《Last Strike: The Sister's Return》


 Chapter 1: Bad day

    One morning in a Japanese dojo, three girls stood watching, dressed in matching white gi<sup>(1)</sup>. They were members of Kaito''s fan club, and they were there to cheer on Kaito, our protagonist.


    Sakura, with her vibrant pink hair and infectious smile, chattered excitedly to the other trainees. Emi, with her thoughtful expression and wavy black hair, stood quietly, her mind focused on the upcoming battle. Aya, with her short blonde hair and adventurous spirit, twirled a camera around her neck, eager to capture every moment of the day.


    As Kaito entered the dojo through the doorway, the girls cheered him as they spotted him, their voices ringing out with enthusiasm.


    "Kaito, our star! Shine bright and never give up!" Sakura shouted, her voice carrying across the dojo.


    "Kaito, our favorite fighter! We''ll always cheer you on!" Emi added, her quiet voice more subdued but no less passionate.


    "Kaito, our champion! We''ll always be by your side!" Aya chimed in, a smile on her face as she shouted out.


    The three of them came together for the final two parts, their voices ringing out loud and clear.


    "Kaito, our hero! You made our hearts race!" they shouted together, the energy in the room almost tangible.


    "Kaito, you inspired us to be strong! Keep fighting!" they finished, their voices rising to a crescendo.


    Kaito looked slightly embarrassed at all the attention, but there was a hint of a smile on his face as he acknowledged the cheers of his fans. The girls continued to cheer him on as he prepared for his battle, the bright energy of their support filling the dojo.


    As the cheering from the girls died down, the scene shifted to the interior of a traditional Japanese dojo. The morning sunlight shone through the open shoji screens, illuminating the spacious training hall. In the center of the room, two figures stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a steely gaze.


    The first figure was Nakamura Hiro, the owner of the dojo and Kaito''s father. He was dressed in a black hakama and a white kimono, which accentuated his toned physique. His spiky salt-and-pepper hair and thick mustache gave him a stern appearance, which was amplified by his piercing eyes.


    The second figure was Nakamura Kaito, his son, dressed in a white gi and black belt. Kaito was tall and muscular, with short black hair and intense brown eyes. He stood with a confident and focused demeanor, ready to engage in the monthly battle with his father.


    As the two men faced each other, a tense atmosphere hung in the air. The onlookers, including the girls who had been cheering for Kaito earlier, watched with bated breath as the two martial artists prepared for their battle.


    Hiro broke the silence with a short laugh, his piercing eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, Kaito," he said, "are you ready to take me down this time?"


    Kaito grinned, a fierce determination in his eyes. "You bet, old man," he retorted, cracking his knuckles. "I''ve been training hard for this."


    From the corner, a lean young man observed the battle. He was Yamamoto Shou, 18 years old, a friend of Kaito and also the junior instructor of the dojo. His arms were crossed firmly over his chest as he watched his friend with a feeling of unease. Beside Shou, several trainees excitedly placed their bets on the outcome of the battle between father and son.


    "Man, this is going to be intense," Trainee A said, eyeing the two opponents. "I can''t believe it''s already the 100th battle between Kaito and Hiro."


    Trainee B nodded in agreement. "And Kaito still hasn''t won a single one. Do you think he''ll finally pull it off this time?"


    Trainee C snickered. "Not a chance. His father is just too good."


    And the sad thing is, Shou also agreed. As a senior instructor of the dojo, Kaito was an exceptionally skilled fighter, but Shou knew it wasn¡¯t enough.


    "Looks like you''ve been working hard, Kaito," Hiro said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "But let''s not kid ourselves, you still don''t stand a chance."


    Kaito bristled at the remark. "I''ve been training harder than ever, and I''m not going to give up," he declared.


    Hiro chuckled. "I like your spirit, son. But don''t get too cocky."


    "I''m not cocky," Kaito retorted. "I''m just confident."


    Hiro noded. "Confidence is good, but skill is better. Show me what you''ve learned."


    As Sakura, Emi, and Aya cheered from the sidelines, Kaito and Hiro rushed towards each other with intense focus and determination. The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the room, as they engaged in a fierce and grueling battle. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and the sound of heavy breathing, as both father and son pushed themselves to the limit. This was no ordinary sparring match ¨C this was a battle of wills, a test of strength and skill, a fight to the finish.


    Kaito walked down the hallway of his high school. He slammed his locker shut and leaned against it, rubbing his sore arm. Feeling the weight of his defeat in his chest, he had just lost another battle with his father, the ritual that had been going on since he was ten years old.


    " Don''t be so hard on yourself. You''re improving every time. You just need more practice and patience." Shou said soothingly.


    Shou and Kaito had been friends since they were children. He had witnessed every battle between Kaito and his father, and he knew how much it had meant to Kaito. He also knew how much Kaito loved his father, despite their conflicts. Shou was a calm and level-headed young man who often served as a mediator between Kaito and his father when they argued or fought. He admired Kaito''s drive and determination, but he also worried about him pushing himself too hard.


    "Practice and patience? How long do I have to wait until I can beat him? He''s always one step ahead of me. He doesn''t even acknowledge me as a worthy opponent." Kaito said, clenching his fists.


    "He does acknowledge you. He''s proud of you."


    "That''s not how he shows it. He always taunts me and calls me weak. He never gives me any praise or encouragement. He treats me like a punching bag." Kaito said bitterly.


    "Maybe he thinks that''s the best way to motivate you. You know how he is. He doesn''t express his emotions well." Shou said.


    "That''s no excuse. He''s my father, not my enemy." Kaito said.


    As they talked, they were unaware of the three girls who were watching them from a distance. They were Sakuya, Emi, and Aya, the members of Kaito fan club.


    The three girls exchanged glances and nodded at each other before approaching Kaito and Shou with bright smiles.


    "Kaito-kun<sup>(2)</sup> is so cool!" Sakuya gushed. "He almost won today! Did you see how he dodged that punch from his dad?"


    "Yeah, he was awesome!" Aya agreed. "He''s so brave and strong!"


    "And handsome, too!" Emi added.


    "I''m sure he''ll win next time!" Sakura yelled enthusiastically.


    Kaito felt a surge of gratitude and embarrassment as he listened to the girls'' compliments. He knew they were trying to cheer him up after his defeat, but he couldn''t help feeling awkward.


    "..."


    "Kaito." As saw his friend remained silence, Shou nudged him.


    "...Thanks." Kaito said with a forced smile. "You''re very kind."


    "So, Kaito-kun," Sakuya said eagerly. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow? Maybe we can hang out together!"


    "Or we can go watch a movie!" Aya suggested. "There''s a new action film that looks amazing!"


    "Or we can go to the park!" Emi said softly. "It''s very relaxing there."


    The girls were enthusiastic in their efforts to help him, but he wished they would leave him alone for a while. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and looked down at the ground, trying to think of a way to end the conversation and move away.


    Just then suddenly a loud voice echoed through the hallway, startling everyone.


    "Shou, we need to talk. Now!"


    As they turned around, they saw a girl with black hair styled in a ponytail approaching them with an angry expression on her face. She was Shou¡¯s girlfriend. At least for now.


    Shou braced himself as he saw his girlfriend approach them. He knew that look all too well, and it wasn''t good.


    "Uh, sorry guys," he said awkwardly. "I need to go handle something with my girlfriend. We''ll catch up with you later."


    Kaito nodded understandingly as Shou hurried off with his girlfriend, leaving him alone with the three girls.


    A few moments later, voices rose from a nearby stairwell.


    "You stood me up last night." She hissed, her eyes flashing with anger "We had agreed to go to the movies, remember? I was waiting for you for an hour and you never came. You didn''t even bother to call or text me. How do you think that made me feel?"


    Shou paused for a moment before responding. He explained that there was an urgent situation came up at the dojo last night, so he had to stay there, and his phone ran out of battery, so he couldn''t contact her. He apologized to her sincerely.


    But the girl didn''t seem to accept it.


    "You always have some excuse, don''t you? You''re too busy with your martial arts and your team and your instructor duties. You don''t have time for me or anyone else."


    Shou chose to keep quiet.


    The girl shook her head sadly. "Maybe we should just end this here," she said, hoping that Shou would beg for another chance.


    But to surprise the girl, Shou simply nodded his head, accepting her decision. He knew she was right. They had nothing in common, and he didn''t feel anything for her. He had only agreed to date her because she had asked him out and he didn''t want to hurt her feelings.


    "You!!?"


    For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavily in the air. Then he wished her well and said goodbye politely, then walked back to Kaito who was watching the scene from afar with sympathy.


    The girl muttered something under her breath before moving off. "I get it now why they call you a heartbreaker," she said bitterly.


    "Are you okay?" Kaito asked.


    Shou nodded.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Kaito sighed with relief as he flushed the toilet. He had been holding it in for too long. He hated this bathroom. It was a decrepit and filthy place. The ceiling board was rotting, leaving behind holes and stains. The tiles were broken and grimy. The air was stuffy and moldy. The light was out, but fortunately the window let in enough sunlight. He loathed this place, but it was the only option on this floor.


    He walked over to the sink and turned on the faucet. The water was cold and rusty, but he didn''t care. He splashed some on his face and looked up at the mirror, which was foggy with condensation. Next to it, on the wall, he saw something written in red.


    "Don¡¯t look back."


    Kaito read the words slowly. He scoffed. Some idiot must have thought it was funny to scare people with this cheap trick. He ignored it and reached for a paper towel from the dispenser. It was empty, of course.


    BAM!


    Suddenly, behind him, one of the stall doors slammed shut with a loud noise that echoed through the bathroom. Kaito jumped in surprise.


    "Who is there?" Kaito called out, but he heard no answer. Only silence greeted him. Suddenly, something moved in the shadows, and a dark figure emerged from behind the door. As it slowly approached him, Kaito gasped at the sight of its face.


    It was...


    "Meow~"


    A black cat purred as it licked the milk from the plastic glass. Against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, the cat''s glossy fur shone in the sunlight, its green eyes closed in contentment. The soft breeze ruffled the cat''s fur, but it remained unfazed, its focus solely on enjoying its creamy treat.


    Kaito is sitting nearby, watching the cat with a smile. He had brought it to the school rooftop after their encounter in the toilet.


    "Hey, you scared me back there," he said to the cat, as if it could understand him.


    Kaito had learned to be brave from a young age. His father had taken him to the mountain and left him alone there when he was a child, as a test of his courage and survival skills. Kaito had endured the cold, the hunger and the loneliness, and had returned to his father with pride and confidence. But that did not mean he was fearless. There was something that he didn''t believe existed, but if it did, he would be terrified: ghosts. He wondered what he would do if he ever saw a ghost and hoped he would never have to find out.


    Kaito chuckled at his own silliness and reached out to pet the cat''s fur. The cat purred and rubbed its head against his hand.


    Kaito''s phone rang, breaking the moment. He looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Shou.


    "Moshi moshi<sup>(</sup><sup>3</sup><sup>)</sup>? " he answered.


    "Dude, where are you?" Shou asked. "Class is about to start."


    "I''m on the rooftop," Kaito said casually. " I decided to take a day off. Can you do me a favor and check me in?"


    ".....Fine."


    Shou sighed but agreed. "I''ll also bring you the note later at night training."


    "Thanks, Shou. You''re a good friend," Kaito said gratefully.


    Shou hung up without asking any further questions. He knew Kaito needed some time alone after his defeat.


    After hanging up the phone, Kaito laid down on the cold cement ground next to his new companion. The cat had curled up beside him, after finished drinking the milk. As he gazed up at the sky, memories of his morning battle with his father flooded his mind. He replayed every move he had made, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses. He wondered what he could have done better, and why he still couldn''t defeat his father after a hundred battles.


    "Kaito, you are wasting your time. You have no talent. You might have some victories under your belt, but you have never beaten me in a hundred matches. Do you think that''s something to boast about?"


    "Once more, your punishment is to clean the shrine."


    ** a scornful chuckle from his father.**


    The words and laughter echoed in his mind, stirring up a wave of irritation. He tightened his grip on his fists and swore to himself that he would have his victory one day. As the wind caressed his face and the sun kissed his skin, Kaito drifted into a tranquil sleep.


    A gust of wind swept over Kaito''s body and jolted him awake. He felt disoriented as he sat up and scanned his surroundings. The sky had changed from blue and clear to gray and cloudy, and he could hear thunder rumbling in the distance. It was going to rain soon.


    He checked his phone and saw that it was already past five. He had overslept by a lot. He rose to his feet and stretched his tired muscles, while scanning the rooftop for the black cat that had kept him company, but there was no sign of it anywhere. It must have gone off to hunt for food. He wished he could have said goodbye or thanked it for staying with him, but he knew he had no time to waste. He took his schoolbag and descended the stairs.


    Kaito walked down the street, hands in his pockets, taking in the sights and sounds of his hometown. The sky above him growing darker with every passing minute. He was lost in thought, pondered the cleaning duty he was about to do. As he approached the flower shop, the door opened, and a girl stepped out, clutching a bouquet of white lilies.


    For a moment, Kaito didn''t recognize her. It had been years since they had last seen each other, and she had changed quite a bit. She was wearing a black dress, her hair tied back in a neat bun, and her face was more mature than he remembered.


    "Reina?"


    Reina heard his greeting, she turned and smiled.


    "Kaito-san<sup>(2)</sup>," she said. "It''s been a long time."


    Kaito nodded, feeling a bit awkward. "Yes, it has," he replied. "How have you been?"


    Reina shrugged. "Busy, as always," she said. "But I can''t complain."


    Kaito and Reina were born in the same year, but their lives were very different. Reina attended a prestigious school for the elite, and was a famous prodigy who inherited a massive corporation that operated in various industries, from technology to medicine to food. Kaito met her through his dojo, which was hired by her company to train their security staff. Sometimes, they would chat when she came to fetch her younger sister Rika, who was also a skilled martial artist. Kaito admired their smiles and wondered what became of them after he lost contact with them for five years.


    They continued chatting, catching up on old times. Kaito asked her about her family''s company, and she told him about her plans to take over one day. He told her about the dojo, and how it had been thriving under his father''s guidance. Kaito could sense that there was something different about Reina, but he couldn''t put his finger on it. She seemed more mature, more serious, and colder than before.


    Then Kaito made his mistake...


    "So, have you seen Rika around lately?" he asked casually.


    At the mention of her sister''s name, Reina''s expression changed. She paused for a few seconds, her eyes fixed on Kaito. The air around them seemed to grow tense.


    Kaito thought he might have said something wrong. He could see the anger building in Reina''s eyes.


    "Reina-san, is everything okay?" Kaito asked, concerned.


    "Rika," she repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You''re asking about Rika."


    Kaito swallowed nervously. He hadn''t seen this side of Reina before.


    Reina clenched her fist, and Kaito could see she was about to slap him. But he reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist in midair before she could make contact.


    At that moment, the door of a black luxury car parked on the side of the road opened, and three men in black suit stepped out, they were Reina¡¯s guards. Kaito could see the confusion on the guard''s face as he tried to understand the situation.


    Without saying a word, Reina pulled her wrist away and got into the car. She walked away without looking back. The guard got back in the car and started the engine, and they drove off.


    Kaito stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear down the street. He couldn''t understand what had just happened. He felt a cold breeze on his face and shivered.


    **The sky darkened and raindrops began to fall, accompanied by a strong wind. People clutched their umbrellas and coats, trying to keep their balance. It was clear that this was not a normal rain but a storm.**


    Kaito still was unaware that his encounter with Reina was the first step in a sinister plot that would soon engulf him.


    The wind howled and the rain poured down on the quiet street. The trees swayed and shook their leaves, and the lake rippled and splashed. It was a gloomy evening.


    The door to the old shrine house creaked open, letting in a gust of wind and rain. Three people entered quickly. They are Kaito and his two trainee, Sakura and Boro.


    "Thank you for coming with me today," Kaito said as he closed the door behind them. "I really appreciate your help."


    The shrine owned by Kaito''s family is located near the mountain, not too far from the dojo. Normally, it remains closed to the public, only opening its doors during family events. Initially, Kaito had no intention of asking Sakura and Boro, they approached him, offering their hands. Witnessing their earnestness, Kaito couldn''t turn down their offer.


    "It''s our pleasure, Kaito-kun," Sakura said with a forced smile, her eyes darting around the room. She was the president of Kaito''s fan club, but in this environment, her enthusiasm was nowhere to be found.


    Boro nodded in agreement, his expression pensive. He was Kaito''s kohai<sup>(2)</sup>. He had short blond hair and blue eyes that contrasted with his tan skin. He had joined the dojo a year ago and looked up to Kaito as his role model.


    "It''s our responsibility to help you," Boro said, trying to sound confident. "We''ll do whatever we can."


    Sakura then lowered her voice and said:


    "I''m sorry that Aya-chan and Emi-chan<sup>(2)</sup> couldn''t make it, they really want to come too but Aya had to study for her exams tomorrow...and Emi just got sick because of the cold...so it''s just me today..."


    "It¡¯s okay. Thank you all," Kaito said kindly.


    The three of them looked around the shrine house. It was an old building that belonged to Kaito''s family for generations. The spacious interior was filled with valuable items and antiques that reflected their history and culture. There were some old training outfits hanging on the walls, along with swords and spears that had been used by their ancestors. There were also some old lanterns that lit up the room with a warm glow.


    Kaito smiled as he saw his heritage around him. He felt proud of being part of such a noble lineage.


    "This place is amazing," Boro said with awe.


    "Let''s get started then," Kaito said cheerfully. "We have a lot of work to do."


    Kaito, Sakura, and Boro started cleaning the shrine house. They dusted off the shelves, swept the floor, and wiped dirty things. As they worked, they chatted about various items in the shrine that catch their attention. Sakura and Boro asked Kaito about their meanings and origins, and complimented him on his family''s heritage. Kaito was not able to answer all of their questions but did his best to explain what he knew. He told them that some of the items were antiques that had been passed down for generations.


    While cleaning, Sakura noticed a medium-sized wooden black box that stood out from the rest of the items. It looked clean and new compared to the dusty and old objects around it. She wondered what was inside it and tried to open it, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. She called Boro, who was nearby delicately polishing the precious item without damaging it, to help.


    "What''s this?" Boro asked.


    "I don''t know." Sakura answered.


    "Let me see," Boro said as he carefully examined the box for any clues. He ran his hand over its smooth surface, but there was no discernible opening. He tried using force, but to no avail.


    On the side, under the yellow light of the lanterns, Sakura spotted an old symbol. It was a perfectly round circle, divided into two symmetrical halves by a sinuous line. One half was black and the other white, each containing a smaller circle of the opposite color.


    "Kaito-kun, do you know what this is?" Sakura shouted to Kaito, who was busy removing the spider webs from the wall with his climbing skills.


    He descended from the wall and walked over to Sakura.


    "Where did you get that? I''ve never seen it before." He examined the black wooden box carefully. He had cleaned the shrine many times before, but he had never noticed this box. Who had left it here and when?


    He looked closer at the symbol on the box, but it was not his family crest.


    "What''s inside?" Kaito asked.


    "We don''t know. The box seems to be jammed. We couldn''t open it." Boro said.


    "Let me try." Kaito said as he took the box from Boro''s hands. He felt a slight click as he lifted the lid, and it opened easily. He was surprised by how light it was.


    "Wow, Kaito-senpai<sup>(2)</sup>, you''re so strong." Boro said with admiration.


    "That''s why we love you, Kaito-kun." Sakura said with a smile.


    Kaito felt a blush rising on his cheeks. He didn''t want to disappoint them, but he knew he didn''t do anything special to open the box. He decided to change the subject.


    "Let''s see what''s inside."


    The three together looked at the content inside with a sense of curiosity and excitement...


    Aaaaaaaaah!


    A piercing shriek filled the dojo, followed by a sudden blackness as the lights went out. The sky outside roared with thunder and rain.


    Shou, who was instructing his trainees, quickly made his way to the source of the sound. He dodged the other apprentices in the dark with ease.


    "Are you alright? What happened?"


    He heard her trembling voice reply, "I...I''m sorry sensei<sup>(2)</sup>. The thunder scared me."


    The girl''s face was pale and her hands shook as she spoke. Sensing her fear, he gently touched her shoulder to comfort her.


    "It''s alright. Breathe deeply."


    Without light, the trainees grew more nervous. Once Shou was sure the girl was fine, he climbed to the top of the dojo using his phone''s flashlight. He spoke in a composed voice. "Everyone stay calm." He waited for them to quiet down before he continued. "I just looked at the weather forecast. The storm has gotten stronger and caused a power outage in many areas. For your safety, we will stop the training for today."


    He heard mixed reactions from his students. Some were relieved, some were disappointed. He was passionate about martial arts too, and he didn''t like to interrupt their practice. But he also knew that safety was paramount.


    "Please gather your things and move to the door in an orderly fashion." He instructed them.


    As he was about to leave, he heard footsteps from another door. He turned around and saw Kaito holding a lantern, followed by Sakura and Boro. Other than Kaito, Sakura and Boro looked scared. Shou was about to ask them what had happened, but Kaito spoke first.


    "Is everyone okay? We were cleaning the shrine when we saw the lights go out in the hallway. We got worried."


    "Everyone is fine. It seems that the storm has caused an outage. I just told everyone to go home." Shou said.


    "That''s a good call, Shou." Kaito said. Then he looked at Sakura and Boro. They seemed shaken by something. Kaito put his hands on their shoulders, trying to comfort them.


    "Sakura and Boro, you two should also hurry home before the storm gets worse." He continued. "Forget what you saw, get some rest, everything will be okay.¡± He paused for a moment before expressed his gratutude.¡± And thank you for helping today."


    Sakura broke her silence and bowed to him gratefully.


    "No, thank you Kaito-kun for allowing me to assist you today."


    Followed by Boro, he nodded earnestly.


    "Yes, thank you Kaito-senpai for teaching us about the shrine today."


    Shou was curious about what they had seen in the shrine that had frightened them so much, but he decided to leave it for another day.


    Kaito bid farewell to his friends and shut the main gate of his traditional Japanese house. The storm was raging outside, but he did not head to his residence. Instead, he walked across the garden, past the pond and the stone lantern, towards the library room of his family¡¯s main house, which was located on the right behind the dojo, where generations of books and memorabilia were stored. As he made his way through the engawa<sup>(</sup><sup>4</sup><sup>)</sup>, he could not help but think of what had happened at the shrine earlier...


    <u>Note</u><u> for Chapter 1</u><u>:</u>


    (1): A gi outfit is a type of clothing worn in traditional martial arts, such as karate, judo, and jiu-jitsu,...


    (2): "-san, -kun, -chan, -sensei, -senpai, -kohai,..." are Japanese honorific suffixes, that are often used as a way of showing respect, affection, or familiarity towards someone.


    ** -san is "Mr.," "Ms.," or "Mrs." In English. -kun is used for young men, boys. -chan is used for young children, women, and girls. -sensei is used for teacher. Senpai refers to someone with more experience on the field, whereas kohai refers to someone younger and with less experience.


