Chapter 77 - Light and Shadow 56 {70} (268-270: Toward the End of Engaru Station's Involvement)
The investigation status of the investigation headquarters after that could by no means be called favorable. And perhaps due to pressure from the National Police Agency (commonly known as Saccho), the decline in credibility of Matsushima's testimony tape resulting from the fingerprint mismatch led the headquarters' leadership to move toward excluding investigation from that direction in their policy decisions.
The emergence of the fundamental problem that the credibility of the content had come into question—rather than simply a flow where it couldn't be disclosed to all investigators due to entanglement with Oshima's influence—served as a factor hindering the 'resolve' to 'engage in a full-scale confrontation with the upper police organization if necessary.'
Meanwhile, Otomo and Kurano finally decided to disclose the part of the conversation between the two perpetrators from the tape to the investigators. They decided to have the full force of the investigation headquarters start washing through a list of members, including end-tier organizations of the Aoi-ikka nationwide, focusing on the surname 'Abe.'
They were washing through all gang-related connections within the prefecture, implicitly keeping Oshima's involvement in sight, and were also washing through members directly affiliated with the Aoi-ikka in Kansai, but it was realistically impossible to try to manage any further investigation with only those who 'knew.' Although they somehow fudged when they had discovered the tape, it could be said that it was ultimately a misjudgment to have shared only part of the information for nearly a month, up to the conversation part of the culprit group.
As for Nishida and Yoshimura, while engaged in the investigation at the Kitami headquarters, they were also investigating 'Kuwano Tokiko,' the mother listed in Kuwano Kinya's original family register, whom Takeshita and Kurosu had looked into.
Kuwano's father was clearly stated to be from the local 'Taro Town,' but his mother was from the Ryori district of Sanriku Town in Iwate Prefecture. No, to be precise, at the time of her death, it wasn't Sanriku Town, but Ryori Village (Author's Note: Sanriku Town was further absorbed and merged into Ofunato City on November 15, 2001, and is currently the Sanriku Town Ryori district of Ofunato City). They thought they might grasp something from there.
At the point when the suspicion arose that Kuwano Kinya might be Oshima Kaiji, Takeshita moved with the highest priority to resolve that, and immediately after, a succession of tasks that had to be done arose—the problem of Takagaki's article, the request for investigation to Takagaki, and the fingerprint issue—so this matter had been pushed back.
The previous investigation in Taro Town was possible as a 'field investigation' in the form of Takeshita and Kurosu going there on their way to Tokyo, but this time, due to budget and time constraints, they had requested direct investigation cooperation from the Sanriku Town Hall.
On Wednesday, December 13th, the first public trial for Motohashi's murder of Sada Minoru was held. Since the defense did not contest the factual findings—given that the death penalty had already been finalized and Motohashi had confessed—and did not seek leniency, a fairly speedy verdict was expected for a murder case. Many predicted that a verdict would be reached in one to two months.
On Friday, December 15th, a report was delivered to Engaru Station by express mail from the Residents and Family Register Division of Sanriku Town. Nishida had asked for the results to be delivered directly to Engaru Station, as the investigation itself had already diverged from the policy of the Kitami investigation headquarters. Onodera Tokiko's removal from the register was not included. When Takeshita, who found it inexplicable, looked at the report, the reason became clear.
Due to the Showa Sanriku Tsunami, the Ryori Village of that time suffered devastating damage, and the majority of the residents in this district were killed or went missing (Author's Note: I do not know the exact death toll of Ryori Village at the time, but since the highest run-up height of the Showa Sanriku Tsunami was around 28m in this Ryori Village, I made it such a story). Also, the Ryori Village office was washed away by the tsunami, just like in Taro, and all records such as family registers were reportedly lost. Therefore, the removal register for Kuwano (maiden name Onodera) Tokiko could not be found.
Since there was no trace of the family register being reconstructed, the members of Engaru Station judged it highly likely that Onodera Tokiko's father, mother, or close relatives had died in the tsunami within the community.
