown because of pain.<br />
<br />
"This isn't...... Miss Detective's fault."<br />
<br />
Meo shook her head while wiping away her tears.<br />
<br />
"Meo, it's alright, this girl is an incurable idiot, so our statements just now is useless to her. She thinks that all of the misfortunes that happens in the world is due to her being unable to solve them."<br />
<br />
Min-san said half-jokingly. But I understand that to Alice, that wasn't a joke, but the truth. All of the sorrow in the world is because of her own helplessness-- and this caused Alice to play the role of a detective. My hands that were supporting Alice tightened subconsciously.<br />
<br />
"I checked the contact log of Hello Corporation. I finally understand."<br />
<br />
The words that slipped out of Alice's mouth were such hollow words.<br />
<br />
"What do you understand?" Min-san asked expressionlessly.<br />
<br />
"The source of the money, the things that Hello Corporation did, and the reason that Tahara-gumi and Kishiwada-kai are involved in this. The only thing that I cannot understand is, what was Kusakabe Masaya trying to do?"<br />
<br />
I breathed in.<br />
<br />
"It's only when everything is too late, when the veil of mystery is uncovered. Sitting alone in an empty cinema, such is the role played by a detective. Even so, I still have to say this...... Are you willing to listen?"<br />
<br />
"Suit yourself."<br />
<br />
"Narumi, please give me a chair. This matter is somewhat complicated."<br />
<br />
The delicate Alice hugged her knees while sitting ont the round chair, and started to explain the complicated story that she spoke of.<br />
<br />
"Hello Corporation is like a large filter, which is why many people who dirtied water approached them."<br />
<br />
I placed both of my hands on the table and cocked my head. I have absolutely no idea what she just said.<br />
<br />
"Have you heard about 'money laundry'?"<br />
<br />
"Somewhat." Min-san answered, while Meo wore a mystified expression on her face. Actually, I'm not too sure as well, but the only thing that I could understand is that this is probably more serious than defalcation.<br />
<br />
"Simply said, that means to launder dirty money, allowing them to be used legally."<br />
<br />
"I still don't really understand, are there dirty money and clean money?"<br />
<br />
This is also the part that I didn't understand. Alice 'Hmmm'-ed while looking at the ceiling, then continued to explain:<br />
<br />
"Then I'll explain from the beginning. There is a simple way that people can easily evade tax. Do you know how, Master?"<br />
<br />
"How would I know? Do you think that my shop is a famous shop that needs to evade tax?"<br />
<br />
"You have a point. But please remember this, it's really very simple-- not reporting the money earned, and 'absolutely not using them'. That's all."<br />
<br />
As Alice stopped explaining after this, I asked after thinking for awhile:<br />
<br />
"But then...... Wouldn't the meaning of earning money be lost?"<br />
<br />
"That is correct, but tax evasion is mainly about this point-- how to pretend that they didn't earn money, then pretend they don't have money to spend."<br />
<br />
"Then, is money laundering the same as tax evasion?"<br />
<br />
"Not so, it's just that money laundering can launder the money from tax evasion, and can also purify the money that cannot be released to the public, such as income from drug dealing and so on; the basic concept is similar to tax evasion. To understand the need for money laundering, you have to first understand two concepts-- the first one is 'there is no meaning if money is not used', as for the second point, as the tax collection department in our country is very outstanding, so 'as long as someone is using money for certain purposes, they will sniff it out immediately'."<br />
<br />
"...... Are they really that outstanding?"<br />
<br />
"Of course they're outstanding. Using a sum of money on meaningful things-- such as buying houses, cars, shares, investment-- these activities must be done where people can see them. If there is a large flow of money, the Tax Department would know of it immediately, then they will start to investigate the source of the sum of money."<br />
<br />
According to Alice, these people seemed to be people with supernatural powers.<br />
<br />
"Checking back on the flow of money, they will treat it as tax evasion if they found money that haven't been reported, then ask for additional taxes; if they found out that the money came from shady sources, the people would be arrested. That is why these people try not to let them know how the money is obtained."<br />
<br />
"...... Then what do they need to do?"<br />
<br />
"For instance, they can pay the money to foreign workers as wages, which will then flow out of the country."<br />
<br />
I breathed in.<br />
<br />
I think Min-san probably had the same reaction.<br />
<br />
"...... Is it Hello Corporation?"<br />
<br />
"That's right, that is why they directly give cash to the workers. The tenants in Hello Corporation are mostly female employees who came here to work from other areas in Southeast Asia. Just like that, the company has another channel for money laundering. To the female workers, it is easier for them to stay in Japan through the arrangements of the yakuza and their company, so it's like killing two birds with one stone."<br />
<br />
I sneaked a peek at Meo. She was already spacing out with her face pale.<br />
<br />
"Kishiwada-kai probably gave financial assistance when Hello Corporation was established, and the money that they used was of course their dirty money. That is why they seem like they don't have any connections, it's just that Hello Corporation is doing the money laundering through Tabara-gumi. I investigated all the regular phone calls from the phone log, so it's definitely Kishiwada-kai who called them."<br />
<br />
After saying that, Alice heaved a huge sigh.<br />
<br />
It just feels-- This matter...... is already...... not something that we can handle.<br />
<br />
"...... Do you have any proof?" Min-san asked calmly.<br />
<br />
"No." Alice said expressionlessly. "If there's evidence, the government would have taken action already. All of these are my assumptions. Hello Corporation hid the matter quite well, and the only weakness of their money laundering is that it's not too efficient because of being much too careful. I've seen the savings that Yi Ling provided, and simply calculated the amount of money; No matter how I calculated, money of over a billion cannot be easily laundered. Since they didn't publicize it, their deeds were not brought to light; but since the money laundering was inefficient, they couldn't deal with the money that Kishiwada-kai gave them. In this situation, what do you think Director Mikawa who was troubled because of their large sum of debts did?"<br />
<br />
The information that Hiro provided and Alice's explanations combined in my mind.<br />
<br />
"He defalcated the money......!?"<br />
<br />
"That's right, the defalcation wasn't done by Kusakabe Masaya, but the Director himself-- as there's still two hundred million cash that couldn't be dealt with and was stored in a safe. I have no idea how he tricked Kusakabe, anyways, Mikawa used one hundred million to clear the company's debt, while the two hundred million left over is in the bag."<br />
<br />
Kusakabe Masaya knew that he was framed, which is why he ran away. But why didn't he prove his innocence? No, he probably couldn't do so. The one who is close to Tabara-gumi was Mikawa, and Kusakabe Masaya once left a Kansai yakuza gang. If only the Tabara-gumi and Mikawa agreed to say that it was the fault of Kusakabe, the chances that Kishiwada-kai would believe them is very large. Yakuza and the police aren't the same, after all.<br />
<br />
"The problem is we can't help out in this when we know it only now, so all of this is too late. The only thing that we can confirm right now is that Kusakabe is already caught by Tabara-gumi, and then-- he will be killed sooner or later."<br />
<br />
Meo stood up, her mouth trembling slightly. Min-san stood up as well, silently placing her hands on Meo's shoulders. I stared at Alice, speechless. He'll be killed sooner or later?<br />
<br />
"That is essential. Think about it, saying that he defalcated the company is just a lie. If Kusakabe Masaya testified about this, the matter would be found out. To cover the truth, Tabara-gumi and Mikawa can only kill Kusakabe Masaya."<br />
<br />
I thought about Shades' words, and suddenly felt a chill on my back.<br />
<br />
-- 'It's nice if they can meet alive!'<br />
<br />
They're yakuza. As long as they're in the darkness, they can do anything.<br />
<br />
"And the truth that I am searching for will soon be buried in darkness."<br />
<br />
Alice jumped down from the chair.<br />
<br />
Her gaze didn't look like a detective who accepted a request anymore, but more like a doll who lost her soul, and is worried that the world will forget all about her.<br />
<br />
"-- How can we let this happen!"<br />
<br />
I chased Alice's silhouette out of the kitchen backdoor, and shouted at the silhouette wearing teddy bear pajamas who was about to walk up the stairs. Her black hair swayed, staring at me with her cold gaze.<br />
<br />
"What is it? It's just walking up the stairs, I don't need anyone to tail me."<br />
<br />
"No, I don't mean that......"<br />
<br />
Why? Why did I halt her? I, myself, didn't even know what I wanted to say.<br />
<br />
"I advise you to change your personality of taking action without even thinking. You just go back and do your responsibilities as a high schooler, finishing your homework in the spring break!"<br />
<br />
Even Alice said that to me, it makes me feel utterly hopeless.<br />
<br />
"Are you trying to ask me if there is anything that you can help out with?"<br />
<br />
I could only bite my lips and nod silently as Alice have seen through my thoughts.<br />
<br />
"Nothing at all...... If I said that, you'll probably start to pity yourself, sinking into a swamp of self-disgust, then act like an idiot, right?"<br />
<br />
"''So'' sorry for that!"<br />
<br />
"Narumi, let me tell you. In truth, we are all helpless. Being a detective-- the most that I can do is to collect the words of the deceased, rearrange them then search for hidden meanings. Aside from using our brains to ponder about things, do we have any other use?"<br />
<br />
"But I don't even know what to think about."<br />
<br />
Resigning myself to being laughed at, I exposed the weak side of myself. But the Alice at this moment leaned onto the handrail of the stairs, looking at me with a kind, understanding expression on her face. Why does this girl like to make fun of me at unexpected times to pain me?<br />
<br />
"...... Why do you think Kusakabe Masaya wants Meo to hide the two hundred million yen?"<br />
<br />
Alice's gentle voice came over, but I couldn't understand the meaning of the question she just asked at the moment.<br />
<br />
"You're asking me why......" I frantically recalled the question that Alice just asked and search for the answer. "Because he realized he fell into a trap, and then...... so that people wouldn't misunderstand that he defalcated it......"<br />
<br />
...... Eh?<br />
<br />
Seeing me press down my lips, staying silent, Alice nodded.<br />
<br />
"That's right, isn't it strange? Because the things that he did cannot prove that he was not the person who defalcated the company, but is instead emphasizing that he did it. If he just wanted to save himself, he could just take the two hundred million yen and escape. If he wanted to clear his charges, he could just hand the two hundred million yen to Kishiwada-kai or call the police. He actually has a lot of choices. Among them, the only inexplicable choice is to tell Meo to hide the two hundred million yen, and hide himself as well."<br />
<br />
It is indeed inexplicable.<br />
<br />
What can he gain from this? Causing his own daughter to be in danger, and getting caught in the end. There should be better ways that he could use.<br />
<br />
"Firstly, 'he did not leave Meo any way of contacting him'. As you have said, it's like he abandoned the two hundred million yen along with Meo. Why did he do that? I don't know. In this case where all the doubts have been clear, the only thing that I cannot understand is the key person, Kusakabe Masaya. This is the one and only mystery."<br />
<br />
I don't get it either. Something that even Alice cannot explain, how could I understand?<br />
<br />
"However, I suspect that his reason is irrelevant to the nature of the case."<br />
<br />
Alice turned her face to a side, then said in a lonely tone:<br />
<br />
"It's just like that time, I'm just trying to satisfy myself. As long as there is a hidden darkness, I cannot afford to not fill it in, what a sorrowful fate."<br />
<br />
And then she smiled at me, like a starry sky that I saw a certain day before.<br />
<br />
"And then the unneeded truth that I have dug out-- the true reason for Kusakabe Masaya's actions might deeply hurt Meo, just like that time......"<br />
<br />
She kept repeating that time, I really don't know when that is. If she's talking about the day when we greeted the breaking dawn on the rooftop that day, I really want to tell her that it's okay.<br />
<br />
"...... It doesn't matter." I couldn't suppress my emotions and the words slipped out of my mouth. Alice focused her wandering eyes on my face.<br />
<br />
"It doesn't matter. Meo is strong...... much stronger than me. She kept believing in her father. No matter what other people said to her, it didn't affect her belief."<br />
<br />
Alice tightly held the rail of the stairs, silently gazing at my face for quite some time. I nearly had trouble breathing. Did I say anything wrong again?<br />
<br />
After that, a sigh came out from the peach-colored small mouth.<br />
<br />
"Meo might have realized the answer on instinct."<br />
<br />
...... answer?<br />
<br />
"The answer to what Kusakabe Masaya is trying to do. In theory, a hundred years would be required to reach the extent that we can build a fortress with a bridge leading to it, but the wings of faith can bring us there in just one night. But I am a NEET detective, a messenger of the death. I am not interested in emotions that cannot be expressed in words...... So Meo, you can just keep your truth in your heart."<br />
<br />
I turned around in surprise. Skin with the color of coffee ole was hidden in the seams of the kitchen backdoor that was open for a few centimeters. Her large, round eyes seemed to be blinking repeatedly in surprise.<br />
<br />
When I turned my head around after again hearing the footsteps leading upstairs, Alice's silhouette had disappeared from the corner.<br />
<br />
I heaved a huge sigh and sat on the second step of the stairs.<br />
<br />
Meo slowly opened the kitchen backdoor and walked out. Feeling her utterly terrified gaze, I again felt angry because of the degree of my stupidity.<br />
<br />
Just saying things that would make Meo feel uneasy from yesterday, what am I doing? Maybe I'm really a big idiot?<br />
<br />
Though the person who's in the most pain is obviously Meo.<br />
<br />
Being worried of her father's safety, being wanted by the yakuza herself, and couldn't even go home, she probably feels very uneasy. But at this moment, I still--<br />
<br />
Ah, so that's how things stand. I finally understood, the words that Alice said yesterday--<br />
<br />
'Nobody cares if you have strong resolution or not.'<br />
<br />
'You can just feed realization to chickens, for all I care. What is the thing that we should do?'<br />
<br />
Having strong resolve or not is really just my problem, and isn't Meo's business. But my whole brain was stuffed full of myself, and I even said bad things to Meo. What assistant detective! I'm just a thoughtless kid.<br />
<br />
"Dad, would he be...... alright? Probably...... right?"<br />
<br />
Meo's voice seemed that she almost can't talk anymore.<br />
<br />
I silently stood up, caught hold of Meo's shoulders and pushed her into the kitchen.<br />
