Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume 8 Chapter 11 (section)

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His real name is Naru—?

When I inadvertently looked back, Naru’s expression was impassive as always.

“...How shrewd of you.”

“Humph. The fun’s just getting started.”

Bou-san laughed, then began aimlessly walking around the inside of the room. 

“If so, there wouldn’t be any harm even if Lin called him ‘Naru’ as if natural. Thinking so, I suddenly realize that I’ve never seen proof that Naru’s real name is really ‘Shibuya Kazuya.’”

...Now that you mention it…

“But Bou-san, what about me? Have you ever seen proof that my name is Taniyama Mai?”

“I haven’t.”

Saying so, Bou-san smiled.

“However, Naru’s circumstances are different from yours, Mai. For one thing, Naru-bou was hospitalized once before.”

“Ah, for a little while.”

“Right. At that time, Naru-bou’s hospital room didn’t have a nameplate.”

“...True...”

“The hospital room’s nameplate is where the person’s name from the insurance card should be written. However, for some reason, the nameplate was blank. Of course, that means his real name wasn’t presented at the time it was supposed to be.”

‘But,’ Ayako said.

“This time there was a proper nameplate. ‘Shibuya Kazuya’ was written on it.”

That’s right.

“It was, wasn’t it?”

That being said, Bou-san smiled smugly.

“Naru-bou was hospitalized twice and of that number, there was a nameplate this time, but there wasn’t one on the previous occasion. And then, though he previously refused visits, this time he didn’t say anything when we went to visit almost daily. Furthermore, I don’t know about the last time, but this time, Naru-bou said there was no insurance and was required to pay outrageous medical fees.”

I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

“In other words? Does that mean he inadvertently gave his real name at the hospital the previous time, so the nameplate was blank?”

Right?

“Then, naturally, the doctors and nurses would know his real name, wouldn’t they? So, I wonder if that means he banned visits so his real name wouldn’t be conveyed to us? —Then that means he deliberately said he didn’t have an insurance card so that wouldn’t happen this time and stuck with his alias in exchange for expensive medical fees?”

“Exactly. It’s only a guess. However, I think the possibility that ‘Shibuya Kazuya’ is an alias is extremely high.”

...Hmm.

“Well, let’s say that ‘Shibuya’ is a fake name. Even if his real name is Naru, this is also strange. Naru— it’s not a surname you hear too much. Well, how about as a first name? Naru, Naru. This name isn’t too likely either.”

Suddenly, I asked,

“Isn’t it that? The alias ‘Narumi’ that he used during that case. That’s actually his real name and ‘Naru’ is the abbreviation.”

“I think it’s different. What about that line he used? He said, ‘Addressed me without honorifics.’”

...That’s true…

“So,”

Saying this, Bou-san directed his gaze to Naru.

“Can you at least tell me whether ‘Shibuya Kazuya’ is an alias or your real name?”

Naru smiled very thinly.

“...I don’t feel obligated to answer.”

“Oh, is that so. Well then, fine. Let’s move on.”

I blinked in surprise and looked up at Bou-san.

“Is there still something more?”

“Is there, you ask? Of course there is.”