Based on this speculation, it could be said that the reason why the actual person Oshima Kaiji assuming Kuwano's identity had never been a problem until now was likely not just due to family register laundering or the passage of years, but also because not only the paternal side, but the maternal relatives had also died.
In the midst of each investigator's struggle, the Hokkaido Prefectural Police's questioning of Motohashi continued. There were limits due to Motohashi's attitude, but since he had already confessed to the core part of the Sada murder, Nishida heard from Kurano that the first public trial was expected to be held after the New Year, avoiding December.
Normally, for a case of this magnitude, it wouldn't have been strange for it to be much later, but factors such as the fact that those involved thought the 'court' was all dead, the fact that he had confessed to most matters, and the fact that Motohashi was already a death row inmate likely influenced the fairly early development of the trial.
In any case, Motohashi would likely leave only the minimum necessary words and ultimately face the death penalty. That resolve, despite the differences in good and evil and positions, was something Nishida felt had a corresponding weight.
Unfortunately, time passed without being able to find anyone who could be involved in the case through the washing of only the Abe surname, and December 17th arrived. Nishida, who was at the investigation headquarters, was called by Shibata over the phone. It seemed the results of the DNA test comparing the bloodstain on the scrap of cloth and Oshima's teacup had come out.
"It's boorish as an early Christmas present."
When he grumbled to Yoshimura, who was accompanying him on the way to Shibata,
"Well, if you think of it as escaping the bad atmosphere of the investigation headquarters..." Yoshimura replied.
Indeed, the majority of the investigators had changed their policy from washing the gang list back to hopeless door-to-door inquiries, so they were out on the rounds. On the other hand, Nishida and the others, not being in that position, were still occupied with the endless task of re-checking the gang member list without limiting it to Abe in the gloomy room. They must have been in a state of mind where anything was fine as long as they could escape that situation.
When they knocked and entered the Forensics Division room, Shibata immediately raised his hand to greet them.
"Sorry for calling you while you're busy."
"I'm not particularly busy," Nishida said with a straight face.
"Hey, hey, I didn't mean anything by it," Shibata began to make excuses, which was rare for the foul-mouthed man. He seemed to be conscious that he couldn't stand it if it were taken as a kind of sarcasm or irony. Conversely, it might have been that Nishida had such a scary face. Shibata must have known that the investigation wasn't going well.
"No, I meant it literally," Nishida also hurriedly clarified.
"I see... Well, whatever. So, about the results... As expected, it seems to be quite an old bloodstain, and according to the SIL, it was difficult with current technology."
From Shibata's tone, it didn't seem like a very promising answer was coming.
"Was it no good?"
"No, Nishida, we got a result for now."
He felt a bit relieved at the unexpected words.
"So, was the bloodstain Oshima's, or someone else's?"
"That's the thing, it's subtle..."
Yoshimura urged him, but Shibata spoke with a hint of ambiguity.
"'Subtle' is a bothersome word."
Nishida voiced his dissatisfaction with the unclear answer.
"The conclusion is that there's a good possibility it's him. But it's subtle to the point of being unable to confirm it's him."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
It was a blunt way of speaking, but Nishida understood why Yoshimura spoke that way.
"I'm not an expert like the SIL, just forensics, so I'm not an expert in that field. There are limits to explaining it clearly, so take it with a grain of salt."
Shibata once again made an excuse-like remark, but immediately continued.
"Briefly, both are certainly male according to a normal DNA test. However, perhaps due to the passage of time, the bloodstain on the cloth has many DNA deletions, and compared to the saliva part, they can't say for sure it's him. On the other hand, the mitochondrial DNA matched perfectly, so the judgment is that there is at least a maternal blood relationship."
Shibata spoke in a considerably stiff tone that was unimaginable from his usual foul mouth, but it was likely because the content he was talking about didn't sit right with him.
"Mitochondria... from what I remember learning in biology long ago, it was a cell involved in energy production and such? I did it in high school..."
Yoshimura said something related to 'academics' for once, which felt out of place, but from Nishida's memory of doing biology, similar fragments of memory were resurfacing.