    (3): "Moshi moshi" is a common phrase used when answering the phone in Japan, it means ¡°hello¡±.


    (4): "engawa" is a Japanese architectural feature that is typically a narrow strip of flooring that runs alongside the outer walls of a house or building.

 Chapter 2.1: Horror story

    Once upon a time, in the heart of Japan, there was a young fighter man who was hired to be a servant in a big, traditional Japanese house. He worked there during the day, but one day the owner needed to go out of town and the servant was asked to do the night shift. He agreed to it and took the responsibility of protecting the house during the night. As the night came, the servant was glad to see he wasn¡¯t alone, there were some women would work with him that night. He felt a more comfortable with their company.


    The sky grew darker and the wind howled, the rain began to pour down in torrents. The servant lit his lantern and made his way through the dimly lit hallways, making sure all the doors were locked and secured aganist the storm. As he passed by the shrine, he discovered that the door was open. He looked inside and saw no one there. He thought the wind must have opened the door, so he closed it and continued with his patrolling.


    But as he came back to the shrine, he found the door open again.


    This time he thought someone had gone inside, so he decided to check. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he felt a chill in his bones, and his lantern flickered and died. He was surrounded by darkness. He fumbled for a match to relight his lantern. Suddenly, he sensed a presence behind him. A cold hand touched his shoulder. He screamed and spun around.


    The lantern flickered back to life, revealing a ghastly sight: numerous women lay motionless on the ground, their blood spreading around them. Overcome with shock and horror, he fumbled and dropped the lantern, retreating on all fours. As he crawled away, he felt a sensation brush against his back, prompting him to spin around. To his surprise, he recognized one of the women he had worked with that night. Shaken and trembling, he gestured his hand towards the gruesome scene in the shrine, struggling to find his voice.


    But as he looked back, there was nothing there. Both the man and the woman were confused. The man tried to explain what he had seen, but the woman couldn''t comprehend it. They went back to their room after chatting for a while. That night, the man couldn''t sleep, he kept thinking back about the scene until sleep finally overtook him.


    The next morning, the owner returned, and the servant mentioned that he wanted to thank the women who had worked with him that night but couldn''t find them. The owner was astonished by the servant, he said:


    "What are you talking about, you are the only one I hired."


    Kaito finished recounting his stories to his two listeners. Sakura''s face was drained of color.


    "So..soo...that means the women he met were...?" she whispered, her voice trembling.


    Boro''s expression turned stern. "Ghost." he replied firmly, his face darkening.


    Sakura let out a scream and flung herself at Kaito before her, her face filled with terror.


    Earlier, while cleaning the shrine, Sakura and Boro had taken a break to ask Kaito to tell them some stories about the shrine. Kaito had regaled them with tales of the cursed sword and the lucky outfit, until Boro mentioned the red stains on the lanterns.


    "Calm down, Sakura," Kaito soothed, patting her back gently. "It''s just a story."


    Sakura sniffled, her fear slowly subsiding. "That story was too scary," she said.


    Kaito turned to his two companions and said, "Don''t be scared, guys. Did I tell you that I''ve cleaned the shrine multiple times? The story is just a rumor that''s been circulating in the dojo. I promise you there''s nothing to worry about."


    "But how do you explain the stains on the lanterns?" Boro asked.


    Kaito furrowed his brow, thinking carefully. "I''m not sure, but it could just be some natural discoloration over time." he said uncertainly.


    Sakura nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, you¡¯re right." She said, trying to reassure herself.


    Boro remained silent. The displeasure on his face was evident, he clearly wasn''t satisfied with the answer.


    "Doesn''t it feel like the temperature has dropped?"


    Sakura wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly. Her eyes were glancing around the dimly lit shrine. She and Boro were still wearing their training outfits, the thin fabric doing little to ward off the chill. They had only practiced for a short time before deciding to help Kaito clean the shrine.


    Kaito noticed Sakura''s discomfort and quickly set about lighting a few more lanterns to brighten and warm up the room. He hoped the gentle glow would provide some comfort for them against the raging rain outside. The weather had gotten worse since they arrived. The wind howled like a pack of wolves, rattling the doors and windows, while the rain lashed against the roof and walls like a relentless enemy. Thunder rumbled in the distance, adding to the eerie atmosphere.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Feeling the unease in Sakura and Boro, Kaito suggested, "Perhaps we should call it a day."


    Sakura looked like she wanted to argue, but the idea of returning to the warmth of her home was too tempting. She hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.


    "I''m fine." Boro said, his attention still fixed on the medium-sized black wooden box lying on the ground before them.


    Without wanting to keep everyone waiting, Kaito''s voice was low and serious as he slowly lifted the lid of the box with both hands, "Let''s see what''s inside."


    The box was gradually opened, the hinges creaking in the eerie silence of the shrine. Light struggled to penetrate the pitch-black interior, and for a moment, Kaito, Sakura and Boro could only see something black and white, but the details were unclear.


    "What is that?" Kaito asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Boro brought the lantern closer, illuminating the contents of the box.


    "Aaaaaaahh!"


    Second time in a day, Sakura let out a loud scream, but this time instead of running to Kaito, Sakura fell back and scrambled away, her face twisted in terror.


    Kaito and Boro continued to stare at the contents of the box, their expressions grim and uneasy. They wanted to say something, anything, but their words caught in their throats. What they saw was bone, human bone. Some were fractured, others were whole. A skull lay among the jumbled mess, its empty eye sockets staring back at them. Kaito''s hand continued to dig inside the box, as if compelled by some unseen force, until he commanded it to stop.


    "Senpai, do you know what''s¡ª" Boro began to ask before Kaito cut him off.


    "No," he said immediately, his tone firm and unwavering. He felt a sense of dread and unease creeping up his spine. "Like what I''ve said before, this is the first time I''ve seen it. I don''t know who put the box here or when it was placed here."


    Boro nodded weakly, his face ashen and his expression hollow.


    "Tonight, I will ask my father if he knows anything about this," Kaito said, looking at each of them in turn, trying to reassure them. Then he turned back to the box, intending to close it and end this terrible experiment. But before he could do so, Boro stopped him.


    "Wait, there is something written here," Boro said, using the lantern in his hand to light up the center of the box¡¯s bottom lid. There was a word written in sharp, uneven strokes.


    "Yu.u..ko?" Boro read slowly.


    "Yuuko, Yuuko,"


    Kaito repeated the same word over and over again. He was alone in his family library, unable to shake the feeling of familiarity he felt towards the name he and Boro had discovered in the box earlier. Instead of seeking out his father for answers, Kaito had decided to uncover the truth himself.


    The room was shrouded in darkness, the storm outside had cut off the power. Kaito had to rely on the light from his phone to aid his search. He scanned the titles of the books on the shelves, unsure of what he was looking for but confident that he would recognize it when he saw.


    The interior, with its Japanese decor, was barely visible in the dim light of Kaito''s phone. As he made his way further, Kaito stumbled over the tatami mats<sup>(1)</sup> on the floor, his hand reaching out to grasp the chabudai<sup>(2)</sup> for balance. The walls were adorned with indiscernible shadows, once beautiful calligraphy scrolls and paintings now mere silhouettes in the dark. The room was rarely used by anyone in Kaito''s family, except for his father who had a passion for reading and collecting books. The servants hired by his family still cleaned the room regularly to maintain its pristine condition.


    After a while of searching, Kaito found himself standing before a tall shelf, which filled with volumes that appeared ancient. His hand hovered until it landed on a book with a red cover titled " Generation and History of Nakamura." It was a family book, a recounting of the Nakamura family''s lineage throughout the generations.


    As Kaito opened the book, a loud crack of thunder echoed outside, as if warning him something? With his phone flashlight in hand, Kaito quickly flipped through the pages, taking in each detail. The book was meticulously written, chronicling the lives of his ancestors and their roles in Japanese history. Many were famous samurai, their stories and achievements etched in the pages before him. Kaito could feel he was getting closer to the answers he was searching for.


    But, Kaito''s hand halted abruptly as he attempted to turn the next page.


    "What?" he exclaimed in surprise, eyes widening as he realized that many pages were missing from the section he had reached. which appeared to be around the Edo period<sup>(3)</sup>. The pages had been removed with such precision that there was no trace of their existence. He furrowed his brows, wondering who and why would do such a thing. Was it related to the person named "Yuuko"?


    The storm outside continued to rage, the rain and wind battering against the glass windows. Inside the room, Kaito felt as though he was caught in an invisible storm, his heart beating faster with each passing moment.


    He knew he couldn''t solve this alone. With a sense of urgency, Kaito decided to take the book and seek out his father for answers. As he turned to leave, something caught his eye. In the corner by the sliding door, sat an "animal" in the darkness. Kaito used the word "animal" because he didn''t want to believe what he was seeing. It was sitting with its legs closed, its black hair falling to hide its face.


    BUM!


    A loud boom of thunder shook the room, illuminating the inside for a split second. Kaito recoiled in horror as he realized it was not an animal, but a girl. Her skin was as pale as death, and she was so translucent that he could see the wall behind her. Kaito''s blood ran cold, and he stumbled back. The thing that should not exist was right in front of him.


    The girl seemed to realize that Kaito was staring at. Slowly, it stood up and began to approach him. Kaito backed away on all fours. Each step she took sent chills down Kaito''s spine, and he found himself retreating until he was backed into a corner.


    "Don''t come any closer!" he screamed, but the girl continued to advance.


    With each step, she seemed to become more solid, more real. And when another bolt of lightning flashed outside, the face of it was completely showed, that was a beautiful face. However, Kaito was already blacked out.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): Tatami mats are traditional Japanese flooring made of woven rush grass over a core of rice straw.


    (2): Chabudai is a low table used in traditional Japanese homes for various purposes, including dining, studying, and playing games. The table usually has short legs, and people sit on the floor to use it.


    (3): The Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) was a time of peace, economic growth, and strict social hierarchy. It saw the rise of the samurai class and cultural flourishing, but also isolation from foreign influence. It ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, marking the start of modernization and the end of feudalism.

 Chapter 2.2: Interlude

    "~I thought we had forever, but forever''s come and gone.


    I thought we''d be together, but now I''m standing here alone...~"


    Kagari poured her heart out as she sang the melancholic tune. Earlier that day, her boyfriend had broken up with her, leaving her feeling shattered. So she had asked her friends, Shizuka and Meiji, to join her at the karaoke bar. However, once they arrived, Kagari hogged the microphone and sang one depressing song after another. Initially, Shizuka and Meiji tried to cheer her up, but after three long hours of listening to her, they had grown tired and started playing with their phones.


    Just as they thought the night would never end, the karaoke machine suddenly shut down due to a power outage caused by the storm outside.


    "We''re so sorry."


    The male staff member apologized to the girls as they prepared to leave. Meiji flashed a smile and waved to the handsome staff before opening her umbrella and preparing to brave the storm with her friends.


    The three girls were popular idols at Amaterasu High School. They wore navy blue blazers with school crests on their breast pockets, white collared shirts with navy blue ties, blue cardigans, and black loafers. Their faces were lightly but skillfully made up to enhance their natural beauty.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Did we tell you about him?" Shizuka asked, her voice drowned out by the sound of the pouring rain.


    "What?" Kagari said, unable to hear Shizuka over the rain.


    Meiji, who was walking in the middle, repeated the words for Kagari. Kagari was about to answer but stopped short. She knew they were talking about Shou. Why Kagari had known Shou was a bad cold heart boy but still confessed her love to him? Because, she was just like any other normal high school girl, dreaming of and longing for romance. She had thought she would be different.


    Meiji noticed Kagari''s sad expression and tears welling up in her eyes, a stark contrast to her conceited and angry demeanor earlier in the afternoon. She hugged her friend and comforted her as they continued walking through the rain.


    The girls said goodbyes at an intersection, and Kagari continued on alone towards home. Unbeknownst to her, someone was lurking in the nearby alley, patiently waiting for her arrival. The rain and wind intensified as she walked, drowning out all other sounds and leaving her feeling disoriented.


    As she walked, a sudden gust of wind blew her umbrella backwards, and she realized with a start that there was someone behind her. Her heart pounding with fear, Kagari turned around to see a figure dressed in a dark raincoat, its face obscured by the shadows.


    "Who''s there?" she called out, her voice shaking with apprehension. In the deserted street, there was no one else around but the two of them. The figure took slow and measured steps towards her, inching closer and closer until the light from a nearby streetlamp illuminated its face.


    "You''re..." she began, a smile spreading across her face.

 Chapter 2.3: Kanakos Visit

    Kaito felt a faint voice calling his name in the darkness. It sounded strangely familiar, but he couldn''t place it. He slowly opened his eyes and first thing he saw was a girl''s face hovering above him. She was young and beautiful, and her expression was full of concern. She repeated his name softly, as if trying to wake him up. Kaito reached out his hand to touch her face, to reassure her that he was fine. But as his fingers passed through her skin, he was abruptly jolted back into reality. A rush of memories flooded his mind, reminding him of the current situation.


    Kaito quickly sat up and moved back, trying to put some distance between himself and the apparition. But to his dismay, he found himself backed up against a cold, unforgiving wall. He was trapped in a dark room with a ghost.


    Kaito was a brave man, unafraid of most things. He was confident in his strength and skills, and he believed he could handle any wild animal that crossed his path. He would not hesitate to fight a bear or a tiger if he had to, or at least escape unharmed. But with ghosts, it was a different story. How could he possibly defeat an enemy that he couldn''t even touch? He could not hide from them or hit them, and they could mock him and torment him as they pleased. In short, ghosts were an unbeatable enemy that Kaito feared.


    "Get away from me!"


    Kaito screamed, reaching for the nearest bookshelf and grabbed a handful of books, hurling them at her in desperation. But as expected, none of them could touch her, the books passed right through the transparent body, landing on the tastumi mats with a thud. The ghost even smiled back at Kaito, a dangerous smile. Where was the girl''s worried expression from earlier? Had it all been a lie?


    Just then, there was a knock on the door followed by a female¡¯s voice calling out to him. "Kaito-kun, are you okay?"


    Kaito saw a glimmer of hope and quickly stood up, moving past the ghost girl to reach the door. With trembling hands, he used all of his strength to slide it open, revealing a young woman standing before him. She was impeccably dressed in a gray vest, an elegant gray skirt paired with matching heels, giving off an air of professionalism. Her hair was in bob cut style. It was Kanako, his older step-sister, the daughter of his father''s first wife.


    "Kait¡ª"


    Kanako''s eyes widened with concern as she saw the terror in Kaito''s face. She hadn''t even finished her sentence before he grabbed her arm and pulled her along. She felt a surge of fear from his panicked expression and tried to resist.


    "Stop! Kaito, what are you doing?" she demanded.


    But he didn''t answer. His priority now was to move them far away from that place. He had seen something horrible and he didn''t want Kanako to be in danger.


    "Ahw!"


    Kanako winced and rubbed her sore wrist, the result of Kaito''s firm grip. She breathed heavily as she observed her brother, who was looking outside through the door. They were currently at the front entrance of the main house. Kaito¡¯s family home was a large traditional house, with several buildings inside including the dojo, the main house, the guest house and the storage building.


    "What happened, Kaito?" Kanako asked.


    After making sure that the ghost wasn''t following them, Kaito closed the door and turned to face Kanako with a grave expression.


    "I''ve seen a ghost," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Normally, she would have laughed at her younger brother and told him to stop teasing her, but his serious tone and face made her pause. She chose her words carefully.


    "Are you sure? Maybe you saw something else. It was dark in there."


    Kaito shook his head vehemently. "No, I was in the library room, and when I was about to leave, I saw it right at the door."


    Kanako furrowed her brow in confusion. Earlier, when she had entered the house, she had suddenly heard Kaito''s loud scream, which was why she came to check on him. Unlike her younger brother, Kanako was not afraid of ghosts because simply she had no belief in something like supernatural.


    "Let''s go back to the room," Kanako continued, her tone light. "If there is a ghost, we''ll have a great story to tell everyone." She was trying to alleviate the fear that Kaito was feeling.


    "Are you crazy? It''s dangerous!" Kaito protested.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I can handle myself, and you''re a martial artist, after all."


    He didn''t have a chance to argue. Being a police officer, Kanako wouldn''t believe in something unless she saw it herself.


    The door to the library room slid open once more, and Kaito and Kanako stepped inside, each using the light from their phones to illuminate the space as they searched for any sign of the ghost. But to their disappointment, the room appeared undisturbed, with only scattered books strewn about the floor.


    Kaito, still determined to prove the existence of the ghost, ventured further into the room, scouring every nook and cranny for any clue. However, despite his best efforts, he found nothing.


    Kanako, not wanting to embarrass her younger brother, silently moved about the room, gathering up the books and carefully placing them back on the shelves. As she worked, an uneasy silence settled over the siblings, both lost in their own thoughts.


    The siblings exited the library room and stepped out onto the engawa. Outside, rain was still pouring down heavily. The electricity system had yet to be restored, leaving the area in a state of dimness. The only source of illumination was from the stone lanterns that dotted the walkway. Some of them had shut down, some of them were still active but their stability was threatened by the wind at any moment.


    To break the lingering silence, Kaito cleared his throat and posed a question to his sister.


    "Uhm, why did you come here today?"


    Kanako didn''t live with Kaito, she lived at her mother''s residence in the next district. When they were children, Kanako used to visit Kaito''s house a lot and played with him. But ever since she became a police officer she came less often. Though Kaito regarded Kanako as a kind and caring sister, she could also be strict and disciplined with her younger brother when necessary.


    "Father told me to come. Looks like he wants me to buy some Sake<sup>(1) </sup>again." Kanako answered cheerfully.


    "I see," Kaito responded, not knowing the details of his sister''s work, but it appeared she had an important role in the police force. Kanako often traveled to other cities in Japan, so his father took advantage of her visits and asked her to buy him Sake. Kaito couldn''t recall when his father started drinking so much.


    Kanako spoke softly, as if she had something difficult to say. "Kaito-kun."


    He turned to her. "Yes?"


    "Have you reconsidered coming to live with me?"


    This wasn''t the first time Kanako had suggested it. She was busy with work and saddened that she couldn''t visit her brother and father more often. Living under one roof would make it easier for all of them to spend time together.


    Kaito paused, taking in the scenery of the garden, the dojo building, and the mountains behind his house where his family¡¯s shrine was located. He had been born and raised in this place it was his responsibility to inherit his family''s martial arts and maintain them.


    "I''m sorry, Kanako-san," he said finally.


    Kanako smiled, respecting her brother''s decision. "It''s okay."


    As they came back to the entrace of main house, the warm glow of numerous lanterns greeted them, contrasting with the cold and wet weather outside. Making their way to the staircase, Kaito announced that he would retire to his room to rest, causing a tinge of disappointment in Kanako, who had been looking forward to having dinner with her younger brother.


    Just as they were about to part ways, a servant emerged from the kitchen and informed them that their father wished to see them both. Kaito had no choice but to follow, much to Kanako''s delight.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): "Sake" is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, often served warm or chilled. It has a distinctive flavor profile that varies depending on the type of rice, water, and brewing process used. Sake is an important part of Japanese culture and is often consumed during social gatherings and special occasions.

 Chapter 2.4: The Biting Dinner

    "Father, we¡¯re here."


    Kaito and Kanako stepped into the room, where their father was sitting at the head of the chabudai in the center of the tatami-covered floor. Behind him was a sliding door leading out to the garden. The room was dimly lit by a lantern that hung from the ceiling and cast a warm glow over the cozy space. On the wall, there was a big painting of a cherry blossom tree. The table was already covered with various dishes, such as rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, and tofu. The scent of the food wafted through the air, a tantalizing fragrance that aroused the siblings appetites.


    Nakamura Hiro, their father, appeared unfazed by his two children''s entrance into the room. He remained in a state of deep meditation, his eyes gently closed as he sat in the traditional Japanese style of seiza on his cushion. He wore the same attire he had on earlier this morning, a black hakama and a white kimono, and exuded an aura of serene tranquility.


    Kaito and Kanako bowed to their father and sat down on their own cushions. Kanako, as was her habit, posed a question to her father.


    "What would you like to drink, Father? Sake or tea?" The sound of his daughter''s voice penetrated the peaceful atmosphere of the room, and Hiro slowly opened his eyes his meditation coming to an end.


    ¡°Tea,¡± he said in a firm and decisive tone.


    Kanako nodded obediently and reached for the teapot, being careful not to burn herself on the still-hot vessel. She expertly poured the fragrant brew into her father''s cup before returning the teapot to its place on the table.


    "Thank you." Hiro said.


    "You''re welcome," she murmured with a small bow.


    With that, the family¡¯s dinner began.


    As the dinner progressed, the silence started to fall upon the family. Kaito seemed solely focused on his food, showing no indication of making an effort to engage in conversation anytime soon. Kanako, sensing the need to break the quiet, turned her head to her father she asked:


    "Father, did you call me here for a particular reason?"


    Upon hearing his daughter''s question, Hiro paused and momentarily dropped his chopsticks mid-air. He then slowly looked at her, instead of answering her question he asked:


    "How is your mother?"


    Kanako''s expression softened at the mention of her mother, and she eagerly updated her father on her health and daily routine. As she spoke, the mood in the room began to shift, becoming more relaxed and comfortable. Kanako even shared some humorous anecdotes about her mother''s quirks, eliciting a few chuckles from her father and brother.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Mother of Kanako, Nakamura Akiko, was the former wife of Hiro. The two had lived together for three years before Hiro remarried Kaito''s mother. At the time of their marriage, Akiko was the daughter of a prominent company in Japan. The divorce between Akiko and Hiro was a shock to many and was even covered by top newspapers. Despite the media attention, the reasons behind their divorce remained unknown. However, even after the divorce, Akiko chose to keep the Nakamura family name and lived a celibate life with her daughter Kanako.


    Kanako''s mood gradually shifted as the conversation continued.


    "Father, mother really misses you. She talks about you all the time," she said, her words hanging in the air. It was as if each one was a heartfelt plea.


    "So, father, come back with me and my mother."


    Kaito said nothing. He knew his father''s deep love for the dojo and his desire to uphold the legacy of their family''s martial art. He believed his father would refuse her like many times before.


    "Tell your mother I will return to her, Kanako," Hiro said, his voice slow and deliberate as he spoke each word.


    There was a moment of stunned silence for Kanako and Kaito after their father ''s unexpected declaration. The sister was the first to respond, her voice thick with emotion.


    "Is it true, Father?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes.


    Overcome with emotion, she stood up and rushed to her father''s side, enveloping him in a tight embrace.


    Kaito''s mind raced as he tried to understand his father''s words. That meant that he was going to inherit the dojo from his father. While he had always known that this day would come, he had assumed it would be at least ten more years to prepare himself for the responsibility. The idea that his father might be handing it over to him now was both thrilling and daunting.


    However, Kaito had never expected what came next. Hiro remained calm as he looked towards his son. With each of his words, time seemed to flow slowly.