<br />
"It's okay, he'll definitely be okay."<br />
<br />
I finally said some words of consolations. Even so, I couldn't even do such a simple thing yesterday.<br />
<br />
And then I continued with an empty promise.<br />
<br />
"-- We'll definitely save your father."<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
Min-san told me not to go to the shop for the moment, and so I was chased out of Hanamaru Ramen Shop. Though I was worried about leaving the two there alone, Min-san said:<br />
<br />
"Listen closely, if something really happens, I can still protect Meo, but what would I do if I have to protect you too? So you'd better scram and go home."<br />
<br />
What a direct order for chasing people out.<br />
<br />
Not leaving me even one centimeter of space to protest, I could only leave Hanamaru Ramen Shop. As soon as I reached the main road, I immediately called Tetsu-senpai.<br />
<br />
'Alice just called me, so I'm coming to Hanamaru. Blast, I think I must keep guarding that place for now.'<br />
<br />
Feeling as if he was saying 'Because you can't', I could only answer clumsily and hang up. Paranoia. Hiro and Major did not answer the phone, probably because they're busy setting up spying devices and looking for information from girls? I know that I'm just a burden. It can't be helped, I could only walk on the streets alone.<br />
<br />
At the station during the spring break, there were a lot of people who seemed to be high school students. According to Hiro, a lot of kids from the countryside would come here at this time, causing the whole city to look different.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I promised Meo to save her father.<br />
<br />
I don't have any information on me, but I will not take action only when other people tells me to. I'll call Yondaime first. He kept an eye open since some time before, so he might have got some new information.<br />
<br />
Just at that moment, the phone in my pocket started to vibrate.<br />
<br />
'I heard that Min-san was ambushed, is that true!?'<br />
<br />
Hiro's voice sounded rather agitated.<br />
<br />
'Narumi, did you go to the ramen shop? How was she? What happened? I couldn't reach the phone of the ramen shop.'<br />
<br />
"Er- erm......" It's rare to hear Hiro's flustered voice. "She said that she was pushed a bit, and is just a bit hurt. Tetsu-senpai already hurried there."<br />
<br />
The reason that nobody answered the phone in the ramen shop, is probably because they're taking care of the yellow paint. A sigh came from the other side of the phone. What's with Hiro? It feels...... unlike him. Of course, it would be hard to calm down after learning that Min-san was bullied by the yakuza, but......<br />
<br />
'Is that so? Lucky that it's okay...... Ah-- though I feel like going as well, I have some other place to go to, so what should I do? Would Tetsu be okay alone?'<br />
<br />
Is it really okay? Though Tetsu-senpai is quite good at fighting, but the opposing party is the yakuza......<br />
<br />
"Erm......"<br />
<br />
I'll try asking.<br />
<br />
"If there's somewhere that you need to go, I can go for you. Min-san asked me not to go to Hanamaru Ramen Shop, but you can go."<br />
<br />
'Ah-- Hmm......' Hiro started to hesitate, as expected: 'I need to go look for the women, so I must go myself. I appreciate your offer, but this time there's probably......'<br />
<br />
"Nothing that I can help out with?"<br />
<br />
Even I, myself, knew that my voice right now felt shameful.<br />
<br />
'Mnn...... The only thing left is to check out the situation at Hello Corporation. But there might be people from Tabara-gumi loitering there. All of us have been recognised, so it's somewhat dangerous.'<br />
<br />
"They...... probably won't recognise me."<br />
<br />
Because I was trembling together with Meo.<br />
<br />
'Eh? Ahhh, no...... You're right...... But it's really too dangerous.'<br />
<br />
"I'll just go and have a look."<br />
<br />
'Narumi, wait a--!'<br />
<br />
I switched off my phone after hanging up. I just can't wait here silently.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
I've asked Major for the address of Hello Corporation before this, so I found it very quickly. It's at a corner of the district office, about ten minutes distance on bike. It seems like a normal company, and the signboard of the company is hung at the side of the building. The temporary employment company, Hello Corporation is located at a rather new building, of course not the whole building, but only the third floor is rented as their office.<br />
<br />
I looked around the commercial building before crossing the zebra crossings. The only people who still remember are probably just the leather suit guy and the purple shirt guy that I met at Hello Palace. I was wearing Hiro's coat and glasses that time, so they probably wouldn't recognise me this time. And there's also the man in the dark brown sunglasses who came to Hanamaru Ramen Shop with the leather suit guy. I was hiding behind the kitchen backdoor that time, they probably didn't notice me as well.<br />
<br />
But when the traffic light changed to the green light, my legs couldn't move. A bloodied Min-san surfaced in my mind's eye. Though I really feel ashamed about this, I feel really scared.<br />
<br />
Though I said that I would check this out here, I don't even know what to do. Am I an idiot? What did I come here for?<br />
<br />
I felt helpless about my own idiocy, then simply sat on the railings beside the road. Cars passed in front of me, while pedestrians walked back and forth behind me.<br />
<br />
If only I could see a familiar face, I might just get some information. Thus, I decided to observe the entrance of the building here.<br />
<br />
After sitting for awhile, my thoughts drifted back to the construction site at dawn. If only I could do something that time, the situation would not turn out like this. But what could I even do that time? Should I have just suddenly barge in the hut and talk things out with Kusakabe Masaya?<br />
<br />
Thinking about this right now is already useless, and he even had a kitchen knife as well.<br />
<br />
Kitchen knife, air freshening spray, sewing kit, scissors, lighter, two hundred million yen, Singapore, Thailand, Tabara-gumi, Kishiwada-kai, money laundering.<br />
<br />
I really don't get it. What does Kusakabe Masaya want to do? In the incident last time, even a person as dumb as me could figure out half of the truth that Alice found out.<br />
<br />
I suddenly noticed someone walking out from the entrance of the building, walking towards here after crossing the zebra crossings. Though wearing only a sporty summer shirt and jeans, the slender eyes really gave me a impression.<br />
<br />
"Eh? Ming Hai?"<br />
<br />
Yi Ling-san noticed me as well. It felt somewhat awkward.<br />
<br />
"What's with you? What are you doing here?"<br />
<br />
"Erm...... Uh......" Really, what am i doing? "You can say that I'm observing the enemy."<br />
<br />
"Ah......" Yi Ling-san's face fell: "I heard that Kusakabe-san was caught, is it true? The people from Tabara-gumi mentioned that when they came over to have a drink."<br />
<br />
"...... It's true. Did they mention where he's at right now?"<br />
<br />
"Sorry, I didn't listen to them so closely."<br />
<br />
I felt somewhat disappointed. Of course things wouldn't be solved that easily.<br />
<br />
"Yi Ling-san, why are you here?"<br />
<br />
"Didn't I tell you I'm one of their employees as well? Being suddenly called out here, it didn't bode well for me."<br />
<br />
Ahh, I nearly forgot. She's one of the people who exists for money laundering, an employee in name.<br />
<br />
If Yi Ling-san knew about this, what would she feel about that? Which means, they used the money that she sent home to make a false financial report, no wonder her wages are so high. Even so--<br />
<br />
"Ah!"<br />
<br />
Yi Ling-san noticed some other people at the entrance, and immediately turned around. It's a tall man of about forty who's wearing a bluish suit. His skin was whitish, and looked rather decent. Yi Ling-san nodded to him, and the man waved to her.<br />
<br />
"...... Who is he?"<br />
<br />
"Our Director."<br />
<br />
Yi Ling-san answered me quietly, and I came back to my senses, and focused my attention on the man who was somewhat young for a Director. When the man opened the door of the black imported car parked by the road, I nearly cried out loud when I looked into the car from the seams of the door.<br />
<br />
"Ming Hai, what's with you? Your mouth's open wide."<br />
<br />
"Eh? Ah! It's nothing......"<br />
<br />
The imported car left for some time, and the light on the traffic light changed, while other cars were now clustered on the road.<br />
<br />
There was another man sitting in the car. Isn't that Shades? Though he wasn't wearing the glasses he was wearing that day, his sharp features were quite hard to forget.<br />
<br />
"What an easy job, he can already go home now.I heard the girls from General Administration say that he went home about noon yesterday too. Probably didn't even stay at the company for one hour?"<br />
<br />
"Yesterday too......?"<br />
<br />
"What is it? Do you know our Director?"<br />
<br />
"Eh? Ah, no, I don't know him. Oh yeah, do you know the the other man in the car?"<br />
<br />
"Mnn--? I'm not really sure, probably a yakuza boss? It seems like he was talking to Director about something just now. Ah, that's right. Ming Hai, can you listen to my complaints? They really went too far!"<br />
<br />
Yi Ling-san dragged me into a Mos Burger nearby. As usual, the table was piled full of burgers, hot dogs, salad and fries that were like small hills. Just seeing that would make people lose my appetite, so I just picked up an onion ring to eat.<br />
<br />
"We might not be able to stay in Japan anymore."<br />
<br />
After clearing away half of her food, Yi Ling-san finally said:<br />
<br />
"I was told about this matter just now, but not the reason. Saying something like don't send the money back home anymore, and not continuing the contract anymore, it really troubles me, telling me all that all of a sudden."<br />
<br />
"This is really...... bad."<br />
<br />
"Isn't that right? It seems that most of the people in our building were called here to be told about this. They gained so much from us foreign workers too. It seems that the company is trying to change its style and become a more legal temporary employment company, so they probably want to get rid of burdens like us? Ah-- if Kusakabe-san is still here, he'd probably think of something to help us."<br />
<br />
I sank into deep thought. Is this connected to the case? If Kusakabe Masaya is still here-- which means, it's because Kusakabe Masaya is not here anymore? But why is that? Aren't the women in Hello Palace just gears for the money laundering?<br />
<br />
"And they don't even let us work at other shops. Isn't this my own freedom? But to tell you the truth, the company handles the matters about our visas, so we might just have to go home. Ah-- Really-- angry!"<br />
<br />
Yi Ling-san then proceeded to stuff Mexican sauce hot dogs into her mouth.<br />
<br />
"It seems that the yakuza was here just now to talk about this matter, that was what the General Administration people told me."<br />
<br />
I subconsciously stood up, but my knee collided with the side of the table. Yi Ling-san hurriedly held the iced coffee that nearly toppled over.<br />
<br />
"What is it, what happened?"<br />
<br />
"No, nothing." It's indeed related to the case. "Erm...... What were they talking about?"<br />
<br />
"I'm not too sure as I heard this from other people, but they mentioned something about checking the core or something. I wonder what that means. Maybe they thought that we ganged up with Kusakabe-san? Or maybe they thought we would call the police? But they don't need to chase me out of Japan like this!"<br />
<br />
Checking the core?<br />
<br />
"Ah......"<br />
<br />
While staring at the surface of the orange juice, I slowly sat down.<br />
<br />
I feel that-- I understand.<br />
<br />
Alice said this before, money laundering through Hello Palace is inefficient, plus, the company defalcated the yakuza's money. Since the money was obtained from unlawful sources, the company must launder the money to pay their debts. What should they do then? Of course, they used Hello Palace for this. The method that was already inefficient was no longer used for Kishiwada-kai, but for the company's own gains; and Kusakabe Masaya who was in charge of coordinating the plan wasn't here-- the money laundering would of course come to a standstill, unable to be used. At least it would look like this from Kishiwada-kai's point of view.<br />
<br />
So what would happen next?<br />
<br />
To these people, the tenants of Hello Palace are like cotton filters that are full of grime after filtration (though this isn't really a good way of saying this). If the government sniffed out the matter and went through investigation, it would be troublesome. And things might happen as Yi Ling-san said, some people might be arrested because of Kusakabe Masaya's incident.<br />
<br />
So, things that don't have any value would be tossed away.<br />
<br />
The unlucky thing is (it's lucky for those people), the tenants of Hello Palace are all foreigners.<br />
<br />
If only they just fire all of them and send them back to their original countries, investigation would be unable to continue.<br />
<br />
Almost all of this is just my assumptions, but if it's really true, things are really bad. Drinking a mouthful of orange juice, it tasted unnaturally bitter.<br />
<br />
"......Hai. Oi, Ming Hai!"<br />
<br />
I was pulled back to reality from my thoughts by Yi Ling-san's voice.<br />
<br />
"Eh? Ah, what is it?"<br />
<br />
"Ming Hai, how old are you now?"<br />
<br />
"...... I'm sixteen this year." Why did she suddenly ask my age?<br />
<br />
"Two more years. I can't wait two more years, and you need your parents' permission. I can't get a visa like this, and we have to live together. I thought that Ming Hai would be okay too......"<br />
<br />
Eh, wait? What is she saying?<br />
<br />
"Ahh- I should've gotten a boyfriend from the start."<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
I parted ways with Yi Ling-san after exiting Mos Burger. Really, which were true? Probably all of them were jokes, right? I shook my head to fling out Yi Ling-san's calculating smile out of my mind, and walked while thinking about the changes surrounding Hello Corporation.<br />
<br />
We must now concentrate on understanding the circumstances surrounding the matter.<br />
<br />
But when I passed through the crossroads of the district office and reached the front of Tobu Restaurant, my thoughts started to come to a standstill, and my footsteps slowed.<br />
<br />
I walked into a convenience store, pushed away an office worker who was taking lunch break and bought a can of coffee, then walked to the public phone in front of the shop to sit down and rest.<br />
<br />
Picking up my phone and flipping open the cover, but then closed it again immediately.<br />
<br />
Thinking about the matter of the young Director called Mikawa talking things out with the yakuza, Tabara-gumi, and the problem of the tenants of Hello Palace being fired and kicked back to their own country.<br />
<br />
This might not be related with this case, and might not be directly related to Kusakabe Masaya as well.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I would just need to send the information to Alice. I should just disregard if it is meaningful information, as she is much cleverer than me.<br />
<br />
But--<br />
<br />
Don't do meaningless flaunting. After saying that to myself for about fifteen times and above, my fingers still could not move. I don't really feel like calling Alice no matter what, but I'd probably get another lecture from her if I tell her any later, something like 'Your slowness is really amazing, I'd say even the speed of Venus rotating would be quicker than you' or something like that. Even so......<br />
