Date: 18/05/2018 — Day: Friday — Time: 9:45 p.m.
In Japan, night had descended over Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mount Fuji. The long shadows of the trees cloaked the place in an eerie silence, broken only by the whisper of the wind weaving through the branches. Amid this density, five teenagers made their way forward with weary steps, each carrying a backpack full of camping gear, their small lanterns swaying in their hands.
Hiro, panting as he wiped sweat from his forehead, said:
— "Guys… if we delay here much longer, I think we'll arrive in the city far too late tomorrow!"
Kenji replied with a nervous smile, glancing around at the dense trees blocking the moonlight:
— "Uh… this forest is truly amazing, isn't it? The trees feel endless…"
Ryo pointed toward a small, semi-open space among the trees:
— "Hah! Don't get carried away… the important thing is to find a spot where we can camp before going deeper into the forest."
Mika set her bag down and sat to think about pitching the tent:
— "Alright… should we stop here then?"
Takumi, pulling a tent from his backpack and beginning to unfold it, said:
— "Yes… I'm exhausted. Let's set it up quickly before the weather gets colder."
The group began step by step, arranging their gear, setting up the tent, and carefully lighting a small fire among some rocks, smoke curling softly between the thick trees.
Hiro pointed toward the moonlight shining through the branches:
— "Guys, look at the moon! It looks incredible above the trees… like it's watching us."
Ryo laughed, though his voice was subdued by the forest's unnerving atmosphere:
— "Haha… surely it's watching us… or maybe just waiting for the right moment to start something with us!"
Mika, trying to ease the tension, asked:
— "By the way, who brought the instant noodles?"
Kenji, pouring hot water into the pot over the fire, answered:
— "Me! But I think we'll need to fetch some extra hot water from the river…"
Takumi glanced around at the long shadows dancing with the flames:
— "I'm sure tonight will be an unforgettable experience… but I just hope we don't run into anything strange."
As they laughed and sipped their hot drinks, the cold air seeped into their bodies, and the forest's sounds shifted between rustling leaves and the distant howl of wolves—both thrilling and terrifying at once.
Ryo smiled faintly, though his eyes were fixed on the moving shadows between the trees:
— "Yeah… this forest is overwhelming… but let's sleep close to the fire, not far from it."
Hiro chuckled:
— "Fine… but if I see anything weird, I swear I'll scream like a little kid!"
This triggered a wave of laughter among them, though beneath it lingered a thread of unease from the ominous surroundings.
As the group sat around the fire, enjoying their simple dinner and joking to ease the tension, the forest's noise suddenly ceased.
A gunshot rang out, followed by a muffled scream of a man—distant, but clear enough to fill them with dread. The sound ended quickly, replaced by a heavy silence.
Everyone froze, breathing unevenly, eyes scanning the shadows between the trees.
— "What was that…?" Ryo whispered, his voice breaking with fear.
— "I think… just a hunter?" Hiro replied, though he didn't dare look away.
But moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed—a man running, panting loudly, this time much closer. The teens stiffened, paralyzed, straining to listen.
Another gunshot cracked through the forest, followed by the same man's scream, muted this time—then cut off abruptly.
Takumi's heart pounded as he gripped the spoon tightly, while Kenji's wide eyes darted about, scanning the darkened trees for movement.
Ryo inhaled sharply and said:
— "We need to pack up… we can't stay here."
They all began quietly gathering their belongings, each movement accompanied by the creak of wood and the rustle of bags.
Suddenly, the broken sobbing of a woman drifted through the forest—closer now, as if pleading for help.
The group froze, trembling, the terrifying silence pressing in around them.
— "S… she's here… close…" Mika whispered, her eyes widening in terror.
Hiro stood, his voice unsteady:
— "We have to go… now… quickly."
But every step they took only deepened their dread. The shadows between the trees shifted as if watching, and the wind howled unnaturally, whisper-like sounds in its current.
The fire flickered wildly, casting eerie glows over their anxious faces, while the forest around them grew darker, as if the night itself was swallowing them whole.