"Seems so. It's like another living thing with different genes from human cells is inside the human cell. And mitochondrial DNA is very durable and easy to detect even after time has passed. When they checked that, it matched perfectly, so since it's a male and common parts were seen even in a normal DNA test, they say it might be him."
"If I recall, mitochondria are only inherited from the mother, right? So the conclusion that there is definitely a maternal blood relationship was reached, is that it?"
"Exactly! It's not inherited from the paternal line. A mother's children have the same mitochondria regardless of gender. Even if a son and daughter each marry and have children, those children—who would be cousins—will have their respective mothers' mitochondria. So the mitochondria of the woman who is the original mother—the grandmother—will match the daughter's child, the grandchild, but not the son's grandchild."
"Uh, I don't really get it."
Nishida didn't get the image just by listening to the conversation between the two, so when he said that, Shibata explained by writing on a nearby piece of paper. Looking at the conversation, Yoshimura, frustratingly, seemed to have done biology more properly than Nishida.
"I see! Thanks to that, I generally understand. In other words, there's at least likely a blood relationship!"
Nishida finally felt refreshed, perhaps because he could clearly understand.
"But then, Shibata-san, assuming that bloodstain on the scrap of cloth is Oshima's himself or a relative's, what kind of meaning does that have?"
Yoshimura asked a fundamental question, so Shibata hesitated.
"Well, since Takeshita asked me to look into it, even if you ask me..."
Shibata also seemed to have doubts about that point.
"As far as I heard when I was asked, Takeshita's sense of purpose wasn't very clear on that point either, right?"
"Yeah, well..."
Nishida had to agree, but Shibata said,
"For now, I have the report of the appraisal results, so it should be fine if you show this to him, right? To Takeshita."
"He'll probably understand with that... Or rather, that should be much easier to understand than us explaining it verbally," Nishida gave a wry smile.
"Oh, that's right! I should have had them check Kuwano's blood seal and Oshima's DNA too. Though they'd be different anyway."
Nishida mentioned it to Shibata as if remembering, but Shibata spoke up.
"I've already confirmed that. With current technology, it's reportedly impossible to extract and examine DNA from blood soaked into paper from decades ago, including mitochondrial DNA testing. The degree of DNA oxidation in paper is apparently too intense. Even the mitochondrial case for this cloth is reportedly at a miraculous level considering the number of years passed, even if it is durable."
Nishida was amazed by his foresight, but Shibata finally laughed like his usual self.
"Either way, the fingerprints are different, so there's no point in checking! I hesitated whether there was any point in asking, but it's just a 'just in case' thing."
In the evening, after returning to Engaru Station, Nishida briefly conveyed his exchange with Shibata to Takeshita in his own words and then showed him the results of the DNA comparison test by the SIL. While looking closely at the report, Takeshita could be seen tilting his head here and there and pressing his lips into a straight line.
"If the bloodstain were Oshima's own, I could understand it as a story about him being seriously injured or something, which became the basis for the 'lesson.' But if it's not him but a maternal relative, I can imagine so many scenarios that I've actually become more confused."
At Takeshita's words, Kurosu, who had been investigating with him, also didn't hide his bewilderment.
"Since the probability that Oshima is a different person from Kuwano has become stronger, the fact that there's no way to trace him through the family register makes the situation increasingly difficult."
"In the first place, even if Kuwano and Oshima were the same person, the reconstruction of the family register was only for Kuwano's own immediate family. Maternal relatives also can't be traced due to the tsunami. If all close relatives died in the tsunami, even if the bloodstain on the scrap was from his immediate family—his mother or the younger brother listed in the register (Author's Note: assuming a blood relationship through the maternal line)—it's a bit hard to think it was made during their death by the tsunami. It would basically be drowning (Author's Note: As was well understood from the 3/11 tsunami, in the case of a tsunami, debris and such become considerable lethal weapons before drowning, so this idea doesn't hold. In fact, stories have been passed down that there were many bodies with damage, such as severed limbs, in 3/11. However, since it cannot be said that such knowledge existed at that time, I will dare to ignore that point. The tsunami off southwest Hokkaido in '93 occurred in the middle of the night, so the situation wasn't well understood, and I recall that the horror of tsunamis in that sense was almost non-existent in terms of general awareness at the time). At present, it doesn't connect."
