Volume 9 Chapter 3

VOLUME 9 – THE SPIRIT OF SALVATION file 03: salvation

–

1

–

Haruka cleaned herself up reasonably and flew out of her room.

She went to the main road and flagged a taxi, told the driver her destination and leant back on the seat.

She felt a sense of déjà vu as she watched the city’s nightscape pass by through the window. Come to think of it, she had looked out a taxi window like this when Isshin had been stabbed too.

– No.

Haruka cleared that thought out of her head.

She couldn’t think bad thoughts. ‘It’ll definitely be OK!’ Haruka told herself that and managed to calm herself down a bit.

She got off the taxi in front of the hospital. After gathering herself, she hurriedly went to the waiting room through the night entrance.

She spotted Gotou sitting on the bench.

His head looked injured, as it was bound by gauze. The gauze was a bit wet with blood.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Haruka. Gotou looked up.

‘Sorry. I was there, but…’

‘More importantly, what’s happening?’

Haruka spoke over Gotou.

Gotou glanced at the back of the waiting room. Ishii was there talking with a number of uniformed officers.

Ishii seemed to notice Gotou’s gaze as he stopped talking and walked towards them.

‘Haruka-chan.’

‘Ishii-san. What’s happening?’

Haruka quickly finished her greeting and asked Ishii for more information.

Ishii fixed the position of his silver-framed glasses with his fingertip and began his explanation.

‘From the situation, it seems that the culprit stunned Yakumo-shi with a stun gun and then hit Detective Gotou with something like a rod to make him faint. And then, that person took Yakumo-shi away – is what I think.’

‘Why was I the only one who was hit?’ said Gotou with a frown, looking like he was bearing with the pain.

‘I think the culprit was probably using a stun gun that could not be used quickly in succession.’

‘So they didn’t expect there to be two people,’ Gotou said bitterly.

‘We are currently checking the security cameras as there is the possibility that the culprit might be recorded on them.’

‘The person who got me was wearing a white hakama,’ said Gotou angrily.

‘Jikoukoushinkai may be involved.’

‘We’re going to their base. Yakumo has to be there.’

Gotou threw his gauze bandage into the rubbish bin and stood up.

‘Please wait.’

Haruka called out to Gotou before he could leave.

‘What?’

‘Actually, I had a phone call from somebody who is likely the culprit.’

‘What?’

‘What did you say?’

Gotou and Ishii expressed their surprise simultaneously.

Haruka explained in detail about the mysterious call she had received from Yakumo’s mobile.

‘The forest probably means Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees in this situation.’

Gotou scratched his chin.

Haruka felt the same way. If Yakumo’s abduction was related to this series of cases. it was likely that the forest in question was Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees.

The culprit had also said that a corpse had been found there.

‘This is definitely a trap,’ objected Ishii.

Haruka had thought that too. If the person who had called was the person who had abducted Yakumo, there was no reason for them to tell Haruka where Yakumo was.

If they were going to just tell her without asking for anything, they wouldn’t have needed to abduct Yakumo in the first place.

But –

‘We can’t ignore it.’

‘That’s true,’ agreed Gotou.

‘But there is also that video,’ continued Ishii.

‘What video?’ asked Gotou.

‘Actually… in the video the young man who found the corpse at Aokigahara took, that man… there was the man with two red eyes. So…’

‘Even if it is a trap, I won’t be able to relax until I go!’ declared Gotou.

‘B-but…’

‘You go check out that religious group. I’m going to the Sea of Trees.’

‘I’m going too!’

Haruka called out to Gotou, who had been about to leave.

‘You can’t. It’s dangerous.’

Ishii grabbed her arm, but Haruka shook his hand away.

She couldn’t just wait silently when all this was happening.

‘You’re going to come even if I say no, right?’ said Gotou, turning around.

‘Yes.’

Haruka looked right at Gotou.

Just as Gotou said, she planned to go no matter how they objected.

‘Right! Let’s go!’

‘Yes,’ replied Haruka. She followed Gotou out.

–

2

–

– They’re gone.

Ishii watched Gotou and Haruka leave in a daze.

Perhaps he should have stopped them, but for some reason, he couldn’t. No matter what he said, he probably wouldn’t have been able to stop the two of them.

They stood on such strong bonds.

All Ishii could do now was hope they would be safe.

‘Ishii.’

Ishii turned around at the voice and saw Miyagawa.

‘What is it?’

‘We’ve got the pictures from the security cameras.’

‘Ah, yes.’

Ishii and Miyagawa went to the security room behind the reception.

It was a small three-tatami room. There was one desk and a folded futon by it for naps. On top of the desk, there were three monitors.