— "I swear… this place… it's not natural…" Takumi muttered, backing away, as Ryo urgently pointed toward the tent.
The woman's sobs grew louder, echoing with the trees and the cold air, setting each of their hearts racing, the forest itself becoming a living, breathing entity devouring everything around.
Despite their fear, the teens realized they had to move, carefully pushing forward toward safety—but each step only seemed to draw them closer to the terrifying unknown lurking in the shadows.
As they crept back along the path, none of them noticed the figure hidden among the trees, watching them. The only thing visible in the shadow was a black pistol, glinting faintly under the moonlight—yet still concealed from their eyes.
•••
The Next Day
Date: 19/05/2018 — Day: Saturday — Time: 06:36 a.m.
With the break of dawn, in the early morning, a man in his forties was walking his large dogs on the outskirts of Aokigahara Forest. He walked quietly, enjoying the cold breeze, until his dogs began sniffing something unusual.
Suddenly, they started barking violently and rushed towards a specific spot at an unnatural speed. The man was puzzled, hurrying after them as he called out:
— "Come back! Come back here!"
When he reached the spot where his dogs had stopped, he scolded them:
— "What's wrong with you? Stop this!"
But the dogs' eyes were fixed on something above. Their tongues panted heavily, their bodies completely tense.
The man lifted his head, and his eyes fell upon a scene that froze the blood in his veins.
Five teenagers… hanging, their necks twisted in black ropes, dangling from the branches of tall trees.
A dreadful silence filled the place, the whispering wind rustled the leaves eerily, and the faint light of dawn wasn't enough to reveal their expressions. Yet their empty gazes said it all: terror, pain, and utter despair.
— "My God…" the man whispered, his heart about to burst from the shock.
Every wrong step could make the scene even more terrifying, and every passing second of silence weighed down heavily upon the forest. Even the dogs stopped barking, staring upward as if they sensed that what had happened wasn't a mere accident… but something darker lurking among the trees.
---
At the police headquarters, the atmosphere was tense, as it always was after a tragic incident. In one of the offices marked Head of Investigations Bureau, a 54-year-old man sat grim-faced, his eyes flashing with both anger and concern.
The reports of new bodies discovered in Aokigahara were chilling: five teenagers, three adults — one of them a woman two months pregnant — and two other men.
The man raised his hand and pressed his forehead, trying to calm his nerves, then turned to his assistant standing behind him:
— "How did this happen?! All of them in a single night?"
The assistant answered in a low voice, avoiding eye contact:
— "The situation… is very complicated, sir. All the evidence points to… something strange. No clear fingerprints, no signs of a struggle. It's as if they just… stopped suddenly."
The Head of Investigations exhaled deeply, then leaned on the table, patting the pile of case files:
— "These aren't ordinary murders. Something's happening in that forest… something not of this world."
He looked out the office window toward the dark headquarters courtyard, the distant forest vivid in his mind, as if calling to him:
— "It won't be easy this time… we must act quickly before more happens."
Then he turned to his assistant, eyes filled with determination:
— "Prepare all search teams, and send in whoever can enter the forest tonight. We cannot wait any longer."
The assistant bowed again and hurried out, leaving the chief alone with his grim thoughts, staring at the photos of the victims spread across his desk, each one telling a different story of horror.
---
The Head of Investigations, Takashi Yamamoto, age 54, left his office with heavy steps and a distant gaze, struggling to control his quiet rage and deep thoughts. The wrinkles on his forehead spoke of long years of experience and constant contemplation. His breathing filled the temporary silence of the hallway.
His assistant, Renji Kato, 32, approached him, his face tense, though he tried to mask his unease with casualness:
— "Mr. Yamamoto, the search teams are all ready. We can depart immediately."
Takashi looked at him, his eyes glinting with a sudden idea. He spoke in a low but firm voice:
— "Let them go without me. I'll join them later."
Renji raised his brows in surprise:
— "But… Why, sir? You're supposed to supervise us."