Nishida said this and lightly tossed the report he had received from Takeshita onto his desk. Seeing that, Sawai confirmed with a disappointed look.
"So nothing could be grasped from the cloth..."
"Expectations were low to begin with, so I guess this is about it."
Nishida replied in a detached manner.
"In the end, this won't be a breakthrough either... Seriously, what's going to happen! With this case!"
He shouted lightly as if to vent stress. However, perhaps because that feeling was something the other detectives could painfully empathize with, he was instead ignored—or rather, observed in silence.
He expected his subordinates to soothe him with a "Now, now," but that also ended in failure, and Sawai gave Nishida, who had become somewhat uncomfortable, a piece of information that felt like a further blow.
"Nishida... It's hard to say, so I kept quiet, but I'll tell you now since I'm at it. I got a call from Otomo-san earlier... Apparently, the investigation support from Engaru is to be terminated at the end of the year."
At the shocking news,
"What? Wait a minute, in this situation!? I didn't hear this directly when I was in Kitami?" Nishida crowded Sawai's desk as if about to snap.
Sawai didn't flinch particularly.
"It seems the fact that the fingerprints didn't match even upon direct confirmation was the final deciding factor after all. I did say that Engaru Station could manage in terms of personnel, but he said, 'We can't cause any more trouble'... But when I tried mentioning the fingerprint matter, it seems that indeed had a big influence. If those had matched, the cooperation of you and Yoshimura would still have had great meaning..."
He explained the circumstances calmly.
"But then, the probability that our station will no longer be able to be directly involved in the case becomes high. The Sada case has also moved toward prosecution as a crime by Motohashi, Isaka, Shinoda, and Kitagawa..."
Yoshimura made a gesture of lightly raising both hands as if giving up, then leaned his upper body against the backrest.
"Is pressure involved in this?"
Ignoring his subordinate, Nishida sought an answer from Sawai.
"I think that's different if you look at it from a broad perspective. In the current investigation situation, don't they think it's just a waste of time to have you two cooperate?"
Sawai, who said that, didn't show any sign of having fudged anything. He likely truly thought so.
"Hmm, I have to admit that re-washing the gang list and such has become mere busywork, but..."
Nishida said that much and couldn't find a second word. Because even before the pressure, Nishida and the others' investigation policy itself was wandering aimlessly.
"Manager Hiruma already took the 'different person' theory about Oshima swapping with Kuwano to the higher-ups, right? After that, you were called and asked various things, right? Have you heard anything since?"
Seeing the silent Nishida, Sawai shifted the conversation.
"No. Since then, we haven't been able to come up with a good idea, and they haven't said anything either."
"I see... Anyway, try talking properly with the higher-ups in Kitami tomorrow. Ultimately, we have no choice but to follow their instructions, not mine... The investigation authority is theirs, after all."
Sawai spoke in a persuasive tone, then slowly stood up, put on his coat, and began preparing to go home. And finally,
"I don't mind at all if you two stay out on assignment in Kitami for a while. Just keep that in mind!"
He didn't forget to encourage Nishida and the others.
On December 18th, Nishida, accompanied by Yoshimura, was engaged in 'negotiations' with Criminal Investigation Director Otomo (hereafter, including Kurano, all roles are listed as they were at the investigation headquarters), Case Director Kurano, and Manager Hiruma. As per Section Chief Sawai's advice, they were requesting an extension of the investigation headquarters support period for the two of them.
"Can't you do something more? It's only been a little over a month since the shooting. Isn't the probability that Sada Minoru's murder is related to this shooting still high?"
"That's true, but it was confirmed in the special investigation at Onneyu Onsen that there was a fundamental problem with the scenario we had drawn, right? At the very least, the part Matsushima testified—that 'Isaka Daikichi and Oshima Kaiji snatched the other's share of the gold dust together and became inseparable because of that,' and that 'the name Kuwano Kinya in the contract was Oshima Kaiji's name at the time (in the form the investigation side paraphrased Matsushima's testimony)'—no longer connects. That wall was too high after all."