<br />
I finally understood that Alice knew that I would take action myself from the start, so I don't really dare to call her. Aside from this, the days when she treat me as an idiot would be better.<br />
<br />
The empty cans beside my feet increased in twos and threes. The shopkeepers stared oddly at me, who just bought only one can of coffee each time.<br />
<br />
As I was about to open my forth can, my phone suddenly blared the ringtone of 'Colorado Bulldog', startling me into throwing away the can accidentally.<br />
<br />
'Narumi, where are you right now?'<br />
<br />
Alice's voice seemed very harried.<br />
<br />
"At a public restaurant, beside Tobu Restaurant. What is it?"<br />
<br />
'Meo left!'<br />
<br />
I immediately stood up, and bumped my head on the public phone.<br />
<br />
"......!"<br />
<br />
'What was that noise?'<br />
<br />
"Nothing...... When did that happen?"<br />
<br />
'About thirty minutes before this, I only noticed when I checked the surveillance camera just now. I only monitored the actions of the underlings of Tabara-gumi, what a mistake that was.'<br />
<br />
The taste of the coffee in my mouth became bitter like charred wood.<br />
<br />
'Her bag disappeared too. Can you think of any place Meo might have gone to?'<br />
<br />
"...... What about her house?"<br />
<br />
'I asked Hiro to go.'<br />
<br />
Places Meo might go to. Meo...... left. Why? Unquestionably, it's to meet her father. Or she would trouble Min-san if she continues to stay there.<br />
<br />
"Did she say anything to Min-san?"<br />
<br />
'She took the chance to run away when Master was in the ramen shop, do you even have to ask? Master would stop her if she knew it from the start.'<br />
<br />
Left without saying a thing. i felt a black, cold substance crawling up from the bottom of my foot, engulfing my throat at that instant. I could not continue to stand, tightly holding the public phone. Why? Why are they the same, leaving without saying anything? Thinking that they're sympathetic towards us but disappeared without a word, don't they know how much harm they did to us? Are they idiots!? What the heck! My anger that can't be vented caused my hands holding the phone to tremble.<br />
<br />
'......mi, Narumi! What's with you!? Can you hear me!?'<br />
<br />
Hearing Alice shout beside my ears, I came back to my senses:<br />
<br />
"...... I'm okay. I'll go search for her."<br />
<br />
But how can I find her?<br />
<br />
I stare at the dark skies, then shifted my attention to the busy streets. Looking for a young girl in the crowd of this city, is as hard as separating teardrops and raindrops that flow into the sea; and Meo doesn't have a phone too.<br />
<br />
I suddenly thought of something at this moment, then turned around to look at the public phone behind me.<br />
<br />
"Alice, did you check Kusakabe Masaya's phone log?"<br />
<br />
Perhaps I was too focused, but my voice was so loud that the couple entering the convenience store had a shock and stared at me.<br />
<br />
'I almost checked all of it-- Ah, I see!'<br />
<br />
The rapid fire sound of someone pounding a keyboard came from the other side of the phone. Alice noticed what I was thinking about in just an instant. Meo chose to leave Hanamaru Ramen Shop because she didn't want to trouble Min-san. To achieve her aim, what would she do? She can't let people see her leave, and can't be noticed by the yakuza monitoring the shop, so she must leave Hanamaru Ramen Shop stealthily. After she succeeded, she must let the people in Tabara-gumi know that she isn't in the ramen shop anymore. The only way that Meo can contact these people is--<br />
<br />
'Stop talking, Narumi! She's at Lowson Supermarket opposite to Quattro Restaurant, understand?'<br />
<br />
I started to run before Alice even finished talking. Passing through the crossroad for pedestrians, I entered the narrow alley beside Parco Supermarket.<br />
<br />
"How long was the last call?"<br />
<br />
'About ten minutes before. Wait, Narumi, don't go there. What if you meet the people from Tabara-gumi?'<br />
<br />
"What's the use of saying things like this, is there even anyone else to help!?"<br />
<br />
'It's quite near to the office of Hirasaka-gumi--'<br />
<br />
I hung up and threw my phone into my pocket. Ten minutes before. Maybe she left the place long before this? Can I still find her?<br />
<br />
Seeing the dark-skinned girl with a Boston bag in her hands standing below the signboard of Lawson Supermarket, I nearly shouted out Meo's name from the other side of the road in excitement. After realizing that she seemed to be waiting for someone at the public phone, I immediately swallowed the words that I was about to shout out back into my stomach.<br />
<br />
I passed through the road and went nearer to Meo, only to see her looking extremely surprised, widening her eyes while tightly hugging her bag in front of her chest.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Assistant, why are you here?"<br />
<br />
I supported both of my hands on my knees with my back bent, trying to adjust my own breathing. As I ran suddenly, my head felt bouts of aches due to lack of oxygen.<br />
<br />
"...... Meo, let's go back."<br />
<br />
Meo shook her head violently with her braids swaying along.<br />
<br />
"No, please leave, Mr. Assistant."<br />
<br />
"You contacted the yakuza, right?"<br />
<br />
Seeing Meo biting her lips without answering, my agitated heartbeat slowed helplessly. Meo plans to hand herself and the two hundred million yen to Tabara-gumi. Is her brain okay? Doesn't she know what would happen if she did that?<br />
<br />
"You'll know if you just think about it, how could they let you and your father who knows all about this go? What are you thinking!? Idiot!"<br />
<br />
"Bu- But......!"<br />
<br />
"Anyways--"<br />
<br />
As I was about to stretch out my hands to pull the strap of the bag, the sound of emergency braking came behind me, then Meo's expression went through a huge change: "Mr. Assistant, please let go!"<br />
<br />
Turning my head around, I saw that the back door of a black van was open, and two men were walking over here from the van. One of them is the leather suit guy!<br />
<br />
"Run!"<br />
<br />
"Eh? Wa- Wait a minute!"<br />
<br />
I snatched the Boston bag from Meo's shoulders and carried it on my shoulders, running away while holding Meo's hands tightly. Harried footsteps and the sound of an engine starting came from behind us. "Both of you, don't move!" ignoring the angry roars behind us, I dragged Meo into a slope in a narrow alley, jumped over a short wall, speedily going across the empty space in front of the entrance of a building.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Assistant...... Do- Don't do this!"<br />
<br />
Shut up and just run! Forcing out the sounds of the footsteps of the two men chasing behind us, my hands holding Meo's tightened. The strap of the Boston bag slided down slightly, and my lungs burned in pain. Anyways, we have to find a way to mix with the crowd, anyw--<br />
<br />
Reaching a narrow road of a back alley after rushing down the slope, a loud horn sounded from the side, giving me a huge fright and stopped without being able to move. The black van from just now blocked our vision. We're surrounded! It was too late when I noticed it, and not waiting for me to turn my head around, the two from before reached our sides.<br />
<br />
"You troublesome fellows......!"<br />
<br />
The leather coat guy said while panting. A chill rose from the bottom of my heart, and it felt as if the parts below my knees disappeared. So it still can't be helped, it can't be helped......<br />
<br />
"Wait, this person isn't involved in this, so......"<br />
<br />
Meo's pleading was blocked by the man's hand. The door of the van opened: "Both of you, get on the car!"The rough voice of another man came from the van. I imagined ramming the stomach of the man on my right, then waving the Boston bag to hit the man on the left, finally running away hurriedly with Meo, but in truth, my hands couldn't even move, as if they were frozen. The man in the van extended his hands to try to snatch the bag from my shoulders, while I reflexively tightened my hold.<br />
<br />
"Blasted kid, let go......!"<br />
<br />
A hot fist punched my abdomen. Not even feeling the pain at first, a sense of wanting to puke started to come from my throat.<br />
<br />
"...... (cough)......(hack)!"<br />
<br />
` The yakuza grabbed myself, who was about to collapse, holding my shoulders and punching my belly again. It felt to me as if the sounds of my bones fracturing spread throughout my brain, and my mouth was filled with a sour taste. My vision turned blurry. What was Meo shouting about, I wonder? While being kicked by the two men beside me on the belly, I thought about Alice, not knowing why myself. Sorry, it's because I didn't listen to you, so I'm getting such treatment right now. I'm just too cowardly. A hand stretched out from the car behind me, trying to drag me inside.<br />
<br />
It was at this moment, there was a loud bang. The whole van moved to a side, and the man who was about to catch hold of me fell to a side. I was also thrown on the road.<br />
<br />
Showing a pained expression because of the pain on my whole body, a blue car was suddenly reflected in my eyes. From goodness knows when, a truck rammed into the back of the van, causing the bumper to become deformed, while the engine gave out white smoke.<br />
<br />
"Wha......!?"<br />
<br />
While the yakuza were still confused, the door of the truck opened quickly, then three men in black T-shirts jumped down from the seat beside the driver's seat and the rear cargo racks, while a man wearing a crimson coat looked out from the driver's seat.<br />
<br />
"Gardening Club kid, get to the back!" Yondaime pointed to the cargo rack with his thumb.<br />
<br />
"-- Damn...... What are you doing......!?"<br />
<br />
Other silhouettes rushed out from the van. Two-- no, three. Angry shouts and fists met. Though they were people from Hirasaka-gumi, who were still quite good at fighting, they were still rather overwhelmed when facing real yakuza, two underlings were collapsed on the asphalt road in just an instant.<br />
<br />
"Don't get so cocky, kid!"<br />
<br />
The yakuza mercilessly kicked the young black shirted men. With my mouth full of blood of despair, I forcibly stood up and caught hold of Meo's hand. Since the yakuza shifted their attention, do we still have a chance to escape?<br />
<br />
"Hurry up and get up!" I was grabbed from the back, and it felt as if someone forced an ice cube down my gut. "Oi, stop playing! We're leaving!"<br />
<br />
A loud shout echoed, abut the members of Hirasaka-gumi were still fighting with the yakuza.<br />
<br />
"-- Get down!"<br />
<br />
A piercing voice echoed through the whole streets. It was Yondaime.<br />
<br />
His hands extended from the truck threw a small, unknown object, and rolled to the side of my leg after drawing an arc in the sky. I saw the men in black T-shirts cover their ears and squat down. Thinking back on that moment, I still feel mystified now that I was able to do the same actions they did that time. Needless to say, I found out about the real identity of the small, cylindrical object very soon.<br />
<br />
Tightly hugging Meo's head beside me and squatting down-- I didn't have enough time to cover my ears. The small object emitted a deafening noise and a piercing light. My mind went blank......<br />
<br />
It was a flash grenade specially made by Major.<br />
<br />
I didn't know how long I lost consciousness for.<br />
<br />
Regaining consciousness because of the sounds of someone being beaten up, a weeping Meo was at my side, while the black shirted men were around us. After swaing around for some time with the others, I realized that I was at the cargo rack at the rear of the truck.<br />
<br />
"Aniki, sorry for being late."<br />
<br />
The underlings apologized to me with their face beaten black and blue. I wanted to answer him, but couldn't say a thing due to my dry mouth and trembling lips. My heartbeats brought about bouts of pain at my wounds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
There was a short bookshelf, a simple bed and a small table placed among some cardboard boxes in the dark study of the office of the gang, while only the monitor of the computer that hadn't been switched off yet is emitting a faint light.<br />
<br />
The greenish white rays of light that shone on Meo, who was tightly hugging the bag to her chest, and made her face seem sickly. I found a bookshelf and sat down, not knowing what to say, so I just silently stared at the programs running on the computer screen. I now felt that Yondaime, who arranged us to have a talk alone, was rather over-sensitive. The pain on my belly due to the kicks from the yakuza just felt like an old wound that hurts occasionally to me right now.<br />
<br />
I have absolutely no need to ask her why she left, as it wouldn't help with anything. Since it's Meo's own body, her own life.<br />
<br />
But--<br />
<br />
"Mr. Assistant, is your wound still okay?"<br />
<br />
"Don't worry so much about that, it's just my own rashness. My own fault."<br />
<br />
Why do I sound so impatient every time I answer her?<br />
<br />
"Are you still angry?"<br />
<br />
Meo looked up slightly while saying. I sighed:<br />
<br />
"Why did you leave?"<br />
<br />
And in the end, she still gave the answer that was already clear to us.<br />
<br />
"...... Because...... if I didn't go, my dad would be killed."<br />
<br />
Sniffs were mixed in between her words.<br />
<br />
"He might be killed even though you went, and you might get tortured too. You should've been more careful."<br />
<br />
I finished saying that while suppressing my emotions with some effort, my tone as flat as flattened clay.<br />
<br />
"But it should be okay after we returned......"<br />
<br />
"They're yakuza."<br />
<br />
I interrupted Meo, while she buried her face in the bag.<br />
<br />
"...... I want to see dad. I don't like this, dad being at a place where I'm not there...... These things, these things......"<br />
<br />
Her words were soon replaced by sounds of crying, but I answered mercilessly:<br />
<br />
"But you don't need to leave even so. Do you know how worried Min-san was!?"<br />
<br />
"But......" Meo raised her eyes swollen with tears: "If I said that I wanted to leave, you guys would definitely stop me."<br />
<br />
"Duh, of course!"<br />
<br />
I got angry unknowingly. Meo's shoulders curled up in fright. Actually, I'm the one who's the most surprised, I didn't think that I would get so angry. Shifting my attention to the dusty floor, I adjusted my own breathing.<br />
<br />
Though I was obviously one of the people who forced Meo into a corner.<br />
<br />
Being angry wouldn't help out with things, I probably have other things that I should tell her. How should I start? Forget it, it doesn't matter even if she doesn't understand. Anyways, I'll feel like shouting at someone if I don't express my feelings accumulated inside of me in words.<br />
<br />
Expressing in words.<br />
<br />
Where should I start?<br />
<br />
After thinking for quite some time, I finally opened my mouth. But it felt as if I wasn't saying that to Meo, but to myself.<br />
<br />
"Have I told you about Ayaka?"<br />
<br />
Meo gazed at my face while answering: "Just the name."<br />
<br />
I couldn't stand Meo's innocent gaze, so I stared at the computer screen while saying.<br />
<br />
"We're classmates...... and she's my friend."<br />
<br />
Is the word 'friend' right? I stopped for a moment, thinking about it.<br />
<br />
"I was a transfer student, and didn't have much friends. Ayaka invited me to join the Gardening Club, and the one who brought me to Hanamaru Ramen Shop was also her. That's why, it's because of Ayaka that I can meet Meo."<br />
<br />
That should be-- a continuous miracle.<br />
<br />
"...... Then where is she now?"<br />
<br />
"Lying on a hospital bed."<br />