    "Kaito, I will close the dojo."


    .....


    The statement hit Kaito like a ton of bricks, leaving him and even his sister, who was in joy, shocked and in disbelief.


    "What...do you...mean?" Kaito asked, his voice trembling and unsure. He could not grasp what he just heard.


    "I''m going to close the dojo. You don''t have to worry about taking over and running it anymore." Hiro said with an unwavering voice.


    Kaito''s surprise quickly turned to anger. He slammed his hands on the table, stood up, and glared at his father. "What do you mean!?" he demanded.


    "Why? Because I lost to you for the hundredth time?" Kaito''s bitterness was palpable.


    He wished it was all a joke, that his father and sister would start laughing and tell him it was all a prank. But there was no humor in Hiro''s expression, only contempt. He said:


    "Yes, how can I entrust the dojo to a useless kid who can''t win a single match out of a hundred? That would be an insult to the family''s reputation. I''d rather end it myself than hand it over to you."


    Cruel. Merciless. Heartless. His father, the person who had taught Kaito everything he knew about martial arts, The man who Kaito respected. How could he say something so hurtful to his own son? The words felt like punches that hit Kaito''s mind. He couldn''t take it anymore. Without a word, he turned and stormed out of the room.


    "Kaito, Kaito!" Kanako called after him, trying to chase her brother, but he had disappeared into the darkness of the house.

 Chapter 2.5: Yuuko

    Kaito''s room door slammed shut as he entered, his body collapsing onto the bed. He buried his face into the pillow, the weight of his emotions overwhelming him. For years, he had devoted himself to the martial arts, striving to become a worthy heir to his family''s dojo. But now, that dream lay shattered at his feet.


    His father, the current master of the dojo, had dealt him a cruel blow. Kaito couldn''t understand why his own flesh and blood would treat him so callously. He had always thought that he would inherit the dojo one day, carrying on the family legacy. But now, that future had been ripped away from him, leaving him with nothing but pain and confusion.


    As Kaito lay there, he couldn''t help but wonder if his father was playing some kind of sick game, toying with his emotions for his own amusement.


    Currently, Kaito¡¯s room was shrouded in darkness by the power outage, but he couldn¡¯t care less. After a while, seeking a distraction, Kaito opened his phone and found several messages from his friends.


    Shou: "Hey Kaito, just wanted to remind you to review the marked content in the notebook. It''s important for the test. Let me know if you need any help."


    Emi: "Kaito-kun, I''m sorry I couldn''t come to help you tonight. I''m feeling really sick and didn''t want to risk getting you sick too. I hope you understand and that you''re doing okay. Let me know if you need anything."


    Aya: "Sending you my energy!," and included a cute picture of her cosplaying in a cat costume.


    Though he had no intention of replying to any of the messages, reading them helped lift his mood a bit. He continued scrolling through the news on websites and saw the hottest key searches: "Popular Miko singer caught in cheating scandal with mystery man," "Teenage killer released due to being underage," "Car plows into pedestrians in Akihabara," "Restaurant riot in Shibuya,"...The list went on. "What is happening to Japan?" Kaito thought, he wanted to watch something fun, but all he found was a deluge of negative news articles.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Feeling uncomfortable, he shifted his body position to the side. At that moment, there was a noise coming from behind his back. Turning over and, using the light from his phone''s LED screen, he saw a girl standing there. His instincts kicked in, Kaito rolled off the bed and hit his back on the leg of his study table. He winced in pain, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the fear that was building inside of him. Just as he was about to scream, the girl spoke up.


    "Hey, don¡¯t yell, wait!" she said, her voice clear and cute. Kaito found himself momentarily charmed by her words.


    "Who are you?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly as he tried to steady himself. He remembered its face, the same one as the ghost he had encountered earlier in the library room.


    Suddenly, the room was illuminated by the return of the light, revealing the whole image of the girl standing opposite on the other side of the bed. She had long black hair that reached her shoulders, flowing down her back. Her eyes were big and round. Her skin had a translucent quality that allowed the wall behind her to be faintly visible. She wore a flowing white dress, with the fabric emphasizing her ample bust.


    Kaito was struck by a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen this girl before, not just earlier that night, but long ago. He was lost in thought, unable to move or speak, completely unaware that the ghostly figure was slowly making her way towards him.


    "Moshi moshi, are you all right?" The girl''s face was close to Kaito''s as she waved her hand in front of him, trying to get his attention. The sudden appearance brought Kaito back to reality, and he quickly stepped back to create some distance between them.


    Noticing Kaito''s fear, the girl raised both hands in a gesture of peace and continued to wave them in the air. "Calm down, I''m not going to harm you," she reassured him.


    "Who are you?" Kaito asked.


    "Ah, ehem," the girl cleared her throat before standing up with fluid and graceful movements. She struck a pose, her expression serious and solemn. "Listen carefully," she began, her voice carrying an air of authority. "The name is Yuuko. I am your ancestor."


    She paused for a moment, letting the words sink in before continuing. "And I have come to make your wish come true."

 Chapter 3.1: Third Murder

    Kanako quickly wiped the raindrops from her face before sliding into the driver''s seat of her car. As she closed the door, she let out a long sigh of relief, grateful to be out of the storm. The rain had been coming down hard for hours, but now it seemed to be easing up.


    Still, Kanako couldn''t shake the mixed emotions swirling inside her. On the one hand, she was happy that her father had agreed to reunite with her mother. On the other hand, she was worried that this decision would negatively impact her younger brother''s future. She had stayed behind to try and convince her father to change his mind. That''s why she hadn''t left until now. With a sigh, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed out a message to her mother, letting her know that she would be home late.


    Just as she hit send, her phone rang, and she glanced at the screen to see that it was Peko, her colleague and also subordinate.


    "Kanako here," she answered.


    "Captain, where are you?" Peko¡¯s tone sounded urgent, and she could hear the sound of police sirens in the background.


    ¡°I was going to come home now, what¡¯s going on?¡± Kanako replied, her heart pounding with apprehension.


    ¡°There''s been a murder on Tachibana street. We need you to come here immediately.¡±


    The scene was a large alley where a crowd of people had gathered despite the late hour and the rain. Among them were police officers, reporters and some curious bystanders.


    A camera zoomed in on a woman holding a microphone.


    "This is Mizuna, reporting live from number 18 Tachibana street, where a gruesome murder has taken place. The victim has been identified as Ishida Kagari, an eighteen-year-old student at Amaterasu High School. Her body was discovered by an elderly woman who lives nearby."


    The camera cut to a shot of an old woman wearing a floral pajama. She looked shaken and nervous.


    ¡°It was around 9:30 p.m. I was waiting for the storm to pass before taking out my garbage. When I saw her lying there by the street light, I was so frightened I ran back to my house and called the police."


    The camera switched back to the reporter. Her face became serious.


    "This has marked the third case of high school girl being killed in the past month. The police are still investigating, but we have received some information that a witness saw a student running away from the crime scene. If this is true, it would mean that yet another underage student has committed murder. Some people have petitioned the president to enact a new law that would increase the punishment for this age group. However..."If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    A police car pulled up to the crime scene, and two individuals emerged. Among them were Kanako and Peko, both dressed in their uniforms. Peko, a tall foreign man with dark skin and sunglasses, frowned upon seeing a group of reporters gathered around the yellow tape.


    "Who tipped them off? They''re always getting in the way," Peko muttered.


    While Peko grumbled, Kanako paid no attention and immediately began assessing the area. She retrieved her notebook and sketched the scene''s layout, diligently noting anything that caught her attention.


    They showed their badges to the officer in charge and walked towards the body.


    Kanako knelt beside a cold puddle where a blanket-covered body lay. She lifted the corner of the blanket and saw Kagari''s pale face, the girl looked peaceful, as if she had fallen asleep. Her clothes were neat and clean, showed no signs of struggle. But as Kanako examined the victim, her eyes fixed on a large, dark bruise on Kagari''s neck.


    Just then, a man approached her, holding a clipboard. He was a forensic officer of this case.


    "Excuse me, who''s in charge here?" he asked.


    Kanako stood up and turned to face him. Her voice was slightly trembling.


    "I am," she said.


    The man looked surprised. He had expected to see a senior police, not a young woman. Little did he know that Kanako was an excellent police officer. Despite her youth and gender, she was already the captain of the special investigation team of Tokyo. Her main strength didn¡¯t come from exceptional physical or intellectual skills, but a strong work ethic and a keen intuition for crime-solving.


    "According to the reports, the victim died time around 8:30pm to 8:35pm. The cause of death was asphyxiation due to a crushed larynx. Someone applied a tremendous amount of pressure to her neck and snapped the hyoid bone. She died immediately," the man said.


    "Did you find any weapon or tool that could have caused this injury?" Peko asked.


    The forensic officer flipped to the next page on his clipboard and shook his head. ¡°No weapon was found, but...please look at this.¡± He handed the clipboard to Kanako and pointed to a series of images that showed Kagari''s neck from different angles. There was a clear imprint of a hand on her skin, with five distinct fingers.


    "Are you saying the killer used one hand and broke the victim¡¯s neck instantly? That''s ridiculous! No human could be that strong." Peko gasped and said.


    Kanako handed back the clipboard and thanked the officer. She waited until he moved away before whispering to Peko.


    "This is not a coincidence," she said, her tone serious.


    Peko looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Captain?"


    "Think about it. This is the third high school girl who was murdered this month. And they all died in a similar way: by an unknown force that broke their bones. The first victim was found in a hotel, had her arm twisted until it snapped; the second victim was found in the park, had her legs spread until they cracked; and now this one here had her neck squeezed until it broke." Kanako said.


    Peko remembered. "But they arrested the suspect for the first case, right? A high school boy who was caught on CCTV in the hotel corridor."


    Kanako nodded. "Yes, but remember how the guy kept insisting he didn''t do it, even with clear evidence against him?"


    Peko understood the implications of what his captain was suggesting. Both of them fell into a heavy silence, knowing it was too early to jump to conclusions. But one thing was certain: this serial killer case was far from normal.

 Chapter 3.2: Kaitos Wish

    Kaito was staring in disbelief at the ghost who claimed to be his ancestor. She had appeared out of nowhere in his bedroom and...


    ¡°...I have come to make your wish come true." She said.


    The whole situation felt surreal, something that belonged in a manga or anime rather than in real life. As Yuuko finished her speech, she sat gently on Kaito''s bed, her eyes fixed on him, waiting for any questions. Time stood still in the room until Kaito finally found the words to speak.


    "You said you are my ancestor?" he asked, incredulous.


    "Yes, we share the same family name, Nakamura. I am Nakamura Yuuko. You can find my name in our family history book. What was it called again?" She said, tilting her head.


    "Generation and History of Nakamura." Kaito answered, feeling uneasy.


    Kaito''s mind went back to the library room earlier where he had stumbled upon the book. He remembered that some of its pages were cut, likely where her name was located. Despite intending to ask his father about the book, the appearance of the ghost and his sister had made him forget.


    "That''s right, that''s the book. Then you must know how famous I was back then" Yuuko said proudly, but her expression changed when she saw Kaito''s dumbfounded face. "Wait, you don''t know?"


    The way Yuuko talked made Kaito feel close and friendly towards her. His fear seemed to subside, and he momentarily forgot that he was talking to a ghost. "I''m sorry, I really don''t know," Kaito apologized with a sheepish grin.


    Yuuko waved her hand dismissively and sighed.


    "Okay, okay, forget it. It''s not important."


    Kaito expected to hear Yuuko''s past, and was a bit disapointed when she dismissed it. But he understood that what truly mattered at the moment was the wish.


    ¡°You said you will grant me a wish.¡± As if she was waiting for it, Yuuko nodded eagerly and moved closer to him. She reached out to hold his hand, but he felt nothing. She was a ghost, after all. He could only see her faint outline.


    She smiled at him and said in a cheerful voice. ¡°Yes!¡± However, she quickly changed her tone and added in a lower voice. ¡°Uhm¡­It¡¯s also not true.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Not true?¡± Kaito exclaimed. He pulled his hand back and frowned at her. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Yuuko bit her lip and looked away. She seemed embarrassed and nervous. She said in a soft voice. ¡°I don¡¯t have the power to grant your wish, but I could make your wish come true.¡±


    Kaito felt more confused than ever. He tilted his head and asked. ¡°What is the difference?¡±


    Yuuko looked at him again and smiled. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. ¡°What is your wish?¡± She asked suddenly.


    Kaito was caught off guard by Yuuko¡¯s question. What did he want? What was his wish? He had never given it much thought before and needed time to consider his answer. However, before he could respond, Yuuko spoke again.


    "I have seen it," she said, her tone shifting suddenly. It was now tinged with an unsettling mix of fear and danger.


    "Huh?" Kaito was confused.


    "What happened in the dining room," Yuuko said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Kaito''s heart started racing as he replayed the scene from the room earlier, his father¡¯s face appeared followed by his harsh words:


    ¡°How can I entrust the dojo to a useless kid who can''t win a single match out of a hundred? That would be an insult to the family''s reputation. I''d rather end it myself than hand it over to you."


    He could hear each word clearly, not from his mind, but from Yuuko. She had mimicked his father''s voice perfectly, making him relive the humiliation. He felt a surge of anger and tried to hit Yuuko, but his fist went through her ghostly body.


    Despite Kaito''s angry aura, Yuuko continued to speak. "Look at what you have done, Kaito," she said, this time she used Shou¡¯s voice. "You have destroyed our dojo."


    Kaito refused to believe her. "Lying, Shou would never say that," he shouted.


    ¡°Not now, but soon.¡± Yuuko responded with a high-pitched cackle and moved back to dodge Kaito''s punchs, which were now losing direction.


    She sat down on Kaito''s bed and mocked him with the voices of other people he knew.


    "You are such a loser. How can I ever love you?"


    "How can you be my Senpai with such skill?¡±


    "You are pathetic."...


    ...


    Kaito was a person who lived with a great sense of pride, he was nothing without pride. Little by little, Yuuko¡¯s words shattered his essence into countless pieces.


    .....


    The voice had been stopped, but Kaito was still covering his ears with both hands, his face pale and etched with disbelief, his body trembling uncontrollably. Just then he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and looked up to see Yuuko kneeling in front of him with a soft smile. "Don''t worry, Kaito," she said in her own voice. "I can help you achieve your wish.¡±


    ¡°My wish?¡± he repeated.


    ¡°Yes, Kaito''s wish is to beat his father.¡± She enunciated each word slowly and distinctly, her smile still present.


    "How can I win him?" Kaito asked weakly.


    Their eyes locked onto each other as Yuuko made him an offer. "Let me come into you, and I will teach you my secret martial art," she said convincingly. ¡°No one can ever doubt your ability, you can win anyone, even your father.¡±


    Kaito agreed with a faint nod. Yuuko placed her lips on his, she kissed him with passion. And everything went black.

 Chapter 3.3: Interlude

    Reina opened her eyes, greeted by a grand bedroom with an intricately patterned Western ceiling. She tried to sit up but felt weak and groggy, her body soaked in sweat. A woman dressed in a maid outfit was asleep on a chair beside her bed. As she heard Reina stir, the maid hurriedly stood up and bowed.


    "Ojou-sama<sup>(1)</sup>! You''re awake! How are you feeling?" the maid inquired with a hint of concern and fear in her voice.


    "I''m still feeling a little weak, but I''ll be alright. How long have I been asleep?" Reina asked, trying to assess the situation.


    The maid seemed nervous and looked down, avoided Reina¡¯s gaze. "You... you have been unconscious for about five hours, Reina-sama," she finally said. "You collapsed when you stood too long in the rain. I, along with the guards, brought you here. The doctor has advised you to take complete rest, and I have been taking care of you since."


    Reina heaved a long sigh and tried to stand up. The maid reached out to help her, but Reina gestured for her to stop. She firmly took each step on the cold parquet-patterned floor, her posture not resembling that of a sick person.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The maid sensed that something amiss about Reina¡¯s behavior and knelt down with her head bowed in apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for falling asleep on the job.¡±


    Ignoring the woman behind her, Reina pulled open the window with force and welcomed the cool breeze from the suburban surroundings. Some raindrops landed on her hair as she looked up at the dark sky above. The storm had subsided, and the clouds were clearing up, revealing the round moon behind. By looking at the moon and the stars, and calculating their position and angle, Reina could estimate the current time. She muttered: "It''s around 1 am.¡±


    "Maria!" Reina called out the name of the maid behind her without turning around. The maid quickly stood up and assumed a respectful posture.


    "Yes, what is your order, ojou-sama?"


    ¡°Announce to Miya that she should arrange a car for my return as soon as possible. In addition, ask her to reschedule the meeting with the board members for later today. And..." Reina paused for a moment before continuing. ¡°Tell her to terminate your contract immediately.¡±


    Maria gasped and fell to her knees. "Please, ojou-sama, have mercy!"


    Reina didn''t listen to the maid''s plea, her face showed a tinge of sadness as she looked towards the hill in the distance. There was a field of reeds, and on top of the hill was her bouquet of white lilies on the grave of her younger sister, Rika.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): ¡°Ojou-sama¡± " is often used by subordinates or acquaintances to address or refer to a young lady from a wealthy or noble family.

 Chapter 3.4: First Dream

    A sudden burst of blinding light enveloped Kaito, momentarily disorienting him as he blinked away the glare. As the light faded, he found himself seated at a solitary make-up table, facing a large mirror, with darkness surrounding him on all sides.


    In the reflection, Kaito saw the face of a woman, her features illuminated by a bright, focused light that shone down upon her from above. As he watched, he felt a strange sense of connection to her. The girl began to apply make-up, her hands deftly moving across her features with an ease that suggested a familiarity with the task. To his surprise, Kaito found himself mimicking her actions, as though his hands were being guided by an unseen force.


    Confused and bewildered, Kaito asked the girl, "Who are you?" At that moment, he realized that his voice had become softer and higher, a stark contrast to his usual deep tone. He gasped and covered his mouth with his hands, only to see the girl in the mirror do the same. Despite the uncanny resemblance, Kaito knew deep down that the girl in the mirror was not him.


    Suddenly, he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders, but when he looked behind him in the mirror, there was no one there. The voice that spoke to him was equally as perplexing, it was a strange sound, neither male nor female, and it seemed to alternate between high and low pitches and volumes.


    "Isn''t this what you wanted?" the voice asked, and Kaito felt a tightening in the grip of the invisible hands.


    "No!" Kaito responded immediately, his resistance clear in his voice. As he spoke, the pressure on his shoulders lessened, accompanied by a small cracking sound from the mirror.


    "Come now, Kaito," the voice cooed. "Don''t you want to be more beautiful and cute? Imagine how much easier your life would be as a woman."


    Kaito felt a surge of defiance rise up within him, and he replied firmly, "I am proud of who I am, just the way I am."


    As soon as he spoke these words, a loud crack resounded through the room, and a long, jagged crack appeared on the surface of the mirror.


    "But think of the possibilities, Kaito," the voice persisted. "As a woman, you would have access to all sorts of places you never could before. You could easily enter the girl''s changing room and observe them in secret. Isn''t that something you''ve always dreamed of?"


    Kaito''s resolve wavered at this suggestion, and he found himself hesitating. He couldn''t deny the allure of being able to enter the girl''s changing room, It was the dream of every man his age. The girl in the mirror seemed to sense his uncertainty. She smiled and continued applying makeup, Kaito''s movements again mirroring hers in the reflection.


    The voice continued echoing, its tone insidious as it spoke its next suggestion. "Yes, you can have any girlfriend you want, even making a harem for yourself." Kaito''s movements froze, his mind recoiling at the thought. He shook his head, the weight on his shoulder vanish as he stood up, looking directly at the girl who was still sitting in the mirror before him.


    "No," he said firmly, his voice resolute. "I can''t."


    He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew he must say next.


    ¡°I have to focus on my training. I¡¯ve made a promise my self, no drink, no woman, until I can surpass my father.¡±


    The mirror cracked, the sound echoing through the room as it fragmented into countless pieces. The world around Kaito crumbled like a puzzle, revealing a blank white space behind it.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Kaito woke up from his nightmare.


    A loud sound bang through the room, followed quickly by the clattering of small items falling to the ground. The noise jolted Kaito awake, and he felt a dull pain throbbing in his forehead. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy and uncooperative. With great effort, he lifted his head from the table surface and gradually regained his vision.


    It was then that Kaito realized he was not in his own room. Instead, he found himself in a traditional Japanese room with tatami mats and sliding doors. A lantern on the wall cast a soft light on the table in front of him, where a framed picture of a woman in her thirties, she was smilling. She was exquisite and beautiful, with delicate features and long black hair. She was his mother, Nakamura Kobato.


    She had died shortly after he was born. He had never met her, but he always felt grateful for her giving him life. This room was her room, and it had been preserved as a memorial since her death.


    As Kaito tried to piece together how he had ended up in this room, he caught sight of himself in the mirror and was immediately filled with shock. He stumbled backwards, causing the chair he had been sitting in to topple over.


    He was wearing a girl''s uniform.


    "Naniiii!?<sup>(1)</sup>" Kaito yelled.


    The makeup table was littered with open jars and brushes, and the powdery scent of cosmetics filled the air. His face was covered with thick white powder, and the heavy scent of the makeup made him feel like he was suffocating. His lips were painted a bright red, and his eyes were lined with heavy black kohl. But even with the makeup, he could still recognize himself. He looked like a man in drag, and a very bad one at that.


    "Yuuko!" Kaito called out, his voice shaking with anger. "Get out here and explain yourself!" He needed answers and he needed them now.


    "Sorry about that." After a while, a woman''s voice apologized in his head. It sounded sheepish and amused.


    "I tried my best to make you look more feminine, but you know, back in my days we didn''t have any cosmetics like these." She sighed.


    "What are you doing? You said you would teach me your secret martial art. This is not what we agreed on." Kaito protested, If someone had seen him from a distance, they would have thought he was talking to himself.


    "Oh, right." She chuckled. "I forgot to mention, the martial art I''m going to teach you is called ''Hagarin''<sup>(2)</sup>."


    "Hagarin? What kind of name is that? I''ve never heard of it before." Kaito said, confused. "And what does it have to do with my appearance?"


    Yuuko giggled, ¡°changing your outside is the first step to learn Hagarin.¡±


    ¡°Hagarin is a technique that can only be mastered by those who possess both the physical and emotional qualities of femininity. It requires a deep understanding and connection with the female body, as well as a high level of emotional intelligence, compassion, and intuition. These qualities are not typically associated with men, and mastering the Hagarin requires a complete transformation of both body and mind. In essence, you must become a true woman in every sense of the word to wield its power.¡±


    Yuuko''s words rang out in Kaito¡¯s mind. He became overwhelmed and lost focus halfway through her speech. His knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground. It dawned on him the gravity of what he had become involved in. Yuuko continued her lesson with a passion tone:


    ¡°Our family martial art originated from the concept of ''Inyo'', which is similar to the ''Yin and Yang'' concept. Inyo represents femininity and Yang represents masculinity. In the ''In'' aspect--."


