Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

SECRET FILES – KIZUNA

each wish: chapter 2

–

1

After hearing this h

She had visited Isshi+n to hear about so it would be a short story about his first love or so

However, now that even Gotou had shown up, the story had taken a turn she hadn’t expected

More than anything, she was surprised about the difference in Yakumo’s personality now

Though Yakuo so far as to reject other people

As well, though he didn’t think fondly of his red left eye and his physical ability to see the spirits of the dead, she felt like he recognised that it was soe

However, the Yakumo of the past was different –

‘You’re surprised,’ said Isshi+n, looking at Haruka after talking so far

'Just a bit,’ replied Haruka while looking down

If I ht?

That question suddenly came to her The answer – she didn’t want to think about it

'It’d be a problem if you’re troubled here The incident’s just started’

Gotou laughed, his eyes glittering

'This isn’t a funny story,’ Isshi+n said reprovingly

'My bad That’s right’

Gotou accepted his fault honestly, which was unusual

Haruka felt like the atmosphere had become suddenly heavier

'Let’s take a short break The tea’s cold too’

Isshi+n said that, clearing the stagnant air, and placed the teacups on the tray, leaving the living room

'Yakumo really had scary eyes back then,’ Gotou said suddenly

He was playing with his cigarette case as he narrowed his eyes, as if looking into the distance

'Scary eyes?’

'Yeah It was like he hated everything in the word’

'I feel like I can iine it, and I feel like I can’t…’

Yakumo’s head came up in Haruka’s mind

With his always sleepy eyes, he was running a hand through his messy hair

He was curt and unfriendly, and everything he said and did was laced with sarcash he didn’t show it on the surface, he had both a strong will and kindness to him

When Haruka was in danger, he would always co himself without any hesitation

That was the Yakumo Haruka knew

However, it was true that Yaku

However, Haruka felt like the eer towards evil

It wasn’t hatred towards others

'He changed because of that incident, but it’s not like he became somebody completely different Just an extension of the same person’

Haruka understood what Gotou was saying, but she still felt like there was so fundamentally different

'Sorry for the wait’

Isshi+n came back with tea

'You’re late Did you go to pick the tea leaves?’ Gotou complained irrationally

'What a short-te exasperated as he put the teacups in front of each of htem

'Nohere did I talk up to?’

Isshi+n rubbed his hands together

'Just as Yakuate the incident’

'Ah, that’s right,’ replied Isshi+n, hitting his thigh 'The next day…’

'You’re getting the order wrong!’ interrupted Gotou

'Am I?’

'You are My bit comes first Otherwise it won’t connect’

Gotou crossed his arnantly

'Do what you want’

At Isshi+n’s words, Gotou nodded in satisfaction before beginning

'After nearly being burnt up, I…’

2

– Everything burned

Gotou put his jacket with the burnt sleeve over his shoulders as he looked at the burnt remains in a daze

Though the firefighters ca that all they could do was stop the fire fros

All that was left was a wall and a few poles – everything else had collapsed

It was like there had been an air raid or so

Under the lights that had been brought onto the hospital pre about like wild dogs searching for food

Gotou admired their persistence, but in this situation, they probably couldn’t hope for any useful evidence

'What aa can of coffee out towards Gotou

'It really was I was almost burnt myself’

Gotou opened the can of coffee and drank it all at once

The caffeine went straight to his stomach

shi+momura wasn’t found froet away

Gotou felt frustration rise up froht there It was pathetic of hiet away

'It isn’t your fault he got away’

Miyagawa hit Gotou’s shoulders, like he’d sensed how he felt

With Gotou’s personality, he’d rather get hit with a fist at ti comforted just made him feel more pathetic

'I definitely won’t let hiet away the next time I see him’

Gotou lit a cigarette

He felt like the smoke was more painful than usual

'Don’t get so worked up You’ll start burning again’

Miyagawa told a terrible joke while s His humour sense was already that of an old man’s

'Gotou Got some time?’

The one who interrupted was Matsumura, an examiner from forensics as in the same class as Gotou

The man’s face and even body were like that of a horse – there was so unrefined about him

'What?’

'There’s so I want you to look at’

Matsu in his mouth

'Got a hold of so?’

