Chapter 153 - Name and Reality 76 {104 Alone} (248–249 Motohashi's Crime Note 2)
Once Takeshita finished reading the section regarding the first incident for the time being, he took a tape from the case. On the index (Author's Note: For the generation unfamiliar with cassette tape culture, if you don't understand the meaning, please image search "cassette tape index"), it was marked with 'S'—likely the initial for Showa—and 'S62, February to March,' just as written in the notebook. He set it in the radio-cassette player and handed the notebook to Kuboyama. Once he confirmed that Kuboyama had skimmed it and Kuroda had finished reading it, he began playback. Immediately, a voice that seemed to be Motohashi's could be heard from the speaker.
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"Hello, is this Yasu-no-oyaji? It's Yukio."
"Ah, it's me."
"I'll take on that matter we discussed."
"Is that so! Well, I knew you'd definitely do it for me!"
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Listening up to this point, Kuboyama blurted out,
"This opponent is definitely Takigawa's voice."
While voiceprint analysis would be necessary, a judgment from someone who had heard it directly was almost certainly correct.
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"So, specifically, how should I go about it?"
"The target is a housewife named Hirata Toshiko, living in ○○○△△△, Neyagawa. It seems the president of a company that Kanda-no-aniki was indebted to in his youth spent a fortune on this woman back when she was a hostess, only to be betrayed. Now he's bankrupt and harboring a grudge. The story came to us through Kanda-no-aniki's connections. I've been looked after by Kanda-no-aniki in many ways since I was young, so I want to grant his request. Apparently, she lives in a detached house, so I think you'll be able to get a good grasp of her movements and situation. You can carry it out anytime in March. As for the method, use your specialty, the piece (T/N: slang for handgun), as I mentioned before."
"Yes. That's my intention."
"Understood. As for the conditions, like I said the other day, it's 1 million for the retainer and the remaining 400 for a successful job, totaling 5 million. Regarding the money transfer, go to a pawn shop called Terasaki-do in Namba, identify yourself as Takei, and tell the owner, 'Give me a suitable hanging scroll.' He's arranged to sell you a hanging scroll for 100,000. Take that scroll to Takei Kotto in Dojima (Author's Note: Like Namba, a place name in Osaka City), identify yourself as Terasaki, and sell the scroll you obtained. They'll buy it for 1.1 million. The difference will be your retainer. Use that to prepare yourself. Then, on the day before the hit, call me to let me know. Once it's successful, go to Takei Kotto again, identify yourself as Terasaki, buy a scroll for 500,000 this time, then go to Terasaki-do as Takei and sell it for 4.5 million. Got it? If you flee immediately after the hit, it'll likely be discovered right away, which will serve as proof of success, so there shouldn't be any problem on that front. Once I confirm it on the news, I'll give you a call."
"Understood. I'll call you again before I do the job."
"Yeah, I don't need any contact until then. I'm counting on you to be certain."
"I have certainly received your command. For now, excuse me."
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"Trrr-trrr-trrr... Trrr-trrr... Click ...Yes."
"Hello, Oyaji? It's Motohashi."
"Oh. It's me. ...Since you called, is it finally time?"
"I'm thinking of doing it tomorrow."
"Understood. Do a solid job. I have nothing else to say."
"Understood. Then, excuse me for now."
"Yeah. I'm expecting great things."
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"...Kanda-no-aniki was pleased too. You did well!"
"Well, that's fine and all, but the target had a kid too, you know... To be honest, I don't feel great about it."
"Is that so... Yukio, you'd never offed (T/N: original uses 'barasu', slang for kill/disassemble) anyone before, had you... But you'll get used to it soon."
"Well, I don't know if I'll get used to it that easily..."
"Anyway, I'll have the reward ready within a week. I'll call you once the preparations are complete."
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Listening to Motohashi's voice, it wasn't dark, but the three listeners felt he spoke as if he had some inner dissatisfaction.
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"...I've got the success reward ready today. As promised, go to Takei Kotto, buy the scroll, and sell it at Terasaki."
"I gratefully accept."
"And with that, contact regarding this matter is over. I'm sure you know, but not a word to anyone. Well, I trust your tight lips."
"Of course, I understand."
"Well then, later."
"Excuse me."
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The recording of the series of conversations ended abruptly here. Takeshita surmised that the reason the beginning of the calls presumably from Takigawa weren't recorded properly was that back then there was no Caller ID; since he didn't know who was calling, he couldn't start the recording from the very beginning in time.
From the content of this conversation, it became clear that the exchange of rewards was likely conducted through laundering disguised as the buying and selling of hanging scrolls at antique shops. While it wasn't certain at this point whether Terasaki-do and Takei Kotto still existed (or ever did), or if they were some kind of code, Takeshita thought that the exchange involving hanging scrolls was likely a plain fact.