    "Stop! I don¡¯t want to listen anymore," Kaito cut her off. "Terminate our deal now."


    Disappointment etched on his face, Kaito rubbed his forehead where he felt the dull pain. As Yuuko remained silent, he continued, "I am a man. I won''t sacrifice my dignity to become a woman."


    "Even...if it can help you defeat your father?" The voice whispered in his head again, as if Yuuko was right next to his ear.


    Kaito clenched his fists. His resolve was shaken at her words, and he found himself questioning his determination. At that moment, there was a knock at the door.


    "Who''s in there?" his father''s voice boomed from the other side.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): ¡°Nani¡± is commonly used to mean "what." It is an interrogative word used to ask questions or express surprise, confusion, or disbelief.


    (2): ¡°Hagarin¡± is a name that I invented, that doesn¡¯t have any meaning in Japanese. It is based on Hagal, which combines the Japanese word for leaf (ha) and the English word for girl (gal). When I tried to write Hagal in Japanese characters, it became Hagarin. I also like how Hagarin sounds similar to ¡®hagane¡¯, which means steel in Japanese and feel like toughness, ¡®-rin¡¯ is a common suffix in martial arts.

 Chapter 3.5: Fateful Meeting

    The rain kept falling in Tokyo even after the storm had subsided. A black SUV drove on the slick road, until a road worker in a bright vest and a hard hat signaled it to stop. He came to the window and talked to the driver.


    "You can''t go this way."


    The driver was a burly man in a black suit and sunglasses. He had a low and menacing voice that made the air colder.


    "Why?¡±


    The road worker was startled by the sight of the man and his intimidating aura. He stammered nervously.


    ¡°Uh, sorry sir, there was a tree that fell during the storm and it blocked the road. We¡¯re waiting for the service vehicle to come and clear it.¡±


    Without a word, the driver rolled up the window, backed up and drove away.


    The car had picked a detour, its destination set on the towering headquarters of BioGeneX, Japan''s leading biotechnology corporation. As they drove along, they were once again stopped by a police officer, who came to the car window and requested it be opened.


    ¡°Sorry, this route is temporarily closed due to an ongoing investigation,¡± the officer said.


    The driver picked up some murmurs from the bystanders and cast a quick glance at his owner in the back seat through the rearview mirror. Then, he made an effort to sound nonchalant as he spoke to the officer.


    "Is this related to those high school girl murders that have been in the news lately?"


    "Sorry, we can''t disclose any details about this," the officer said curtly and moved on to the next car.


    The driver turned the car around and looked for another way to reach their destination. He spoke to his owner with a worried tone, "Ojou-sama, if we take another detour, we will be late for another 30 minutes. I need your permission to pass by the Nakamura dojo."


    There was a long silence in the car. Reina''s gaze was fixed on the traffic light, which was about to turn green. She knew what passing by the dojo meant for her, a place she wished to forget.


    "Very well. This is an important meeting and I need to be ready. I can''t let my personal issues interfere with my work."


    "Who''s in there?"


    Kaito froze at the sound of his father''s voice rang out from the other side of the door. Panicking, he clamped a hand over his mouth and tried to keep his voice down as he spoke to Yuuko. The urgency in his tone was palpable.


    "Where are my clothes?" he whispered frantically.


    Yuuko seemed amused by his request. "Of course, Kaito''s clothes are in Kaito¡¯s room," she replied with a hint of surprise in her tone.


    Kaito''s frustration mounted "Wait, you mean you have stripped off my clothes before dragging me to this room?"


    "...Yes." Yuuko''s voice sounding like that of a shy girl. "wouldn¡¯t it very bad if someone sees Kaito''s clothes here?"


    Kaito imagined the horror of himself had been paraded around the house naked. He covered his face with his hands, seething with anger.


    "You!" he spat.


    Despite his fury, he had to calm down and act quickly to escape the room before his father came in. He made his way to the window and tried to open it, but it had been stuck shut for far too long. He didn''t want to force it open and risk damaging the window, especially since it was his mother''s room.


    "Kuso!<sup>(1)</sup>"


    Kaito cursed under his breath, realizing he had no other option but to face his father in this appearance. The thought of being caught filled him with dread. It would be humiliating. And worse, his father might disown him, let alone the inherit of dojo.


    "Shit!! Shit!!" He banged his head on the window frame, muttering the word repeatedly in frustration. But then Yuuko''s voice cut through his panic.


    "Calm down, Kaito. Let me help you."


    Desperate for a way out, Kaito immediately seized on the glimmer of hope that Yuuko offered him. "What do I need to do?" he asked, his voice shaking.


    Yuuko chuckled, her tone mischievous. "Well, This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the power of the Hagarin technique."


    After several attempts to call out to whoever was in the room, Hiro resolved to take matters into his own hands. With a show of force, he slid the door open widely and stood in a defensive posture ready for any potential threats.


    To his surprise, he found a girl behind the door, with an unusual appearance. She was dressed in a school uniform, a long-sleeved shirt and a knee-length skirt with socks, but her long hair hung down, completely obscuring her face. The lantern on the wall illuminated her back, casting a long shadow over Hiro''s feet. She looked like a ghost straight out of a Japanese horror movie.


    "Who are you? What are you doing here?¡± Hiro asked sternly.


    In response, the girl spoke in a soft, trembling voice that evoked pity. "I''m sorry, Owner-san. The storm was too strong, and I had nowhere else to go. I came into your house without permission to seek shelter."


    Hiro''s guard lowered and he relaxed his posture. It seemed like the situation was not unfamiliar to him. His voice was soften but remained firm.


    "Listen, girl. You can¡¯t just barge into someone¡¯s home without asking. Next time, you have to knock and wait for an answer. Now, come with me. You can¡¯t stay in this room."


    The girl quickly replied with a "Yes!" and ran towards Hiro, extending her arms as if she were about to embrace him. But just as suddenly, her right hand thrust towards Hiro''s neck, sending a wave of murderous intent through his body. Reacting quickly, he rotated his body to the side and instinctively countered with a punch of his own. The girl swiftly lowered her body to evade his attack and followed up with a sweeping kick, forcing Hiro to jump back into the hall, where the lanterns were casting yellow radiance. Hiro moved skillfully, his figure disappearing and reappearing within the limited range of each lantern''s light.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The girl stepped out of the room, still hiding her face behind her hair, she spoke in a plaintive tone, "Why are you running from me, Owner-san? You said you would take me somewhere." She sniffled and took a step towards Hiro, her movements becoming faster and more erratic with each passing moment.


    Hiro stood his ground and changed to his defensive posture, preparing for the impact.


    "Why are you attacking me?" he asked, his tone steady.


    But the girl didn''t answer. Instead, she let out a high-pitched giggle and continued to move closer and closer until she was just inches away from him. Suddenly, she lowered her body once again, but this time instead of a sweeping kick, her right hand was poised to strike at his groin. Hiro''s reflexes kicked in and he quickly thrust his knee forward to block the attack, intending to counter with a kick of his own. But the girl just laughed.


    "I know how sensitive your men are at that area.¡±


    Hiro realized too late that her raised hand were just a ploy to distract him. Using her lowered position, the girl lauched herself into a high jump, like a leaf being lifted by a gust of wind. She twisted her body in mid-air, spinning three quick circles, her arms and legs were blur in the motion, her movements fluid and graceful. With lightning speed, she delivered a thrust kick to the center of Hiro''s body, sending him sliding back across the floor despite his attempts to block the attack.


    "Are you impressed, Kaito? This is the power of Hagarin." Yuuko''s voice sounded proud and triumphant in Kaito''s mind. ¡°But I must admit, I was quite surprised when your father managed to defend against that kick."


    Yuuko communicated with Kaito through their mental connection, exchanging thoughts. Earlier, she had proposed that Kaito relinquish control of his body to her. Though hesitant at first, the urgent circumstance left him with no other choice. Unlike Yuuko, who was exhilarated by the battle, Kaito remained silent, observing and analyzing the ongoing fight through Yuuko''s eyes.


    "What''s the matter, Kaito? Enjoying it so much that you''re speechless?" Yuuko teased him.


    "Shut up, you haven''t won yet." Kaito snapped back, annoyed by her arrogance.


    "Okay, okay, don''t be so grumpy. I''ll make you worship this technique of mine when I finish him off.¡± Yuuko said, confident in her victory.


    Currently, there was an unsettling uneasiness gripped Kaito''s heart. Having fought his father multiple times in the past, he knew that his father had yet to unleash his full power. Something felt off, particularly during the last kick, as if his father had deliberately held back for some reason.


    Meanwhile, Yuuko continued to act her role. She had a special ability to mimic anyone''s voice. With a soft, sweet, and pitiful tone, she addressed Hiro.


    ¡°I''m sorry, owner-san. Did I hurt you? Please let me apologize by healing you.¡±


    She reached into the skirt pocket and pulled out a band-aid, holding it up for Hiro to see.


    However, Hiro''s behavior was far from ordinary. He stood silent, maintaining the same posture from their last clash, resembling a statue in the shadow of the dimly lit hall. Undeterred by his lack of response, Yuuko approached Hiro with a cheerful demeanor, the band aid still raised in her hand.


    Then, in a instant moment, everything changed. When Yuuko was barely a meter away, with a sudden burst of energy, Hiro unleashed a devastating punch aimed directly at Yuuko''s face, his intent to kill clear in his eyes. The attack happened so swiftly that Yuuko barely managed to evade it, leaving a scratch on Kaito''s face where the wig had concealed it.


    Yuuko quickly leapt backward, trying to create some distance between herself and Hiro. A chilling sensation ran down Kaito¡¯s body, that both of them could sense. It was clear that Hiro''s true capabilities had been underestimated, and Yuuko realized that she needed to reassess her approach.


    "Owner-san," Yuuko said, her voice taking on a pouty, cute, and sweet tone. "Don''t you think you''re being, like, way too rough with a girl?" She emphasized the word "girl" with an exaggerated whine, trying to appeal to his sense of guilt or reason.


    But Hiro slowly advanced into the illuminated area of the hall, his face emerged from the shadows, revealing a grimace filled with scorn and anger. With a venomous tone, he retorted:


    "Shut up, you repulsive pervert! I saw that abhorrent sight beneath your skirt as you executed that airborne kick."


    ...


    Eh!


    Eh!? Eh!? Eh!?


    A crescendo of panic surged through Kaito, rising steadily like an impending storm until it exploded in a piercing scream that reverberated within the confines of his mind.


    "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"


    "Calm down, Kai¡ª" Yuuko''s voice wavered, unable to pacify him. Her words were even abruptly cut off as Kaito waged an internal battle to reclaim dominance over his own body.


    Summoning every ounce of strength, every fragment of will, every fiber of his being, Kaito pivoted away and bolted toward the nearby window. Without a moment''s hesitation, he crashed into the pane, shattering it into a cascade of fractured glass. He leaped out from the second floor, hurtling through the air, his landing sending a jolt of pain coursing through his body. Yet, in his mind, there was only one imperative. To flee, to distance himself from the house, to escape as far and as fast as possible from the situation.


    The rain mercilessly pelted Kaito, drenching his clothes and causing the undergarment beneath to be revealed. It would have been a picturesque and captivating sight, with an air of romance and allure, if only Kaito was... a girl. Unfortunately, in his current appearance, he resembled nothing more than a pervert with disturbing inclinations.


    After running for what felt like ages, he came to halt in a dark alley. Leaning against a wall, he tried to steady his breath and calm his racing thoughts.


    A mix of embarrassment and anger coursed through Kaito''s veins. He knew he had only himself to blame for succumbing to a moment of weakness and being lured by the intoxicating allure of power. Yet, instead of accepting responsibility, he directed his frustrations towards Yuuko, the self-proclaimed ancestor who haunted him. But no matter how loudly he called out to her, no matter how vehement his anger, Yuuko remained absent, as if everything he had experienced thus far were nothing more than illusions.


    Kaito flung the wig to the ground in a fit of rage and let out a primal scream that echoed in the alley. He looked up at the sky, as if accusing it of his misfortune.


    "KUSOOOOOOO!!"


    Tears started to stream down his face, their salty trails mingling with the raindrops, creating a poignant reflection of his inner chaos in the natural world around him.


    In an eerie synchrony, a car materialized as if in response to his outburst. The blinding glare of its headlights obstructed his vision, preventing him from noticing the two individuals who had emerged from within. They stood at a distance, silently observing him.


    A voice, reminiscent of the one he had heard the day before, cut through the rain with a chilling tone.


    "Camera!"


    It was Reina. She spoke to Adam, her guard, who dutifully held an umbrella to shield her from the rain. With a silent understanding, he dropped the umbrella, then pulled out a mini camera from his coat. Without hesitation, he snapped pictures of Kaito relentlessly.


    "Hey, stop! What do you think you''re doing!?" Kaito shouted, his intention to confront them thwarted by the blinding lights of the car and the persistent flashes from the camera.


    "How disappointing, Kaito."


    "Reina?"


    Reina exchanged some words with Adam before returning to her seat.


    "Wait, Reina. It''s not what you think!" Kaito attempted to give chase, but Adam held him back. Under normal circumstances, Kaito would not have been so easily restrained, but his current state was one of mental breakdown, compounded by the earlier injuries sustained from the fall.


    "Take this." Adam firmly grasped Kaito''s arm and handed him a card. "Tomorrow, 5 pm. Come to this address."


    With those final words, Adam got back into the car. The vehicle swiftly departed, leaving Kaito alone in the desolate darkness of the alley.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): ¡°Kuso¡± is is a slang term that is often used to express frustration, annoyance, or disappointment. It is a vulgar term that can be translated as "crap," "damn," or "shit" in English. I will restrict the use of Japanese words in the novel to crucial moments, where they can enhance the atmosphere and contribute to creating an authentic Japanese feel.

 Prologue - Letter (Arc 1)

    Dear Rika,


    I write this letter with a glimmer of hope, imagining that the dancing flames will carry my words to you in the realm beyond. My heart is heavy with regret as I acknowledge the truth¡ªI have been a terrible sister to you. It is in this moment of reflection that I realize the profound loneliness that accompanies your absence. You were my guiding light, my protector, and for that, I am immensely grateful.


    Yet, amidst my gratitude, a deep longing emerges for the moments we missed. Instead of immersing ourselves in heartfelt sisterly conversations, embracing laughter, and cherishing precious memories, I allowed the demands of my work to consume me. How I yearn for more moments together¡ªtalking, sharing the same sleeping space, and embarking on shared shopping adventures, just as normal sisters would.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Rika, I am sorry. I acknowledge the sorrow that envelops me. The weight of this remorse threatens to consume my spirit, but if I keep harboring such emotions, it would render me incapable of shouldering the responsibilities fate has bestowed upon me with our family''s company. Therefore, once again, allowing me to borrow your strength, allowing me to use your untimely demise, transforming it into a source of power. The flames of anger within me shall burn our enemies, and your memory will serve as a constant reminder, propelling me forward. You are my unwavering belief, the driving force that sustains me.


    Rest peacefully, dear Rika, and may you find eternal happiness in your afterlife.


    With love,


    Reina

 Chapter 4: Past of a Fighter

    THUMP THUMP THUMP


    The rhythmic beat of the drums reverberated through the air. Muscular men pounded the instruments, their beats intertwining with the fervent cries of the crowd. Amongst the onlookers, a vast majority wore tattered garments, their voices rising in unison to cheer on their favorite fighter.


    "Ganbare<sup>(1)</sup>, Yuuko!" their collective voices echoed, carrying both hope and encouragement.


    Amidst this sea of ordinary folk, another group stood out, smaller but no less fervent. Their attire spoke of a higher status, and their voices carried a touch of privilege. "Kita-sama, ganbare kudasai!" they rallied, their support for their favored fighter clear and unwavering.


    The scene unfolded on a grand courtyard, the culmination of an annual martial arts tournament hosted by the Nakamura family. Yuuko and Kita had proven their mettle, defeating numerous adversaries to secure their place in this final match. Each of them bore the esteemed Nakamura name, but only the victor would have the honor of earning the extraordinary privilege bestowed upon them by their clan.


    The tournament had drawn a diverse gathering of spectators. People of all ages, occupations, and social ranks from the Edo period converged upon this spectacle. Feudal lords and court nobles occupied an elevated platform, observing the proceedings with an air of regal detachment. Meanwhile, the commoners sought solace beneath the shade of cherry blossom trees, thoughtfully planted along the periphery of the courtyard at equal intervals, adding to the scene a touch of natural beauty.


    All eyes were fixed on the stage, unable to divert their gaze from the captivating battle unfolding before them. The anticipation hung thick in the air, as every movement, every strike, had the power to change the course of destiny.


    Yuuko adorned herself in a pristine white Kosode and black Hakama<sup>(2)</sup> with an elegant Obi<sup>(2)</sup> securing her attire at the center. Her hair was meticulously tied up in a bun atop her head. She was consistently moving back while evading the attacks from her opponent, Kita. A man in his thirties with a square-shaped face exuding determination and strength. His piercing eyes mirrored his unwavering resolve. Kita wore a striking ensemble consisting of gray Hitatare Kamishimo<sup>(2)</sup>, with an Obi cinched tightly at his waist. Each of his movements showcased exceptional agility and precision.


    One of Kita''s prominent attributes in his fighting style was his relentless persistence, consistently launching attacks with endless energy, leaving his opponent no room to rest or counter.


    The situation grew dire for Yuuko as Kita gradually forced her closer to the edge of the battleground. According to the rules, if a fighter touched the outer boundary, it would result in an immediate loss. Yuuko was well aware of this, and she desperately sought to redirect their movement back to the center of the field. However, Kita seemed to anticipate her intentions. Every time Yuuko attempted to step to the side, Kita swiftly countered with a fast and forceful punch. Yuuko has no way to break out this relentless pressure.


    So, she decided to bide her time, she must conserve her energy for a crucial moment.


    As the battle reached the critical juncture, Yuuko''s foot grazed the edge of the battleground, leaving her with no escape route. Sensing victory, Kita prepared to deliver the final, devastating blow ¡ª a punch that would be his swiftest and most powerful yet. The tension in the air was palpable as Kita unleashed his attack, aimed squarely at the center of Yuuko''s body.


    In a display of astonishing agility, Yuuko arched her back downward, a maneuver that required a body with supple and slender physicality. Kita''s fist swung over Yuuko''s head, narrowly missing its target, leaving him momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Yuuko swiftly raised her foot, executing a high kick aimed directly at Kita''s chin. The impact of the blow sent Kita reeling, dazed and wounded. Although the kick did not possess enough force to bring him down, it forced him to immediately retreat, providing a brief pause for both the fighters and viewers to catch their breath.


    The atmosphere erupted with trembling screams of excitement, accompanied by the hundreds of claps, even coming from the higher area where the nobles were seated. Amidst the deafening roar, not far away from Yuuko, was the voice of a little boy:


    ¡°Sugoi<sup>(3)</sup>, Onee-chan!!¡±


    Hearing her younger brother''s enthusiastic support, filling Yuuko''s heart with pride. She scanned the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her father and elder brother. Although they were not present, Yuuko believed that they too were sharing in her joy and happiness. She yearned for her family to witness her victorious moment, but it seemed like Yuuko was being too optimistic about her victory.


    Kita regained his composure, spitting out a mouthful of blood from his injured lip. He exhaled deeply, preparing himself for the next phase of the battle.


    "It''s coming, the Arashi no Sh¨±geki<sup>(4)</sup>."


    A woman from Kita''s support group declared, her voice filled with anticipation. The gesture preparations for Kita''s upcoming technique reinvigorated their spirits, heightening the atmosphere with an electrifying energy.


    Kita''s ultimate skill, Arashi no Sh¨±geki, was something Yuuko had heard about but had never witnessed it firsthand. A nervous chill crept up her spine as she carefully observed and waited for any signs of movement from Kita. And with incredible speed, Kita charged towards Yuuko.


    Although Kita raced towards her with remarkable velocity, the distance between them provided Yuuko with enough time to brace herself, planning for a counterattack. Kita''s speed continued to escalate with no sign of abating, and when the gap between them closed to around five meters, Yuuko leaped to the side, executing a nimble evasive maneuver.


    Normally, when a runner was in high speed, if they wanted to halt, they would need to gradually reduce their pace. However, with Arashi no Sh¨±geki, Kita defied that convention. In a split second, while Yuuko was suspended mid-air from her sidestep, Kita slammed his dominant foot on the ground, instanly bringing his velocity to zero. He pivoted his body to face Yuuko, who now found herself vulnerable with only half a meter separating them. With immense power, he launched a punch targeting the center of Yuuko''s body, mirroring his previous devastating blow. Yuuko managed to raise her left hand just in time to partially block the blow before being thrust backward.


    "Ahh!"


    Yuuko cried out in pain, her left arm searing with agony as the sound of bones breaking echoed within her. Cradling her injured limb, tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.


    The crowd once again reverberated with thunderous cheers.


    "Sugoi, sugoi, Kita-sama, you''re amazing!"


    The words of praise mostly came from a group of middle-aged women. Their voice drowned out the sighs and disheartened whispers from those who had placed their faith in Yuuko.


    The attention Yuuko garnered from the spectators was not without reason. She had achieved something unprecedented in the history of the tournament for being the first female fighter to even reach the finals. The Nakamura clan predominantly consisted of male fighters, and standing at the top of the rank were 7 individuals. These influential figures currently occupied the gallery above, observing the match and would act as a judges.


    Yuuko''s little brother, witnessing his sister''s pain. He couldn''t help but be overwhelmed with worry. He yearned to do something, anything, to alleviate her suffering. However, all he could do was muster his strength to continue supporting her, his tone carrying a tinge of sadness.


    "Stay strong, Onee-chan!"


    Kita approached Yuuko with deliberate and measured steps. His gaze fixed upon the young woman, who knelt on the floor, nursing her injuries. There was no immediate aggression in his demeanor; instead, with a surprising gentleness in his voice as he asked:


    "Can you continue?"


    Yuuko clenched her teeth, her lip quivering with the effort. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she bit down harder, hoping to divert her attention from the excruciating ache in her broken left arm. Without keeping Kita waiting, she looked up and responded succinctly.


    "I can."


    Taking in her response, Kita remained silent. He turned away from her and made his way back to the center of the field. Yuuko, too, stood up, readying herself for the final phase of their battle.


    As Kita pivoted to face his opponent, he took a deep breath, his muscles visibly tensing. His arms and legs shifted in preparation for the execution of his signature move, Arashi no Sh¨±geki. Meanwhile, Yuuko received a long strip of cloth from a support member, she wrapping it around her broken arm, securing it tightly to her body. Her actions were swift, driven by her determination to face the forthcoming attack.


    And Kita charged straight towards Yuuko with a terrifying speed, the ground quaking beneath his feet.