'That’s not it Just come’

Matsuhtly let Gotou’s joke slide and walked away briskly

– What an irritating guy

Gotou gruawa

They went through the passage soaked with hose water to the back of the hospital

The persimmon tree in the backyard was lit up

There were two examiners there with shovels around the tree

At their feet, there was a mountain of dirt Beside it was a hole about a metre in diameter

'Found treasure or so?’

Gotou called out to Matsumura’s back

Matsu

'Decide for yourself if it’s treasure’

Gotou was irritated by Matsumura’s unfriendly words He pushed aside one of the examiners and looked into the hole

It was about as deep as a person

He saw so like white balls at the bottom of the hole

No, that wasn’t it They weren’t balls They were –

'Skulls?’ said Miyagawa before Gotou could

'Yes, that’s right They’re all frohly four or five,’ replied Matsu the sweat off his forehead

Though Gotou hadn’t known about it, he feltabout treasure so frivolously

Burying the corpses of new-born babies in a place like this – it made him doubt the nerves of the person who did it

'Was this hole here before?’ said Miyagawa, kneeling on one knee and peering inside

'No, we noticed that the colour of the dirt was different here and tried digging it up… Honestly, it’s awful’

Matsuether Gotou felt the same way

Miyagawa stood up and wiped the dirt off his knee He looked up at the night sky

'The forecast doesn’t look good’

Gotou looked up as well

He couldn’t see stars The forecast never looked good in the city sky –

3

The next , Akemi was an hour late when she arrived at the temple

It had taken longer than expected to find so, but in the end, she hadn’t been able to find anybody and had brought her along

Her daughter was currently sleeping in the baby sling on her chest

However, she would always start crying hter, Nao, had an abnorers

Isshi+n and Yakumo would be troubled about how to treat Nao too, now that she’d brought her along so suddenly

Ake, but she had already contacted Sachiko’s fahts just as he’d started to move

There wasn’t any point thinking about it any more She would talk with Isshi+n about what to do

With renewed deterh the temple premises and pressed the intercom button by the priests’ quarters

After a while, the sliding door opened, and Isshi+n, in his work robes, greeted her with his usual smile

'Welcome’

'Ah, sorry, I couldn’t find anybody to look after hter…’

Akemi said that first off

'So this is your daughter, Akemi-chan?’

She had thought that Isshi+n would be a bit surprised, but he just smiled like usual at Nao and patted her head

In response, Nao opened her eyes

Isshi+n’s and Nao’s eyes met

Ake, but her response was unexpected

Nao reached a hand out towards Isshi+n and kicked her feet, laughing happily

This was the first time she hadn’t cried in front of somebody she’d just met

'What’s her na Nao’s hand

'Ah, her name’s Nao’

Akehter’s name

'It’s nice to meet you, Nao-chan’

Isshi+n looked at Nao’s face

Nao seemed even happier

'Would you let me hold her?’

Isshi+n took Nao before Ake her in his arms

Nao’s face would always stiffen just fro others, but Isshi+n, who’d she justthat it could make someone suspect that he was her actual father

– If only this person were Nao’s father

That hich wouldn’t be granted suddenly came to Akemi

'What is it?’

While she was lost in her own thoughts, Isshi+n looked at her, which made her feel so embarrassed even her ears went red

'Ah, Nao’s actually really shy It’s the first ti someone new…’

Isshi+n nodded upon hearing Akemi’s explanation

'That’s because you’re wary of other people, Akemi-chan’

Akemi was startled, like she had been suddenly pushed on the back

'I’m wary?’

'You are’

Isshi+n said that with narrowed eyes as he poked Nao’s cheek

Nao’s face scrunched up like it had tickled When Akemi saw that, she understood what Isshi+n meant

If the parent ary, the child would feel that wariness too That was probably it

That made a lot of sense Akemi hadn’t been able to open her heart up to anyone since that event

She was afraid that they would pry into the incident, so she ary and looked away from everyone else

Nao wasn’t crying because Akemi wasn’t wary of Isshi+n –

'It’s cold out Well, please come in’

After Isshi+n urged her to do so, he went inside with Nao in his arms

Akemi followed him

When she entered the living roo there

He wore jeans and a white shi+rt He was sitting with his legs out and looking up at the ceiling in boredom

When he noticed Akee yawn

'Yakumo, this is Nao-chan’