<br />
Silence.<br />
<br />
Sounds came from the CPU.<br />
<br />
"She jumped down from the rooftop of our school. Though she didn't die, she wouldn't be able to wake up anymore."<br />
<br />
Until this moment, I started to gaze at Meo's face. Her tightly closed lips, her attentive eyes.<br />
<br />
"Alice once told me the reason for Ayaka jumping down the building, but I don't know if it's true, and these matters are already meaningless anyways. Ayaka just jumped without saying anything, without saying even a word to me. Do you know how I became after that?"<br />
<br />
Meo silently shook her head.<br />
<br />
"I became completely helpless, nobody could help me. I couldn't hate anyone, couldn't be angry at anyone, it's just that there's a large hole in my heart, only the coldness in my heart increased. It was very painful."<br />
<br />
Meo nodded. White rays were reflected on her face, her face reflecting the weak rays of light form the computer screen.<br />
<br />
"That might be easier for the people to go without telling the others. Making a conclusion themselves, just agreeing with your own conclusion. But after we make friends, shouldn't we leave some space in our hearts for our friends? After tidying all the matters, there's a lot of space left. So don't go without saying a word. If there's nobody in the space left over, what should we do then? If the results are like this, it's better if we didn't even meet."<br />
<br />
Halfway through my words, I didn't even know who I was speaking to anymore. The darkness in the study, the Ayaka in my memory, or even my own self, listening to my own words, all of them didn't respond.<br />
<br />
The one who responded was instead Meo.<br />
<br />
"...... Sorry."<br />
<br />
There's nothing simpler than this word. After hearing this, the knots in my heart loosened. If we could simply express these simple words, Ayaka and I might be living a better life right now.<br />
<br />
"But you saying that it's better not to meet, that's probably a lie."<br />
<br />
I smiled wryly in response. It's probably an okay smile, right? The surroundings were too dark, I couldn't differentiate whether Meo was crying or laughing.<br />
<br />
"But since you handed the case to the detective, you should believe in her until the last second. We might be just delaying things right now, but we wouldn't hand Meo to the yakuza no matter what, and we would definitely save your father."<br />
<br />
"Yeah......" And I'm sure that she was crying this time.<br />
<br />
"Of course, choosing to leave is your own decision, we have no right to force you to stay. But if you really want to leave, remember to tell me first."<br />
<br />
Then--<br />
<br />
"And then you'll stop me, right?" There were tears in Meo's eyes.<br />
<br />
The person that felt relieved might not be Meo, but myself.<br />
<br />
I heaved a huge sigh and stood up.<br />
<br />
However, Meo halted me, who was about to walk out of the study.<br />
<br />
"What is it?"<br />
<br />
"...... How did you know where I was so quickly?"<br />
<br />
I originally wanted to say something to comfort her, but I really can't think of anything.<br />
<br />
"Meo's thoughts are really easy to guess."<br />
<br />
Meo showed me a shy smile, stood up and walked to my side, then caught hold of my left hand and raised it. My heart pounded for a moment, my spine touching the door of the room.<br />
<br />
"What...... is it?"<br />
<br />
[[Image:Kamisama no memochou vol02 233.png|thumb|''Meo wrote out a few words on my palm, a complicated shape made of squares and circles.'']]<br />
Meo wrote out a few words on my palm, a complicated shape made of squares and circles. I realized that it was probably Thai.<br />
<br />
"Charunee."<br />
<br />
"What?"<br />
<br />
"It's my real name, only my dad knows about that."<br />
<br />
Meo closed my left hand, then tightly held my hand with both of her hands. Her hands were much warmer than mine.<br />
<br />
"So that Meo would not be caught by demons, please remember my name, okay?"<br />
<br />
Being stared at by the eyes that were wet because of tears just now, I could only feel a hot flow on my face. I shifted my gaze, and nodded.<br />
<br />
Hitting something when I opened the study door, I heard someone saying 'Ouch!'.<br />
<br />
"...... What are you guys doing?"<br />
<br />
About four black shirted lackeys were squeezed outside the door, eavesdropping. As I was about to walk to the office, all of them showed me an embarrassed smile and went back a few steps.<br />
<br />
"Well, it's because aniki is alone with another girl."<br />
<br />
"That's right. If anything happens, we have to report to ane-san."<br />
<br />
Huh?<br />
<br />
"We heard that you've already reached the state when you're sleeping together on the same bed."<br />
<br />
"Second Brother Hiro said that aniki has potential, so it's dangerous like this."<br />
<br />
What in the world are these people talking about!?<br />
<br />
"Erm...... My relationship with Alice isn't what you imagined."<br />
<br />
"What happened?"<br />
<br />
Unable to exit the study, Meo asked behind me, while I turned my head around and waved my hand, telling her that it's okay.<br />
<br />
"What are you guys doing?"<br />
<br />
The steel door opened, and Yondaime walked in with Pole and Rocky. I can finally relax. "I still have something to discuss with Yondaime, so you just wait inside for awhile." I pushed Meo back into the study and closed the door after saying that.<br />
<br />
"Gardening Club kid, finished talking to her?"<br />
<br />
"Finished."<br />
<br />
Yondaime sat on the sofa in the opposite. About ten members of Hirasaka-gumi surrounded us, and it made me feel as if I was at a deep, dark well.<br />
<br />
"I've contacted Hiro, he'll come get you guys immediately."<br />
<br />
"About this,..... Mnn...... I have a request."<br />
<br />
After I said that, Yondaime's gaze sharpened.<br />
<br />
"It's impossible for me to hide the girl for you."<br />
<br />
Whoa...... I was rejected immediately. Am I really such an easy person to read? I feel that I'm living like an open book, it feels really depressing. But this time I continued to plead:<br />
<br />
"Can't you do it?"<br />
<br />
"So what's our relationship with that woman? It's because Alice asked me to save you just now that I let the girl tag along just now. Troublesome people should just scram!"<br />
<br />
His way of talking is really merciless.<br />
<br />
"But you said that you owe me one......"<br />
<br />
"Do you think I have to do anything for you because I owe you? Are you an idiot? Didn't I tell you before, the only people that I will help are my people and the their friends. I might just help you if you were in trouble, but I don't care about that woman. I don't have the obligation to fight things out with Tabara-gumi just to save her."<br />
<br />
I really have nothing to say. As Yondaime is a yakuza, he has a clear boundary between moral principles and his own people.<br />
<br />
I started to think with my fist supporting my forehead. I just need to talk things out, so I have to think of a reasonable reason.<br />
<br />
Seeing us in a silence, the black shirts around us started to get anxious. But since they know that the end result of talking too much is to get beaten up by Yondaime, nobody dared to say anything. These people are related in name in their world, so as the leader, Yondaime's words are extremely powerful.<br />
<br />
...... Ah, that's right.<br />
<br />
Examining all the reasons that I could think of. Is this reason okay? I might get beaten up, but since they're not really yakuza, I could just pretend that we're playing family.<br />
<br />
I crossed my arms in front of my chest, thinking carefully of the words to say.<br />
<br />
"Erm...... Is it okay if it's related to me?"<br />
<br />
"Speak."<br />
<br />
"Please do that...... what is it again......? Undergo the sake ceremony with me."<br />
<br />
Yondaime's brows twitched, while the lackeys around me started to make a commotion.<br />
<br />
"Aniki finally......"<br />
<br />
"It's great."<br />
<br />
"Sou-san, we beg you too--"<br />
<br />
"Stop joking!" Yondaime roared, and the commotion stopped immediately. "I said this before, I will not let a high schooler join us!"<br />
<br />
"I don't want to join your gang." I immediately answered: "It's not that I want to join the gang, but to become sworn brothers. Please do it!"<br />
<br />
A shocked expression appeared on Yondaime's face all of a sudden, then he started grinding his teeth.<br />
<br />
"Then we'll not owe each other anything...... Is that okay?"<br />
<br />
I continued in pursuit. But I could obviously see that as Yondaime's degree of anger rises, I felt rather scared that I said too much.<br />
<br />
"So that's it, becoming sworn brothers."<br />
<br />
"Then we can't call you aniki, but Second Brother(?)."<br />
<br />
"It's easy to confuse it with Second Brother Hiro, aniki, so can we continue to call you aniki?"<br />
<br />
The friendship betweens sworn brothers. Just like this, Yondaime and I would become 'relatives'. Saving my friend-- the reason for saving Meo is thus born.<br />
<br />
As the members of Hirasaka-gumi were dancing in joy because of this, Yondaime stood up, and all of them became silent immediately. The sharp gaze of a wolf stared at me furiously, causing me to be unable to breathe.<br />
<br />
Even so, Yondaime said in an embarrassed tone:<br />
<br />
"Going through the sake ceremony with you would make us even, you'll owe me one when I protect the girl for you, understand?"<br />
<br />
Unable to hide my excitement, I nodded. Thinking back about it calmly, isn't it more terrifying to owe Yondaime one? But I just didn't think of so much at that time. The black shirts cheered.<br />
<br />
"It's great!"<br />
<br />
"Let's go celebrate!"<br />
<br />
"Shut up. It'll be on tomorrow morning, hurry up and prepare!" Yondaime roared.<br />
<br />
"Understood!"<br />
<br />
"I'll go hone my manly aura right away!"<br />
<br />
After that, Yondaime asked the lackeys to do some stuff, then they rushed out of the office. As for me, I leaned against the sofa, staring at my palms. Things can't be turned back anymore, it felt just like that.<br />
<br />
"Gardening Club kid, do you have Kusakabe's phone number?"<br />
<br />
When all the people left the office, Yondaime sat on the sofa and asked.<br />
<br />
"Eh......? Ah, I do."<br />
<br />
I opened my contacts in my phone and handed it to Yondaime, while Yondaime immediately dialled the number using the phone in the office.<br />
<br />
...... Eh? That's not right, wait, what is he trying to do!?<br />
<br />
"-- I'm Hinamura from Hirasaka-gumi. Tell someone who's in charge to answer the phone."<br />
<br />
I don't know if the phone got through, but Yondaime said in a deep voice:<br />
<br />
"Shut up, who are you? Are you from Tabara-gumi? That's right, I'm Hinamura Soichiro. You heard about the matter about the van, right? That's even better, Kusakabe is probably still alive, right? What? Of course it's for our ties of friendship. None of your business! The woman and the cash are on me. Listen closely, look for Hirasaka-gumi directly if you have any problems. Try to do anything to the ramen shop again, and I'll exterminate you!"<br />
<br />
Yondaime hung up the phone and placed it back onto the table.<br />
<br />
He glared at me with ferocious eyes, then said:<br />
<br />
"Are you sure that you can win?"<br />
<br />
I stared at the silent phone on the table, then shook my head.<br />
<br />
"You're the one who raised the stakes, so think of something yourself."<br />
<br />
It's the same words that Min-san said to Meo.<br />
<br />
I really don't know what to do. It was only at times of need when I thought of solutions, not to mention matters of tomorrow. But I could only nod silently at this moment. The person who caused us to be unable to turn back is no longer Meo, but my own self.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
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</noinclude></div>Helllohttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kamisama_no_Memochou:Volume_1_Chapter_3&diff=409553Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 1 Chapter 32015-01-04T21:14:46Z<p>Helllo: /* Chapter 3 */ added "wanted"</p>
<hr />
<div>==Chapter 3==<br />
<br />
During the winter break, I started to show up at Hanamaru Ramen Shop more often, because Ayaka was usually working there. Just staying at home is really boring, anyways.<br />
<br />
At first, Ayaka was surprised every time she saw me.<br />
<br />
“So you can go out even when you have nothing to do?”<br />
<br />
What kind of person does she think I am?<br />
<br />
Hanamaru Ramen Shop was always very free in the winter, there weren’t much customers in the morning. One reason is because it’s the new year period. On the other hand, it’s because there is a chance that the ramen shop is mistaken to be an ice cream shop.<br />
<br />
That day, Hiro, Ayaka and I were tasting Min-san’s special hemp ice cream. As I had been tasting only salty ramen the whole day, my tongue felt much better when it came in contact with the sweet taste of the hemp and vanilla ice cream. The soup that Min-san makes is now much better than what she made before, but tasting them every day is still very painful.<br />
<br />
“Did Toshi contact you after that?”<br />
<br />
Facing Hiro’s inquiries, Ayaka bit her spoon, knitted her brows and shook her head.<br />
<br />
“He didn’t even come home for the new year.”<br />
<br />
Does Ayaka know that Toshi was addicted to drugs? From last year's end until this year, quite a few cases of violence occurred in the streets. I heard that the police couldn’t make head or tails of what the suspects said, as the drug addicts' addiction of the drug made them suffer when they were in custody. I watch the news every morning and night, and the name Shinozaki Toshi could be seen on the television screen each time, as he is missing right now.<br />
<br />
Ayaka said: “ I think my brother is probably at Hakamizaka’s place.”<br />
<br />
“Is that person Toshi’s girlfriend?”<br />
<br />
“No, he’s a guy! I’m not sure, but I think he’s a university student or a researcher.”<br />
<br />
It’s impossible for brother to have a girlfriend! Ayaka said seriously, which was out of character. Although it was pitiful for Toshi to be said that he could not have a girlfriend, but actually I have the same sentiments. Only Hiro gave a contrasting opinion.<br />
<br />
“Really? His weak personality is actually quite suited for being a gigolo. I won’t be surprised even if he’s staying at some girl’s place right now. Actually, I’m more relieved if that's the case.”<br />
<br />
“No doubt that it’ll be more reassuring if things are so…… But it’s impossible! Brother can’t wash his clothes and can’t cook.”<br />
<br />
“Nonono, a gigolo doesn’t need to wash clothes or cook.”<br />
<br />
“Is that so?”<br />
<br />
“Although they’re sometimes misunderstood, the ones that could do housework are ‘househusbands’, not gigolos. Gigolos want women to feel: ‘This guy can’t live on without me!’ so the housework is handled by the women.”<br />
<br />
This guy is completely useless.<br />
<br />
“Wow, I can’t do it if it were me. I would probably feel embarrassed for that and give them a hand, finish the cooking and wait for them to come back or something like that.”<br />
<br />
“That’s right, the job of a gigolo is to bring out the motherly instinct in a woman, a normal person isn’t competent enough to do all that.”<br />
<br />
“That’s so wonderful of you!”<br />
<br />
It’s not wonderful at all, what nonsense is Hiro spouting? He’s an incomparably useless scum! Although I was thinking that to myself, I was lazy to correct them, so I continued to eat my hemp ice cream.<br />
<br />
“Have you ever thought about marriage?”<br />
<br />
“Never!”<br />
<br />
“Why is that?”<br />
<br />
“Actually I have a person that I truly love in my heart, so I can’t marry other women.”<br />
<br />
“But then is it okay for you to live together with them? Don’t you feel that you’re doing something wrong on the girls?”<br />