    Arashi no Sh¨±geki, while it was an unbelievable skill, the previously encountered had given Yuuko some insight into its weaknesses. The first crucial drawback was its inability to alter direction while in motion. With this in mind, Yuuko decided not to wait for the attack but instead ran along the edge of the field.


    In just a matter of seconds, since Kita started his maneuver, the distance between them had shrunk to half of the initial one, showing how astonishing his speed was.


    But Yuuko''s understanding of Arashi no Sh¨±geki was only partially correct. In a display of consecutive acceleration, Kita forcefully stomped his dominant foot into the ground, instantly changing his vector direction.


    Kita was now only a few meters behind Yuuko. The speed disparity between them was too great for her to escape. With no other option, Yuuko decided to lauch a counterattack against Kita with all her remaining power and focus. She came to a sudden stop, lowered her body, then leaped into the air, executing three swift aerial rotations before aiming a powerful kick at Kita''s head.


    Both Yuuko and Kita, propelled by their high speeds, were hurtling towards each other, and the impact seemed inevitable. However, Kita, being a master of his skill, was in complete control of the situation. With another decisive stomp, he quickly shifted his body to the side, narrowly evading Yuuko''s attack. Yuuko''s body glided through the air within Kita''s line of sight, and he did not waste time in preparing for the final punch. The spectators had already pictured a victory for Kita, but no one could imagine what Yuuko was about to do.


    It came - the second weakness of Arashi no Sh¨±geki, as Kita''s body experienced a momentary delay after his abruptly halting. Seizing the opportunity, Yuuko removed her Kosode and threw it directly at Kita''s face, instantly obstructing his vision.


    As Yuuko landed on the ground, she immediately launched herself back towards Kita for the final assault. Recognizing the imminent danger, Kita opted to defend himself. Where would Yuuko''s strike land? His face? Chest? Stomach? Or...The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    A punch from Yuuko, with her right hand, found its mark right at Kita''s groin, eliciting a collective gasp from the onlookers.


    Yuuko was currently dressed in a juban, a traditional Japanese undergarment. Seeing her disheveled state, a supporter swiftly approached Yuuko, offering a cloth to cover herself.


    Kita knelt on the ground, his body trembling as he clutched his groin area with both hands. He made no attempt to remove the garment on his face, and those watching, particularly the male spectators, couldn''t help but sympathize with his plight.


    After a brief period of enduring the pain, Kita finally raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.


    A wave of exuberant cheers erupted from all corners of the field, blending with the rhythmic beats of drums, celebrating Yuuko''s hard-fought victory. Amidst the jubilation, Yuuko''s gaze fell upon her younger brother, who was watching with teary eyes. Without hesitation, she rushed towards him, embracing him tightly, sharing this triumphant moment together. Tears of happiness streamed down their faces as they reveled in the realization of their victory.


    "You did it, Onee-chan," her brother sobbed, his voice filled with pride and admiration.


    Yuuko nodded, her heart brimming with a mixture of emotions. This victory meant so much more than personal triumph; it symbolized a new future for her family and their dojo. No longer would they have to endure a life of poverty or suffer the disdainful glances of others. The fame garnered from this momentous win would reverberate far and wide, cementing their place within the esteemed Nakamura clan.


    However, the joyous and vibrant atmosphere of the celebration was abruptly shattered, as if a pot of black ink had been spilled across the scene. A loud bang echoed through the air, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks. The source of the commotion emanated from the gallery above, where the seven highest-ranking members of the Nakamura family were seated. A man with a mane-like hairstyle and a fierce countenance had forcefully slammed his fist onto the table, his voice dripping with wrath and anger.


    "Foolishness! Unacceptable!" Nakamura Kuma''s booming voice sent a chill down the spines of everyone present. Seated right beside him was a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties, noticeably shorter and smaller in stature compared to Kuma.


    "Indeed, we cannot allow this unorthodox style to infiltrate our clan. Who in their right mind would waste their time on such a feeble technique? Seriously, who would pay a fortune for that? We''d probably end up losing more money just trying to keep it afloat," Nakamura Riku interjected, attempting to sound serious and angry, though his true motivation was solely focused on financial gain.


    The third person to speak was a tall, enormous man clad in samurai attire. Among the seven individuals, he stood out as the most imposing figure. His mouth rarely ceased chewing as a servant continually brought him new dishes, stacking the plates high beside him.


    "*Munch*...I also... *munch*...don''t agree...*munch*...Father in heaven...*munch*...wouldn''t agree either," Nakamura Koji''s words intermittently punctuated by bites of rice, fish, and meat.


    The fourth person, a man with a lethargic demeanor. He was the only one who chose to speak while lying lazily on the floor.


    "..................winning is all that matters...*yawn*.........The sky looks nice today, doesn''t it?" Nakamura Kenji mumbled as he gazed upward, his smile gradually fading as he succumbed to sleep.


    "Kenji, you should take this more seriously," admonished Nakamura Aki, the sole woman among the group. Her face adorned with layers of makeup, making it difficult to discern her true age, but her tone exuded a sense of maturity.


    "I must say, it was an amazing match," she commented, her words reflecting a sense of seasoned wisdom and insight.


    "I agree, Aki," the sixth person chimed in. He was a strikingly handsome young man, accompanied by two equally beautiful girls ¡ª one fanning him, the other pouring sake into his cup.


    "Yuuko, isn''t it? Should you fail, remember, you can always find solace in serving me," Nakamura Yuto''s voice dripped with a seductive blend of desire and flirtation, eliciting a chorus of ecstatic screams from adoring girls below. "Oh, Yuto-sama, I love you!" they cried out in unison.


    Finally, the last person, a man in his thirties, sat with impeccable posture, his clothes neatly arranged. He exuded an aura of silence, gravity, and composure.


    "I''m afraid, young lady, that I cannot endorse your entry into our esteemed lineage. The Nakamura family upholds an unwavering principle of pride. Strength is paramount. Power reigns supreme." Nakamura Daichi stated firmly, his words leaving no room for compromise.


    THUMP


    THUMP


    THUMP


    The resonant beats of the drums filled the air, signaling the momentous announcement of the match''s outcome.


    Stepping towards the center of courtyard was an elderly man with silver-gray hair clad in a traditional Montsuki suit. His every step exuded a sense of grace and nobility, capturing the attention of the hundreds gathered around.


    Kita and Yuuko reluctantly disengaged from their loved ones¡¯ embrace, advancing to face the revered figure. With profound respect, both fighters bowed in unison, before standing in solemn anticipation for the verdict.


    "I stand here as the representative of the Nakamura family to announce the results of this martial arts tournament," the old man proclaimed, his voice rang out with clarity and authority.


    "First and foremost, the family extends their gratitude to both fighters for delivering an incredibly entertaining match,¡± he paused, offering a bow of appreciation to Kita and Yuuko.


    "And now, regarding the result of the match..." The word ¡°result¡± hung in air, causing a collective nervousness to grip the spectators.


    "After careful consideration, the council has reached a decision. The winner of this year tournament is... no one.¡±


    No miracle materialized. Tears rolled down on Yuuko''s cheeks and fell onto the cold, unforgiving stone floor.


    ¡°Father, why? Why do you want to sell our dojo? Please reconsider," pleaded Yuuko. She rushed over and knelt down on the worn wooden floor, desperately clutching her father''s arm. But instead of a compassionate response, she received a heartless push.


    "Why, you ask? You know the answer well enough. Besides, Riku-sama offered us a generous amount of money. We need it more than this old building." her father replied, unmoved by her emotional appeal.


    "But father, you understand how much this dojo means to us, to our family," Yuuko persisted. Behind her, her younger brother watched silently. His face showed a sorrowful expression, he was too young to join this family conversation.


    "Money is our only hope, Yuuko. Have you forgotten your older brother? His injury requires expensive treatment. Have you thought of the cost of keeping this dojo running? Have you thought of how we will feed ourselves? Do you have any idea of the burden I carry?" Her father snapped.


    ¡°I will find a job, father. I am willing to give up my path in martial arts." Yuuko proposed, her words carrying the weight of her determination.


    The father could feel the serious in his daughter¡¯s words. More than anyone else, he understood the significance of martial arts in Yuuko''s life. His shoulders slumped, and he sank to the floor, shaking his head with a profound sadness etched upon his face.


    "It''s too late, Yuuko. I''ve already sealed the deal and completed all the paperwork with Riku-sama before your match," he confessed.


    Yuuko was stunned. She struggled to process what her father had just disclosed. The words struck Yuuko like a thunderbolt, exacerbating the turmoil within her already overwhelmed heart. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her already teary eyes. She was at a loss for words.


    ¡°Even if you were to win that match, I could not bring myself to acknowledge it. I think you understand, Yuuko. The technique you performed was not a part of our martial arts. Where did you learn it?"


    Yuuko wandered aimlessly through the dense forest, her steps heavy and devoid of purpose. The world before her eyes seemed trapped in shades of black and white, a desolate void devoid of hope.


    Where was she headed? What was she searching for? Who was she?


    Yuuko couldn''t answer those fundamental questions. She could only continue walking, resembling a lifeless corpse stripped of its soul.


    In this state of daze and disorientation, Yuuko began to perceive peculiar whispers in her ears.


    ¡°Painful.¡±


    ¡°Pitiful."


    the voices murmured, sometimes soft and mournful, other times growing into a crescendo, entwined with the rustling of leaves under her feet.


    Unaware of her surroundings, Yuuko suddenly stumbled over an rock, crashing to the ground. Her head struck the earthen soil, leaving her palms and knees smeared with grime. Yet, she lay there motionless, devoid of any desire to rise.


    ¡°What a tragic fate to become another victim of the Nakamura family''s crimes.¡±


    ¡°Anger, arrogance, greed, lust, gluttony, laziness, jealousy.¡±


    ¡°They have ruined countless lives with their sins.¡±


    ¡°When will this cycle end?¡±


    The voice beckoned to her.


    "Yuuko," it called.


    "Yuuko," it whispered.


    "Come closer."


    As if controlled by invisible strings, Yuuko gradually lifted herself from the ground, moving with a puppet''s grace toward the origin of the voice. It led her to a colossal, ancient tree. A vine descended slowly, swaying before her face, while the voice resurfaced.


    "Death is not the end, but the beginning."


    Die


    "Embrace the power and seek vengeance."


    Revenge


    "Inflict torment, not death."


    Don''t kill


    "Let their lives be consumed by disgrace and shame."


    Humiliate


    "Deny them liberation, withhold compassion."


    No mercy


    Yuuko reached out the rope...


    As her vision blurred and faded, the voice echoed once more, taking on the timbre of a woman''s voice, a hint of amusement coloring her words.


    "Yuuko, there is no greater thrill than transforming dominant males into beautiful, delicate dolls. It is the most exhilarating form of revenge."


    The sweet scent of Tamagoyaki<sup>(5)</sup> eggs permeated Shou''s small apartment, a comforting aroma that had become a familiar part of his daily routine. As someone who had been living alone for quite some time, waking up early and cooking for himself had become second nature. Typically, he would start his day with a short jog outside, returning home to prepare a quick meal before heading off to school. However, for the past two days, he had been unable to maintain his usual routine. A special guest had unexpectedly arrived at his doorstep in the middle of the night and requested to spend the night. That visitor was his friend, Kaito. Concerned about leaving his friends wondering where he had gone, Shou had chosen to remain at home and prepare a meal instead.


    Emerging from a deep slumber on the couch, Kaito stretched and yawned as he ambled toward the dining table. He now dressed in a white tank top and pants borrowed from Shou. Visible on his hand were several healed scratches from yesterday''s collision with the glass window.


    "Ohaiyo, Shou," Kaito greeted with a tired voice.


    "Ohaiyo, Kaito," Shou responded, setting a plate of delicately sliced Tamagoyaki eggs on the table. Kaito, having been to Shou''s place on numerous occasions, was not surprised by the sight. Nevertheless, he couldn''t help but admire Shou''s culinary skills each time he witnessed them.


    "Are you okay? You look exhausted." Shou inquired, concern lacing his words.


    "I''m fine, I just had a strange dream that I can''t quite recall," Kaito replied, his voice tinged with a sense of unease.


    "It''s normal to forget our dreams. It happens to all of us," Shou nonchalantly reassured him before diverting his attention to his own meal. Their conversation was abruptly stopped.


    "...Aren''t you going to ask about earlier today?" Kaito asked worriedly. He was aware of how peculiar his look had been when he met Shou.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone. We''ve been friends for so long, and I know you''re not the type to be interested in such things. There must be a special reason," Shou reassured him.


    "Thank you," Kaito replied gratefully. "Your composure always surprises me, Shou."


    Upon hearing those words, Shou involuntarily paused, chopsticks suspended in mid-air.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked.


    "Oh, it''s nothing," Shou muttered. "Are you planning to head back home?"


    Frustration welled up inside Kaito as he contemplated his situation. He placed his hands on his head, tousling his hair in distress.


    "I guess I''ll have to return home. My school bag is still there, and I have no idea how the old man will react. He actually saw..." Kaito trailed off, unable to divulge the full story to Shou. Observing his friend''s visible frustration, Shou stared at him, puzzled, unsure of what to say.


    Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the apartment. Shou hurriedly made his way to the entrance and found three policemen in uniform standing on the other side.


    ¡°Can I help you, officers?¡± Shou asked, there was no emotion change in his face.


    A middle-aged policeman stepped forward, his hand diving into his pocket to retrieve a piece of paper.


    "Yamamoto Shou, we suspect your involvement in a murder case. This is your arrest warrant. Please stay calm and cooperate. You have the right to seek legal counsel. Anything you say can and will be used as evidence in court."


    Confusion and disbelief filled the air as Kaito rushed out.


    "What''s happening, Shou? Why are you officers arresting him?" Kaito demanded, his voice brimming with anger.


    The officer remained silent, his gaze fixated on Kaito, prepared for any potential altercation. To prevent the situation from escalating further, Shou spoke up, maintaining his composed demeanor.


    "I will cooperate with you. This is a misunderstanding."


    "Thank you. We will now proceed with a search of your residence. Those uninvolved, please vacate the premises," the policeman sternly declared.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): "Ganbare" is a Japanese term that conveys encouragement, support, and a sense of resilience. It is often translated as "do your best" or "keep going" in English.


    (2): ¡°Kosode and Hakama¡±, Kosode is a traditional Japanese garment that resembles a kimono. It is a simple, unisex robe with straight sleeves and a V-shaped collar. It is a simple, unisex robe with straight sleeves and a V-shaped collar.


    ¡°Hitatare Kamishimo¡± is a traditional Japanese clothing ensemble that combines the top garment of Hitatare, a historical samurai attire featuring a crossed-collar jacket, with the hakama, a divided skirt-like bottom worn in the Kamishimo formal outfit.


    ¡°Obi¡± Obi is a wide belt or sash commonly worn with traditional Japanese clothing, such as kimono or yukata. It is made of a long, thick fabric and is wrapped around the waist and tied in a decorative knot at the back.


    (3): ¡°Sugoi¡± is a Japanese term that is commonly translated as "amazing," "great," or "awesome" in English.


    (4): ¡°Arashi no Sh¨±geki¡± is translated as "Storm Attack" or "Storm Assault" in English.


    (5): ¡°Tamagoyaki¡± is a rolled Japanese omelette with a sweet and savory flavor. It is made by layering cooked egg in a rectangular pan and rolling it into a cylindrical shape.

 Chapter 5.1: Kanakos Morning Journey

    Japan, the land of the rising sun, where everything began with the hustle and bustle of an active life. Kanako ran along a busy street with people passing by. Her body glistened with sweat under the rays of the sun shining from behind the towering skyscrapers.


    A sleepless night had plagued Kanako''s thoughts, the unresolved murder case refusing to release its grip on her mind. As the approaching dawn signaled the arrival of a new day, she finally surrendered to the restlessness and rose from her bed, choosing to embark on a morning run.


    Dressed in a black sports outfit and donning white sneakers, Kanako left her residential neighborhood. It was then that her professional instincts kicked in, leading her to stand before the location of the first murder. It was a modest hostel located on a narrow street. A sign above showed the establishment''s name as "Fun Heaven." This particular type of hostel was known for its affordability and popularity among the younger generation, especially for couples seeking a "quick" night.


    The murder occurred on May 2nd, around 9:30 PM, when a hostel staff member stumbled upon the victim''s contorted body while delivering beverages. The deceased was a 17-year-old female high school student from a nearby school. Surveillance cameras had captured footage of an eighteen-year-old male exiting the crime scene, leading to his subsequent arrest. Intriguingly, the suspect adamantly denied being present at the location during the time of the murder. However, a police examination revealed his positive drug test. The male student''s family appeared well-off, and it seemed they had spent considerable sums to mitigate the sentence for their child.


    Kanako approached and inserted money into the vending machine in front of the hostel, taking out a bottle of water. She took small sips, her eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings. The street exuded an aged ambiance, with several malfunctioning streetlights yet to be replaced. The walls along the street bore many graffiti sprayed pictures of troublesome youths. Both ends of the street intersected with the main street, providing an ideal breeding ground for illicit activities.


    Without lingering for long, Kanako continued to her next destination. After approximately fifteen minutes of steady jogging, she arrived at a park. Walking a little further, she reached a lengthy wooden bench beneath a cherry blossom tree. Since the blooming season had passed, only a scattering of blossoms remained. The bench faced a tranquil lake, and next to it was a lamppost that had been left in disrepair. Young couples often called it with an affectionately nicknamed "Love Seat 14". The number 14, derived from the combination of ¡°one¡± and ¡°four¡±; ¡°one¡± symbolized the harmony and unity of love, and ¡°four¡± in Japanese was presented for bad luck, the bad luck¡¯s part regarding this broken lamp. Under the cover of darkness, this bench had become a favored spot for couples seeking moments of intimacy, shielded from prying eyes. It was also the site of the second murder.


    On the morning of May 12th, a park janitor made a grisly discovery¡ªa lifeless body of another high school girl, aged 18. The manner of her demise mirrored the brutality of the initial murder. Surveillance cameras stationed within the park and along the adjacent street had captured footage of a male student, attired in the same school uniform as the victim, leaving the area on the night of the crime. However, upon reviewing the footage from other cameras along the suspect''s presumed route, they found nothing at all, as if he existed and disappeared like a phantom.


    Kanako focused on recalling the photos of the victim''s body: her face in extreme shock, but no signs of struggle on the clothes. The police also had examined the recorded footage from the time before both incidents occurred. Although the images lacked clarity in revealing the minute details of their faces, but one thing was certain: both victims had willingly accompanied the killer to a secluded location. Futhermore, in a detailed report Kanako just received last night, evidence of sexual activity before their death on the victims'' bodies was discovered.


    Kanako had carefully reviewed the background investigation file of the victims beforehand, but she couldn''t find any special interests or that they shared any activities. It still needed to wait for more reports from the investigation team for the victim Kagari last night, but she had a gut feeling that the results wouldn¡¯t be optimistic. Despite her investigative instincts telling her otherwise, Kanako began to doubt her theory that all three cases were connected by the same culprit. Other teams at the headquarters thought her theory was crazy, time-consuming, and troublesome. However, it was precisely this willingness to explore unconventional paths that had brought her this far in her career.


    Feeling mentally drained, Kanako sat down on the bench. She closed her eyes and allowed the gentle breeze to carry away the stagnant thoughts that had haunted her since the previous night. In order to make progress in solving the case, she needed more clues. At that moment, her phone rang. The call she had been waiting for from Peko, her subordinate.


    "Captain. I''ve just received a detailed report on yesterday''s murder case involving the student, Ishida Kagari," Peko spoke in a hurried manner.


    "You''re 15 minutes late," Kanako complained, glancing at the digital clock on her wrist, which displayed 8:15.


    ¡°My apologies. I had the report earlier, but I wanted to monitor the interrogation of Yamamoto Shou, hence the slight delay in reaching out."


    "Let''s proceed with the report," Kanako urged.


    "The results align closely with the initial findings. However, our analysis team, following the direction you suggested, did manage to uncover some traces of sexual activity on Kagari''s body, though it''s not entirely conclusive," Peko flipped through the pages, reading through the analysis before summarizing the key points.


    "To be specific, there were indications that Kagari may have engaged in a kiss prior to her demise, and..." Peko''s voice dropped to a hushed tone, "Moreover, the victim was found to be... in ¡®climax¡¯ state in her final moment." He couldn''t help but inject a touch of mirth into his voice.


    "Any signs of drugging?" Kanako inquired, brushing off the excitement in Peko''s voice.


    "No, we tested for various substances, but found nothing."


    Kanako paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before pressing further. "And what about Shou''s case?"


    Kanako was somewhat surprised to learn that Shou was a suspect in the case from last night. But based on her assessment of Shou from their few encounters, she didn''t think he was involved.


    "Oh my god, that brat, you won¡¯t believe what he said," Peko exclaimed with a mix of exasperation and disbelief.


    "What happened? Did he confess to being the killer?"


    "No, not at all. It was like talking to a wall, he denied all accusations.¡±


    In a dimly lit Tokyo Metropolitan Police interrogation room, Shou sat calmly across from an inspector who unleashed a torrent of screams and shouts. The inspector slammed his fist on the table, his gaze fixed on Shou as if he wanted to devour him whole.


    "Hey kid, are you the one who killed Kagari?"


    "I didn¡¯t." Despite the inspector''s ferocity, Shou''s expression remained unperturbed, as if this aggressive interrogation was merely ordinary conversation.


    "Then tell me, what did you do last night?"The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I don''t remember anything. I can''t even recall how I got home."


    "Hey, hey, what kind of lousy excuse is that? Do you think this kind of alibi is acceptable?"


    Kanako ended the call after listening Peko''s account of the main points from the interrogation. A sigh escaped her lips as she contemplated her next move. She had anticipated gaining new leads from the report, but instead, the case appeared even more convoluted and complex.


    "Shou, what are you doing?" Kanako whispered to herself.


    Leaving the park behind, Kanako charted her course toward a local police station in the vicinity of the third crime scene, hoping the officers there might have some fresh leads or insights. Along the way, she started to review and summarize all the informations she had gathered thus far.


    First, all three victims were high school girls from different schools. Aside from sharing similar body types, no discernible connections between them had surfaced. The three cases spanned a wide geographical area in two connected districts, and the time intervals between each incident were intermittent. With a 10-day gap between the first and second cases, followed by a 14-day interval between the second and third cases. The only common thread tying the three incidents together was the brutal force used to fracture the victims'' bones.


    Pausing for a moment, Kanako''s instincts alerted her that something was amiss. As she contemplated the analysis of a single killer being responsible for all three cases, she noticed a disturbing trend. The level of audacity displayed by the perpetrator seemed to intensify with each subsequent crime. In the initial case, the murder had taken place within the confines of a closed rental room. but in the second and third cases, the crimes had been brazenly committed in open areas, indicating an escalating sense of thrill experienced by the killer. Additionally, in all three cases, the killer required a strong sexual stimulus prior to carrying out the acts. However, in the third case, a simple trigger like a kiss seemed to be enough to set off the offender''s homicide.