‘So which one is it?’ Miyagawa asked the male guard at the desk.

The man mumbled something as he used the keyboard. Then, he pointed at the monitor in the centre.

‘This one.’

Ishii peered at the monitor and could see Gotou and Yakumo standing in the courtyard. Since there was no sound, he couldn’t tell what they were talking about.

After a while, Ishii saw a shadow appear behind Yakumo.

White hakama with a sash with a red Brahma on it. The clothes of Shugendo. The man pressed a stun gun into Yakumo’s shoulder.

Yakumo lost consciousness from the shock and collapsed right there.

Gotou noticed something was strange and put himself on guard, but the person in white quickly hit Gotou with a hexagonal bar.

It only took a moment.

After that, the man in Shugendo clothes went out of the frame. After that, a car came in and stopped in front of Yakumo.

The man in white got out of the driver’s seat. It was probably the same person as the one earlier.

He picked Yakumo up and put him in the car. Then, he got into the driver’s seat and drove away.

‘That was efficient.’

That was how Ishii felt.

He didn’t even pay attention to Gotou. It was clear that his goal was to abduct Yakumo from the start.

‘Yeah,’ replied Miyagawa. Then, he said to the guard, ‘Could you show us the video again?’

The security guard silently rewound the video as told. Miyagawa put his face close to the screen.

‘Stop!’

He spoke up when the car came into the frame.

In response, the guard stopped the video. Miyagawa was probably trying to check the car’s licence plate.

Ishii also went up close to the monitor to see.

However, it was no use. The number was covered with packing tape. They had no way to see it.

He must have been thinking about the security cameras. A thorough criminal.

‘Damn it,’ Miyagawa said, full of feeling.

It was true that they couldn’t see the number. However, Ishii had found something else. It was –

‘Could you enlarge this portion?’

Ishii pointed at the chest of the man in Shugendo clothes.

‘The image will be fuzzy,’ said the guard, enlarging the photo.

Ishii could see the word Jikoukoushinkai on the black sash.

‘So it’s really that religious group…’ said Miyagawa, who seemed to have sensed Ishii’s intentions.

‘Yes.’

‘Ishii, let’s go.’

‘Yes sir,’ Ishii responded loudly. Then, he left the security room together with Miyagawa.

–

3

–

‘It’s fine. We’ll find him,’ Gotou said, driving the Mini Cooper, to Haruka in the passenger seat.

Rather than encouraging her, it was more for himself.

‘Yes, definitely…’

Haruka was acting strong.

She probably would have been half in tears in the past, but she was different now.

‘What’s so amusing?’

After Haruka said that, Gotou realised that he was smiling.

‘I was just looking back.’

‘On what?’

‘When I first met you, Haruka-chan, it was during that case with the university’s deserted building, right?’

‘It was.’

Haruka’s expression softened just slightly, perhaps as she thought back on the incident as well.

‘I thought you were a pretty weak girl at the time.’

Back then, Haruka had looked like she would cry at any moment as she sat next to Yakumo.

They had met again afterwards during a number of incidents, but Gotou felt like Haruka had been crying every time.

Maybe she was worrying about Yakumo, or feeling sorry for the victim – but at some point, Gotou had stopped feeling weakness from her tears.

He could feel that she had the strength to go forward even as she cried.

And now, even though she must have wanted to cry, she was restraining those feelings. Maybe she’d decided that she wouldn’t cry until she found Yakumo.

Now that he thought about it again, she wasn’t just a weak girl who cried all the time.

That was probably why Yakumo was charmed by her.

‘Why are you using the past tense?’

Haruka puffed out her cheeks, as if in anger.

“Cause you’ve changed.’

‘Is that so?’

Haruka might not really feel it herself, but Gotou could tell, as an observer.

Haruka had definitely changed from meeting Yakumo.

‘Since I’m saying it, there’s no doubt about it.’

‘Hmm…’

‘But you’re not the only one that’s changed, Haruka-chan.’

‘Eh?’

‘Yakumo’s changed too.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. People change because they love each other.’

Gotou had started thinking that way recently.

‘Somehow, that doesn’t really sound like you, Gotou-san.’

‘Really?’ said Gotou, playing dumb.

But he understood in his heart. More than anything, Gotou himself had changed. He felt like, after meeting Yakumo and Haruka, he had found the path he was supposed to take.

It wasn’t just Gotou. Atsuko, Nao and Ishii had changed too.

These people who had all been lacking something had come together, hurt each other at times, and continued to change. But Gotou thought it was a good thing. That was why –

‘Let’s find Yakumo no matter what.’