Takashi gave a brief, fleeting smile, tinged with mystery:
— "I'm going to visit an old friend. Some matters can't be delegated. My absence won't be long."
Renji nodded in reluctant understanding, flashing a small smile that said, Well, that's just the boss's superpower. Then he dashed off toward the search teams to check their readiness, his steps clinking in rhythm with the sound of basic tactical gear.
Takashi stood by a hallway window, gazing at the distant buildings as the cold air filled his lungs, an eerie stillness enveloping the scene.
— "Everything here… strange… unnatural," he whispered to himself, eyes silently scanning the view.
Then he slowly turned, his face carrying a mix of calmness and tension, as he prepared for what was to come. In the distance, Renji watched him carefully, eyes full of respect — and a touch of fear — for that quiet, troubled genius.
•••
In the neighborhoods of Shinjuku, where rows of modest three-story apartments stood in repetition, black cars stopped in front of an old building. Stepping out of one was the Head of Investigations, Mr. Takashi Yamamoto. He lifted his sunglasses, peering at the building with eyes heavy with both focus and worry.
He climbed the metal stairs with steady steps, heading for the second floor until he reached the last apartment. He stood before the door, drew in a deep breath, and knocked confidently.
Moments later, the door opened slightly, revealing a man in his early thirties, eyes glinting with surprise. He peered at the visitor from behind the partially locked door, as though accustomed to unexpected encounters.
Mr. Takashi gave a faint smile and spoke softly:
— "Hello. May I come in?"
The young man replied in a low but clear voice:
— "Of course, please."
The door opened fully, revealing Ryota, a thirty-three-year-old man with an odd calmness in his eyes, a look that suggested he noticed every tiny detail. Faint dark circles under his eyes gave him a shadowy presence. His black hair reached just below his ears, and a light beard added a touch of mystery to his features. He wore ordinary loungewear — neat in some places, messy in others — as if everything around him followed its own peculiar order, despite his plain appearance.
Mr. Takashi stepped inside, while Ryota remained by the door for a moment, watching his guest with eyes that held a mix of sarcasm and detachment, as though reading every intention before it was spoken.
Takashi entered the small living room, his eyes scanning the space, which seemed obsessively tidy — every item perfectly in place, as if an unseen hand kept adjusting the details. He carefully sat down on the plush sofa, casting a sidelong glance at the simple walls, dotted with small shelves that carried neatly arranged books, ordered by size.
Moments later, Ryota followed with calm, measured steps. His face was as cold as ever as he sat on the sofa opposite, barely acknowledging his guest, as if his presence meant nothing. He reached for his phone and began scrolling absentmindedly, his fingers tapping the screen like he was living in a world apart.
Takashi chuckled lightly, flashing a broad grin.
— "Ha… you haven't changed one bit, Ryota. Same indifference, same apathy."
Ryota didn't lift his eyes from the phone, as if the words evaporated before reaching him. He stayed silent for a moment, then flipped the screen in his hand with boredom.
Takashi sighed, glancing around the room before asking curiously:
— "You have enough wealth to live in a mansion on the outskirts of Tokyo… why choose this cramped little apartment?"
Ryota looked up for only a moment, his eyes half-lidded, and replied in a flat tone:
— "I'd rather live in a quiet, small place… than waste my time in a big, empty palace."
Takashi let out a mocking laugh and added:
— "Still the eccentric, I see. Shouldn't you at least offer your guest some tea or a sweet? Or have you forgotten the simplest manners of hospitality?"
Ryota shifted his gaze back to his phone, unmoved, and replied dryly:
— "You didn't come here to critique my taste or drink tea… why are you here?"
A short silence fell before Takashi's lips curled into a mysterious smile, his eyes gleaming as though he was about to open the door to something heavy.
He took a deep breath, leaned back against the sofa, laced his fingers together, and spoke in a low, serious voice:
— "You've surely heard what happened recently in Aokigahara Forest… five teenagers found hanged. And after that, three more bodies. One of them… a pregnant woman."