    Despite the perpetrator''s growing audacity, the "cooling-off" periods between each crime did not exhibit consistency. These "cooling-off" periods referred to the intervals during which the killer took a break or calmed down before proceeding to the next act. Initially, there was a 10-day gap between the first and second cases. However, the subsequent 14-day hiatus before the third case deviated from the expected pattern, when it should logically have been shorter or equal to 10 days. This anomaly sent a chilling sensation through Kanako''s body, filling her mind with a sense of foreboding. She couldn''t help but hope that her apprehensions wouldn''t materialize into a grim reality.


    Ding Dong


    The gentle melody of a wind chime filled the air as Kanako stepped into the Tachibana Police Station. The space was compact, with the reception area dominating the right corner. On the left side, a short hallway stretched out before Kanako, leading to a restroom at the far end. Alongside, two rooms faced the wall of windows. One belonged to the police chief, while the other served as the detention area. Although there were three positions in the reception area, only one police officer was present. Well, technically two, but the second officer was currently being pulled away by a middle-aged blind woman wearing black glasses and relying on a cane for navigation. The woman clung to the officer and wept inconsolably.


    "Police officer, please help me find Misa," she pleaded desperately.


    "No, Hana-san, I''m working," the officer responded with a hint of difficulty. However, after a brief struggle, he relented and allowed himself to be led away. As they passed by Kanako, she couldn''t help but observe the scene with curiosity.


    Approaching the reception area, Kanako noticed a police officer in a blue uniform. He had a slightly chubby figure, one hand holding a piece of fried chicken while the other operated a computer. The woman''s cries were loud, but they seemed to have little effect on him, as if he had grown accustomed to such occurrences. His cluttered desk revealed an assortment of miscellaneous items¡ªtoilet paper, nail clippers, a box of fried chicken, and several discount food coupons, mostly for fast food. In the corner of the desk, a figurine of Mikasa from the anime Attack on Titan stood proudly.


    Kanako settled herself into a seat and presented her police identification, but the man paid little attention, his eyes fixated on the computer screen as he responded indifferently and mechanically.


    "Hello, how can we assist you?" he asked, his tone lacking enthusiasm.


    "Hello, I am Police Officer Nakamura Kanako from the Tokyo headquarters," she introduced herself.


    "Ack *cough* ack¡ª"


    The police officer choked upon hearing Kanako''s introduction, immediately shifting into a serious mode. He set aside his half-eaten fried chicken, turning his full attention towards Kanako with utmost concentration.


    "Ito Ryosuke," he declared, his voice taking on a deep and polite tone.


    "Huh?"


    "Ito Ryosuke is my name. You can call me Ryo," he said, taking out a contact card from the drawer and handing it to Kanako. "Please remember my name, feel free to call me anytime." His voice carried a touch of pleading, as if he craved acknowledgment.


    Kanako couldn''t help but feel slightly taken aback by the abrupt shift in the police officer''s demeanor. Nevertheless, she accepted the proffered contact card with a polite nod and a soft smile.


    "Ah, yes, I will remember it."


    Satisfied with her response, Ryosuke continued their conversation with a polite and professional tone. "Why has a police officer from the Tokyo headquarters come here today?" he inquired, placing deliberate emphasis on the words "Tokyo headquarters."


    "Well, I came to review some documents regarding yesterday''s case," Kanako explained.


    "The investigation from last night, the one involving the victim Kagari? But I believe the headquarters should already have all the necessary information," Ryosuke remarked.


    "That''s true, but I wanted to verify if there are any new developments," Kanako replied.


    "Very well. Please wait here for a moment, although I don''t believe there''s anything new for you," Ryosuke responded. He rose from his seat and entered the office of the police chief. After a short while, he emerged with a stack of files in his hands. "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    Kanako accepted the stack of files and began skimming through them. Just as Ryosuke had predicted, there was no new information. In fact, there seemed to be less than what she had already obtained. With a sigh, Kanako lowered her head to thank the police officer and prepared to depart. However, before she could make her way out, Ryosuke reached out and grasped her hand, halting her movement.


    "Wait a minute!" he exclaimed.


    Kanako turned to face him, her expression curious. "Yes?"


    After a moment of hesitation, Ryosuke mustered his courage and began to speak, determination shining in his eyes. "I... I can provide the information you''re looking for," he uttered, his voice tinged with nervousness.


    "What do you mean?" Kanako''s face regained its seriousness as she settled back into her seat, ready to listen intently to anything that could bring her closer to unraveling the case.


    "I am the one who witnessed the perpetrator and reported the suspect in this case," Ryosuke revealed, his voice quivering slightly.


    This revelation held significant importance¡ªan insight he could have used to capture Kanako''s attention from the very beginning. However, the events of the previous night had left him feeling somewhat insecure. In an attempt to become the center of attention, Ryosuke had approached reporters to provide this crucial information. Yet, after responding to a few questions confirming whether the suspect was a student or not, the reporters had swiftly lost interest in him once they got their hands on footage of the perpetrator. Clearly, tangible evidence outweighed mere recollections in the eyes of the media.


    Kanako showed a clear interest in Ryosuke''s revelation. She quickly scanned the room and spotted a notebook and pen on the nearby table. Grabbing them, she returned to her seat, ready to jot down any valuable information that Ryosuke might provide.


    This was the moment Ryosuke had been waiting for. To become a key figure in helping the Tokyo headquarters solve a murder case. He entertained the thought that if he performed admirably, he might even secure a transfer to the esteemed headquarters, escaping the confines of this small police station. However, Ryosuke''s newly constructed stage was about to crumble before him.


    A tall, slender police officer, in stark contrast to Ryosuke, rushed into the police station with a pale, terrified face, his hands clutching his trembling stomach¡ª it was the policeman from earlier.


    "Ryo, take care of Hana-san for me. I... aaah!...my stomach is my stomach is hurting so much," he implored, before frantically rushing towards the restroom.


    Moments later, the anguished cries of the blind woman reverberated through the air, her voice filled with desperation as she struggled to navigate the surroundings. Clinging to the wall to prevent herself from straying off course, she called out to the police officer in a plea for assistance.


    "Police officer, where are you?"


    It seemed that the stage Ryosuke had been waiting for, would have to be postponed for a while. He placed both hands on his head, his face bowed down in genuine disappointment.


    Kanako, somewhat puzzled by this unexpected turn of events, realized that assisting the distressed woman should be the priority. However, it wasn''t her responsibility but that of the police officer sitting before her. She stood up and retrieved her contact card from her pocket.


    "This is my contact number. Let''s meet again after work."


    Grateful and appreciative, Ryosuke accepted Kanako''s contact card, swiftly tucking it away in his pocket. However, before Kanako could take a step away from her seat, she found herself once again detained by the police officer''s firm grasp.


    "Kanako-san, a representative from the Tokyo headquarters, we implore your assistance in solving the case of Hana''s missing daughter," Ryosuke implored, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of desperation, akin to a pleading puppy seeking aid.

 Chapter 5.2: Blind Woman and the Missing Daughter (part 1)

    On the quiet, sparsely populated street, beneath the dense foliage of the Zelkova trees, two women walked closely together. The concrete road echoed with faint tapping sounds that came from the white cane of the blind woman. Hana cried while walking, continuously calling her daughter''s name:


    "Misa, where are you?"


    "Don''t worry, Hana-san," Kanako consoled her gently from beside, "I am certain that I will help you...find your daughter."


    There was a hint of hesitation in Kanako''s comforting words.


    A single leaf fell onto the woman¡¯s charcoal woolen hat, which blended with the color of her graying hair. Kanako delicately plucked it away before embracing Hana tightly. Sadness clouded her eyes as she cast a longing gaze into the distance, recalling her recent conversation.


    "It was two weeks ago during my night shift when officer Ryosuke and I were on duty. It was around ten o''clock in the evening when Hana-san burst into the station with a look of panic on her face. She explained that she couldn''t get in touch with her daughter. Concerned for her well-being, we immediately decided to accompany her to her home and assist in the search for her daughter. But as we entered the house, we saw...an altar with her daughter''s name on it." The police officer paused, shifting his gaze towards Ryosuke, silently urging him to continue.


    "Well, yes," Ryosuke began, his voice carrying a tinge of concern. "Upon further investigation, we discovered that Hana-san''s daughter had passed away eight years ago."


    "Are you suggesting that Hana-san encountered...the ghost of her deceased daughter?" Kanako expressed a slight surprise, this was the second time in two consecutive days she had heard about supernatural stories.


    As she absorbed the information, Kanako perused the file she held, containing the records of Hana, whose full name was Inoue Benihana, 58 years-old. The file chronicled the tragedy that befell Benihana''s family¡ªher husband had succumbed to illness twelve years prior at the age of 64, while their daughter Misa tragically lost her life in a traffic accident near their home.


    To avoid veering into implausible territory, Ryosuke responded with an awkward tone, "Initially, we did entertain that possibility." His gaze shifted towards his colleague officer, who evaded eye contact, choosing to look elsewhere. "However, after reviewing Hana''s recent medical history, we discovered signs of Alzheimer''s disease."


    Kanako flipped to the next page of the file, revealing Hana''s medical records. The documents confirmed that she had been diagnosed with mild Alzheimer''s disease since two years ago. This memory loss syndrome progressed through three stages, gradually eroding memory over time. Typically affecting older individuals, the disease could be triggered by various factors, including genetics, living environment, psychological issues, or brain injuries. Regrettably, there was currently no cure for Alzheimer''s disease, and treatment focused on managing and slowing its progression to the final stage.


    "So, the reason Hana-san suddenly couldn''t reach her daughter was because she had forgotten that her daughter had passed away," Kanako deduced, her deduction resonating with a sense of empathy.


    While it was uncommon for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer''s to forget close family members, Hana''s visual impairment may have played a role, disrupting her memory recall.


    "Why don''t you try explaining this gently to her? It would be better than leaving her in this distressed state," Kanako suggested, hoping to offer a solution.


    "We attempted that," Ryosuke sighed, weariness apparent on his face and that of his colleague. "We have tried to explain it to Hana-san, but every time we mentioned that her daughter had passed away long ago, she would immediately become furious, insisting that her daughter was still alive. She would start yelling and causing a disturbance at the station, even physically attacking us. Unfortunately, with her disabilities and mental health issues, there''s not much we can do."


    The police officer sitting beside Ryosuke rolled up his sleeve, revealing deep scratches that spoke volumes about the intensity of Hana''s outbursts.


    "But Kanako-san, that''s not the strangest part," Ryosuke continued with a serious expression. "A few days after our initial encounter, Hana-san returned, pleading for our help to find her daughter once again."


    "Yes, to avoid any trouble, we pretended to conduct a search by taking her on a roundabout route, reassuring her that we would assist her," the officer with the scratches chimed in. "She was still sad, but somewhat satisfied with our efforts at that time. However..."


    "Only a few days later, she returned again with the same conversation and attitude, completely unremembered to her previous visits. This pattern has persisted ever since," Ryosuke explained, his frustration palpable.


    Kanako fell into a contemplative silence, attentively listening to the officers'' briefing. With some knowledge of Alzheimer''s disease, she recognized that at this stage, patients typically only experienced forgetfulness regarding the location of objects or incomplete tasks. Forgetting an event as significant as visiting the police station within such a short span of time was highly unusual.


    As Kanako immersed herself in her thoughts, the two police officers stood up, bowing their heads, and pleaded, "Kanako-san, please help us!" Witnessing their earnestness, Kanako couldn''t turn them away.


    Kanako accompanied Hana to her home. To make their journey more convenient, Kanako suggested that Hana hold her hand. The physical connection seemed to bring a sense of ease to Hana, with her tense expression gradually softening. Sensing an opportunity to establish rapport, Kanako gently initiated a conversation.


    "Hana-san, would you mind sharing a little bit about your daughter, Misa?" Kanako''s tone was polite and caring, hoping to encourage Hana to open up.


    "Misa, my precious child, she studies very well, and her grades are always at the top of the class," Hana said with pride, her face brightening as she spoke of her daughter, her eyebrows arching joyfully.


    "That¡¯s impressive, Hana-san. I remember that when I was young, I also used to study a lot, but math was the only subject that I was good at. So I couldn''t compete with other students," Kanako confessed, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.


    Hana chuckled softly. "Hoho, math is Misa¡¯s favorite subject. I bought her various math reference books to support her studies. She often stays up late at night, diligently working through the exercises I gave and completing her homework. And, of course, I''m always there by her side, offering support and helping her stay awake until she finishes. As a mother, it''s my responsibility to create the best possible learning environment for my child."


    Hana¡¯s response suddenly sent Kanako a wave of discomfort. She chose to overlook it.


    ¡°I truly admire your dedication, Hana-san. How about her other hobbies? I¡¯m curious to know what she likes.¡±


    ¡°Other hobbies?¡± Hana repeated, seeming confused by Kanako¡¯s question. ¡°My daughter has never expressed any desire for other activities. Her focus is always on studying. She understands that achieving high scores is her ticket to a better future.¡±


    Feeling like the conversation was going nowhere, Kanako decided not to say anything further. She would need a different approach in their next interaction. She had hoped to wrap up this case quickly, but unfortunately, more work needed to be done.


    After Kanako''s silence for a while, the voice of the blind woman echoed again.


    "Misa, where are you? Have you finished your homework?"


    After walking for approximately 15 minutes, their steps came to a halt in front of a weathered, old modern house. Although the houses in this area were similar in size, this particular house stood out with its lack of vitality and gloomy atmosphere. The two-story structure was cloaked in peeling layers of white paint, its windows smudged and foggy from years of neglect. Through the creaking iron gate, a small courtyard with pots of plants that had wilted and been forgotten lay silent.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Kanako guided Hana into the house, and the tinkling sound of a wind chime filled the air as they crossed the threshold. The interior revealed itself to be small and narrow hallway. Hana automatically settled herself down and removed her sandals, placing them neatly in a corner of the shoe rack. Then, she took out a pair of white slippers from it and put them on. Turning towards Kanako, she offered a warm smile.


    "Please make yourself at home, officer."


    As Hana spoke, she removed her black glasses and tucked them into the pocket of her light brown blouse. Her ankle-length pale blue skirt, brushing against the floor when she squatted down, was delicately dust-free as she stood up. Each movement she made was natural and practiced, despite her blindness.


    "Thank you," Kanako responded with a polite bow.


    While Hana made her way into the hallway, Kanako''s attention was drawn to the shoe rack. Aside from Hana''s recently placed sandals, several pairs of women''s shoes of varying styles occupied the space. It could be understood that they belonged to Hana and her late daughter. However, one pair of pink sneakers stood out, their brand and material were too fresh to have belonged to Misa, who had passed away eight years ago. Not to mention its flashy colors, the style of the sneakers completely clashed with the rest of the shoes of a woman who was approaching her sixties.


    After putting on a pair of slippers, Kanako surveyed the hallway before her. The morning sunlight streaming through the front window illuminated the place, creating a relatively bright atmosphere. The walls on both sides were adorned with an array of photographs. Most of them were pictures of a successful, older man in kimono, with only a few including Hana by his side. A traditional house could be seen in the backdrop of the snapshots. It seemed to be their former residence, which Hana had left to move here after her husband died. Kanako¡¯s gaze wandered, searching for any picture of Misa, before she paused in front of a room with a sliding door. Inside was a small space with an altar stood, against the wall. There was a photo of a girl placed neatly near a funeral plaque with the name Misa. The girl in the picture stood straight alone in her school uniform; she showed a smile, but Kanako felt it was hollow.


    Kanako¡¯s intention to light a stick of incense for the decease was interrupted by Hana¡¯s call.


    "Officer, where are you going?"


    Sooner or later, Kanako would have to confront Hana and convince her about the truth of her daughter. But before that, she needed to avoid causing unnecessary stress for Hana. Kanako quickly left the room and entered a kitchen, where Hana was standing with an apron.


    "Officer, it''s been a long time since someone came to my house. Let me cook something for you." Hana said with a gentle smile.


    Kanako appreciated Hana¡¯s hospitality, but she also felt a bit unsure about letting a disability person cook for her, so she offered:


    "I¡¯ll help you, Hana-san."


    This was also an opportunity for Kanako to strengthen her bond with Hana. Hana hesitated for a moment but soon nodded, her face lighting up with joy.


    Opening the small refrigerator, Kanako was pleasantly surprised by its well-stocked contents. She took out meat, onions, carrots, potatoes, and a pack of sauce mix; all the essential ingredients needed to cook curry¡ªthe dish they had decided to make for lunch today.


    Hana received the ingredients and immediately began the preparation. Her movements, from cutting the meat to peeling the onions, were slow and careful, yet remarkably decisive and precise. Kanako couldn''t help but admire the independence of someone like Hana, who not only lived alone but also navigated life without sight.


    While Hana worked, Kanako actively assisted her, occasionally providing reminders when Hana''s Alzheimer''s caused her to forget if she had completed a certain task. The act of cooking together was gradually opening Hana¡¯s heart. She began to share stories of her life before marriage. Hana''s family was quite poor, she had to fend for herself, and the experiences had been valuable lessons for her ever since.


    During the conversation, having learned from their previous one, Kanako avoided mentioning or steering away from any topics that related to Hana''s daughter. She was delaying, but she also realized that this friendly atmosphere was a favorable condition. The right moment should be after they finished their meal.


    The cooking was completed, the aroma of curry permeating the room.


    Kanako helped Hana in tidying up her kitchen. The discarded items that were no longer needed were all placed inside a black bag. Kanako took the bag and put it into a small trash can tucked away in the corner of the kitchen. However, as she turned away, something caught Kanako''s attention. She quickly turned back, reopening the lid of the trash can. Digging through it from the bottom, she found an empty fried chicken paper box.


    "Hana-san, do you often eat fried chicken?" Kanako inquired, with a look of perplexity on her face.


    Hana, standing to wash the knives, responded casually.


    ¡°Fried chicken? Oh, that¡¯s Misa¡¯s favorite. She orders it quite often lately,¡± Hana said, chuckling.


    A chilling sensation ran down Kanako''s spine.


    "Hana-san, may I have a look around your house?" Kanako''s expression shifted, her demeanor transforming into that of a serious police officer.


    Hana paused. Surprised by the sudden change in Kanako''s demeanor, especially after their leisurely time spent preparing the curry.


    "Don''t you want to eat before starting your work?" she asked.


    "I''m sorry, but this is important. It relates to your daughter."


    At the mention of her daughter. Hana''s face immediately tensed.


    "Yes," she replied, her voice filled with worry.


    The wind bell rang once more as Kanako exited the front door. The policewoman wanted to scan the outside of the house first before delving into the inside later.


    Excluding the entrance of the two officers who were not in Hana¡¯s memory, Hana had claimed that Kanako was the first person who had come to her house after a long time, but the discovery of the pink shoes and the discarded paper box in the trash can told a different story. It became apparent to Kanako that someone had entered the house and posed as her daughter to deceive Hana.


    Kanako moved along the courtyard wall, tracing its perimeter. The space was relatively small, now overcrowded with potted plants that veiled the path. Beneath her feet lay a multitude of fallen leaves and branches, some still vibrant green while others had withered and taken on the hues of time. The aftermath of the previous night''s storm, combined with neglect, created this unkempt landscape. Kanako''s foot suddenly stopped under an upward-opening window above her head on the second floor, but what caught her attention was not the dirty window but a nearby drainpipe. It had visible bends, with distinct gaps between each deformation along its length.


    ¡°Someone has stepped on it to climb up to the room.¡± Kanako thought.


    After confirming the solidity of the drainpipe, Kanako started to ascend. She hoped this approach would help her gain a better understanding of the intruder¡¯s appearance and even their motive. With her skillful parkour abilities, she swiftly reached the window and entered the room within seconds. Before landing on the floor, she double-checked not to accidentally disrupt any potential clues.


    Compared to other rooms on the first floor, the room in which Kanako was standing was quite large and showed a clear feminine touch. The walls had a soft pink hue. A collection of stuffed animals nestled on the bed among the blankets and pillows. To the right of the window, there was a wooden closet with a full-length mirror. To the left was a desk, with neatly placed books and notebooks. An open red box without a lid revealed an assortment of citrus perfumes on the table.


    Kanako meticulously observed the room, noting its design and display, which unmistakably indicated that it belonged to the ill-fated Misa. The arrangement of items, from books to notebooks, blankets to pillows, remained undisturbed, suggesting that the room had not been used for a considerable time. However, the accumulation of dust contradicted this assumption. Specifically, the surfaces of the desk and the bed appeared relatively clean, suggesting that they had been tended to, with an estimated timeframe around two weeks ago. This duration coincided with Hana''s frequent visits to the police station.


    Contrary to the aforementioned areas, the floor, though it had been cleaned, still showed some traces of dirt. It seemed like the person who had used this room recently was a messy type.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    When Kanako was crouching down to examine the floor, her keen eyes caught sight of a notebook hidden under the bed. Brushing off the dirt, she carefully retrieved it. The cover featured an image of lemons, with a neat line of writing in the corner that read "Misa''s diary."


    Curiosity piqued. Kanako opened the notebook and started to read the content inside...


    Closing the diary, a tear rolled down Kanako¡¯s cheek. She walked absentmindedly to the window and then opened her phone to call someone.


    The phone rang for a few seconds before a cheerful high-pitched voice answered.


    ¡°Konnichiwa Captain-san, what do you need?¡±


    ¡°Misa...¡± Kanako¡¯s voice choked.


    ¡°You¡¯re crying? Wow, that¡¯s a rare sight.¡± Misa sounded amused and curious. "Did something happen?"


    "No, I am not. It''s just some dust in my eye." Kanako lied poorly. She didn''t even bother to make it convincing.


    "Sure, sure. And I''m the queen of Japan," Misa replied sarcastically. "It''s okay. If something''s bothering you, share it with me," she said, trying to sound empathetic while secretly pressing the record button on her phone.


    After taking a long breath, Kanako gradually regained her normal composure.


    "Fine...I''ll tell you." She said reluctantly.


    "Nice~! no, I mean, good. You can trust me." Misa said eagerly, hoping to hear some juicy gossip or drama. She wanted to capture this rare moment of vulnerability from her boss. Maybe she could use it to blackmail her later and get a raise in salary.


    "Have you ever thought that you died eight years ago?" Kanako asked suddenly, in a serious tone that made Misa shiver.


    "Wh-what? What are you talking about, captain?" Misa asked nervously.


    "I just found your diary." Kanako said flatly.


    "My diary? But I don''t write diary." Misa protested.


    "Are you sure? It has your name on it." Kanako said skeptically.


    "Really? What does it say?" Misa asked anxiously.


    "It says ''Inoue Misa''."


    "..."


    "..."


    "CAPTAIN!!!" Misa shouted angrily. "My name is Fu Ji Mo To Mi Sa, not Inoue Misa! How can you mistake my name like that?"