Even as Kurano tried to persuade him,
"It cannot be denied that the flow of circumstantial evidence that was piling up is breaking at the source. However, the fact remains that the majority of individual pieces of circumstantial evidence suggest Oshima Kaiji's involvement in the case, whether as Kuwano Kinya or not. And not only that, I've also offered a counter-proposal to the mismatch. If Oshima Kaiji and Isaka conspired to murder Kuwano, this mismatch can be explained."
He stubbornly repeated what they had already discussed the other day.
"I know that, but the reason why Oshima assumed Kuwano's identity remains completely unknown, both to us and to you!"
Kurano was clearly irritated.
"Also, while scrutinizing the tape, some points have emerged that cast doubt on Nishida's revised theory. Though not as much as the reason for the impersonation."
"Director Kurano, what on earth is it?"
"Regarding the 'bad thing done together,' why didn't Isaka Daikichi specifically tell Matsushima at the time of the dinner, just like the theft of the gold dust? If we take Matsushima's testimony as is, it seems he could have mentioned that Oshima Kaiji and Isaka conspired or acted alone to murder Kuwano Kinya. Thinking that way, the idea that Oshima and the others murdered Kuwano seems to have no context, even if it works as a deduction."
Hearing that, Nishida became confrontational, feeling it was too much to bear.
"That's if you take the tape's story literally, but Matsushima's story was just him reproducing what he heard from Isaka! Isn't it unsurprising that issues of 'he said, she said' arise in the fine details? Consider Matsushima's age and the passage of time!"
Nishida protested heatedly, but he knew well that things that hadn't been considered problematic were being pointed out, just like last time. From Matsushima's story alone, it wasn't visible that the two had eliminated Kuwano Kinya in some way. However, it was also true that it was troublesome to be told that wasn't the case just because it didn't appear in the tape's story.
"It's not surprising, and it might make some sense, but on the other hand, isn't it also correct to say that it's too much of a leap for something not in the story?"
Otomo also joined Kurano's side.
"But I don't think involvement in a murder is something one can easily talk about?"
"That's true. However, at that dinner, Isaka Daikichi hinted at the plan to murder Sada Minoru to Matsushima, right? He says that, but won't talk about the past? Even though it's past the statute of limitations."
As Kurano said, although not directly, Isaka had made remarks to Matsushima that implicitly pointed to the disposal of Sada.
"Isn't that just a matter of it turning out that way in hindsight, and Matsushima didn't understand it straight at the time, but only became certain after Sada went missing? Anyway, it's troublesome to be told things at that level now!"
For now, Nishida voiced every possible counterargument. He suspected they were just looking for an 'excuse' to remove Nishida and the others from the investigation.
"How one takes that is a personal matter. But either way! Even if we adopt Nishida's theory and assume the actual Oshima assumed Kuwano's identity after murdering him, I don't understand why Isaka used the expression 'the name Kuwano Kinya in the contract was Oshima Kaiji's name at the time.' It doesn't sit right chronologically either. It would be much cleaner if Oshima had been Kuwano Kinya. Of course, a major contradiction arises there."
Kurano obsessed over the point that the story of Oshima and the others murdering Kuwano wasn't clearly visible from Matsushima's testimony. Nishida also still felt the mysteriousness of the phrasing issue Kurosu had pointed out in Onneyu, but at the same time, it didn't seem to contain a major problem, and it was a situation that could remain parallel forever.
"Regarding that, it's highly—no, it can even be said to be very—likely that Matsushima misheard something or it was a memory error considering the period until the testimony."
Nishida tried to deny that idea heatedly.
"But our... or rather, Nishida's deduction started with trusting the content of that tape, so that's a suicidal move."
Kurano replied with a forced conclusion that seemed logical at first glance.
"This might be going too far, but aren't you two just looking for a pretext to withdraw us from this case?"