‘Yes.’

Haruka responded with a smile.

There was not even an atom of doubt there. Yakumo would definitely come back –

‘All right. Going to put the pedal to the metal.’

Gotou stepped firmly on the pedal. If he went quickly, they would probably reach Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees in two hours.

For Haruka’s sake and his own, he would definitely bring Yakumo back.

Gotou reaffirmed his resolve.

–

4

–

‘This is a bit creepy,’ said Ishii without thinking.

The Jikoukoushinkai base was outside of town and was so quiet it was eerie.

It seemed like they had renovated an old temple. It was more quiet than Ishii had thought it would be. That made it even creepier.

‘Yeah,’ agreed Miyagawa, hands in his pockets.

To be honest, Ishii was afraid of going inside, but strangely, he didn’t think about running away.

With determination, Ishii reached out to press the intercom button.

‘Oi.’

Miyagawa grabbed Ishii’s arm.

‘What is it?’

‘Is it OK not to call for reinforcements?’

Miyagawa’s words brought Ishii back to reality.

‘Reinforcements?’

‘Reinforcements.’

‘Er…’

To be honest, Ishii hadn’t even thought about calling for reinforcements.

They had no decisive evidence at this point. Even if they called reinforcements, they wouldn’t be able to search the place.

‘You’ve changed,’ said Miyagawa while laughing.

‘I’ve changed?’

‘Yeah. Just a little in the past, you’d’ve been the one who suggested calling for reinforcements.’

Now that Miyagawa said that, Ishii felt like it was true.

Yakumo’s role had been to frantically step on the brakes when Gotou was running wild. No, that was an excuse – Ishii just hadn’t had confidence in his actions. That was why he would want reinforcements to get instructions from the higher ups.

Mysteriously though, he didn’t feel like that right now.

‘Shall I call for reinforcements?’ asked Ishii, thinking that he should at least ask.

‘Just us two is enough.’

Miyagawa smirked and puffed out his chest.

‘Yes,’ replied Ishii. If they got orders from above, they would just be slowed down. Sometimes, it was necessary to take gutsy actions. Especially since Yakumo’s life was in danger right now.

Ishii reached out and pressed the intercom button.

There was a response immediately.

‘I apologise for coming late at night. I am Ishii of the Setamachi precinct.’

‘Actually, we are investigating a certain case… We would just like to consult you…’

It was already past midnight. Perhaps this response was normal.

‘Yes. It has to be today.’

Then, the intercom stopped. They were probably checking if it was OK.

‘Do you think they’ll let us in?’ asked Miyagawa.

‘No, I think they’ll refuse,’ said Ishii.

If Yakumo’s abduction was related to Jikoukoushinkai, there was no way they’d let them in.

Ishii’s instinct was right. Through the intercom, they were told to please come again tomorrow because the founder, who had been feeling unwell, was already asleep.

After that, no matter how Ishii pressed the intercom button, there was no response.

‘What are we going to do now?’ said Miyagawa with a sigh.

The past Ishii would probably have retreated, but –

‘Miyagawa.’

‘What?’

‘This wall looks climbable.’

When Ishii pointed at the wall, Miyagawa’s eyes went wide.

‘You serious?’

‘Yes.’

‘If people find out we did this, we’re finished.’

Ishii knew Miyagawa was right, but –

‘However, if we don’t, and the person who abducted Yakumo-shi is from this group, we won’t be able to undo this,’ Ishii replied.

For some reason, that Miyagawa started chuckling.

‘You’ve really changed. You’re becoming more and more like Gotou.’

‘Is that so?’

To be honest, Ishii didn’t really feel that way.

–

5

–

After Makoto returned to the office, she decided to research Jikoukoushinkai again.

She was concerned about Yakumo’s abduction.

However, nothing she could do would change anything. She would believe that Ishii and Gotou would bring him back and start working on what to do next.

That was the conclusion Makoto had come to –

When Gotou contacted her, her plans had fallen through, but Makoto had a theory. She was going to confirm it.

Makoto called Takizawa on her mobile.

‘I apologise for calling at night.’

Takizawa was acting curt, but it was his usual attitude.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘You were talking about the red-eyed man in the video, right?’

That hadn’t been because of the light.

‘I know that man.’

Takizawa was agitated.

It was very difficult to explain who the man with two red eyes was. The reason being –

‘He’s already dead.’

Takizawa wasn’t that surprised.

A newspaper journalist had to acknowledge the existence of ghosts even if they didn’t want to. They didn’t proclaim it publicly, but they saw more than one or two ghosts while gathering information and taking photographs.