Ryota didn't lift his eyes from the phone, as if the news didn't concern him. He answered coolly:
— "The forest has been full of suicides for decades. It's not unusual for a few new names to be added to the list."
Takashi smirked slyly, leaning forward.
— "If they were ordinary suicides, I wouldn't have come here myself. These cases… are different."
Ryota paused for a moment, his fingers frozen on the screen, then slowly lifted his eyes toward Takashi. His gaze was blank, but his silence made it clear he was listening. He returned his eyes to the phone and replied mockingly:
— "Different? Or is your imagination just getting old with you?"
Takashi exhaled sharply, pulled a small file from his pocket, and placed it on the table between them.
— "Every body was found hanging in exactly the same way. Same rope height. Same knot. Even the orientation of the corpses is identical. Tell me, Ryota… have you ever seen five teenagers coordinate their suicides to this degree?"
Ryota stayed quiet, feigning indifference as he flipped at his screen again. Finally, he answered with deliberate coldness:
— "Perhaps just coincidence… or an agreement between them before they ended their lives."
Takashi's smile tightened as he leaned closer.
— "And do you call it coincidence that, after them, three more victims were found the same way? Different ages, different backgrounds. A pregnant woman. Two middle-aged men. What's the connection?"
This time, Ryota finally set his phone aside. He propped his chin against his hand, staring at Takashi with visible coldness, though a hidden spark of curiosity burned behind his eyes.
— "You're trying to say there's a killer… turning the forest into a stage that swallows people?"
Takashi leaned forward, his voice dropping to a heavy whisper, like revealing a grave secret:
— "I'm saying the forest is just the stage… and the killer is a skilled actor, using the legend of Aokigahara to mask his crimes."
Ryota fell silent, his eyes fixed on the file on the table. Slowly, he reached out and drew the papers toward him. He leafed through them with an air of cold detachment, but his eyes absorbed every line with uncanny precision.
Takashi let out a short laugh.
— "I know you too well, Ryota. You pretend not to care, but right now, you're reanalyzing every word in your mind. Tell me… doesn't it spark your curiosity?"
Ryota closed the file slowly, placing it back on the table. He straightened up, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
— "Nothing sparks my curiosity more than a puzzle no one else can solve. But tell me, Takashi… did you come to ask for my help? Or are you just trying to drag me back into the swamp I once left behind?"
Takashi's face bent into half a smile, half a challenge.
— "I know you've retired… but this time, you won't find a mystery like this even if you lived a thousand years. If it isn't you… it won't be anyone."
A heavy silence settled in, broken only by the ticking of the wall clock. Then Ryota reached for the file once more, this time with deliberate slowness, as though his acceptance was just another game playing out in his mind.
---
Suddenly, before Mr. Takashi could even realize what was happening, he found himself outside the apartment.
Ryota's movements had been quick and decisive. He pushed him into the hallway, slammed the door for a split second, then threw the file at his face and shut it so forcefully that the frame shook.
Takashi froze, stunned, his eyes fixed on the closed door. Seconds passed in silence, broken only by the echo of his own footsteps in the narrow hallway.
Finally regaining his composure, he pounded the door with his fist, shouting:
— "Ryota! Open this door immediately! Is this how you welcome a man who comes to you with trust?!"
From inside came a cold, mocking voice, dripping with indifference:
— "Stop acting like a worried father who's lost control of his teenage son. I won't open it."
Anger flared across Takashi's face as he struck the door even harder:
— "You're still the same! Arrogant, elusive, thinking you're above everyone! At least give me a reason for your refusal!"
A short, cold laugh came from behind the door:
— "The reason is simple… I have no desire to return to the swamp I left. That world belongs to you, not me."
Takashi remained standing, his chest rising and falling with the intensity of his emotion. But as the moments passed, his anger began to fade, replaced by a heavy bitterness. He pressed his forehead against the door for a moment and exhaled deeply.
— "As you wish, Ryota… but my offer still stands. One day, you'll knock on this door yourself, and I'll be waiting."