<br />
“I feel that I’m wronging them as well, but I couldn’t change it, this is my lifestyle.”<br />
<br />
“Go to hell!”<br />
<br />
“That won’t do, Fujishima-kun, you spoke out the things that you are thinking about again.”<br />
<br />
Ah, it’s true, but never mind.<br />
<br />
“Did you guys just mention Hakamizaka?”<br />
<br />
A voice came from behind us. I turned over my head, and saw a person wearing a square, fur hat like those worn by the Alaskan soldiers, and a plump waterproof outer coat used in the army. I only recognized after a while that that person was Major. The goggles-styled sunglasses completely covered up his eyes, making them seem as if they’re a part of his face.<br />
<br />
“Ah! Mukai-san, it’s been a while, happy new year! What would you like to order today?”<br />
<br />
“I’m on duty right now.”<br />
<br />
“What about the Chinese Garlic set?”<br />
<br />
“Hmmm…… Okay then!”<br />
<br />
Why did Major order something so obediently? And also, what is the Chinese Garlic set?<br />
<br />
It was like Major couldn’t handle Ayaka. Among the people that I know, only Ayaka calls Major by his name. Every time when I hear it, I thought to myself: Who is Mukai-san?<br />
<br />
“Finally there’s some work to do! Min-san, one Chinese naengmyeon(Note: a type of noodles), with added garlic!”<br />
<br />
Ayaka stood up and rushed into the kitchen. Eating naengmyeon in this cold weather? Major looked as if he has just swallowed a live toad, and sat down on the gas tank that Ayaka was sitting on just now.<br />
<br />
Hiro asked Major: “Major, did you know the person called Haka-something?”<br />
<br />
“I think there’s a person called Hakamizaka at the research centre of our school.”<br />
<br />
Hiro and I were taken aback and looked at each other. Hiro leaned forward and continued:<br />
<br />
“We’ve heard that Hakamizaka is the person who’s hanging out with Toshi lately.”<br />
<br />
Major pressed his hand against his chin and thought for a while.<br />
<br />
“Do you know him? Then try to make some inquiries!”<br />
<br />
“No, I’ve just heard about his name. He’s really famous! They say that he doesn’t even show up at the research centre, but his PhD thesis went through. But they might just have the same name, right? Why would Toshi hang out with this kind of people?”<br />
<br />
“Haka-something isn’t a name that every Tom, Dick and Harry has! Toshi didn’t contact us much lately.”<br />
<br />
“But I’ve just went to the school once today, do you want me to go again? There’s professors and students everywhere!”<br />
<br />
Of course there’s professors and students in a university! But Major is actually a university student! This point really surprised me.<br />
<br />
“The professors just nag me to death whenever I show up.”<br />
<br />
“Then just leave school earlier!”<br />
<br />
“What are you talking about? For the sake of barely staying in school, I strive to get credits that are barely enough to pass, and then skip classes, maintaining the state of not going to the next level or graduating, waiting for eight years to pass then leave school automatically.”<br />
<br />
“…… Don’t you want to graduate?” I actually asked him that.<br />
<br />
“Am I still considered a NEET if I graduate normally from university? Don’t you know what the second E in NEET means?” Seeing you screaming blue murder about things like this, I’m having a headache too.<br />
<br />
“Major goes to university for the sake of searching for information.”<br />
<br />
“That’s because history books and military information is not cheap! Letting the school library buy it is the best plan. I just ask the library to buy books for me before I leave school, until the whole room is filled with the books that I want to read, and then the room would be called the Major room.”<br />
<br />
Just buy it yourself if you want to read it! What a troublesome student.<br />
<br />
“That’s right, let me tell you, the books that are in this time are about battle submarines that can emit signals!”<br />
<br />
“Oh yeah, Major, didn’t you go to school because of Alice’s request?”<br />
<br />
Major opened the bag and turned it upside down, and the papers inside fell out onto the crate that we used as a table.<br />
<br />
“You guys want to see the photocopied information, huh? You’re holding that upside down.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t understand this.”<br />
<br />
“I, myself, don’t understand it as well.”<br />
<br />
I went over to look at the papers that Hiro was holding, the color photocopied paper had a tall, red flower on it, and words were closely packed around the plant.<br />
<br />
“You know that drugs are running rampant in the streets right now, right? This is what Yondaime requested Alice to investigate. I’ve heard that it isn’t anything good. Toshi wouldn’t be taking these, would he……”<br />
<br />
I was taken aback, and thought of the pink pills that were used to block the twinkling lights of the Christmas decorations, which had wings of angels and two English letters on it. After taking the pills, he claimed that it was a legal medication that could make things ‘look as if they’re not moving’. What was its name again? What was it called? It was at the tip of my tongue, but I still couldn’t remember it.<br />
<br />
“Ah, that is……”<br />
<br />
“Mukai-san, sorry for the wait.”<br />
<br />
Ayaka served Major his naengmyeon, interrupting my words. I swallowed back what I was about to say, because I didn’t want Ayaka to hear it. Hiro showed a confused expression and tilted his head. I hastily shook my head.<br />
<br />
“What is it?” Ayaka came over to look, and I speedily snatched the paper from Hiro’s hands and turned it over.<br />
<br />
“That’s so bad of you! What are you hiding, Fujishima-kun?”<br />
<br />
“Nothing! Nothing at all.”<br />
<br />
At this moment, a customer finally appeared in the shop. Ayaka hurriedly put on her apron and went to serve him, allowing me to heave a sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
“What is it? What’s with you, Narumi?”<br />
<br />
Just as I was about to answer, the blaring ringtone of ‘COLORADOBULLDOG’ rang in the shop. Major’s skinny body jumped almost a meter high, while Hiro hurriedly took out his phone, but Major was faster.<br />
<br />
“I know that you’re here, so don’t talk rubbish with the others downstairs. Hurry up and get here! It’s urgent! And Hiro, hurry up and dive the car to the front, quick!”<br />
<br />
Even I could hear Alice’s voice at the other side of the phone clearly, showing how painful Major’s ears are right now. As Major was about to answer her, she hung up.<br />
<br />
“Alice is also in a bad mood today, huh?” Hiro raised his head and looked at the worn-out building behind him.<br />
<br />
“Don’t you know? Every twenty nine days, Alice would get into a mentally unstable state for five days, this is the result of my detailed investigation so it can’t be wrong. As for the reason, I’m still not sure of that.”<br />
<br />
Isn’t the reason obviously because of the girls’ period? But seeing Major triumphantly speaking of all that to Hiro, I couldn’t tell that to them.<br />
<br />
“Every twenty nine days, so today is the second day.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll go drive the car over here. What would be the matter, I wonder?”<br />
<br />
Hiro left, leaving a silent Major. I tilted my head. Alice isn’t that scary, is she? She seemed like she’s in a bad mood everyday, anyways! After I said that, and was fiercely glared at by Major, whose eyes were hidden beneath the goggles.<br />
<br />
Finally, Major said seriously:<br />
<br />
“Do you know vice-admiral Jisaburo Ozawa? He’s the last Commander in Chief of Combined Fleet of the Japanese Navies.”<br />
<br />
“Never heard of him.”<br />
<br />
“Then don’t you know about the naval battle that occurred during the Second World War at Leyte Gulf, Phillipines? It is considered to be the largest naval battle in the world, and Vice-Admiral Ozawa used his team as bait to lure the enemy away , and successfully shifted the attention of the American forces away from Leyte.”<br />
<br />
“Ah?”<br />
<br />
“So we’re counting on you, Vice-Admiral Fujishima.” Who’s the vice-admiral? “Let’s meet at the Yakusuni Shrine!”<br />
<br />
“Refused!”<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
In the end, I went with Major. As soon as I stepped into Alice’s room, I saw her curled in her blanket, looking as though she was going to cry.<br />
<br />
“Mocha Bear’s ear has fallen off!”<br />
<br />
A huge, tea-colored teddy bear was placed at the front of the bed. No matter how you look at it, it was larger than Alice, but that might be because she’s too petite. As Alice said, the thread holding together the bear’s right ear has burst, exposing the cotton that was hidden in the seams.<br />
<br />
“Careful! Carefully place it into the box! Stuff it full of towels! Narumi, don’t touch the wound! What if you enlarge the wound!”<br />
<br />
Following Alice’s directions that were full of yelling and crying, Major and I placed the hurt plushie into a big cardboard box stuffed full of rolled up towels in the seams of the box. The huge, wrapped up box is indeed a thing that couldn’t be handled by just a person.<br />
<br />
Major asked: “So it’ll be okay if we just bring this to Yondaime’s?”<br />
<br />
“Tell him to fix it by tonight, this concerns my life!”<br />
<br />
Alice said with tears in her eyes. Why would they hand it to Yondaime? How does this concern her life? Questions swirled around in my mind, but the atmosphere does not allow me to ask them.<br />
<br />
“And here’s the information that you asked me to find.”<br />
<br />
Alice took the transparent file from Major, read it as fast as if she’s reading manga, then extracted a portion of the photocopied papers and threw it at me.<br />
<br />
“What are you spacing out for? Don’t you know what to do with this if I didn’t tell you to hand this to Yondaime as well?”<br />
<br />
Major and I fled the room with the box containing Alice’s precious bear.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
Hiro’s car was a dark blue, high classed imported car, and doesn’t seem to be something that could be owned by a nineteen year old guy.<br />
<br />
“It’s because I’m the only one that has a car, although I didn’t buy it myself.”<br />
<br />
He explained that it was a gift from his girlfriend, and it was from his ex-ex-ex-girlfriend. This guy would probably get a knife in his chest by a woman one day.<br />
<br />
“But driving there is a suicidal action……” I looked at the other side of the railway, which had grand lights lighting up the night skies. There were three roads at the south side of the station, and there were always traffic jams there.<br />
<br />
“Speaking of which, just bringing this box over there with this car also counts as a suicidal action, doesn’t it?”<br />
<br />
I lowered my head and looked at the large box containing the plushie. Hiro had a point. Actually, we could just tie the box at the back of a motorbike and send it there, but Major said that he needed to go back to his school for awhile, and rode the motorbike away. It seemed like he wanted to investigate this Hakamizaka guy.<br />
<br />
We stuffed the box into the backseat, used the safety belt to keep it still and went back to the front seat.<br />
<br />
“Is that bear really that important?”<br />
<br />
“Alice can’t sleep without it at night.”<br />
<br />
“Ah?” Things got that bad, just because of that? “But why are we taking it to Yondaime?”<br />
<br />
“Ah— about Yondaime, he looks fierce and all, but he has an interest in arts and crafts. He helped Alice to fix the plushie once before, and his skill is top notch. That was also the first time for me to see Yondaime sewing.”<br />
<br />
“Who……”<br />
<br />
The car soundlessly drove on the streets. The night view has become a river formed by streetlights.<br />
<br />
“Who on Earth is that guy?”<br />
<br />
“Have you ever heard of the Hirasaka-gumi?"<br />
<br />
I do have a faint impression of the name, as it would come up between conversations in school.<br />
<br />
“Are they a motorcycle gang?”<br />
<br />
“Nono, they’re not a motorcycle gang. They’re just a gang formed from a bunch of kids who likes to fight or to follow the crowd in this district, a self-proclaimed yakuza gang. Yondaime is their leader.”<br />
<br />
Hiro said in a casual manner. But even I, who just moved here, know of the existence of the Hirasaka-gumi, so shouldn’t they be quite a large organization?<br />
<br />
“Is it because Yondaime is the forth generation of the organization that he is called Yondaime?”<br />
<br />
“No, he’s the first leader of the Hirasaka-gumi. He founded Hirasaka-gumi, and so the only person who could control their members is him.”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Then why is he called Yondaime?”<br />
<br />
“Because he is the forth generation in his hometown, Kansai. It seemed that he ran away from home, and that place is where the true yakuza truly lies."<br />
<br />
Whoa, really? Then why didn’t he just stay home and be their forth generation leader?<br />
<br />
“He’ll get angry whenever someone calls him Yondaime, but Alice felt amused about that so she deliberately called him Yondaime. That ended up being his nickname between us.”<br />
<br />
“You guys really went too far……”<br />
<br />
I muttered to myself, and Hiro laughed while patting at the gear he was holding.<br />
<br />
“He’s even worse than us! But nobody can beat her, no matter it is Yondaime or us, understand?” <br />
<br />
I thought of the snow white skin that was like a Japanese doll, large eyes and long hair as black as molasses. I get what Hiro meant, as I couldn’t win against her.<br />
<br />
“But you should refrain from mentioning this to other people, because Yondaime will kill you. Hirasaka-gumi is a self-proclaimed chivalrous organization, and are very adamant, so they won’t forgive those who misuse drugs.”<br />
<br />
I remembered something.<br />
<br />
“Hiro, do you remember what the drug is called?”<br />
<br />
“Nope…… Ah, I’ve forgotten, it should be written on the information gathered by Major, shouldn’t it?”<br />
<br />
I skimmed through the papers that we were supposed to give to Yondaime. The rather complicated chemical equations and content written in professional terms made my head spin. Repeating the same action, excitement, overly-alert, insomnia, rising blood pressure, sharp ears, slack pupils…… The side-effects of the drug were densely packed on the paper, telling people how dangerous it is to consume it, the name of the drug, which was the most important to me, was not written on it.<br />
<br />
I hope that it's just my groundless fears.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
The office of Hirasaka-gumi was situated at a somewhat dirty building, after driving on the slope that was at the left side of the main street in front of the station. The building was just beside the fork on the slope.<br />
<br />
We parked the car at the parking lot and took out the box. We went on the cramped elevator that was making a noise like the painful panting of old men, up till the forth floor. As soon as we walked out of the elevator, we could see the long, straight signboard hung beside the metal door, and the words ‘Hirasaka-gumi” was solemnly written on it. A swallowtail butterfly-shaped logo of the gang was drawn in a round, black frame…… Wait, it shouldn’t be the logo of their gang, but the emblem of their organization. I was really freaked out, they aren’t really yakuzas, are they? But without even using the doorbell, Hiro straightaway opened the door and went in.<br />
<br />
The door in the room was somewhat smaller than the doors in a classroom, and looked even smaller because of the cupboards arranged by the wall, the sofa at the center of the room and the tables. Four or five guys wearing black T-shirts were originally sitting down, but suddenly stood up at the same time.<br />
<br />
“Second brother(Note: not sure about this), thanks for your hard work!”<br />