Isshi+n sat in front of Yaku Nao

Yakumo didn’t look that surprised either and just looked at Nao

Nao reached out and grabbed Yakumo’s hair

Akery, but he didn’t look displeased and just let her continue

'Is this your kid, Sensei?’ asked Yakumo in a drawl

It was the first time Akemi had ever been asked a question by Yakumo

'Yes, she is’

'H uninterested as he stared at Nao’s face and poked her cheek

Nao waved her ars happily

It felt rather strange It made sense with Isshi+n, but Nao wasn’t wary of Yakumo either

Even though they were coers, it was even possible to think of the people in this living room as family

For just a moment, Yakumo’s expression seemed to soften

A gentle and warm expression he had never shown anyone at school –

– Yaku away his emotions

Akemi felt that anew

'This kid…’

Yakumo’s brow suddenly furrowed as he clapped his hands near Nao’s ear

Nao didn’t respond and just laughed

'Is there so with her ears?’

Akemi nodded in response

Nao couldn’t hear It was discovered when she was a child

When Akeht about Nao’s future, it soiven a difficult life from birth

It was nobody’s fault Everyone said that, but Akemi couldn’t help but blame herself

– It must be my fault that Nao is like this

Akehts in her head and put a smile on her face

However, Ake a smile

Now that Yaku with Nao

Isshi+n was doing the same

– She can’t hear So what?

It was like Isshi+n and Yakuhter’s handicap ht already have been discrimination

Ake very important

'We can’t keep playing We have to go soon,’ said Isshi+n, looking at the clock

'Let’s put an end to this,’ agreed Yaku up

They had aloal

They had gathered to go with Yakumo to Sachiko’s house However, there was a reason Akeree immediately

– What should I do about Nao?

She couldn’t bring her to Sachiko’s

'I’ll watch over Nao-chan until you come back,’ offered Isshi+n, who see

'Eh, but…’

Since Nao was so friendly with hi she didn’t want to ask, but he would have to do more than just rock her

There were e her diapers, feed her milk

'It’s fine The families of the teed Yakuhts

It was true that it wouldn’t be a proble Nao with Isshi+n if he had experience, but Akemi still felt bad about it

'He wants to, so just let hih his hair to push Akemi to a decision

His words weren’t pointed like they usually were

'It’s just as Yakued Isshi+n

Yakunored Akemi, as still undecided, and left the room briskly

'I’m truly sorry I’ll leave her in your care’

Akeave a si Yakumo out the room

4

The day after the fire, Gotou and Miyagaalking in the basement corridor of a hospital

There was clearly insufficient lighting It wasn’t just dim – the ventilation was bad as well, so the corridor was filled with humid air

When colass entrance, it was like it wasn’t even the sa

In the end, they found a total of seven corpses in the yard –

All of them were new-born children

It would probably be hard work to find the mothers of those children who looked like they could even have been put in the birth registry

Now that the evidence had been burnt in the fire, they would have to catch theshi+momura and ask him That was the most certain method

Normally, Gotou would want to join the search for the suspect shi+ to the coroner’s to hear about the autopsy

They went straight down the corridor Miyagawa stopped at the door in the very back

Miyagawa had had a long face ever since it was decided that they’d go meet the coroner

Gotou was suddenly curious about what sort of person could loomy

'Miyagawa-san, what sort of person is the coroner?’

'He’s called Hata – an old man who’s so old he looks like he could die at any moment Well, to put it in one word, he’s a pervert’

'Pervert?’

– Did the old ?

Ih

'Anyway, no nore it You won’t be able to keep up otherwise’

After hearing Miyagaarning, it was even harder for Gotou to iine what sort of person the coroner was

Gotou wanted to ask another question, but before he could, Miyagawa knocked on the door

'It’s Chief Miyagawa’

'It’s open’

Gotou heard a hoarse voice from the other side of the door

Miyagawa opened the door and went inside Gotou followed him

It was a sular room of about six tatami in size Probably because of the lack of s, it was so diht pop out if this were a horror movie

There was a desk at the very back of the room, surrounded by cabinets

In front of the desk that was covered in docuown

With white hair, the old man was just skin and bones and looked like he could die at any moment

'You again?’

