Chapter 163 - Name and Reality 86 {114 Solo} (271-272 Takeshita's Inference of Motohashi's Psychology 6)
"Now, let me change the subject to the evidence itself this time. I believe it's very important for you two, and of course for Motohashi-san, who entrusted the rest to us."
Takeshita's atmosphere changed from the previous friendly one, and he spoke to the two with a serious expression.
"These pieces of evidence obtained today should be substantial physical evidence in the series of incidents, so they will naturally be used in the interrogations of Takigawa, Ooshima, and the others, and will likely be adopted as evidence in court as well. In other words, the point of how these pieces of evidence came to light now must normally be explained properly. Needless to say, it's necessary for the police, prosecutors, and the court to firmly verify those points. Even if the voice on the tape is proven by voiceprint analysis to be Takigawa's or Motohashi-san's, whose data likely remains with the police from interrogations and such."
Takeshita said that much in one breath and swallowed hard.
Then, while lowering the tone of his voice, he consciously kept his expression soft.
"If that happens, normally, you two would also need to respond to police questioning, and in some cases, you might even have to appear as witnesses in court. However, that would clearly go against Motohashi-san's last wishes. In other words, the possibility of your information leaking to the opponent increases. If that happens, I... no, even I wouldn't be able to face Motohashi-san, who left such important evidence. Therefore, although it's not a method I personally like..."
By the time he said those last words, his face had returned to a stern look, albeit unconsciously.
"Regarding the reason this evidence came to light, I intend to make it so that I obtained it from a certain source—that is, using my privilege as a newspaper reporter to make maximum use of the 'confidentiality of news sources'—and provide it to the police while remaining silent. Honestly, I repeat, fabrication is not a method I like... but in Japan, the so-called 'witness protection program' for cases where witnesses might be in danger is not well-established, so it's unavoidable. Even if I were still a detective, I think I would have taken some measure so that you two wouldn't have to come forward, but fortunately, I'm now in a position where I can openly claim a trick... Also, this is so obvious I don't think I need to say it, but just in case. Please keep this matter strictly confidential."
When he finished conveying this, Kuroda and Kuboyama seemed to understand Takeshita's resolve, and their expressions were also dead serious.
"I'm sorry for making you worry like that... Let me thank you on Yukio's behalf. As for us keeping quiet, that goes without saying."
Kuroda said that and bowed his head, and Kuboyama followed suit.
"It's fine, you two don't need to worry about it. I was sent here at Nishida's request, but the things that had been bothering me for seven years have cleared up quite a bit, so I'm very grateful to you two, and in a sense, to Motohashi-san as well."
Takeshita was humbled.
"That's our line, Takeshita-san! Even now, I can't possibly forgive Yukio's misconduct. But I feel like I've come to understand what he was thinking, what he was considering, and how he regretted it through your explanation today. Even if I can't forgive him, the fact that I could understand why it turned out that way makes a big difference. Right, Kuboyama?"
When Kuroda said that, Kuboyama responded.
"Exactly! I even understood Aniki's consideration for me, and on top of that, I'm able to talk with Kuroda-han like this after that rejection, so I truly think it was good."
"It's only been one day... no, not even a full day, we haven't even been together for half a day, so it's a bit much to say this, but... I'm full of a strange sensation to have shared this kind of time with you two, whom I didn't know at all, through a man named Motohashi-san, who, to put it in bad terms, was a villain of the era. 'Even a chance acquaintance is decreed by fate' might be exactly what this is... Thank you very much."
Takeshita said that and thanked each of them.
"Now... let's consider this matter settled. What are you going to do after this?"
Kuboyama asked again, so Takeshita replied.
"Since we probably can't move anymore today, I'll return to the hotel, report to Nishida about the remaining evidence, and I expect to submit these pieces of evidence to the Osaka Prefectural Police tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don't think these pieces of evidence will ever be returned to that grave, so it's a pity for Motohashi-san... Please understand that point."
"Yukio must have been prepared for that the moment he decided on revenge..."
Kuroda said that and nodded two or three times. Seeing that, Kuboyama stood up from the sofa, went to the window, and checked outside.
"It's still raining hard! Takeshita-han, you didn't bring an umbrella since it wasn't raining (this morning), right? I'll take you to the hotel! I'll also have Kuroda-han taken home. So, what's the name of the hotel?"
"That would be helpful. Then I'll take you up on your kindness... It's a business hotel called The Emperor of Minami."
Hearing Takeshita's words, Kuboyama clapped his hands exaggeratedly.
"Are you serious! That's the place our President Senda bought a few years ago when it was being sold off cheap after the bubble burst! Even though it's a business hotel, it has a grand name like 'Emperor,' and I burst out laughing the moment I heard it!"
"Honestly, I did think the naming was a bit exaggerated, but since the interior is decent for a business hotel, it makes sense that it was built during the bubble period."
Takeshita felt more like it made sense than being amused by Kuboyama's statement.
"Anyway, I'll have Shinjo prepare the car at the entrance right now!"
Saying that, Kuboyama contacted Shinjo to bring the car around.
When going to Kuroda's place, it had taken about 10 minutes for the car to be prepared from a nearby parking lot to the entrance below, so Takeshita thought it would take about the same this time. And since he had that much time, he had become inclined to boldly confirm something with Kuboyama. He hurriedly wrote something on a piece of paper torn from his notebook, handed it to Kuboyama, and spoke.
"Kuboyama-san, I'm sorry for asking something that's in a sense trivial, but..."
Kuboyama looked suspicious but first cast his eyes on the piece of paper he received.
"When Motohashi-san was complained to by Kuboyama-san at a drinking party about the name 'Kanpo Group,' which he had likely been cherishing until then, and although he seemed reluctant at first, he presented a different name—wasn't it a name like this?"
Being told that, Kuboyama, who had probably been looking at the characters on the paper quite casually until then, stared at them more closely and opened his eyes wide after a moment's pause.
"Oh! This is it, this is it! Exactly this! No, no! Why does Takeshita-han... you who weren't there! And it was over 15 years ago!"
He began to make a fuss like a junior high or high school student, unlike a former yakuza. Seeing that, Takeshita made a small fist pump.
"What are you making such a fuss about! What happened?"
Kuroda peered at the paper from the side with a grim face at the scene, but for Kuroda, who didn't know the background of the story and apparently hadn't talked with Motohashi at all about yakuza-related matters, it was no wonder he couldn't understand the meaning of the words written on that paper at all. Kuboyama also knew that.
Therefore, although it was a rough outline, he told him that Motohashi had intended to name the group he planned to start the "Kanpo Group" before he was expelled. Then, he explained to Kuroda the origin of "Kanpo no Majiwari," which was the basis for it, and how Motohashi had come up with a different group name on the spot after being complained to by Kuboyama in his drunken state, summarizing it briefly but surprisingly well.
"I see... I understand the general idea. Even so, why did Takeshita-san, who was completely unrelated at the time, know something that even Kuboyama didn't remember? Kuboyama said you were like an itako earlier, but from my point of view, it's truly a strange story!"
Takeshita, being wondered at like that, announced,
"Then, let me explain it firmly in the little time we have."
And the three of them, who had been standing in front of the table, sat back down in their seats.