‘So there was something I wanted to check.’

‘It’s about the group called Jikoukoushinkai…’

‘It seems that the base used to be in Yamanashi.’

‘I want to know of ay rumours about the location.’

It made sense for Takizawa to have this question.

However, this was extremely important to prove Makoto’s theory.

‘Jikoukoushinkai moved to Tokyo about two years ago.’

‘Why did they suddenly expand… I think that’s the key to solving this case.’

‘Is that true?’

Though Makoto’s voice sounded surprised, that wasn’t how she really felt.

The theory in the back of her mind was becoming more real.

‘That couldn’t be called a religious group.’

‘Is that so…’

Did something really happen to Jikoukoushinkai two years ago?

That had turned them completely around. It probably had something to do with Minegishi Kyouka and Hiyama Kenichirou’s dispute.

‘Cared for people who tried to commit suicide…’

It was clearly different from how Jikoukoushinkai was now.

‘Research?’

‘Explain it scientifically.’

Makoto thought it over while taking notes.

The word scientifically just didn’t sit right with her. Right now, Jikoukoushinkai was focussed on worshiping mountains – it was completely a religious group.

There was no science about it.

Takizawa spoke with airs of importance.

‘What is it?’

‘Yes.’

‘Eh?’ exclaimed Makoto.

Hiyama, not Minegishi, was the one who could see – if that was true, she would have to think things over completely.

Makoto swallowed her confusion and hung up on Takizawa.

–

14

–

– Thank you.

Haruka heard a voice as she slept.

It was a very kind and pleasant voice.

– Who could it be?

Haruka slowly opened her eyes. She saw white sheets. The sun’s light reflecting off of them made it seem like they were sparkling.

– Where am I?

Haruka quickly recalled what had happened last night.

After Yakumo had fainted, the ambulance arrived. They took him to a nearby general hospital.

According to the doctor, Yakumo’s body temperature was low and he was exhausted, but his life wasn’t in danger.

In her worry, Haruka had watched over Yakumo sleeping in his bed, and it looked like she had fallen asleep herself.

‘Yakumo-kun!’ said Haruka, sitting up immediately.

Yakumo was sitting on the bed and looking out the window. In the morning sun, his body seemed to glow.

– Thank goodness.

It looked like his body was fine, but Haruka suddenly remembered something else.

She had another concern. Yakumo had completely lost his mind then. Even if he had looked like Yakumo, it had felt like something completely different was inside.

– How is Yakumo’s mind?

‘Yakumo-kun…’ Haruka called out again.

Yakumo slowly turned around.

The light from behind him made it so that Haruka couldn’t see his expression clearly.

– It’s Yakumo-kun, right?

Haruka held her breath and softly touched her necklace with the red stone.

For a while, Yakumo said nothing. He just looked at Haruka. It felt like forever.

Finally, he slowly opened his mouth.

‘Thank you…’

‘Eh?’

‘You called my name, didn’t you?’

‘Your name?’

‘Yeah. When it was completely dark and I couldn’t see the light, I had lost myself… but I heard it. Your voice. Your voice calling my name…’

‘Yakumo-kun…’

– You came back.

Haruka felt that. The person in front of her was Yakumo, no doubt about it.

‘That voice became a light for me… Thank you for calling me.’

Yakumo looked embarrassed as he smiled. Then, his hand touched Haruka’s cheek.

Haruka tried to hold it back, but that warmth made her burst into tears.

‘I’m so glad… I’m really glad…’

No matter how she tried to keep them in, the tears kept coming out.

Haruka tried to cover her face with her hand so that Yakumo wouldn’t see her face covered in tears, but Yakumo grabbed that hand.

‘It’s the second time that you’ve saved me..’

‘I’ll do it any time…’

Haruka shook her head.

The number didn’t matter. If anything happened to Yakumo, she would go save him without any hesitation. The reason was that for Haruka, Yakumo’s existence itself was her light.

Just as Haruka was about to embrace Yakumo, the hospital room door opened.

‘Sorry to bother.’

It was Gotou.

Haruka hurriedly backed away from Yakumo and wiped her tears.

‘Oh, am I really a bother right now?’

After looking at Haruka and Yakumo, Gotou smirked and tried to leave the hospital.

‘You aren’t.’

Yakumo was the one who spoke.

‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll let you be alone a bit longer.’

‘Gotou-san!’ said Haruka.

If he left now, she’d be the one who felt awkward.

‘What?’ complained Gotou, but he still sat on the chair by the bed.

‘I need to thank you as well, Gotou-san,’ Yakumo said formally, looking at Gotou.