Hata scratched his forehead like he was annoyed

'Like I’d come here because I wanted to’

Hata giggled at Miyagaords, his shoulders shaking as if he was having convulsions

He was somewhat creepy

'Who’s the blockhead behind you?’ said Hata, pointing at Gotou with his chin

Calling so

'He’s Gotou, my subordinate He’ll probably be around every once in a while’

'My name is Gotou It’s nice to meet you’

Gotou bowed at Hata after Miyagawa introduced him

However, Hata just rolled his head around like he was bored

– This oldmy head to him Maybe I’ll pull his head off

Gotou sed his rising anger

'Well, just sit over there’

Though Hata said that, there were no chairs in the room

– Is hefun of us?

In contrast to Gotou’s confusion, Miyagawa’s expression didn’t change at all as he went to a nearby cabinet

From that attitude, Hata was probably always like this

– No nore it

Gotou felt like he slightly understood what Miyagawa had meant

Unable to do anything else, Gotou crossed his arainst the wall by the door

'I came because of the corpses from the maternity clinic’

Miyagawa brought up the topic at hand

At that moment, Hata’s wrinkled face lit up, like he was a child who had found his toy

'Ah, that was a big catch’

Hatch laughed happily

– Big catch? Oi, oi Those weren’t words to use about children’s corpses

Gotou’s dislike for Hata grew

'So what did you find out?’

Miyagawa looked at Gotou, as if to tell hi

'It was just yesterday I don’t know anything yet’

'Don’t say that With your skill, oldfrom experience’

It was rare for Miyagawa to butter someone up

Perhaps Hata was pleased, as his expression slackened slowly as he opened his mouth

'Well, they were skeletons I don’t know anything for certain, but from what I’ve seen, there weren’t any obvious injuries If they were killed, drugs or so were probably used’

'Is it possible that they were strangled?’

Gotou said the question that came up in his head

Then, Hata looked at Gotou scornfully

'If an adult strangled the neck of a new-born child, their bones would break’

Hataa neck

It was true Gotou realised how foolish his question was, but at the same time, he was irritated

He could’ve put that another way –

'How about the time of death?’

Miyagawa continued regardless

'At this stage, I don’t have detailed results, but fros froht be froo’

If what Hata said was correct, then that place had been abandoning children’s corpses there for over ten years

– Treating people’s lives like things

Gotou felt hatred and anger in the bottom of his stomach that almost made him shake

'Found out anything else?’ asked Miyagawa

Hata shook his head

It looked like it’d take so else

'Ah, that’s right There was one odd thing’

Hata scratched his back as he called out to Gotou and Miyagaere about to leave

'An odd thing?’

Gotou’s brow furrowed

'The number doesn’t match’

'The number doesn’t match?’

Gotou didn’t understand just from that

Perhaps he’d sensed what Gotou was thinking, as Hata spread out the documents in front of him on the desk

There were several photos of the discovered children’s corpses

Even though Gotou should have been used to this, the spectacle wasGotou want to look away

Hata took a photo out and tapped it with his finger

In the photo, there was so like a small white rod

It was probably an ar

'There’s one arm too many’

So they hadn’t found the other bones?

No, that probably wasn’t it

They had dug up everything around there There probably wasn’t anything left It would havetoo many –

'That is odd Probably wouldn’t have just cut off the ar his chin with his palm

Hata finished drinking his tea and let out a long breath

'But if they were going to kill therown up a bit Autopsying this isn’t any fun at all’

'Oi! Old man! What did you just say!?’

Gotou spoke before thinking

Even after hearing Gotou’s angry yell, Hata was nonchalant

'Exactly what I said I like fresh adult corpses’

Now, Gotou understood what Miyagawa had said at first

– This pervert! Of all the things to say!

Gotou lifted his hand to grab Hata, but Miyagawa pinned him down

'Please don’t stop me! I’ll feel bad unless I punch this old man!’

'Cool your head!’ yelled Miyagawa, pushi+ng Gotou against the wall

Gotou hit his chest and started coughing violently

'I said this earlier Don’t listen to what the old man has to say!’

'But…’

'Shut up!’

Miyagawa’s fist cahtly

Even with all the clamour in front of hi demonically

– I really can’t forgive him

Gotou struggled, but then Miyagawa’s haain

5

Akemi stood in front of Sachiko’s house with Yakumo

Yaku as they came here

Akeathering concentration before a match, Yakumo hadn’t responded

He ht have been unexpectedly nervous

'Are you prepared?’