"There's no doubt, we can take that as Takigawa's voice."
Kuboyama had remained silent for a while after the tape finished, but he mentioned it again.
"No problem there?"
"Yeah. I haven't spoken to him directly, but I've heard him talking in front of me several times. There's no mistaking that distinctive voice."
Kuboyama seemed to be certain after all.
"Still, to talk about trading lives so casually... that's yakuza for you..."
Looking at the notebook, Kuroda lamented deeply.
"For the sake of Aniki's honor, I'll say this: if you talk about these things too solemnly beforehand, it saps your motivation. That's partly why they speak so matter-of-factly."
As expected, the statement of an "experienced person" carried weight.
"Let me see the notebook for a moment."
Takeshita borrowed the notebook from Kuroda, who had been holding it, and decided to look at the relevant section before listening to the next cassette—which, judging by the date on the index, likely contained the exchange regarding the murder of Sada Minoru.
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S62.9.14
Emergency contact came from Oyaji. Apparently, there's a need to off someone again. Moreover, the client this time is that Member of Parliament, Oshima Kaiji. It's a high-responsibility case that could strengthen the pipeline between Aoi and the political world. Oyaji seems to be relying on me quite a bit; he even gave me the specific name of the client, which should normally be kept hidden, so I have no choice but to do it. He probably brought it up specifically to make me resolve myself. I'm told the details will be shared tomorrow, but I gave an immediate answer today that I'd take it on.
S62.9.15
Call from Oyaji past noon. Told about the target and the arrangements. To my surprise, I need to go out to Hokkaido to do the job. Furthermore, with the execution set for around September 25th, there's almost no preparation time.
However, since there are people who will cooperate locally, I'll have to rely on them. This time, to ensure the murder itself isn't discovered, it won't be made public as an incident, so they'll apparently take my word for it that it went well. But since there are people cooperating, I think their existence serves as a kind of collateral.
I was told to check into an inn near Kitami Station by September 22nd, and was given the name Kume Ryokan, along with the phone number and address. However, even being told the address doesn't mean much since I'm unfamiliar with the area. I was told the retainer would be ready before noon tomorrow, so I said I'd cash it out and head to the site slowly, making a trip out of it.
S62.9.16
Just like last time, I cashed out at that antique shop and obtained the 2 million retainer. As planned, I decided to head to Kitami tomorrow while sightseeing along the way for a change of pace.
S62.9.17
Left Osaka in the morning, did some sightseeing in Kanazawa and Toyama, and stayed overnight in Toyama. Unfortunately, it was rainy, weather that seemed to represent my feelings. Well, Kanazawa in the rain wasn't bad either.
S62.9.18
Transferred from a limited express to the (Joetsu) Shinkansen, then to another limited express, and got off at Akita. I ate Kiritanpo nabe, but even though it's a specialty, it's not that delicious. Arrived in Hirosaki in the evening. Toured Hirosaki Castle in the persistent rain and entered Aomori at night. I was thinking of going around Hakkoda or Osorezan the next day, but it seems it'll still be rainy, albeit a light drizzle.
Having no choice, I decided to stop by the Shayokan (Author's Note: Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum) in Goshogawara and then go directly to Hakodate. If I'd known, I should have stayed in nearby Hirosaki. I can just stop by Osorezan on the way back.
S62.9.19
The Shayokan was crowded since it was Saturday, but since I'd always wanted to visit at least once, I'm glad I came. I feel like I could somewhat understand the atmosphere in which Dazai's works were born, though it might just be my imagination.
From there, I boarded the ferry that is fated to be abolished next year when the Seikan Tunnel opens. It's my first time on board since a trip to Hokkaido long ago. Because of the rain, there's a truly melancholy atmosphere of heading north. Perhaps because it was Saturday, I saw a few people who looked like tourists, probably not regular passengers, seemingly reluctant to say goodbye. Since I'll be riding it on the way back too, I can save the serious goodbyes for then.
At night, I took the ropeway up Mount Hakodate to see the night view. The night view of Kobe from Mount Rokko or Mount Maya is good, but the view of Hakodate was quite something even in the rain. Since the city is flanked by the sea on both sides, the pitch-black ocean and the city lights really stand out. Apparently, the three great night views of Japan are said to be Nagasaki, Kobe, and Hakodate. As a Kansai person, I'd like to push for my local Kobe, but frustratingly, I think Hakodate is the best.