He pulled a small notebook from his pocket, wrote his phone number on a scrap of paper, and carefully placed it under the file outside the door. Then he turned and walked slowly toward the metal stairs, his steps clanking against the iron, the echo of his voice fading gradually as he descended.
Inside, Ryota sat silently on his sofa, staring at the closed door, a faint smile playing on his lips. His eyes glimmered for a moment… as if a seed of curiosity had indeed been planted, despite his denials.
Slowly, Ryota stood, shoulders heavy with deliberate nonchalance. He walked to the door with calm, measured steps, as if nothing occupied his mind. Yet inside, he remained alert.
He reached for the lock, carefully slid it aside, and opened the door halfway.
He glanced down the hallway… empty. No trace of Takashi, no echo of his footsteps.
Ryota exhaled a short sigh of relief and relaxed his shoulders slightly.
But his eyes quickly dropped to the floor. There, on the gray rug in front of the apartment threshold, lay the file, carefully placed, topped with a small folded piece of paper.
He stared at it for a silent moment, as if weighing it in his mind rather than his hands.
Slowly, he bent down and picked up the file. The small paper slipped from it onto the floor.
He bent again, lifted the paper between his fingers, and unfolded it. Clear, sharp handwriting showed his phone number.
He remained silent for a few seconds, eyes fixed on the numbers as if they were trying to swallow his resistance.
— "…That stubborn old man," he whispered with a sarcastic tone, a faint, wry smile crossing his lips.
He hesitated for a brief moment, then turned his back, closing the door quietly behind him.
Ryota entered his apartment again, file in hand, the paper neatly folded in his pocket. He sat on the sofa, placing the file on the small table in front of him. He reached for a lukewarm cup of tea, took a small sip, then leaned back, closing his eyes.
In the heavy silence, his eyes glimmered for a moment… as if something inside had awakened, despite all the coldness he displayed.
•••
Paris – 8:00 PM
In Bella and Amory's apartment, Bella and Lucien sat on the floor of the living room, dressed comfortably, enjoying chocolate rolls with milk tea. The TV displayed a funny cartoon, and light laughter escaped them occasionally.
On the sofa, Amory sat silently, holding his plate without touching it yet. His eyes were fixed on Lucien, radiating a jealousy that was impossible to miss, a fury barely contained.
Lucien felt the heat of his gaze and knew exactly who it was directed at. He tried to act normal, laughing at the cartoon and chewing chocolate nonchalantly, but his trembling hands betrayed his tension.
Bella noticed and looked at him. She gave a small, gentle smile and teased lightly:
— "Don't worry, Lucien. Amory isn't as scary as he seems… trust me, when he starts eating, he forgets everything."
Minutes later, Amory picked up a chocolate roll and tasted it. The anger that had covered his face vanished like dust, replaced by a look of enjoyment and delight.
He slowly sipped his tea, as if the world around him had disappeared.
Lucien breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he had escaped an unspoken trial. Bella continued to smile, enjoying the whole scene as if she knew the secret to controlling tension in her own way.
Lucien remained on the floor beside Bella, trying to ignore Amory's penetrating gaze, which pricked him like needles once again. He raised a piece of chocolate to his mouth, but inside, the same question boiled:
"Why am I even here? Why am I living under the same roof with these two?"
He answered himself silently, staring into his cup of tea:
"It wasn't my choice… it was hers. Bella… a month ago, she imposed a strange contract on me — a contract that obliges me to stay in this house with her until I finish my studies. And I still don't fully understand why she wanted that."
Flashback
Lucien stood in Bella's office, a puzzled expression on his face as he looked at the paper on the table. Bella sat before him, relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, her eyes shining with calm mischief.
She smiled lightly and spoke softly:
— "Sign."
Lucien raised his eyebrows in surprise, letting out a short, startled sound:
— "Huh?"
To be continued…
Hi everyone, only ten chapters remain until the end of the first volume. After that, we'll start the second volume, which will consist of two long chapters.
See you later.