<br />
“Thanks for your hard work!”<br />
<br />
They saluted Hiro. I couldn’t help but take a step back, nearly dropping the box in the process. What is with this situation? Second brother?<br />
<br />
The people wearing black T-shirts were quite young, at most they’re at the age when they’ve just graduated from high school. They had skin that was dyed into a dark color, bleached hair and had piercings in their ears. They looked just like ordinary young people who would gather at the streets of the street center every night. The only thing different with them is that there was an emblem printed on top of their T-shirts.<br />
<br />
Hiro answered: “ Don’t call me that! I’ve said that loads of times, don’t call me second brother.”<br />
<br />
“But you and Sou-san are just like brothers. Here, let me help you to take your stuff.”<br />
<br />
While saying that, Yondaime’s bodyguard – Rocky placed the box onto the ground.<br />
<br />
“Well, forget about it, I’ve dated quite a lot of girls before, so in some way, I’m a brother to Yondaime.” How does that count as being his brother?<br />
<br />
“Hiro, you really don't want to live anymore, do you?”<br />
<br />
Yondaime opened the door to the right and walked out. That day, he was wearing a purple vest, and you can see a tattoo of their emblem on his right shoulder.<br />
<br />
“Aren’t you here to hand me an investigation report? What’s with this large box? It isn’t stuffed full of reports, is it?” Yondaime sat down on the chair behind the table and said lazily. Hiro shook his head and tore away the tape on the box.<br />
<br />
“Nono, this is Alice’s request. Her doll’s ear dropped off and she wanted someone to fix it.”<br />
<br />
Hearing Hiro’s words, Yondaime almost jumped up a few feet, just like a spring. He jumped over the table and leaped in front of me in a flash, pressed down the box that was about to be opened, and glared ferociously at Hiro.<br />
<br />
“Don’t you know that? You can’t speak of that thing here!”<br />
<br />
“Sou-san, what’s in the box?”<br />
<br />
“Nothing! Carry the box to my car, and don’t look inside. If you look, I’ll beat you up until you forget about it!”<br />
<br />
Yondaime’s imposing manner was just like a hurricane, and he threw the car keys to another man. “Yes, sir! I’ll go hone my manliness right away!” He picked up the keys and saluted. How could you even hone your manliness while moving a cardboard box anyway?<br />
<br />
“This is ane-san’s stuff, so we should move it carefully.”<br />
<br />
Ane-san would be Alice, right? Did they watch too many strange movies or something? The box was taken out by two guys wearing black T-shirts. Did we just do some meaningless labor? I raised my head and looked at Hiro. He was laughing sneakily. Oh~ So he deliberately moved it here to annoy Yondaime…… He told me not to tell anyone, but he himself wanted to tease Yondaime.<br />
<br />
“You’ll have to fix it by tonight.”<br />
<br />
“I know! I’ll send it there after I fix it.”<br />
<br />
Anyhow, he’s still a yakuza boss, but he would actually spend the night fixing a doll for a pajamas-clad hikkikomori? It’s such a mystery, what the heck is with this situation? I looked at the people in the room, thinking that they would probably be very surprised if they know that, huh?<br />
<br />
“Do you know it too? Hiro told you about that, didn’t he?”<br />
<br />
Yondaime grabbed my shirt by the collar.<br />
<br />
“Know what?”<br />
<br />
“Know that thing! That!” At this moment, I suddenly felt like teasing him.<br />
<br />
“Eh? Which matter do you mean by that?” “Don’t you know it? It’s my…… that!” “You keep mentioning that, but how would I know what’s that when you don’t say it clearly?” “Don’t play the fool! Idiot, how could I possibly say it out myself!” “Eh? But I’m not sure, so why don’t you just tell me the possible answers?” “Narumi, I know that you’re very amused right now, but Yondaime would be very distressed if you don’t stop talking!” “I’ll be the one distressed if I stop talking!” “Here’s the investigation report.”<br />
<br />
Hiro handed Yondaime the transparent file, as though nothing happened just now. Yondaime tossed me to the floor and snatched the folder. “Hey! Get me the folder from the hospital.” Yondaime commanded. A man wearing a black T-shirt walked into the room and handed us a sea blue folder.<br />
<br />
Returning to the other side of the table, Yondaime looked at the two folders with a serious expression on his face. Hiro went closer to have a look and asked:<br />
<br />
“What’s this?”<br />
<br />
“It’s the symptoms for the people who were hospitalized this month or so for taking drugs, we’re investigating that as well.”<br />
<br />
“That’s quite patient of you…… Oh yeah, you could just compare it with Alice’s information.”<br />
<br />
“Right…… Hmm, this guy is……” Yondaime’s finger moved along the information of the drug effects, and then pointed at the papers in the sea blue folder. “…… We guessed correctly. The effects of the drug is too long to be MDMA, while stimulants can’t be taken directly, and the patient is young too.”<br />
<br />
“Is it Fix?”<br />
<br />
Rocky the bodyguard asked while peeking at the side.<br />
<br />
“We won’t know if we don’t ask. He’s at N Hospital, so let’s go!”<br />
<br />
Yondaime’s words caused all of the black-shirts to stand up and put on jackets. It felt as though the atmosphere in the room changed completely like a light was suddenly turned on.<br />
<br />
…… Fix?<br />
<br />
The memory of that moment finally surfaced, the carving of the letters A.F at the bottom of an angel’s wings. Toshi have said that, angels would not have preferential treatment on humans.<br />
<br />
“…… Angel Fix?”<br />
<br />
Because of my mutterings, Yondaime fiercely turned around, scaring me until I couldn’t even straighten my back.<br />
<br />
“Why do you know of Angel Fix?”<br />
<br />
“Eh….. That, that’s because……” <br />
<br />
Yondaime took hold of my collar, and Hiro answered for me with his face green:<br />
<br />
“That day I was with Toshi…… That guy……”<br />
<br />
“Hey, so the things that Toshi was holding on to were pills? Round ones, you sure?”<br />
<br />
Yondaime tightly held my collar, and pulled it until it almost couldn’t rise up higher. Being caught, I nodded fervently. Hiro took hold of Yondaime’s hand, trying to pull him away from me.<br />
<br />
“Stop that! Do you want to kill him? What’s with the pills?”<br />
<br />
Yondaime tossed me to the sofa, and I could only cough violently while keeping a hand on the floor for support. Yondaime’s voice sounded from above me.<br />
<br />
“Didn’t Alice tell you anything? The way of selling Angel Fix was very special, and didn’t have any fixed way of selling them. The people who bought them crushed them into powder, and then sold them to other people that they know. It was like they didn’t even want to earn money, so we couldn’t find the source of the drug. The only thing that we are sure of is, the source of the drug is a person with the round pills.”<br />
<br />
Yondaime stopped talking for a moment and looked at me.<br />
<br />
“Is Toshi the person who directly bought the pills, or is he the person who’s selling them?”<br />
<br />
Putting on the white coat that his lackeys handed him, Yondaime swiftly sent orders using a phone. Some of them went to the hospital while some of them went to search for Toshi. Yondaime and some of his lackeys stayed at the office while the others hastily walked out of it.<br />
<br />
“Just go home, Narumi!”<br />
<br />
Hiro pulled at the collar of my sports jacket, and only then did I woke up from my stupor.<br />
<br />
“You guys aren’t looking for….. Toshi, are you?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t even know where he is.”<br />
<br />
“But……”<br />
<br />
If I have noticed earlier……<br />
<br />
“What are you dawdling there for? Hurry up and go home, don’t get in our way.”<br />
<br />
Yondaime’s tone was harsh, so Hiro could only drag me out by the arms, but my legs didn’t move. Shouldn’t there be something that I can help with? Although I’m not really clear about Toshi’s problem, but the person who spoke to him last before he disappeared was me. There should be something that I can help with.<br />
<br />
“There’s nothing that needs your help. Hurry up and scram. There’s already someone dead because of the drug.”<br />
<br />
Yondaime answered sternly.<br />
<br />
“But……”<br />
<br />
It’s all my fault, if I caught hold of Toshi properly, all of this would be okay. If only I remembered the name of the drug earlier and discussed it with someone……<br />
<br />
“Narumi……”<br />
<br />
It looked as if Hiro, who was at my back, was going to say something, but was halted by Yondaime’s raised hand. I felt like I was going to be bitten to death by him, so I could only shut my mouth and lowered my head. The sound of the lackey’s footsteps disappeared from the door. I secretly raised my head again.<br />
<br />
Yondaime was originally standing at the other side of the sofa, but his wolfish eyes suddenly appeared again before me. I suffered a heavy punch in the stomach, and could not help but to bend my back, saliva dripping out of my open jaw. Yondaime used the hand that he just punched me with to support me and harshly hurled me back to the sofa.<br />
<br />
“If that was a knife, you’re already dead. Don’t be so cocky, kid. A normal person will only get in our way if they get hurt when taking part in an investigation, so you’d better get lost!”<br />
<br />
After Yondaime walked out of the room, I leant against Hiro’s shoulders and stood up again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
The sun had already set by the time we returned to the ramen shop It was as though we could touch the cold air that was accumulated between the buildings. Only the surroundings of the curtains of ‘Hanamaru Ramen Shop’, which had streetlights shining on it, had some warmth there. I dumbfounded for a moment while looking at the lights.<br />
<br />
Walking to the back door of the kitchen, the silhouette that was sitting on a pile of old tires was Tetsu-senpai, wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Holding a bowl, senpai turned around, and there were only the sounds of him eating ramen in the darkness.<br />
<br />
“Where’s Hiro?”<br />
<br />
“He’s parking his car.”<br />
<br />
I sat down on the worn out tires, and stopped talking. Senpai finished the salt flavored ramen together with the soup, then took out a crumpled up pachinko magazine from his back.<br />
<br />
Isn’t he going to ask about Toshi? Or did he already know but doesn’t care? Am I the only one who’s like an idiot that thinks that I’m involved in this matter?<br />
<br />
“What is it?”<br />
<br />
I don’t know if he just noticed my gaze, but Tetsu-senpai shifted his attention from the magazine to me.<br />
<br />
“Do you already know about Toshi?”<br />
<br />
“Yondaime called just now. Toshi is such an idiot.”<br />
<br />
“You guys were…… friends, right?”<br />
<br />
“We’re friends now, too, as long as he is willing to come.” Tetsu-senpai laughed after saying that.<br />
<br />
Then, aren’t you worried of him?<br />
<br />
The smile disappeared from senpai’s face, as though he noticed what I wanted to say.<br />
<br />
“That guy didn’t come seek for our help, did he? We don’t even know where he is, so we could only stay out of this matter.”<br />
<br />
But, I had this feeling – he might have sunk into a seriously helpless state, and that it’d be best if someone could hear his soundless voice. But at least I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t do anything.<br />
<br />
“My eyes exist for the purpose of taking note of the number 7s that lie side by side, while looking for a kid that’s addicted to drugs is Yondaime’s job.”<br />
<br />
After saying all that, he sank into his pachinko magazine again.<br />
<br />
Was this guy really a boxer……?<br />
<br />
I suddenly stood up, and went closer to Tetsu-senpai. Almost at the same moment that he raised his head from his magazine, I threw a punch at senpai’s stomach, and uttered a late sound. My fist was blocked by Tetsu-senpai’s large left hand.<br />
<br />
“What are you doing?”<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai didn’t sound angry at all. I shaked my head and squatted down.<br />
<br />
“…… Tetsu-senpai, please teach me boxing.”<br />
<br />
“Why do you want to learn how to box all for a sudden?”<br />
<br />
“No particular reason.”<br />
<br />
I know that I’m just a feeble kid, but I still feel depressed when I know this fact clearly. It can’t be helped, I couldn’t do anything in reality.<br />
<br />
That’s right, I should tell Ayaka about what happened to Toshi. But how should I tell her that? While thinking, I looked for Ayaka from the kitchen to outside the shop, but I couldn’t see her anywhere.<br />
<br />
“Min-san, where’s Ayaka?”<br />
<br />
I poked my head into the kitchen backdoor and asked. Min-san answered without getting her eyes off her pot on the flames:<br />
<br />
“She went home early just now. She looked like she’s very ill, did something happen to her?”<br />
<br />
Went home early?<br />
<br />
I looked at Tetsu-senpai’s face.<br />
<br />
“She’s not here when I came.”<br />
<br />
It couldn’t be because she already knew about Toshi taking drugs? It’s impossible. Then what could be the matter? Or did she eat the leftover hemp ice cream alone, and then had a stomachache?<br />
<br />
I leant my back against the gas tank and squatted down. My mood right now was as though I’ve walking around the wrong place and then going to a dead end, then repeating the same situation again.<br />
<br />
I lowered my head, and the phone in my pocket started to quiver.<br />
<br />
“I’ve heard from Yondaime. But let’s not talk about how you forgot about such important information first. Where’s Ayaka? I couldn’t get to her phone.”<br />
<br />
Am I imagining things? Alice’s voice sounded extremely cold.<br />
<br />
“…… It looks like she went home early because she felt ill.”<br />
<br />
“Went home early, huh? This is bad, she’s the only clue for contacting Toshi. The third semester starts tomorrow, right? If you see her in school tomorrow, tell her to call me immediately. Although I don’t really think the siblings are in contact……”<br />
<br />
At that moment, I recalled the night that Toshi called Ayaka. He said that he was calling from Hakamizaka’s phone.<br />
<br />
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ve really had enough of your dim-wittedness, I really don’t know what to compare your brain to. Comparing to the speed that your brain processes, the speed that stalactites grow at could be considered quicker.”<br />
<br />
Being cruelly chided, my whole body almost curled into a ball.<br />
<br />
“When was that last call? Try to think of an exact time.”<br />
<br />
“It should be…… Before seven. Why are you asking me about the time?”<br />
<br />
“I could find out who they are just by checking the phone log. Since we can’t get to Toshi’s phone, we would have a breakthrough if we could just find out Hakamizaka’s way of contact.”<br />
<br />
Checking the phone log? But how?<br />
<br />
“But Ayaka said that there’s no number displayed.”<br />
<br />
“So what? It’s just not displayed on Ayaka’s phone, but there would still be a record at the telecommunication center!”<br />
<br />
How can you check such a thing? Isn’t that a crime?<br />
<br />
“Aren’t you somewhat looking down on NEET detectives?<br />
<br />
Alice hung up.<br />
<br />
I stared at my cold phone for awhile. Which reminds me, I think she said that she’s a hacker or something like that. She could investigate my file even with Dr. Pepper in one hand, and humming a song through her nose, right? But shouldn’t it be impossible for her to investigate the records of the telecommunication center?<br />
<br />
It’s useless if I worry. The only thing that I could do is to tell Ayaka about Toshi’s problem, at least telling her this is my duty. But how should I say it? Your brother is currently addicted to drugs so don’t go near to him, could I tell her something like this?<br />
<br />