Nishida had inadvertently said something harsh upon hearing that, but he was prepared. Without moving a muscle, he launched a verbal attack on his superiors. In response, Otomo and Kurano remained silent, but Hiruma said,
"That's not it! When I reported the story from Onneyu, both Director Otomo and Director Kurano initially showed a lot of understanding for that idea, but after listening to that tape over and over, it started to seem like the story didn't connect. Anyway, you're overthinking it!"
He denied it in a strong tone. Nishida flinched slightly at the force in Hiruma's words, which was more than usual. Sensing that,
"As you know, there's some pressure on the investigation, and we're unable to move," Otomo prefaced, then continued.
"However, the fingerprint comparison Nishida and the others did on their own, and the re-confirmation in front of Oshima... Even then, it didn't match, and the subsequent revision plan doesn't quite sit right either. In that case, we can't resist the pressure. Under those circumstances, keeping you in Kitami like this... although Engaru isn't a very busy precinct, I have to say it's a shame to have you come. Since the other investigations aren't going anywhere either, morale is just dropping."
He announced despondently.
He might have wanted to say that there was no point in having them in Kitami in such a situation, but in the end, it turned into a grumble for some reason, and Nishida didn't feel an intention to explain. However, overall, listening to his superiors' stories, Nishida began to feel that it was useless to resist any further, as if plausible reasons no longer mattered. In place of the broken-down Otomo, Kurano said,
"Nishida, I'm sorry, but instructions have come from the Prefectural Police Headquarters to terminate the support. Well, on the surface, it's not an strange story in terms of operation, rather than pressure... It's an exceptional case for support from outside the precinct to last more than a month... Furthermore, beyond that, it seems the National Police Agency is... well, it's a rumor."
He gave up on the deception and told the truth in the face of Nishida's vehemence.
"Ah, I see... So it's a directive from the Headquarters."
Nishida felt a painful sense of being 'done in' by the final ultimatum.
"Sorry... As expected, if the National Police Agency has stepped in..."
Seeing Nishida's disappointment, Otomo looked down, and Nishida suddenly asked,
"What did Criminal Investigation Director Toyama at the Headquarters say?"
This was because Criminal Investigation Director Toyama had been quite cooperative and enthusiastic about the investigation during the visit to Sapporo.
"Hmm... Toyama-san also just said, 'It's a great pity.'"
Otomo said this as if squeezing it out, but Nishida was also certain from Toyama's words and deeds in Sapporo that he must indeed think so. However, since even Toyama couldn't overturn it, it was also self-evident that there was nothing to be gained by complaining to Otomo here.
"Well, if the situation changes, we might have you come again."
Kurano made a consoling remark, but Nishida said nothing to that and only asked,
"Until when should we stay here?"
"For now, aim for the 20th."
Kurano announced slowly, perhaps intentionally, but Nishida's way of speaking at this time was clearly that of a parting shot.
"Understood, Director. Director Otomo, Manager Hiruma, thank you for everything."
"No, we're the ones who are sorry for not being able to be of help."
Kurano was saying things that one wouldn't normally say to a detective who had just come to help. Kurano must have had his own thoughts as well. Nishida bowed, then turned away quickly as if to cut off his thoughts, and left the place with Yoshimura.
The two walked in silence for a while after coming out into the hallway, but Yoshimura suddenly said,
"Team Leader! Why did you let them talk you down so easily? I'm a bit disappointed!"
Contrary to the word 'a bit,' he spoke in a quite indignant manner. Nishida hadn't expected to be comforted, but he hadn't expected to be denied by his subordinate to this extent either.
"Even if you say that, when the possibility of instructions from the National Police Agency, let alone the Prefectural Police Headquarters, is mentioned, there was no way to talk back!"
At his boss-unlike excuse of snapping at his subordinate, Yoshimura didn't say anything at the time, but he seemed to be in a very bad mood. Nishida was also apologizing to Yoshimura in his heart.
*
They were allowed to return to the station early that day, and before it got dark, the two left Kitami. Yoshimura and Nishida hardly spoke in the car on the way back to Engaru, and in a state of cold war, they passed through Rubeshibe from Kitami and were heading toward the Kanehana Pass on Route 242 toward Ikutahara.