    "Ahhh, Fujimoto Misa. I see. My bad, my bad. How could I forget it?" Kanako said innocently.


    "You did it on purpose, didn''t you?" Misa accused.


    There was a long silence as Kanako tried to suppress her laughter. She had successfully pranked her annoying subordinate. Then she switched back to her professional tone.


    "Listen up, Fujimoto Misa. You have five minutes to find and send me the files of Inoue Misa, who died 8 years ago. I¡¯m helping Tachibana police station with a case related to her.¡±


    "CAPTAIN!!!" Misa whined.


    "...297, 296, 295..." Kanako started counting down. "Hurry up, Misa. Or I''ll deduct your salary this month."


    "...Fine, fine. I''m on it." Misa said grudgingly.


    "Good."


    While waiting for Misa¡¯s response, Kanako looked at the sky above. The diary pressed against her body, as a pang of sorrow filled her heart again.

 Chapter 5.3: Blind Woman and The Missing Daughter (part 2)

    Hokkaido, another snowy day.


    Snow again. I hate it. It''s cold and wet and slippery. It makes me sad and angry. I can''t play outside. Snow is boring, annoying, and ugly.


    Misa, a 7-year-old girl, sat on the floor of the engawa in a large traditional house in Hokkaido. She looked out at the garden with a sad expression, seeing the snowflakes cover the flowers and branches of the trees. She wanted to go outside to play, but the cold weather had made her throat sore and just yesterday she had still been lying in bed due to the fever that had tormented her for a week.


    Hana entered the room, bringing a steaming cup of ginger tea for her daughter. Seeing her daughter sitting along there with a gloomy face, Hana took a sit beside and gently brushed her hair:


    "What are you thinking about, sweetie?" She asked with concern.


    "I...want to...go o-out." Misa said with difficulty, her voice raspy from the cold.


    Hana shook her head and said firmly, "No, you need to rest, your body is still fragile." She wrapped a blanket around Misa and cuddled her softly.


    Just then, they heard the door slide open.


    "Tadaima."<sup>(1)</sup>


    A man in a fine kimono with white hair walked in.


    "Okaeri, Papa."<sup>(1)</sup>


    Misa''s eyes sparkled as she saw her father. She got up and ran to him, ignoring the ache in her body.


    "Misa, how are you feeling?" He asked, lifting her up and holding her close.


    "B-better." Misa lied, not wanting to worry him.


    Upon hearing his daughter''s unwell voice, the father didn¡¯t ask anything more. He embraced her even tighter.


    "How was your trip? Did everything go well?" Hana asked him affectionately. Setting the cup down, she joined in the hug with her daughter and husband.


    "Work was great. I closed a big deal with a client in Tokyo. He was very impressed by our products and services." He said proudly before gaving his wife a sweet kiss.


    "...That''s wonderful news." Hana sincerely replied.


    ¡°I also got this for you two.¡± He smiled and took out two woolen hats. He placed the dark gray one on Hana¡¯s head and commented, ¡°It matches your eyes. You¡¯re such a beautiful woman, Hana. I love you.¡± He then put the white one on Misa¡¯s head and kissed her cheek. ¡°This is for you, Misa. You look like an angel to me.¡±


    "Thank..you, Papa." Misa blushed.


    "But wait, there''s one more surprise for my lovely daughter." Reaching into his kimono, the father pulled out a box and opened it. Inside was a snow globe with a miniature house and a garden.


    "This is for you too. It''s a little piece of winter wonderland that you can enjoy anytime."


    Misa gasped in delight and took the snow globe. She shook it gently and watched the snowflakes swirl around the house and the garden. She felt like she was inside a fairy tale.


    "Misa, you have to get well soon so you can play outside with me, okay?" He said softly.


    "Yes, Papa." Misa nodded eagerly.


    "And what about me?" Hana asked playfully. "Don''t I get another gift?"


    He winked at his wife and whispered in her ear. Hana giggled and nodded shyly. Misa didn''t notice them as she was absorbed in the magic of the snow globe.


    Hokkaido, a happy snowy day.


    Today, my father gave me a snow globe. I love it. It''s shiny and sparkly and magical. It makes me happy and smile. I can play with it inside. The snow globe is beautiful, lovely, and cute.


    Maybe snow is not so bad after all.


    Hokkaido, a terrible day.


    Today Papa told us he had a bad illness and he couldn¡¯t live longer. I am sad and scared. He is in the hospital and Mama is with him. I have to stay home and be brave. But I don¡¯t feel brave at all. I miss them so much. I only have Sami beside me and console me.


    I wish Papa could get better soon. I wish we could be a family again. I wish this terrible day never happened.


    Misa, 10 years old, hugged Sami, the doll that her father had given her. She sobbed quietly in the corner of the room. The window was shut tight, blocking out the sound of children playing outside. The curtains were drawn, hiding the warm rays of spring, her favorite season. Misa¡¯s heart sank in the dark.


    Her new modern phone, a gift from her father, lay on the bed next to her feet. Misa wanted to pick it up and call her mother, but she was afraid of what she might hear¡­


    Hokkaido, my worst summer vacation ever.


    Today, Papa is no longer here with Mama and me..............


    Hokkaido, A dull day of farewell.


    Today, I with Mama will leave the house of Papa.


    I am really sad, but I think it will be better for two of us. We wouldn¡¯t have to hear the cruel insults from uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters of Papa anymore. It''s just the two of us left, and we will start a new life. As long as I have my mother, I think that...may enough...


    Misa, 13 years old, carefully checked each item in her small suitcase. Then she put the dolls, stuffed animals, the snow globe¡­all gifts that her father had given her in another suitcase. She looked around the room one last time before leaving. The memories of when her father was alive, when he and she talked to each other, played together, flooded her mind. Misa couldn¡¯t hold back the tears from falling.


    ¡°Misa, are you ready to go?¡±


    The door opened, and Hana stepped inside to check on her daughter. But when she heard the sniffles and witnessed the tear-stained face on her loved one, she rushed forward and enveloped Misa in a tight, comforting embrace.


    ¡°Be strong, Misa. You have to be strong if we want to take back what belongs to us,¡± Hana whispered to her child.


    But the voice of the mother seemed did not reach the daughter. Misa cried harder in the hold of her mother¡¯s arms.


    ¡°I have a gift for you,¡± Hana said with a smile, hoping to cheer her up.


    And like hearing a magical word, Misa instinctively looked up, her sobbing face gradually faded. Misa¡¯s whole life had been connected with gifts from her parents, she couldn¡¯t help but let curiosity fill her.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Hana took from her kimono a bottle of perfume. It had a picture of citrus on the logo. Misa loved citrus fruits more than anything. They reminded her of her home, where they grew in abundance. Her father was a businessman, he had traveled to many places around Japan and the world to bring back seeds and find ways to grow them.


    ¡°We won¡¯t forget...¡± Hana said softly, while spraying the citrus perfume on her daughter¡¯s hand. "Whenever you miss home, simply use this. Let its fragrance transport you.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, Hana locked eyes with her daughter, her words resolute. ¡°Look at me, Misa. You have to study hard, become a successful person like your father, then get back this house. I will always be beside you and help you. Can you do that for me, for dad, and also for you?¡±


    Misa nodded.


    Tokyo, a stressful day of study.


    It has been two years since I moved here to live. At first, I was overwhelmed by living in a big city like Tokyo, but now I can proudly say that I am an urban citizen.


    I have made many new friends here, and they have helped me a lot. Tonight, they invited me to go shopping for the upcoming Christmas. I really wanted to go, but I had to finish the exercise homework Mama gave me.


    I felt so stressed and tired these days! I wanted to have fun, but I was afraid of getting a low score in the upcoming exam. If I did poorly, Mama would not be happy.


    Maybe tomorrow will be better. I hope so.


    Tokyo, ............................................................


    Mama, I am sleepy and exhausted.


    Mama, I want to have a boyfriend. I want to go outside and play with my friends.


    I''m sorry, Mama.


    Mama, please, I can¡¯t take any more yelling.


    Why did you hit me, Mama?


    It hurts!


    It hurts!!


    I can''t bear it anymore!


    How could you break my snow globe? It was the gift from Papa.


    Mother, stop tormenting me!!


    ............


    "Moshi moshi. Captain, are you still there?" Misa asked, worried by the silence on the other end of the line.


    Kanako snapped out of her contemplation and cleared her throat.


    ¡°I apologize, please continue with your report.¡±


    Misa hesitated for a moment, then resumed her narration.


    ¡°Around the same time, eight years ago, a truck hit Inoue Misa when she ran out of her house. According to the neighbors¡¯ account, they had heard a heated altercation between mother and daughter before the accident happened. In addition, Benihana, mother of Inoue Misa, was also found with a serious injury on her face, especially on the eyes, that led to her permanent blindness. But when she was asked about what happened that day, Benihana insisted that she had slipped and fallen onto a pot of boiling water by herself, without mentioning anything about the argument with her daughter.¡±


    Kanako shook her head in disbelief and sadness. Misa continued:


    "The shock of losing her child had a serious impact on Benihana''s mental health. She had to stay in a psychiatric hospital for five years. According to the latest report, she was also diagnosed to have signs of mild Alzheimer¡¯s disease.¡±


    "...Thank you for your report, Misa. It¡¯s very detailed and informative," Kanako said sincerely.


    "I hope it can help you," Misa replied, feeling a bit awkward. Then she continued, "Can I ask you something, Captain?"


    "Go on."


    "What do you think really happened that day? Who hurt Benihana¡¯s eyes?¡± Misa asked, hoping to hear Kanako''s perspective.


    There was a moment of silence before Kanako spoke.


    "That is indeed a difficult question, Misa. I¡¯m thinking about it. Let''s review the story from beginning to end."


    Kanako began to share her thorough thoughts


    "Benihana was born and raised in a poor family. She tried her best to survive, overcoming each day. And as a reward for her efforts, God had granted her a wealthy man and a loving daughter. Her life should have been happy...if it weren''t for the existence of her husband''s cruel siblings. They saw her as an opportunist, marrying their brother for money. And things only got worse when she lost the protection of her husband. Benihana lacked the necessary knowledge and fell into the trap the siblings set up, resulting in her losing her home."


    Kanako paused for a brief before continuing.


    "But Benihana was not one to give up. She still had her daughter, who possessed the noble bloodline from her father, someone worthy enough to regain what she lost. Inoue Misa was Benihana¡¯s everything, and she poured her determination, burdening those small shoulders with great expectations. Perhaps even Benihana herself did not realize that her resolve had gradually turned into an unhealthy obsession. And, in turn, her ambition had cooled her innocent daughter''s affection. Conflict between the mother and the child was inevitable when the daughter''s expectations didn¡¯t align with her mother''s.¡±


    "...So, who do you think blinded Benihana that day?¡± Misa asked impatiently.


    "The answer is... I don''t know," Kanako replied.


    "No. I don''t believe you, Captain. Please tell me your answer."


    "Well, the truth is, it doesn''t matter who did it. Inoue Misa ran out of the house when her mother was injured, perhaps because she was calling for someone to help her mother? Even though Benihana suffered a wound that resulted in blindness, she still insisted that she caused it herself, rather than creating a potentially damaging reputation for her daughter. Regardless of who it was, in the end, they still share a sacred mother-daughter bond."


    "I see..." Misa said, her tone tinged with a hint of understanding. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, contemplating her next inquiry. "Hmm, why did you decide to assist with this case, captain?"


    "It''s actually just a coincidence. I was asked for help by a weird policeman at the station." Kanako explained.


    "Was it really just a coincidence?" Misa''s tone grew suspicious.


    "Yes, why do you ask?" Kanako chuckled softly, imagining Misa''s pouting face on the other end of the line.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing...But captain, I must remind you that you have to resolve the case today only, not beyond that. It would be troublesome if the chief found out about these unrelated tasks you''re doing. I will keep your activities confidential for now.¡± Misa cautioned.


    "I am well aware of that, that¡¯s why I asked for your help, Fujimoto Misa," Kanako replied, a smile gracing her lips. She casually picked up a bottle of perfume, raising it to her nose and take a gentle whiff of the scent.


    "Good...It seems you grasp that," Misa''s voice carried a mix of embarrassment and contentment, pleased to be praised by her captain.


    "I¡¯m having a few ideas on how to solve¡ª"


    "WHO ARE YOU?"


    Kanako¡¯s words were cut off abruptly. A terrifying and intimidating voice echoed behind her, that belonged to Hana. So engrossed in her conversation, Kanako had failed to notice when Hana silently positioned herself there.


    Reacting immediately, Kanako turned around to make her presence known.


    "It''s me, the police officer here to assist you regarding your daughter."


    "What happened to my daughter? And why are you in her room?" Hana questioned, her voice rising as she called out for her daughter. In her hand was a tightly gripped kitchen knife. "Misa! Misa! Where are you!?"


    Kanako looked bewildered. It appeared that Hana had forgotten her visit. The symptoms of her Alzheimer''s resurfacing once again. Why was this happening now?


    ...the disease could be triggered by various factors, including genetics, living environment, psychological issues, or brain injuries....


    A thought flashed through Kanako''s mind, causing her to startle. She had overlooked a crucial detail. Why was Hana wearing a wool hat in this warm weather? And why hadn''t she taken it off since they met? Something wasn''t right. Kanako''s hand instinctively reached towards Hana''s hat, but before she could touch it, Hana let out a piercing scream.


    "What have you done to my Misa!?"


    Hana''s voice dripped with anger. Given her current mental state, it was not the right time for Kanako to examine Hana''s head. First, she needed to calm the distressed woman down.


    "Hana-san, your daughter is missing. I am a police officer sent here to help you find her."


    Kanako lied, but it was the most reasonable explanation she could come up with in the given situation.


    "You''re lying! The door to the room was locked from the outside before I entered. How could you come in without opening it?"


    Kanako fell into a heavy silence, realizing her fatal mistake.


    "Who are you? Where have you taken my Misa?" Hana shouted again.


    "Please, calm down. I am truly a police officer," Kanako attempted to speak gently, but her reasoning alone was no longer sufficient to convince Hana.


    In an instant, the blind woman raised the knife in her hand and slashed down at Kanako, her aggression catching Kanako off guard. But she managed to leap to the left, from Hana¡¯s perspective, narrowly avoided the attack.


    However, Hana''s assault did not cease. Her movements and knife-wielding skills were unexpectedly agile and proficient. Before the blade could make contact with the desk¡¯s surface, it was deftly turned around, executing a horizontal slash aimed at Kanako''s position.


    The strike was lightning-fast, forcing Kanako to quickly stomp her foot and execute a sudden backward leap. As a result, her back collided forcefully against the closet.


    The impact was strong, it created a loud noise that revealed Kanako''s position to Hana. However, with this increased distance between them, Kanako now felt confident that she had the space necessary to safely restrain the agitated woman.


    INTRUDER!


    Out of nowhere, a voice of unknown echoed in Kanako¡¯s mind. Then, something emerged from inside the closet, immediately enveloping and constricting Kanako¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Arg¡ª.¡±


    Kanako was strangled by an immensely powerful force. She desperately tried to remove the unknown substance that clung to her neck. Its texture was muddy, sticky, and rubber-like. Kanako couldn''t visualize what it was; it didn''t even give her a chance to catch a glimpse of it. The force applied to her neck intensified with each passing second, making it increasingly difficult for Kanako to breathe. She fought with all her might, her arm muscles tensing as she struggled to break free.


    At the same time, Hana, knife in hand, surged towards Kanako with an unmistakable killing intent.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): "Tadaima" and "okaeri" are two commonly used Japanese phrases that are closely connected and often used together. "Tadaima" is an expression used by someone returning home to announce their arrival. It can be translated as "I''m back" or "I''m home." When someone hears "tadaima," they typically respond with "okaeri," which means "welcome back" or "welcome home." "Okaeri" is a way of acknowledging the return of the person and expressing hospitality. Both phrases carry a sense of warmth and familial connection, emphasizing the importance of home and the bonds between family members or those living together.

 Chapter 5.4: Blind Woman and the Missing Daughter (part 3)

    Time seemed to stand still as Hana''s blade approached Kanako. Kanako couldn''t move, and her strength was rapidly dwindling. She desperately clawed at the unknown restraints around her neck, but her frantic efforts proved futile.


    In this life-and-death moment, Kanako made a decision.


    "I''m so...s...sorry, Hana-san."


    Kanako''s attention was entirely fixated on each movements of Hana. When her right hand descended with the knife, when her left foot left the ground, when the distance between them was just a reach away; in an instant, Kanako used one of her legs to kick Hana''s supporting limb.


    It wasn''t a reflex born out of desperation, but a calculated maneuver. The kick served three purposes. First, it must not be too strong to cause harm to Hana. Second, it exploited her lack of sight, creating a moment of chaos that disrupted her attention. The sudden disturbance compromised Hana''s balance, compromising the power and accuracy of her impending strike. Finally, the kick needed to redirect Hana''s momentum, altering its trajectory towards Kanako''s side.


    The sound of shattering glass reverberated through the air as Hana''s body careened into the closet. The knife, which was Hana¡¯s target, became embedded in the adjacent wooden surface, right within her restricted reach. Kanako''s gaze locked onto the blade, wasting no time as she seized it, feeling its sharp edge against her trembling fingers. Without hesitation, she used it to slice through the strange substance.


    "Come...on!" she gasped, her breaths becoming increasingly labored. But even with the aid of the knife, the substance remained stubbornly firm. Time was slipping away, and Kanako found herself growing weaker, struggling to breathe.


    "Com..e...on!!" she urged, her voice hoarse.


    The knife slowly advanced, bit by bit. And then, in a sudden turn of event, it hit the air and plunged deep into the surface of the closet. Kanako collapsed to the ground, coughing and choking. She fought to regain her breath. As she lifted her head to see her almost-killer...there was nothing there.


    The policewoman didn''t sit for long; she hurriedly crawled over to check Hana''s condition. Kanako carefully avoided the broken glass pieces and helped Hana onto the bed. Hana was still conscious, with only a few scratches on her arms that were not serious. However, the impact of the crash and the unexpectedly intense actions from a person her age had left her looking visibly weak. Her body trembled, and her mouth kept mumbling her daughter''s name.


    "Are you okay?" Kanako asked, her voice laced with concern, but Hana didn''t respond.


    Witnessing this state of the woman, Kanako could only shake her head in dismay. As her hand absently brushed against the object in her pocket, she remembered the perfume bottle she had stowed away earlier. Suddenly, an idea emerged in Kanako''s mind.


    Retrieving the perfume bottle, Kanako applied some to her wrist, allowing the citrusy scent to fill the room. Tenderly, she placed the bottle in Hana''s hand and said:


    "Hana-san, this is the perfume that Misa loves the most. You gifted it to her."


    This time, Hana reacted. The blind woman looked down, unable to see but able to sense the familiar fragrance. Her face softened, and she clung tightly to the perfume bottle. With sudden hope in her voice, she looked up and uttered:


    "Is that you, Misa?"


    A look of surprise crossed Kanako''s face as she heard the unexpected question. Not hearing any response, Hana grew worried.


    "Dear, is something wrong?" her concerned voice quivered with anxiety.


    "Hana-san, I''m no¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Hana opened her arms wide, pulling Kanako into a tight embrace. Tears streamed down from her closed eyes.


    "Where have you been, Misa? Mama is very worried, you know." she sobbed.


    In that moment, Kanako could feel the warmth of a mother''s love and affection enveloping her. It was a feeling she knew well, as if she were embracing her own mother.


    "...I''m sorry, Mama," Kanako said, channeling what she believed the late Misa would say.


    "I love you very much."


    Kanako''s words resonated from the depths of her heart, delivered with an emotion akin to speaking to her biological mother.


    "Misa, my sweetie, Mama loves you very much too."


    Hana responsed with a warm and gentle voice. She released Kanako from the hug and turned her face towards her with a radiant smile. There was a clear difference between Benihana now and the mother who had been poisoned by her obsession as in the diary Kanako had read, but her old traits was still there.


    "Rest for a while, dear. You still have homework to do. Mama will prepare something for you to eat," Hana said, attempting to get out of bed despite the fatigue evident in her every movement.


    Kanako gently restrained Hana''s shoulder, her face reflecting determination.


    "Mama, I have something to say."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Feeling the gravity in the words of her "daughter", Hana adjusted her posture, ready to listen.


    And Kanako began to tell. Everything she said was the secret confessions of Misa written in her memoir. The words of hers included Misa''s resentment, disappointment with her mother that Kanako conveyed with her appropriate emotions. Interspersed between those reproaches were also not lacking in concern, worry, joy, happiness of the daughter toward her mother. Nor did she forget to include Misa''s hopes and dreams as a young girl.


    Hana listened attentively, her expression hardly changing. It seemed as though she had been preparing herself for this moment for a long time. Finally, with a saddened expression, she asked:


    "What about our home, your father''s home? Don''t you want to return, Misa?"


    Kanako shook her head, she replied with a firm tone that did not waver.


    "Mama, that''s not our house. Our house is here. This is where you and I live, where we have created memories together."


    Hana fell silent, absorbing Kanako''s words. Kanako continued.


    "Papa is no longer here... and me. But we are still a family. No matter where we are or how we are, everyone will always be in your heart."


    The sound of sniffles lightly echoed in the room.


    "Mama," Kanako said, using both her hands to tightly hold Hana''s hands that were holding the perfume bottle. "This fragrance is what binds our family together. Whenever you miss Misa, miss father, use it."


    Hana nodded, her rosy lips wet with tears. She clung onto the perfume bottle even tighter.


    "Misa...I won''t hold onto your future anymore." Hana said with a smile. And that smile was very beautiful. "Go, find your own happiness."


    Kanako felt like someone beside her was crying.


    Suddenly, Hana collapsed.


    ¡°Hana-san!¡±


    Kanako exclaimed, quickly reaching out to catch her falling body. She repeated calling her name, but there was no respond. Hana¡¯s breaths was feeble, indicating her deteriorating condition. In a hurried motion, Kanako retrieved her fallen phone from the floor and called her aide:


    ¡°Misa, call an ambulance immediately! Send them to Inoue Benihana¡¯s address. And...¡± Kanako instructed hastily. Then, she paused, her gaze shifting towards the nearby closet.


    "Arrange for a forensic team to come here," Kanako finally added, her voice tinged with seriousness.


    After escaping death from the mysterious entity, Kanako had faintly started to recognize a familiar characteristic smell. If it hadn''t been for the scent from the perfume bottle, she wouldn''t have been sure if she could maintain the necessary composure to talk to Hana.


    Gently placing Hana''s head on a pillow, Kanako then slowly removed the woolen hat. As she had predicted, there was a mark of an injury on the back right side of Hana''s head. Considering the angle, position and the amount of blood splattered on her silver hair, Kanako deduced that the woman had been pushed by someone, causing her head to collide with a hard surface, possibly a wall.


    The bleeding had ceased a long time ago, and the wound was relatively superficial, not at a critical level. However, timely treatment and care were necessary for a head injury like this. Kanako couldn''t understand how Hana could endure it for such a long period of time. It was extraordinary.