I don’t know. I don’t have the confidence to tell her about this.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
On the day of the opening ceremony, Ayaka didn’t go to school. I was worried that she had a bad flu, but she didn’t answer the phone when I called. It couldn’t be helped. I could only take care of the garden and the plants alone, while ignoring the greenhouse.<br />
<br />
Ayaka didn’t go to school the next day too. Looking for her at the ramen shop, she wasn’t there too.<br />
<br />
“She doesn’t seem like a person who would be absent for no reason.” Min-san knitted her brows. As she was extremely busy serving and washing the dishes, I gave her a hand in washing up the dishes.<br />
<br />
The day when I finally saw Ayaka was the fifth day of the new semester, a Friday. I immediately went to the rooftop after school, and saw a familiar silhouette. With a black armband on her left arm, Ayaka was watering the plants. I was taken aback when I saw Ayaka, who turned her head over. Obviously nothing changed for her, but she looked like someone else for a moment.<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry for being absent without a reason.”<br />
<br />
“Did you get flu?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s probably just flu.”<br />
<br />
She gave me a faint smile, one that even I knew that it was fake.<br />
<br />
“It seemed like you did the club activities properly when I’m not here.”<br />
<br />
“I’m a club member, after all!”<br />
<br />
“Thank you, Fujishima-kun.” Ayaka showed me a transparent smile that made people feel helpless. “But if you would put on the armband, I would be even happier.”<br />
<br />
“No, that’s too embarrassing. Hey! Stop that!”<br />
<br />
Ayaka took off her own armband and started to attack me, trying to put it on my left hand.<br />
<br />
“You must wear it the whole day, that’s an order from the club president.”<br />
<br />
Ayaka looked really happy that day. She taught me a lot of things, like how to prune, pick seeds, types of fertilizers and floriography, until I almost couldn’t remember them all. Seeing Ayaka like that, I couldn’t help but have an urge to ask her for a few times: “Did something happen to you?” I originally wanted to tell Ayaka about Toshi, but didn’t do so as I didn’t know how to tell that to her.<br />
<br />
Finally, it was already sunset. The clock on the school building opposite to this building said that it was four forty-five. We sat side by side on the railings and looked at the evening sky.<br />
<br />
“Do you have any siblings?”<br />
<br />
Ayaka asked.<br />
<br />
“A sister.”<br />
<br />
“Really? How’s your relationship with her?”<br />
<br />
“Not really good. Recently I kept going home late, so I kept getting scolded. But sister would always make dinner for me, so its still okay, I guess?”<br />
<br />
“Your sister is the only one cooking? What about your parents?”<br />
<br />
“My father is only home for about five days in a year, while my mother’s already dead.”<br />
<br />
“Ah – sorry.”<br />
<br />
“Why is it that whenever I answer that my mom is dead, everyone apologizes to me?” I said. “Why? I’m not even angry. Or is it only normal being angry now?”<br />
<br />
“Hmmm…… Hmm?” Ayaka’s eyes wandered. “I don’t think you need to force yourself to get angry.”<br />
<br />
“Really? I don’t know what they mean by normal.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t need to feel that you have some kind of handicap!”<br />
<br />
“That’s because your words made me feel handicapped.”<br />
<br />
Ayaka laughed dryly.<br />
<br />
“That’s just a lie. As I don’t really know how talk to the others, actually I only wanted to talk to you.”<br />
<br />
I felt Ayaka’s gaze on my face, but I couldn’t turn my face over.<br />
<br />
“I didn’t go to school when I was in middle school, but just studied at home. After I went to high school, I just feel that…… feel that I should start over. Until about May or so, I passed my time at the rooftop during recess and after school. After that, I tried to chat with the others and avoid coming to the rooftop. But I still felt very lonely in my heart, and could only feel happy when I’m gardening.<br />
<br />
Ayaka raised her head to look at the setting sun.<br />
<br />
“One day, I came back to the rooftop because of despair, but I found that you were here.”<br />
<br />
When did that happen, I wonder? Much earlier than when I noticed Ayaka, she had already knew who I was.<br />
<br />
“That time I wanted to look for you and have a talk, but I didn’t have a chance. So I moved a few plants to the rooftop and pretended to stay at the rooftop because of club activities.”<br />
<br />
I almost couldn’t breathe at this moment.<br />
<br />
“I’m probably clumsier than you. Although you might not feel it, I’m really thankful to you. So, when spring comes –”<br />
<br />
Ayaka stopped and gazed at the soil full of weeds.<br />
<br />
When spring comes?<br />
<br />
What on Earth was the matter? Ayaka’s really strange today. Saying all these things that make people feel uncomfortable, something DID happen, right? I must ask her about this.<br />
<br />
But as I was about to speak, there was a sound that indicated that someone was opening the door to the rooftop.<br />
<br />
A person wearing a pale green coat and unforgettably long hear appeared at the door. It was the consultant teacher for the Gardening Club – Sayuri-sensei (because everyone calls her by her name, I don’t know what teacher’s surname is) .<br />
<br />
“Ah, both of you are here.”<br />
<br />
Wearing high-heeled shoes, Sayuri-sensei ran unsteadily while waving at us.<br />
<br />
“Shinozaki, did you take leave because of flu?”<br />
<br />
“I’m okay already.”<br />
<br />
Ayaka showed a nervous smile while saying.<br />
<br />
“Really? Then that’s great. That’s right, you should clear the plants at the rooftop.”<br />
<br />
Ayaka frowned and said: “Is there going to be any activities there?”<br />
<br />
“The group photo for the graduation yearbook. I’ve heard that we would assemble at the rooftop, and the photo would be taken from above on a helicopter.”<br />
<br />
Sayuri-sensei looked around the rooftop.<br />
<br />
“But there’s so much weeds here, we can’t just have you to clearing them.”<br />
<br />
As sensei have said, the weeds occupied the whole rooftop just by growing in the cracks in the floor.<br />
<br />
She took out a tape measure and started to measure the size of the rooftop. There are about two hundred people or so graduating from our school (it’s actually rare for a school in this district to have so many people graduating). Would the rooftop be enough for that many people?<br />
<br />
“That’s right, it’s already the season for graduation. Time really flies.”<br />
<br />
After Sayuri-sensei left, Ayaka said in a lonely tone:<br />
<br />
“But there’s no problem if Fujishima-kun is here. We’re going to recruit a lot of new members next year!”<br />
<br />
Ayaka looked at the black armband on my arm, and I nodded silently.<br />
<br />
Until much later, I still remembered what Ayaka said that time – what did that mean?<br />
<br />
Does she mean that she’s okay if she’s with me?<br />
<br />
Or – does she mean that it okay if it’s just me?<br />
<br />
“So, Fujishima-kun……”<br />
<br />
Ayaka hesitated, staring at my face. That was the first time, and the last time, that Ayaka hesitated when speaking to me. That was obviously an unusual situation, why didn’t I notice it? Why?<br />
<br />
But Ayaka gave me, who was confused, a smile and shook her head.<br />
<br />
“Sorry, there’s nothing.”<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
The club activities ended for that day. After that, we went to the ramen shop together. Ayaka was harshly scolded by Min-san for being absent without a reason, so she broke a pile of bowls due to being overactive.<br />
<br />
When I was trying the abnormally bitter mocha ice cream, Tetsu-senpai, Major and Hiro appeared, which was quite early for them.<br />
<br />
Hiro said: “We visited the hospital just now.”<br />
<br />
“Visited the hospital?”<br />
<br />
“One of the kids in Yondaime’s organization got stabbed. He found the source of the drug, but that guy had a knife and he started to crave for his drug.”<br />
<br />
“Then……”<br />
<br />
“Anyhow it’s fine if he’s okay. He was my kouhai, too.”<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai sat on the ladder and sighed.<br />
<br />
“Now Hirasaka-gumi is murderously searching in the streets, so if Toshi is also a drug dealer……”<br />
<br />
Senpai sneaked a peek at Ayaka who was in the kitchen, lowered his volume and said:<br />
<br />
“He’ll probably get caught soon.”<br />
<br />
Major told us: “It looks like Hakamizaka really is a researcher from our school.” “Alice is on that trail, so we could probably catch him soon.”<br />
<br />
I sneaked a peek at Ayaka too, thinking that I don’t need to force myself to tell her about Toshi seeing as we’ll find him soon. I consoled myself that way, and didn’t want Ayaka to worry on the other hand.<br />
<br />
I just hope Toshi coincidentally got the drug from someone, and then was addicted.<br />
<br />
“Good. Before Toshi comes back, let’s just teach Narumi first.”<br />
<br />
“Let’s start from playing dices!”<br />
<br />
Eh? How did things turn up like this?<br />
<br />
But I could not refuse as I was surrounded by Tetsu-senpai, Hiro and Major. It was actually the first time that I was force to gamble money in a game of dice. In the end, senpai owed me about two hundred and seventy thousand yen. Senpai who lost all of his money said to me halfway: “Although I don’t have any money left, I’m still going to bet ten thousand!”, or “I can’t pay all that anyway, so I’ll add twenty thousand!” What a ridiculous person.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
[[Image:Kamisama no memocho vol01 141.jpg|thumb|Ayaka hurriedly chased the bus, and waved at me.]]<br />
On the way home, I walked to the busstop with Ayaka, but still couldn’t say anything. When we walked past the bridge, the bus coincidentally passed by us. Ayaka hurriedly chased the bus, and waved at me.<br />
<br />
I could still remember clearly Ayaka’s face at that moment.<br />
<br />
That was the last time that I saw Ayaka’s healthy smile.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
In the cold air of the Tuesday morning, someone found Ayaka collapsed at the garden in front of the school building. The teachers and students from the sports clubs formed a wall of humans, surrounding the blood that was splattered on the cement ground. Ayaka’s upper body was collapsed on her garden that she tended to for ten months. She had a pale, green face and reddish black marks could be seen clearly below her open eyes, making her look like she’s in the battle clothes of the natives.<br />
<br />
The girls turned their head around and threw up. Although the teachers were desperately shooing away the students, the crowd was still there. I also stood in the wall of humans, faintly hearing the sound of an ambulance getting closer.<br />
<br />
I kept staring at Ayaka’s small body being moved to a stretcher, until the white car swallowed her up and left. The sound of the ambulance rang again. I rushed to the parking lot for bicycles, opened the lock like I was going to break it, got on my bike and rushed out.<br />
<br />
I chased the ambulance that was rushing out to the road, the freezing wind scratched my ears, as if it’s going to cut my ear off.<br />
<br />
I don’t really remember what happened after I reached the hospital. I remember the white walls of the corridors, the lit light on top of the door of the surgery room, stretchers going here and there, and the footsteps of the nurses.<br />
<br />
Ayaka was sent directly to the ICU room straight after she went through surger, while I was kicked out of the hospital. A crowd wearing familiar uniforms was gathered at the entrance, even though it was so late.<br />
<br />
“Fujishima, how is Ayaka?”<br />
<br />
“Have the surgery finished?”<br />
<br />
“Hey, is Ayaka okay? Hey!”<br />
<br />
Surrounded by my classmates, I could only shake my head while looking at the floor. The noise was painful to my ears. I pushed away the people and ran away.<br />
<br />
At the pitch black bicycle parking lot, my bike was so cold that it was as if it had frozen.<br />
<br />
When I went home, I snuggled into my bed, imagining the moment when Ayaka crossed over the railings on the rooftop to jump of the building, but I couldn’t. What’s with this? What on Earth is with this? My tightly clenched hands started to tremble, and I started feeling nauseous. I fervently tried not to, and in the end I went into the realm when reality and dreams interlaced and slept.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
The next morning, the television broadcasted the news of a female student suiciding by jumping off the rooftop of M High School. It seemed like they found her shoes arranged tidily by the railings, but didn’t find a will. When the screen showed the familiar school entrance and buildings, I rushed into the washroom and threw up, but only gastric acid came out.<br />
<br />
“I’ll help you call the school for sick leave!”<br />
<br />
My sister said to me, who closed myself in my room. It was only at these moments that my emotionless, stern sister with her sharp eyes made me feel a hint of gratitude. Finally, her voice saying “I’m going out” and there were footsteps walking out of the entrance. I’m the only one left in the house.<br />
<br />
There’s only me left.<br />
<br />
I recalled the day on the rooftop. Did I say anything wrong? Was Ayaka trying to say anything to me? Why didn’t she say it? Did I miss something? If I asked her, would she answer? Why didn’t I ask? Why? My phone rang for quite some time, but I pretended not to hear it. My mind kept replaying the few hours on that day at the rooftop.<br />
<br />
The only thing that Ayaka left me was the armband of the Gardening Club, printed with an orange logo on it. It’s the armband that she wore on her arm that day. After I was forced to put it on, I wanted to return it to her, and brought it back home straightaway.<br />
<br />
Have Ayaka already planned to suicide at that moment?<br />
<br />
I don’t get it.<br />
<br />
When I suddenly felt like opening the curtains, it was already dark outside. As soon as I turned on the lights, the glass windows reflected the pitiful face of a young man.<br />
<br />
That person was me.<br />
<br />
With my back on the blue skies of the evening, I squatted down on the mat. It was like my body belonged to another person, as I couldn’t even feel a hint of coldness.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
When I finally saw Ayaka, it was two days after that.<br />
<br />
In the room that was colorless but exceptionally bright, Ayaka laid on the mattress. I thought that Ayaka would be surrounded by many types of tubes and unknown machine, making her seem like a scary pincushion; but there’s really just an IV hanging on her hand. I only recognized Ayaka’s face. Her hair were completely shaved off. Her tightly wrapped head laid on the pillow looked very small in comparison.<br />
<br />
I sat on the round stool, looking at the pale eyelids that wouldn’t open again. At the other side of the bed, the doctor was explaining to Ayaka’s mother about the difference of a person in a vegetative state and brain death.<br />
<br />
I thought to myself: What’s the difference?<br />
<br />
Both could not talk or laugh, so what’s the difference?<br />
<br />
Why didn’t anyone say anything to me, who’s present? I don’t get it. It’s probably because I came here early morning although it was already school time, so I was mistaken as her family? The doctor then started to explain the payment for euthanasia and life support system, but that might not be a doctor, but a merciless person from the insurance company. You all should just shut up. Why could you say these things in front of Ayaka as if nothing have happened?<br />
<br />
Why did this happen on Ayaka?<br />
<br />
Anger suddenly surged inside of me.<br />
<br />