Then, I called the numbers Oyaji gave me to contact Isaka, the person who will look after me in Kitami, and Nakagawa, Oshima's Secretary, to tell them I plan to arrive in Kitami tomorrow night. After that, I also called the inn to say I'd be in their care starting tomorrow. A man who seemed to be the owner of the inn requested, "Call me when you arrive at Kitami Station." It seems he'll come to pick me up. It helps since I'm in an unfamiliar place. Oyaji also told me to call him during the trip, so I did. He only said, "Do a solid job," so it was a pointless call.
S62.9.20
Headed for Kitami in the morning, boarding a limited express from Hakodate Station before noon. I was worried about my back acting up (T/N: 'iwase', dialect for hurting) since it was nearly a nine-hour ride, but I made it to Kitami safely. As expected of Hokkaido. The scenery along the way was un-Japanese. That said, from around just before Asahikawa, it got pitch black and I couldn't see anything, so I had no choice but to sleep.
Arrived at Kitami Station after 8:00 PM. When I called Kume Ryokan where I was staying, they came to pick me up by car as promised, even though it was close. At any rate, it's cold. I'd brought winter clothes just in case, but it was a lifesaver.
The room was a rare type for an inn, with a unit-type bath attached, but other than that, it wasn't much. Since I'd finished dinner with a bento on the train, I took a bath. They said there was a large communal bath, so I went there instead.
Later, while I was lying down, the owner came to the room saying an acquaintance had come to visit. Wondering what was going on, I went down to meet him. He didn't say it explicitly, but he seemed to be the old man sent from Isaka's place that I'd heard about beforehand. He said, "Follow me," so I had no choice but to follow him into a coffee shop.
In the empty shop, an old man was waiting, and as expected, he identified himself as Isaka. He's the one who will cooperate in various ways this time. I'd heard a bit from Oyaji, but the target is an old man coming to Kitami, scheduled to arrive on the 25th. I was told the details of the target would be shared right before. And if I'm to carry it out, it would be the day after his arrival or later. At that time, I was told to lure him into the mountains and, implicitly, to off him.
It seems Isaka's underlings will cooperate up to the planned site and at the site itself; this was also as I'd heard beforehand. Once the matter is settled, the plan is for me to contact Secretary Nakagawa, receive the remaining reward, and head home just like that.
Since they said I could go sightseeing as long as it's a day trip until the execution day, I'll try sightseeing around Kitami. However, I was instructed to call both Nakagawa and Isaka from a public phone every day at exactly 8:00 PM.
And we decided to meet directly once more before the crime to have a briefing, then disbanded for the day. Returned to the inn. According to the owner, it gets down to 5 degrees in the morning, so he'll turn on the heating. Heating in September is completely unthinkable in Osaka. Hokkaido's cold is on a different scale.
S62.9.21
Woke up in the morning and tried to take a walk outside, but my breath was white, and I ended up scurrying back to the room due to the extreme cold. While it's quite cold outside, the interior is very warm. The construction of buildings in Hokkaido is certainly strong against the cold. If Osaka buildings were built like this, they'd be quite warm even in winter...
Had breakfast and got sightseeing information from the owner. There are many sightseeing spots around Kitami that are well-known even in Osaka, like Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu, and Shiretoko, so I should be able to kill time for a while.
For now, I decided to try going to Lake Mashu, famous for its fog, and Lake Kussharo today. I chartered a private taxi for the day from an acquaintance of the inn's old man. Lake Mashu was clear, which was actually a bit of a letdown.
Including Bihoro Pass, fortunately, I was able to enjoy the superb views. At Lake Kussharo, hot spring water bubbled up when I dug into the sand on the shore. Along with the taxi driver, I soaked in Wagoto Onsen to soothe the fatigue of the long journey. From what I heard, the driver's ancestors were settlers from Tokushima to Hokkaido. The temperature got fairly high during the day, which was a help.
S62.9.22
I was planning to go to Shiretoko today, but it rained lightly at times and the weather wasn't good, so I postponed it. Slept in at the inn from the morning and maintained my piece so I wouldn't be caught. A middle-aged maid who seemed to be part-time came to fold the futon and asked, "Where are you from and what did you come for?" so I just answered, "I came from Osaka to kill time after inheriting a legacy from my parents and quitting my company."
S62.9.23
Chartered the same driver as the 21st and finally went sightseeing in Shiretoko. Since it was Autumnal Equinox Day, it was quite crowded. Even so, while Hokkaido itself is un-Japanese, Shiretoko was even more so. I saw Kunashiri Island from Shiretoko Pass. Seeing another country that close... though it's originally Japanese land... was an indescribable experience. I made a reservation with the driver beforehand to sightsee around Abashiri the next day. If this were just for sightseeing, I'd feel great, but...
At night, when I called Nakagawa and Isaka, I was instructed to be at the inn by 6:00 PM tomorrow and the day after. They wanted to make sure they could meet me even if a messenger went directly.