Ake the intercom button

'There’s nothing to prepare I just need to look,’ said Yakumo with a blank expression

Akemi had felt like she’d shortened the distance between her and Yakumo a bit when at his house, but it seee

She felt disappointed, but she told herself that it wasn’t that easy to connect to somebody and pressed the intercom button

After a while, Tomoko opened the door

They had talked on the phone last night, so she invited Akemi and Yakumo in without any explanation

Of course, Akemi wouldn’t have been able to tell the truth even if asked to explain

Your daughter appears to be possessed by a ghost, so I will be bringing a classhosts If she said that, she would be treated like she were insane

She had just said that she was co with a classmate anted to visit Sachiko when she was sick

Tomoko led them to Sachiko’s room on the second floor

'Sachiko, your teacher’s here,’ said To on the door

However, there was no response

'Sacchan, it’s Takagishi+ We’re here to visit Could we come in?’

Ake out instead

'Don’t come in!’

Akeh the door

Akemi had been prepared for this, so she wasn’t that shocked

'Sacchan, Yakumo-kun came today too He’s worried’

Ake

Yaku used as an excuse

'No way…’

After a while, Akeh the door

The classmate she liked had suddenly co happy and confused

'It’s true That’s why I want you to open the door’

Ake further, but Sachiko didn’t respond

Even though she’d brought Yaku would start if the door wasn’t opened

Ake of what to say next when Yakumo walked forward and tried the doorknob

However, the door was locked and wouldn’t open That had been a rather forceful approach

'It’s host,’ said Yaku on the door as he did so

Tomoko was surprised by Yakumo’s words and actions – her eyes ide and she covered her mouth with her hands

Tohter when she said that there was a ghost It would be stranger for her not to be shaken by the attitude of this classmate as supposed to have come to visit

'Sensei, this child is Sachiko’s classht?’

Tomoko looked at her suspiciously

'Ah, yes That’s true, but… er…’

Akes over, but she couldn’t think of an excuse and was fu

'Hurry up and open the door If you leave things like this, you won’t be able to turn back People possessed by the spirits of the dead will die’

Yakunored Akeh the door

'Die… What are you saying?’

Torabbed Yakumo’s shoulder, unable to hold back

'If I don’t say soht?’

Yakumo looked at Tomoko with a blank expression

Though he wasn’t glaring, there was a light in his eyes that pressured his opponents

Tomoko nervously shut her mouth

A suffocating silence continued

Akemi wasn’t sure what to do when she heard the sound of the door unlocking

'See? It’s open,’ said Yaku the door to step inside

Akerabbed her arm

'Excuse me, Sensei…’

Tomoko still didn’t seem to accept what had happened as she looked at Akemi for an explanation

'It’s fine That was a et Sachiko-san to open the door Please stay outside, ma'am’

Akeave her a lie for appearances and left Toh Tomoko still looked dubious Akemi went inside and shut the door behind her

She sighed –

Sachiko’s room was clean, as she had expected

Even though she wasn’t going to school, she was probably studying properly There were textbooks and notebooks spread open on the desk There were reference books on the bookcase beside it

The room seemed to symbolise a middle school student on the brink of entrance exams

By the , there was a full-length mirror that had been turned around and a bed, on which Sachiko, in pyja her knees

The teddy bear by her pillow looked at them

Yakuer to his brow and looked at Sachiko

'Yakumo-kun What is it?’

'You’re noisy Be quiet for a bit,’ said Yaku

An electrifying tension –

Perhaps Yaku in his oay to see the spirits of the dead

Ake on the bed

Her hair was brushed neatly as usual, but her eyes were bloodshot and there were dark circles underneath them

Her face was pale, and even her lips appeared to have faded in colour

'Sacchan, are you OK?’

’… I’m scared… nobody’ll believe me… I don’t knohat to do…’

Sachiko’s voice trembled

Akeh she said there was a ghost, of course the doctors and her parents didn’t believe her

For a girl in puberty, being believed by nobody host

Ake her, to try to htly better

“Don’t touch her!’ Yaku completely

Surprised by Yaku

– Why can’t I touch Sachiko?

She looked at Yaku at Sachiko

'Yakumo-kun I…’

'Who is the child you’re holding at your chest?’ said Yaku Sachiko

At the same time, Sachiko’s shoulders jolted

– Child?

Ake

However, did Yaku there?

Akeht it would be necessary to perform rites or chant spells to see the spirits of the dead

However, frohosts every day, even if he didn’t want to

If that were the case, Yaku a world that Akeine