Outside, it was only lightly snowing, but there was an accumulation of snow, and Yoshimura seemed to be driving carefully. Nishida was dozing in the passenger seat, perhaps because he was mentally exhausted. At that moment, suddenly,
"Ah, look out!"
With that voice, Yoshimura slammed on the brakes. Nishida, who had been half-asleep, felt like he was being slammed into his seatbelt and woke up abruptly.
"What happened!"
He checked Yoshimura in the driver's seat, but Yoshimura didn't answer, hurriedly unfastened his seatbelt, and went outside.
"Are you alright?"
Looking in the direction that voice was headed, there was the figure of an old man. When he stared through the windshield in the twilight, it was the figure of the old man he had met at the Jomon Tunnel Construction Martyr Memorial in the Kanehana district, likely near here, in late June.
"You've got to be kidding! It's because you weren't looking ahead properly!"
"Huh? You're the one who jumped out!"
Yoshimura, who was talked back to by the old man, was likely irritated from the previous events and spoke with unusual force. Since he had been half-asleep, he didn't grasp the situation, but Nishida thought it was likely the old man who had jumped out, as Yoshimura said. Yoshimura was a good and calm driver, unlike his personality. Nishida got out of the car to mediate.
"Are you injured?"
When asked by Nishida, the old man replied bluntly,
"Nah, I'm fine."
"Well, it seems nothing happened, so could you forgive us?"
Hearing those words, Yoshimura complained.
"No, Team Leader! There's absolutely no fault on our side!"
Nishida turned back toward Yoshimura and conveyed 'Just be quiet' with his expression.
"Anyway, we're sorry. We'll be careful from now on."
To Nishida, who apologized so humbly, the old man said,
"You guys are cops, right? Don't you have any self-awareness? Get it together!"
Leaving that parting shot, he walked up the stairs of a small hill. A white sign-like object entered his field of vision, so when he focused his eyes again, it said 'Jomon Tunnel Construction Martyr Memorial Entrance.'
"Ah, what... It's not just nearby, it's the exact same place as when we met before."
When Nishida muttered that, Yoshimura said with a pout,
"Now that you mention it, that's right. Where we met that old man before was also at the top of these stairs."
"Did he jump out?"
"Yes. Suddenly, from the direction of the street by Kanehana Station. I was really surprised! If I'd hit him, it would've been my responsibility. If a cop gets into a personal injury accident, it'll be news first thing, so it would've affected my police career. That damn old man!"
Yoshimura's words were filled with a truly resentful feeling, but he continued.
"Even so, the fact that we didn't collide at that timing was thanks to the old man's nimbleness that doesn't show his age, more than my braking timing. He's got that much athletic ability, yet he jumps out suddenly; getting old is just terrible! His judgment ability is definitely senile!"
However, perhaps because he had vented his anger, he seemed to have calmed down a bit afterward, so Nishida told him,
"Well, I'm glad nothing happened."
Just then, the wind and snow from the north suddenly grew stronger, and the two hurried back into the car.
"As expected, it changes suddenly when you come to the mountain side."
Nishida said, looking at the situation outside through the windshield.
"It does," Yoshimura replied shortly, but immediately began to say something strange.
"By the way, that old man said we were cops, didn't he?"
"Uh... now that you mention it, I think he did say something like that..."
"When we met before, did we specifically say we were police or detectives?"
"That was quite a while ago... I think it was around late June. I don't remember. We might have, or we might not have."
"I don't think I said it..."
"I wonder... well, such memories aren't reliable, right? We might have said it. Maybe he realized it was an unmarked car from the license plate (Author's Note: Basically, identifying an unmarked police car by its license plate seems to be a quite exceptional case, including at the time of this work, but since it's a novel, I will describe the popular theory as fact)."
Nishida said, not seeming very interested.
"Would an old man like that know such a thing?"
Yoshimura had a quite skeptical view, but since he didn't feel like dealing with it one by one, Nishida closed his eyes again. However, perhaps because of that incident, it was also true that Nishida and Yoshimura were able to 'restore their relationship' to the point of having some conversation until they reached Engaru.