This is all someone’s fault, some person forced Ayaka to an impasse. What did God write in Ayaka’s page of His notebook? Although it was a dumb thought, but I couldn’t stop it. At a place that I don’t know of, even if someone is stabbed, shot, or ran over, I don’t care, but not about Ayaka.<br />
<br />
I hugged my knees on the hard, round stool of the hospital, restraining the dumb thoughts that exploded in my heart.<br />
<br />
After that, my classmates came to visit Ayaka for quite a few times. Compared with seeing Ayaka, they were even more surprised when they saw me. It seemed that they said stuff like cheer up, you can’t skip school or something like that, but I couldn’t really remember it.<br />
<br />
In the end, the only person in the ward was me. Only me and Ayaka’s empty shell were left. The winter sunlight that passed through the curtains were slow and weak.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t take it, so I dragged my stiff body and ran out of the hospital, went home, and closed myself in my room.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
On the following two or three days, I didn’t even go out of my room.<br />
<br />
I didn’t feel like going to the hospital anymore, as I didn’t want to see my classmates, and I felt sad when I saw Ayaka.<br />
<br />
My sister knocked on the door and said: “ You’ve skipped school for about a week now, huh?” I silently shook my head. Even though she couldn’t see my expression, she still placed a big bowl of porridge in front of the door and went to work.<br />
<br />
I didn’t even touch it, and left the porridge to cool. It was not until noon that I opened the window that I didn’t open for three days, and breathed in the outside air. My lungs and throat were burning, giving out white fumes so clear that you could even catch it with your hands. The sunny sky was so dazzling that even my eyes started to hurt.<br />
<br />
The last moments that I went through with Ayaka on the roof, was also a sunny day like this.<br />
<br />
Seeing the fact that I would turn out like this, I felt perplexed too. It was just someone other than me doing suicide, it was just someone other than me who wouldn’t smile or open their mouth again, that’s all.<br />
<br />
The me three months before would probably laugh at me right now, huh? Or -<br />
<br />
The doorbell suddenly rang, scaring me into hiding below the windows. At the moment when I froze, the doorbell rang twice, thrice, and then a whole lot more. The sharp sound of the electric doorbell pierced my eardrums. Who was that? Why did they do that? Was that a child playing a prank?<br />
<br />
The sounds of the doorbell finally stopped, and the sounds of an exhaust engine started. I peeked at the road outside the windows, and saw a skinny silhouette donning clothes for camouflage driving away a motorbike, and disappeared at the corner.<br />
<br />
It was Major.<br />
<br />
Why did Major come to my house?<br />
<br />
I ran down the stairs and opened the door to the entrance. There was a black box on the doorstep, and familiar words were written on it in white – Hanamaru. With trembling hands, I picked up the box, tore away the tape and opened it.<br />
<br />
White fumes rushed out. In the whitish solids – dry ice, there were two round, transparent plastic cup, and there were ice cream sprinkled with chocolate powder on top on it.<br />
<br />
Tiramisu.<br />
<br />
‘Give me a pull.’<br />
<br />
I moved the box to the kitchen and sat down on the floor. I took out a cup and ate a mouthful of the ice cream. Swallowing food was abnormally hard, I choked on my second mouthful of ice cream. The ice cream that was cold, sweet and painful.<br />
<br />
After finishing the two ice creams, I stared at the dry ice in the box until they finished subliming and disappeared. The weight and coldness on my knees finally disappeared after a long, long time.<br />
<br />
When I took a bath, I felt that my whole body have been refreshed.<br />
<br />
Finally, it was five in the evening. After I dried myself and walked out of the door.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
I just didn’t go to the ramen shop for a week, but everything seemed to have changed. The shop was full of customers, there were even people holding bowls on the chairs outside and on beer crates. It’s just the usual view of the ramen shop, but Ayaka was not there.<br />
<br />
Min-san looked at me, who was standing at the entrance, for a moment. The office workers who were chewing dumplings while reading the sports news were also staring at me.<br />
<br />
Min-san said: “You’ve finished the two ice creams?” I nodded.<br />
<br />
“Is that so? One of them was for Ayaka.”<br />
<br />
Min-san’s words pierced my heart.<br />
<br />
I left the bright entrance of the shop and went to the backdoor of the kitchen, but only saw Tetsu-senpai’s silhouette in the darkness. Senpai was sitting on the second step of the stairs, and was reading a magazine about pachinko machines. I didn’t even know what to say, so I could only remain silent, listening to the sounds of people ordering food and the sounds of cutlery colliding.<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai finally stood up. I was surprised, and hurriedly straightened my back.<br />
<br />
“Narumi, you wanted me to teach you boxing, right?”<br />
<br />
“….. Eh? Oh, Yeah…… That’s right.”<br />
<br />
“I owe you two hundred thousand, so I’ll teach you for free, a two years course.”<br />
<br />
“Senpai……”<br />
<br />
“Stand up, and take off your coat.”<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai’s words were hard to oppose. I stood up and took off my coat.<br />
<br />
“Why did you want to learn boxing?”<br />
<br />
I stared blankly at Tetsu-senpai, then lowered my head and looked at my coarse hands.<br />
<br />
“…… It’s because I wanted to, become stronger……”<br />
<br />
“Hmm, so what’s the fastest way to become stronger?”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Isn’t it practice?”<br />
<br />
“No, the correct answer is……”<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai took out two rolls of bandages out of the bag beside him.<br />
<br />
“Put on the bandages.”<br />
<br />
“Eh?”<br />
<br />
“The difference between a boxer and ordinary people is not being strong or weak, but they couldn’t hit other people meaninglessly. When you hit other people, your fists would hurt, and the other party would hurt too. When you think that the other person would hurt too, you couldn’t hit them anymore. Put on the bandages.”<br />
<br />
Tetsu-senpai wrapped up both of my fists firmly with bandages. My clenched fists didn’t even feel like it’s my own. After that, senpai took out a punching bag and wore it on his hands.<br />
<br />
“Come! Punch me! Anywhere is okay.”<br />
<br />
I lowered my head and started to hesitate. I was unable to raise my fists.<br />
<br />
“Just start! Sometimes, it’s better for people to look for something to hit. Don’t think of anything, just start!”<br />
<br />
I raised my head and saw senpai smiling.<br />
<br />
“I will accept your weak, powerless punches.”<br />
<br />
My shoulders trembled, and a viscous liquid rose from the upper part of my waist to my flanks. If I just stood there without moving, I would probably just scream without a reason, so I flung out my tightly clenched fists.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Kamisama no memocho vol01 153.jpg|thumb|Right, left, right, I continuously hit Tetsu-senpai’s large silhouette.]]<br />
My outstretched right fist made a ‘dong’ sound, and was absorbed by the boxing gloves. A numbing pain was transmitted to my elbows and shoulders. I didn’t care, and lashed out with my left fist. Colliding with the punching gloves as soon as I straightened my hands, the pain could be felt even from my teeth. Right, left, right, I continuously hit Tetsu-senpai’s large silhouette. Even though I gave punched a lot, the tightly held boxing gloves would receive my fists, reflecting the attack back to my body. It hurts. When you hit people, your own self would feel pain. It’s a simple and persuasive fact. Did Ayaka feel pain at that moment too? Or did she have no time to feel pain? Sweat trickled into my eyes, blurring my vision. I could only hear my rapid breathing and the sound of me hitting the punching gloves. This is a real sound that belonged to me, and real pain.<br />
<br />
I don’t know how long I’ve practiced, but before I knew it, I stood with my back bent, panting while holding the worn tires. As I worked out suddenly, my ears rang and my chest hurt. Sweat flowed from my forehead to my chin.<br />
<br />
At moment, I finally knew why I came to the ramen shop – for Ayaka, and for myself.<br />
<br />
I raised my head, and saw Tetsu-senpai looking relaxed.<br />
<br />
“Do you want practice some more?”<br />
<br />
I shook my head.<br />
<br />
“Thank….. you, that’s…… all for today.”<br />
<br />
I took off the bandages and handed it back to senpai, my body still burning. That’s quite natural, it’s because I’m still alive. Ayaka might not feel this heat any more, but at least I could still stand up with my own two feet.<br />
<br />
“I’ll go look for Alice.”<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span><br />
<br />
The room was dimly lit because of the tens of monitors in the room. Alice was sitting on the bedside. It might be because of her black, luscious hair, but it made her silhouette look just like a vase, and the vase was filled with stars in the galaxy.<br />
<br />
“This is the way that I express my sadness, because I do not know of any other way.”<br />
<br />
Alice said with her back against me. In the darkness, the speed of Alice hammering on the keyboard was rapid, and the sound was like the rapid-fire sound of an automatic rifle used in a war that was at the other side of the Earth.<br />
<br />
“I’ve checked Ayaka’s medical records, but actually I know that I didn’t have to do that. The one who understands the most that Ayaka could not recover ever again, would probably be you, who had seen it with your own eyes.”<br />
<br />
Could not—recover.<br />
<br />
Is that true? Although the doctors have said, Ayaka would probably need to lie on the bed all her life, passing her days in a vegetative state.<br />
<br />
“But you still came to to look for me. I’ve actually though that you’d close yourself in your room, or have already attempted suicide.”<br />
<br />
“Is that so?”<br />
<br />
I sat down in front of the bed. Alice stopped typing on the keyboard and turned around. The colorful pajamas looked like it was the color of mercury due to the rays of light by the monitor, while the eyes looked as though they would crumble if you just touch it, and were emitting a weak ray of light.<br />
<br />
“…… You wouldn’t even get angry if I said that.”<br />
<br />
“Eh?”<br />
<br />
“No, nothing, it’s my bad.”<br />
<br />
I think I’ve heard something incredible, Alice actually apologized to me.<br />
<br />
“I have no reason to get angry. If nobody cares about me, then I would probably turn out like you have said.”<br />
<br />
“Really? Then you should be thankful to the shopkeeper who’s so good at making ice creams.”<br />
<br />
I nodded my head.<br />
<br />
“Speak your request!”<br />
<br />
“Alice, you’re a detective, right?”<br />
<br />
“I’m not an ordinary detective, but a NEET detective!”<br />
<br />
“One who could search the whole world without taking a step out of the room, and find out the truth?”<br />
<br />
“It is as you have said.” Alice showed her sad eyes, smiling self-mockingly.<br />
<br />
Of course I don’t believe her exaggerated promotions, but I don’t have any other people to turn to.<br />
<br />
“Then……” I swallowed, “I would like to request you to investigate something for me.”<br />
<br />
I spoke of it myself, but it sounded somewhat funny.<br />
<br />
At that moment, I was stared at by Alice’s large, deep eyes, and experienced the pain of a stopped breathing. The young girl said with a faint voice:<br />
<br />
“What do you wish to know?”<br />
<br />
“Why did Ayaka…… turn out like that?”<br />
<br />
Alice drooped her long eyelashes, looking as if she’s thinking, and also looked like she was listening to a sound that she couldn’t hear.<br />
<br />
“…… Do you still remember what I’ve said before? A detective is the representative of the deceased, looking for lost words from their graves, hurting the living for the sake of protecting the honour of the deceased, and condemning the dead for the sake of consoling the living.”<br />
<br />
“I remember.”<br />
<br />
Alice opened her eyes.<br />
<br />
“Then I’ll ask you once again, my investigation might expose what Ayaka wanted to hide, or even destroy your ignorant but peaceful life. Do you still want to know even so?”<br />
<br />
Even so—<br />
<br />
Even so, I--<br />
<br />
“I still want to know.”<br />
<br />
Alice gave a huge sigh.<br />
<br />
“I understand, then I accept your request. You don’t need to pay me, because I, too, wish to know the answer.”<br />
<br />
I widened my eyes.<br />
<br />
“…… Eh?”<br />
<br />
“I’ve already figured out what you want to know, although all of this is too late……”<br />
<br />
“The- then……”<br />
<br />
Alice’s sharp voice interrupted my words.<br />
<br />
“Things are already clear, you don’t need to ponder why Ayaka wanted to die, the thing that I wish to know of is not this.”<br />
<br />
“What are you talking abo……”<br />
<br />
“What I wish to know is, ‘Why did Ayaka choose to die at school’.”<br />
<br />
I was momentarily dumbstruck, and couldn’t understand what Alice wanted to say.<br />
<br />
“The day before she committed suicide was Monday, and Ayaka didn’t go to school, you know of this too. But according to witnesses, Ayaka went to school after school finished for some reason, and didn’t go back home. On Monday night, Ayaka had already hid herself on the rooftop, then waited until morning to commit suicide from the rooftop. Do you understand? Ayaka didn’t just impulsively ran to the school rooftop to commit suicide, but had chosen to commit suicide at the school rooftop from the start. Why did she do so?”<br />
<br />
I felt a chill across my back.<br />
<br />
The reason that she chose to die at school. Choosing…… the place that she’d die?<br />
<br />
“I don’t understand. I don’t understand why Ayaka wanted to die at school, but I must know. So I need your help, as the person who’s the closest with Ayaka these two months is you.”<br />
<br />
“Me……? Why? Why do you want to know about this?”<br />
<br />
Alice raised one side of her brows with her eyes widened, looking like she’s angry or mystified.<br />
<br />
“Why? Why do I want to know about this? You’re asking me this question? You who wanted to know why Ayaka committed suicide, actually asked me this question?”<br />
<br />
“Ah……”<br />
<br />
“Just like you, I must know the reason for why Ayaka committed suicide, because I should be able to prevent her from doing that. If I knew about this earlier, knowing much more, I could prevent Ayaka from committing suicide. It’s my fault that Ayaka turned out like that. Even if things have already happened, I must know about that still, although it’s already too late. If I don’t do that, I will, I will……”<br />
<br />
Alice made a sound as if she was forced into a corner and said repeatedly. I suppressed the emotions accumulated at my chest. What are the emotions that the young girl in front of me showed me? Nostalgia, pain and helplessness.<br />
<br />
"Are you willing to help me? Let’s just make it as the payment for your request."<br />
<br />
Alice looked at me like a drowning person clutching at a straw, the faint rays of light, the stars in the glass, now looked as if they were going to shatter.<br />
<br />
The hands stretched towards my hand—<br />
<br />
And I took hold of it.<br />
<br />
“I understand, so I’ll be your assistant, right?”<br />
<br />
Alice heard my answer, and a surprised expression surfaced on her face.<br />
<br />
The cold fingers.<br />
<br />
The wet eyes filled with darkness.<br />
<br />
All of them melted in a warm smile.<br />
<br />
<br />
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