However, Gotou just waved his hand.

‘Stop that. If you thank me, something unlucky will definitely happen.’

‘That’s an awful way to put it.’

Yakumo smiled wryly.

‘I just followed my own beliefs.’

After Gotou said that, he scratched his nose, looking like he felt embarrassed.

– That’s just like Gotou-san.

Haruka felt that. Gotou hadn’t saved Yakumo for his thanks. He had just done it because he wanted to.

‘So who assaulted you?’ said Gotou after clearing his throat.

‘I didn’t see their face. However… I know who it is.’

‘Eh?’

Haruka spoke up without thinking.

–

15

–

‘What are you saying?’

Gotou leant forward from his seat by the bed to ask Yakumo that.

Yakumo said that he knew who had abducted him. His confident expression made it seem like he understood everything.

‘I can’t say right now.’

‘Wha?’

Gotou’s brow furrowed.

– It’s started again.

Yakumo hated speaking when he only had speculation. Therefore, even if he understood something in his head, he didn’t say it out loud. As a result, Gotou was pushed around without knowing anything.

‘The corpse found at Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees. Aoi Yuuka, who was robbed. The man who committed suicide. These three incidents are connected.’

Yakumo had said that before too.

Gotou and the others had run forward believing in those words, but Gotou felt like they had just wasted their time since they hadn’t been able to find the connection.

‘How are they connected?’ asked Gotou.

Yakumo’s expression suddenly because grimmer.

It was an unusually frightening expression.

‘It is because they are connected that the order is important.’

‘The order?’

Haruka cocked her head before Gotou could.

‘What are you talking about?’ Gotou pressed, like he was landing the final blow.

‘The order that will reveal the truth. If that order is incorrect, there will be victims.’

After saying that, Yakumo cast down his eyes, just slightly.

Yakumo looked like he was suffering. Even when he had been at the hospital before being abducted, he had been suffering like this.

Gotou had a ton of things he wanted to ask, but after coming this far, he decided to just go with Yakumo until the end without saying anything.

If he did that, Yakumo’s suffering should become lighter, even if just by a little.

‘So what should we do?’ asked Gotou with resolve.

‘You’ll help?’

Yakumo’s eyes went wide in surprise.

He wasn’t used to other people’s kindness. This was one of Yakumo’s cute points.

‘I planned on doing that from the start.’

‘Well, that is natural. It was your possession that made things so troublesome from the start,’ said Yakumo, running hand through his messy hair.

‘What kind of tone is that? You should thank me honestly at times like this.’

‘Didn’t you say that something unlucky would happen if I thanked you?’ Yakumo said triumphantly.

– What a hateful brat.

But it felt like Yakumo had finally returned – it made Gotou happy. This was thanks to Haruka, who had faced Yakumo head-on without running away.

When Gotou looked at Haruka, she cocked her head, looking confused.

‘Let’s stop the pointless chitchat now. Please contact Makoto-san.’

Yakumo put his index finger to his brow and started his explanation.

‘The newspaper woman? What do you want to ask?’

‘Jikoukoushinkai was based in Yamanashi before. Please ask for the location.’

‘Are you planning on going?’

‘That is… if it remains.’

Yakumo smirked, looking amused.

Since Yakumo had said it, there was probably something there.

‘Got it.’

‘Also, please contact Ishii-san.’

‘What do you want to ask him?’

‘I’m not asking – I have a message.’

‘A message?’

‘Yes. A message from me.’

When Yakumo finished speaking, he slowly stood up. Though his expression was blank, it was frightening enough to give Gotou a chill down his spine.

–

16

–

‘Gotou-san, I’m just glad you’re OK,’ Makoto said happily when Gotou called her.

‘So, Yakumo-kun…’ asked Makoto, gulping.

That was the biggest reason for her anxiety. He had gone into Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees. It shouldn’t have been an easy trip.

‘Really?’

To be honest, Makoto couldn’t believe it.

When Makoto heard that, she relaxed.

Yakumo had Haruka. She would probably save Yakumo no matter what she had to sacrifice.

At first, Makoto had thought that Haruka was just a girl who cried all the time, but that impression had changed.

Haruka had a strong will and lived straightforwardly.

Her feelings for Yakumo had probably made her stronger. Being able to love someone so much was a happy thing.

‘I’m envious…’

Makoto hadn’t been planning on saying it, but the words slipped out of her mouth.

Gotou had heard Makoto’s words to herself. It was so embarrassing she felt like her face was on fire.

‘N-nothing,’ Makoto said hurriedly.

‘For… me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Does he plan to go there?’

This timing – Yakumo might have been t