    Kanako adjusted Hana''s lying position to ensure her comfort before walking toward the closet. She felt nervous and anxious, hoping for the best but prepared the worst.


    Her one hand gripped the closet handle while the other was holding the kitchen knife. She wasn''t sure what had attacked her earlier, what it had done to prevent that terrible scent from appearing when she entered the room, and how it disappeared. She wanted answers to those questions, but her intuition warned her to stay away and not get deeply involved. Nevertheless, now facing this closet¡¯s door, facing the possibility of encountering that dangerous thing again, she couldn''t retreat. It was her responsibility as a police officer, no matter what was inside, she needed to open it.


    Creak!


    The closet door slowly swung opened.


    "Urg!" A wave of nausea washed over Kanako, causing her face to pale. The stench that greeted her surpassed her worst imaginings.


    The policewoman fought to maintain her composure. After making sure that nothing strange would attack her, she began to focus her attention on... the decaying bodies of two individuals.


    Switching on the flashlight on her phone, Kanako meticulously examined the scene, cautiously avoiding any physical contact. Her first impression was that the bodies were grotesquely piled on top of each other, as though they had been thrown into this closet like discarded objects. Judging from their clothing and body proportions, Kanako guessed that they were a man and a woman. The level of decomposition suggested the time of death was approximately two weeks ago.


    Bringing the light closer, Kanako inspected each part of the bodies, forcing herself to ignore the repugnant odor assaulting her nose. On the female corpse, the neck and arms showed signs of strong gripping force, which could be the cause of death. As for the male...


    "Kuso!"


    Kanako cursed, shaking her head in disbelief. Anger surged within her as she beheld the victim''s disfigured face. The murderer was a monster; he had strangled him and attacked his face to the point of being unrecognizable.


    The female officer stepped back. She wanted to investigate further, but based on her conclusions, an immediate call needed to be made.


    "Yes, Captain!" On the other end of the line, Misa''s voice echoed with seriousness.


    "Misa, quickly check all the reported missing persons cases in the Meguro and Setagaya districts from the past month. Collect and analyze the data immediately!" Kanako commanded, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.


    Hanging up, Kanako clenched her phone tightly, her hand trembling. Shaking her head once again, she refocused her attention on the task at hand.


    ¡°This is...¡± Kanako muttered.


    While she knelt down to observe the male victim more closely, who lay beneath the weight of the female, she discovered that the attire the man was wearing belonged to a food delivery staff. Additionally, there were numerous fast food advertisement flyers lying scattered around.


    ..."Fried chicken? Oh, that''s Misa''s favorite. She orders it quite often lately."...


    Standing up, Kanako retrieved her phone, intending to call Peko. However, a change of heart led her to dial a different number instead.


    "Moshi moshi, Ryosuke-san?... Yes, I have an important task that I need your help with."


    BANG!


    The deafening sound of a gunshot reverberated through an opulent hallway of the BioGeneX biotech corporation''s building.


    Kobayashi Reina walked down the corridor, exuding an air of elegance in her professional attire. Her gaze remained unwavering, fixed on the room from which the sound originated. Behind her, Adam and Miya followed; one was her bodyguard, and the other her secretary.


    The room she was about to enter was the venue for an important meeting that would directly impact the future of her company. Despite its weighty implications, Reina''s countenance showed no trace of concern.


    The door opened, and there was a fight going on inside.


    What a mess!


    Reina''s presence intensified the chaotic atmosphere of the large room. She separated from her two companions and walked alone, disregarding the loud screams, mocking laughter, and frivolous comments as she made her way towards her designated chair. On the table before her, a nameplate engraved with her name and the title "CEO" stood as evidence of her authority within the company.


    Miya, a woman with long black hair, stepped in front of a grand screen. Casting a glance at the assembled attendees, a smile graced her lips as she addressed the room:


    "Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting about Morpheus-2 now officially commences."

 Chapter 6.1: tick-tock (part 1)

    I''m walking along a luxurious corridor of the Royal Kingdom Hotel, an exclusive property owned by the biotech conglomerate BiogeneX. From the moment I set foot inside, an incredibly lavish atmosphere immediately impresses me. The floor is adorned with intricate marble patterns, and above are crystal chandeliers shining brightly. The walls are coated in white paint, decorated with paintings of world-renowned figures. Additionally, meticulously carved stone sculptures with various forms can be seen scattered throughout. The spacious area is well-ventilated with a modern air conditioning and filtration system, complemented by a faint aroma of traditional green tea in the air, creating a particularly pleasant ambiance.


    I am heading towards a large door guarded by two security personnel wearing black suits, their dressing style resembling mine.


    "Please present your access card." One of the guards approaches me and speaks, his eyes concealed beneath the dangerous-looking dark glasses.


    I reach into my pocket and take out a silver metal card, handing it to him.


    After scanning the card with a specialized scanner in his hand, the security guard looks back at me and bows politely.


    "Welcome, Mr. Nakano Koji, director of the BlueSky construction company. Please enter." He says, using one hand to hold the door handle while the person on the other side does the same, slowly pushing open the door.


    I also bow respectfully back to them before stepping inside. By the way, I would like to correct something. My name is not Nakano Koji, and I have no connection to the construction industry. Actually, I have invested a bit in real estate. My true identity is Okabe Jinpei, a famous journalist with over two million followers on my personal social media page for Tokyo Pulse, which is one of the largest newspapers in the city as well as in Japan.


    Perhaps many people would wonder what a journalist like me is doing here. If I were to answer that question, it would probably be "curiosity."


    Everything started last night when I received a mysterious email while I was finishing up my work article. Inside were two photos: one contained a note about the location and code of a public locker, and especially the other photo, it captured the contents of the locker, which was... a lot of cash piles, estimated to be over 10 million yen¡ªseveral times more than my basic salary.


    Usually, I am very cautious about opening such emails with unknown origins. Because, I, Okabe Jinpei, am a famous journalist and also the target of many bad guys. It''s not that I want to seek enmity with anyone, but my style of work is based on comprehensiveness. Everything I write must be true, and truth always entails duality.


    Once I heard about a newly emerging pet rescue organization in Chiba. Their social media page often posted videos of rescuing trapped dogs and cats from perilous situations, with tens of thousands of likes and shares per video. It seemed like a noble and heroic action, but something didn¡¯t add up. Why were there so many animals in distress in Chiba? And how did they always manage to find them just in time? So, I became a bit "curious." During a business trip to Chiba, I took some extra time to follow their tracks. Just in the first week of investigation, my hidden camera had gathered numerous pieces of evidence of the organization''s cruelty. They collected abandoned dogs and cats from various places, then trapped them in deserted locations at night and staged videos to make themselves look like heroes.


    The article titled "Heroes or Villains? Diving Deep into the Contrasting Facets of a Pet Rescue Organization" was one of my surprising successful works. Few people knew that the original version was four pages long and had been significantly trimmed after I took time to reflect. The article exposed the ugly truth about the organization, but I had decided to take a breakthrough and differentiate myself by also praising them. My argument was that exploiting pets for money and fame was terrible, but without those individuals rescuing those stray animals, they might not survive in today''s increasingly harsh environment outdoors. This argument sparked a large debate online, making the article famous.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    My writing style provides readers with many new perspectives, but it also earns me numerous haters. Being unexpectedly attacked on the streets or regularly receiving "harmful" messages and emails is nothing new to me. That''s why I am always cautious. However, back to the email, what compelled me to open it first place was its irregular title ¨C Morpheus-2.


    In Greek mythology, Morpheus was the god of dreams and sleep. He was known as the shapeshifter who could take any human form and appear in dreams. But what does it mean? Why is it called Morpheus-2?


    I completed my work close to three in the morning. At that time, my mind was still preoccupied with that subject line. I accessed the library''s information portal of the newsroom to find relevant details but found nothing. I wondered if this could be someone''s prank? Eventually, after a mental struggle, I succumbed to the temptation of that mysterious email and walked to the address in the note. It was a shop located near a subway station, not too far from my office. The locker was electronically locked. I nervously entered each number, then the unlocking sound echoed. Inside... My eyes widened as I saw the money. It was exactly like the photos. But why? And who? What in the world did they want from me? I searched the locker for clues and found a white envelope. It contained a silver metal card and a note with these words: "Today, 3 PM. Under Nakano Koji¡¯s identity. 7th floor, Royal Kingdom Hotel. Shocking news awaits."


    I enter a spacious auditorium where quite a few people are waiting inside. The room is well-lit with modern LED lights overhead. The seats, made of premium wood, go up in rows, each accompanied by a matching shared table extending along the length of the seating section. The entrance, where I stand, is opposite the side of the stage with a huge screen mounted on the wall above. To my left, there is a carpeted staircase leading to higher seating positions. According to the instructions of the guards, I am assigned to a seat at the very top, where I can see the whole room.


    In this type of setup, the most important figures would typically be seated closest to the stage. As I walk to my position, I don''t miss the opportunity to observe the faces of those attending this special event and spot some notable names. Jessica Kurogane, director of Lenna fashion company; Oyama Hayato, head of AegisTech private military corporation; Endo Seikohan, chairman of ZFC fast-food chain; and especially Mikadani Goushi, one of Japan¡¯s wealthiest men. They all wield great influence in Japan¡¯s economy and politics.


    With a smile on my face, I sit down on the cushioned seat. Although I''ve attended many prominent events, this is the first time I''m in the presence of such high-profile individuals. The excitement courses through me; it feels like I''m participating in a major action movie. I start to take out a new-generation laptop and other work-related items from my backpack. While I am arranging my belongings, a familiar face catches my eyes.


    "Hirano Osamu?"


    It''s an older man with a narrow face and a distinctive expression that always appears displeased. He sits in the adjacent section, one row below me. Osamu is a renowned journalist from the Tokyo Legal newspaper. His writing style stands out for its clear and straightforward arguments.


    I wonder why he is here, then I realize that not only Osamu, but four other famous journalists from different newspapers across the country are also present. They all have a different appearance from usual, which only insiders like me can recognize.


    The questions begin to dance in my mind. Someone has invested a substantial amount of money to covertly summon well-known journalists to attend this gathering. What secret will unfold before us? And what is their purpose?


    A tinge of disappointment washes over me as I acknowledge that I am not the central figure in this intriguing narrative. But it doesn''t matter. I see myself as a curious cat allured by a mysterious mouse, a relentless feline stalking its elusive prey. I, Okabe Jinpei, am determined to chase until the very end, bringing everything into the light with absolute truth.

 Chapter 6.2: tick-tock (part 2)

    I look at the silver-gilded watch on my wrist; it is almost 3 PM, nearing the time of the meeting. After about fifteen minutes, the number of people present has significantly increased. The seats are filling up, and I notice quite a few individuals wearing the BiogeneX company uniform.


    While I am reading documents related to BiogeneX, suddenly, a loud voice echoes from the door below. It belongs to a woman with long black hair, dressed in a black leather jacket and long brown khaki pants, with a small handbag around her waist. Standing in front of her is the security guard who scanned my entry card earlier. Despite the noticeable difference in their sizes, the woman''s attitude displays aggression. With a fierce expression, she grabs the man''s collar, shouting angrily:


    "Where is your damn CEO?! Why hasn''t he shown up yet? Has he run away?"


    "Calm down, Madam. The CEO is on the way here," he replies nervously, attempting to reassure her. The imposing demeanor of the burly man is completely overshadowed by the petite woman.


    "Calm down?! How can I possibly stay calm? Do you have any idea how much money I''ve invested in your damn project ¡®M¡¯?" The woman scans the seats for support, but all she receives are avoidant glances from the others. She turns back to the man, glaring at his black glasses and continues.


    "Four years! Four long years I trusted your company, and I had to mortgage my house and my company to invest in this damn thing! And not just me, many others too. Now, where is the ¡®M¡¯? Where is the project you have promised us?!" She says, repeatedly pulling the man''s collar back and forth.


    "Thi-this matter, please wait for the CEO to arrive," he responds hesitantly. Answering such questions is completely beyond the authority of a security personnel.


    However, the woman doesn''t stop; she keeps yelling loudly, holding the poor man tightly. It seems she will continue causing trouble until she gets the answer she wants.


    Meanwhile, I just overheard a valuable revelation. It appears that the codename for BiogeneX''s secret project, Morpheus-2, is M. My fingers move swiftly on the keyboard, and soon, a lot of related information shows up. The timing matches perfectly¡ªfour years ago, during the same period as the event that has shaken the Japanese economy, "The Great Price Plummet.", happened. But before I can have a look at it, a new development occurs on the floor beneath me...


    Jessica Kurogane had enough of the woman¡¯s loud and annoying shrieks. She decided to speak up:


    "Kisariii! Do us all a favor and zip your stinky mouth. The air is already polluted enough without your breath." Her voice was not loud, but it cut through the tension with a sharp and mocking tone.


    Kisari stopped. She looked at the girl who dared to insult her.


    "What did you say?"


    She released her grip on the man and stormed towards Jessica''s table with a furious expression.


    Jessica was a beautiful young lady with long wavy blond hair, wearing a graceful white dress. She didn¡¯t flinch, sitting relaxed on her exclusive seat, as Kisari approached. Standing before Jessica, a girl called Yuki was putting makeup on her. Yuki wore black trousers and a white top with one shoulder exposed.


    As Kisari was close to Jessica, she raised her hand with the intention to slap. However, before she could strike, her arm was held in midair. Yuki had immediately intercepted with a strong grab on Kisari¡¯s wrist. Kisari tried to break free, but her arm was almost immovable, as if caught in a vice. The pain slowly increased. Unable to bear it any longer, Kisari stepped back, and only then did Yuki let her go.


    "Agh! What are you, a monster?" Kisari exclaimed, looking at Yuki with a mixture of surprise and frustration.


    In response to Kisari was an extremely sorrowful-looking face.


    "Please, I beg you, don''t cause trouble here," Yuki''s tone sounded like she was pleading with the woman.


    Jessica looked at Kisari''s pained expression with satisfaction. She chuckled and said, "Exactly, Kisari, don''t cause trouble here. You should know that the amount you''ve invested is nothing compared to mine. I haven''t even spoken up yet how can you take the center here?"


    "Jessica, someone like you, always protected, can never understand the difficulties faced by small businesses," Kisari retorted.


    Jessica giggled, amused by Kisari''s response. "Oh, is that so? Is this the same Kisari who always stands above others, believing that talent will conquer all in our class? In the end, you''ve surrendered to your predestined fate, haven''t you? Oh, did you invest in this project just because you saw me do it?"


    "You wretch! Shut your mouth! What do you know!?" Kisari yelled.


    With her laughter persisting, Jessica hit back, "Seems like I hit the nail on the head. With your limited skills and terrible fashion sense, why not take this opportunity to bankrupt yourself?"


    "Bitch!!"


    Kisari''s face turned red with anger. At this point, the pain in her wrist was nothing compared to the emotions raging inside her. She took a short gun from her purse and held it firmly with both hands, aiming it at Jessica. Panic rippled through the spectators as they witnessed the situation escalate, prompting the security guards to swiftly intervene.


    Facing the gun''s muzzle, Jessica showed no signs of fear. With one hand supporting her chin, she continued with a mocking tone, "That''s right, it suits you well, Kisari. Your life was destined to be a failure. Becoming a murderer is a very fitting end."


    At this moment, Yuki immediately raised both hands, placing herself protectively in front of Jessica.


    Jessica''s final words seemed to be the last straw that burned for Kisari''s next action. Her finger squeezed the trigger, but at that very moment, something struck her hand.Stolen story; please report.


    BANG!


    The bullet was fired, but it veered entirely off course and hit the ground. Three guards swooped in from both sides, forcefully restraining Kisari down the ground before carrying her out of the room.


    The unexpected savior was Oyama Hayato, holding a pistol with the letters "AT" engraved on its surface. This was no ordinary firearm, but a special product from AegisTech. It utilized specially designed bullets that allowed the user to adjust the shooting force in five different levels using a small rotating axis control on the bullet box. Just now, Hayato had set the gun to the lowest setting and accurately aimed it at Kisari''s hand, thereby preventing a possible deadly outcome.


    "Hey! Who allowed you to save her?" Jessica stood up, speaking to Hayato with an angry tone, breaking her earlier cold and arrogant demeanor. Hayato, however, remained nonchalant; he returned the gun to his military uniform and sat down, casually resuming conversation with a West East man seated beside him.


    A sharp sound reverberated through the air as Jessica slapped Yuki hard on the face. The sudden slap surprised the onlookers, but Hayato seemed unbothered, continuing to ignore the terrible echoes behind him, steadfast in the decision he made. Yuki stood motionless, enduring Jessica''s anger without a complaint. The sad expression that had been displayed unchanged on Yuki¡¯s face from the beginning until now, no one could fathom her inner thoughts at this precise moment.


    Once Yuki''s cheek turned red with a clear mark, Jessica finally ceased her assault. The golden-haired woman looked exhausted, her previous air of power now diminished by the man''s unwavering attitude on the other side.


    "See? No matter what I do, he won''t come to save you," Jessica said with a heavy breath before sinking back into her chair, "Now, continue with your work."


    "This relationship is truly complicated," I comment.


    From the information I¡¯ve gathered, it appears that Jessica and Hayato were once lovers back in the U.S., but their relationship quickly fell apart after two years of dating. As for this girl, Yuki, there are not much relevant information available; all I know that she recently became Jessica''s assistant. Well, anyway, I prefer not to delve too deeply into these private matters.


    While I am watching the scene below, I don¡¯t notice a stout man approaching me. It''s Endo Seikohan.


    "Are you Jinpei, right?" he asks.


    His question catches me slightly off guard, but I maintain my composure and play my role. Fortunately, all eyes are fixated on the incident below, leaving this distinct person unnoticed.


    "Apologies, you''ve mistaken me for someone else. I am Nanako Koji, the director of BlueSky construction company."


    Hearing my reply, Seikohan laughs heartily.


    "I know it¡¯s you, Jinpei. Your voice is unmistakably of that famous journalist. I''m a fan of yours."


    At this point, there''s no need to pretend any longer. I stand up and politely greet Seikohan. Etiquette and respect are necessary for a journalist like me if I want to gather valuable information from prominent figures.


    "You don''t have to be so formal, Jinpei. Meeting you is already a blessing, saving me from this boring and meaningless meeting."


    "Isn''t this meeting important to you?" I ask curiously.


    Seikohan chuckles and explains, "I came here with the title of one of the biggest investors for Project M. But the reason for investing is also to pay off a personal debt I owed to the Kobayashi family in the past. The debt has been settled. For me, the success or failure of this project doesn''t matter." He sits down next to me, his carefree demeanor evident in the way he speaks.


    "I''m already old, and the money I''ve earned is enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life. Instead of getting involved in business and disputes, I prefer to enjoy more interesting stories, such as reading the articles you write, Jinpei." Seikohan laughs again, his face exuding contentment.


    "Thank you for your support. I never expected to have such a big supporter like you, Endo-san," I sincerely express my gratitude.


    "Now, it''s your turn. Tell me, why did you come to this meeting today? I don''t recall seeing you invest in this project before."


    "The truth is..."


    I begin to tell Seikohan about the mysterious email I received last night, the enormous amount of money, and the enigmatic invitation letter. Seikohan listens intently, stroking his beard thoughtfully. His expressive eyebrows rise in surprise and furrow in seriousness as he absorbs the story.


    "Omoshiroi, omoshiroi!"<sup>(1)</sup> Seikohan says, clapping his hands on the table with a wide smile, showing his delight. I can¡¯t help but wonder what intriguing thoughts are swirling in his mind to evoke such reactions.


    "So, that''s the person''s plan," Seikohan mutters cryptically.


    Curiosity getting the better of me, I inquire, "That person? Who is it, Endo-san?"


    "...No, no, you''ve been invited here. It will be more interesting if you witness it yourself, explore everything. But I can give you some hints." Seikohan pauses and directs his gaze towards a row of seats below, where Mikadani Goushi is present.


    "Surely you know Goushi. He is one of a¡ª no, to be precise, he''s the richest man in Japan. According to confidential information we obtain, his real estate is spread all over the world, with assets worth up to hundreds of billions. Compared to him, I''m like a branch on a big old tree."


    I''m surprised by the shared information from Seikohan, and seek clarification.


    "You mean the person who secretly invited me here is Goushi-san?"


    Seikohan chuckled again, leaving me a bit annoyed by his ambiguous response. Instead of confirming my question, he says, "Goushi is also holding a very large share of BiogeneX, and do you know who those two people sitting on either side of him?"


    "Uhm, it seems..." I begin to recall my memory before continuing, "They are members of the Kobayashi family. The man sitting on the right is Kobayashi Usui, the sales director of BiogeneX. He is famous for his alcoholic medicine brand and has a store in Shibuya. The woman on the left is Kobayashi Meiki, the marketing director."


    "Excellent! You truly live up to your reputation as a famous journalist, Jinpei! Yes, those two are the siblings of CEO Kobayashi Reina''s father, who currently holds the position of Chairman."


    "...Wait, what did you just say? The current CEO is Kobayashi Reina, the 18-year-old prodigy? If I recall correctly, the one holding that position should be Kobayashi Oshida."


    "Ah, I forgot you haven''t heard about this yet." Seikohan leans in and whispers to my ear, "Kobayashi Oshida was murdered a month ago. I believe there will be a detailed announcement about this soon. According to Oshida''s will, he transferred all of his shares to Reina, and the board of directors had approved her as the temporary CEO until the next board meeting."


    The shocking news leaves me stunned; this information alone is worthy of front-page headlines.


    "I suppose you can imagine the situation now. A power struggle is about to erupt. As you can see those two people, Usui and Meiki, both have already started their moves and are trying to attract the strongest allies for themselves." Seikohan speaks, then pauses, lost in thought. His next words feel more like he''s having a monologue with himself than talking to me.


    "It seems Meiki is planning further and targeting Haruki. But what a pity..." Seikohan shakes his head.


    "Haruki? Are you referring to Mikadani Haruki, the language genius, Goushi''s son?"


    Just as I ask, the door of the room swings open, and Kobayashi Reina, accompanied by her assistants, enter. Seikohan stands up; it''s time for him to return to his position. Before leaving, he pats my shoulder and says:


    "Thank you for the conversation, Jinpei. Thanks to you, this meeting is no longer as boring as it was in the beginning. A stage has been set for us to enjoy. And, when you have time, remember to visit my restaurant, Jinpei. Having someone like you to talk with will make me extremely happy."


    As Seikohan walks away, I overhear some impolite and malicious words about Reina from a few BiogeneX employees. However, instead of being offended, Seikohan bursts into genuine laughter, a truly delighted expression.


    <u>Note:</u>


    (1): ¡°Omoshiroi¡± is a Japanese term that can be translated to English as "interesting" or "fascinating." It is often used to express a sense of intrigue or captivation towards something that piques one''s curiosity or engages their attention.