By the next day, a new victim had appeared — but the police also made a breakthrough. —Including the victim who appeared today, seven people
By the next day, a new victim had appeared — but the police also made a breakthrough.
—Including the victim who appeared today, seven people had traveled to Kyoto around Tanabata two years ago and stayed at the same hotel.
At that time, eight people were trapped.
The only available emergency elevator could accommodate just seven.
One of the eight, a girl named Motogami Nanako, was left behind and died in the fire.
Considering that the murderer had taken the victims' belongings, likely as a tribute, the police—almost certain the motive was revenge—immediately launched an investigation into Nanako's relationships before her death.
They discovered that she had eloped with a boy named Mizutani Kōsuke.
Also, two years ago, Mizutani had indeed checked into the hotel with Nanako, but he escaped the fire because he was visiting a friend.
"That's probably him!"
"Hurry and hunt down Mizutani Kōsuke!"
Various jurisdictions united immediately to take action.
But when they arrived at his residence, they couldn't find Mizutani Hirozuke.
It was already late at night when Hayashi Yoshiki arrived at Tokyo Tower.
Now.
Thinking back to the letter that had appeared at his home, Hayashi's eyes darkened. He made a call with an expressionless face:
"Hello, Officer Shiratori. Mizutani Kōsuke is currently in the exhibition hall of Tokyo Tower, but he may not be the murderer."
"He's not the murderer?"
"In any case, please notify the others. Also, the murderer may be carrying a weapon—we need to be careful."
Hayashi hung up.
He remained in a foul mood until this matter was resolved.
I was actually threatened...
Once his identity—and everything he'd done—was exposed, his relationships and social status would undergo earth-shattering change.
Although the Death Note could provide detours, the fallout would be devastating for what Hayashi aimed to accomplish.
Unacceptable.
The other party had to die... silently, without a trace.
Stroking his drooping hair, Hayashi suppressed the murderous urge and walked to the observation deck.
There stood Mizutani Kōsuke, facing a glass wall, a glass of red wine in hand.
"Detective Hayashi..."
Kōsuke recognized him and became visibly nervous.
After all, he had come here to end his life and feared being stopped.
—The real murderer was Motogami Kazuki, Nanako's brother. He had never gotten over her death. When he failed to persuade Mizutani to take revenge, he committed the murders himself and tried to frame Mizutani.
The latter always believed that if he hadn't gone to visit his friend, Nanako might have survived.
So, burdened by guilt, he agreed to take the blame.
"One year after Miss Nanako's death, the seven people who took the emergency elevator all went to her grave to leave flowers."
...
"If only one or two had done so, perhaps it was out of guilt. But all seven? That means gratitude... Do you understand? Miss Nanako wasn't pushed from the elevator. She chose to give up her spot so the others could escape."
Kōsuke was stunned by Hayashi's chillingly calm voice.
Kazuki had lied, claiming Nanako was forced off the elevator.
That lie made Mizutani willing to take the blame.
"It was Nanako...?"
"Yes. It's because Nanako was too kind-hearted."
Kazuki, stepping from the shadows of the observatory, grew agitated.
He shouted:
"Even if Nanako gave up the elevator voluntarily, that doesn't change the fact she died because of those people!"
"Miss Nanako indeed died because of them—but she died for them. That's completely different from you, Mr. Mizutani, who took the blame for Kazuki and planned to end your own life."
...
Kōsuke remained silent.
Eventually, he gave a bitter smile, looking at Hayashi:
"...Detective Hayashi's presence feels completely different from what's shown on TV and in reports."
...
Hayashi took a breath, voice softening:
"I'm sorry. I'm in a terrible mood. I didn't manage my emotions well."
After a long silence, Kōsuke finally chose not to commit suicide.
He turned and handed a small package to Motogami Kazuki.
Inside were items Kazuki had taken from the seven victims.
Kōsuke asked Kazuki to turn himself in.
But Kazuki was instantly defeated by the suggestion.
He had taken bold actions only because he had someone else to shield him. Now, cornered, he was unwilling to face prison.
He suddenly pulled a knife and lunged.
"If I kill you both, I can still frame you!"
Perhaps he hated Hayashi most for ruining his plan—so he struck first at him.
However—
Bang!
A bullet tore through Motogami Kazuki's knife-wielding hand.
It was Matsumoto Kiyonaga—or rather, Ireland—who had arrived.
"Did I make it in time?"
Ireland rushed in, pulling out his badge.
His towering frame radiated authority:
"Matsumoto, Metropolitan Police Department. I'm here to arrest you, Motogami Kazuki."
He subdued Kazuki, who now knelt, hand bleeding.
Mizutani Kōsuke was overwhelmed, stunned, and stumbled two steps to the side.
Hayashi moved silently forward.
The next second, Kōsuke felt a sting at the back of his neck—then intense drowsiness overtook him.
Ireland watched as Hayashi knocked someone out in front of him.
Kazuki struggled—until a stun gun fell from his clothes.
Ireland grabbed it and zapped him.
Kazuki immediately fell unconscious.
"Is the memory card the organization wants in here? You're something else, Cointreau."
With no witnesses, Ireland dropped the pretense.
He bent down and picked up the package Kōsuke had taken out.
Inside the amulet, he found it:
"This is the memory card that contains the list of spies inside the organization... If this leaked, it could cause a seismic shift."
He held the tiny card—no bigger than a fingertip—and chuckled.
His gun was set aside. He seemed completely unguarded.
Hayashi looked at him, voice cold:
"The organization's objective is complete. Now... let's talk about our business, Ireland."
"...What?"
Ireland turned, stunned.
Hayashi's black eyes stared into the false face Ireland wore—a human skin mask.
There was no life in his gaze.