02x11 - Sleeping m*rder

[bunniefuu]

Otonashi Sumi-san's death was no su1c1de.

Now, let me tell you who the real k*ller is.

The real k*ller?

So we've finally made it this far.

I was able to confirm that President Otonashi's dealings did indeed take place.

But there's one thing that doesn't sit right.

Fubuki, why didn't you choose a way to k*ll Otonashi Sumi-san

that would look like an illness or accident?

With your powers, as well as your ability to transform,

that should have been possible.

You didn't actually k*ll Otonashi Sumi-san, did you?

You acted like you did, reported to Goichi,

and took the prize from your agreement anyway, didn't you?

As perceptive as ever...

My lady.

I did not k*ll that woman.

But I didn't intend to deceive that human named Goichi from the start, either.

That night, I had transformed into a stray dog so that I could k*ll that Sumi woman.

I had been targeting that woman ever since we'd made our deal,

but that was the first time she had been alone.

If I miss this chance, who knows when the next one will come?

I need to see this through.

My plan was to turn into a stray dog, att*ck her,

and rip out her throat in front of as many witnesses as possible.

Either that, or I'd chase her into the street and have a car run her over.

And yet, would you believe it?

Right before my eyes, that woman

was stabbed to death by a human who was waiting to ambush her.

Once the k*ller confirmed her death, they scattered her bag and wallet,

took her money, and fled immediately.

Oh, how could they do such a thing?

Now my deal with that man will be ruined. If I don't do something...

Thief!

Someone! That man—

Someone catch that man wearing black! He went toward the station!

There's someone on the ground!

Someone call an ambulance!

Goat

So that scream wasn't from the victim. It was you.

Yes. That woman was as good as dead the moment she was stabbed.

To think that a yoko was involved in falsifying what happened...

I guess I'll need to work a little harder to have all this make sense.

There was no evidence nor hints left at the scene, and no one came forward.

Even though I did not k*ll the target,

it did not change the fact that the target was dead.

Then I figured there was no harm in proclaiming that I did what he asked,

so I went to him and told him to hold up his end of the bargain.

I did everything I could to make sure his family would not be blamed for her death,

so what I asked for was not dishonest.

Meaning you've seen the k*ller's face and know who it is.

And that's why, to protect the k*ller, you purposely screamed out as the victim

so everyone there would hear you.

I see... In that case...

Yes. I had done some research, so I knew who the k*ller was.

And that is why I shouted out that the k*ller was a man.

Which means there's only one person who could be the k*ller.

The k*ller is...

It's that man's eldest daughter. The one named Kaoruko.

The real k*ller is Kaoruko-san.

It seemed impossible for Kaoruko-san to commit the m*rder,

but as I said yesterday,

it was possible for her to fabricate the time that she broke her leg.

She managed to do that successfully, and k*lled Sumi-san.

I want to talk to you about my relationship with Koya-san.

This was the only way we could talk to each other alone.

Kaoruko-san waited for Sumi-san on the route

from the massage shop to the station and approached her.

Sumi-san probably let her approach

since this really was the only way they could have one-on-one time together.

In order to make it look like a burglary and m*rder,

Kaoruko-san took Sumi-san's wallet from her bag, took just the bills, and fled.

Aunt Kaoruko k*lled Grandmother?

Koya-san.

You knew of Kaoruko-san's crime, didn't you?

When I saw through the possible lie regarding the broken leg,

you didn't try very hard to deny it.

You said it was part of the plan,

but it went wrong. That was brilliant.

From your and Kaoruko-san's positions,

I'm sure this plan by President Otonashi must've been terrifying.

The president only meant it to be a way

for all of you to learn of his crimes,

but for you two, it must've felt like he was trying

to punish you for your crimes years ago.

Everything out of the president's mouth must've sounded like that.

But there was still a possibility

the president proposed this task for a different reason.

That's why Koya-san continued to simply watch how things unfolded.

But then, Ryoma-san and Susumu-san's m*rder plot came to light,

making everything even more awkward.

And when you realized that I thought all of you might be guilty,

you ended up admitting to it.

Because even if the president had proof of your plan,

you could still claim it was just attempted m*rder.

By doing so, you were probably trying to figure out just how much of the truth

President Otonashi knew, as well.

Eventually, Rion-san came up with a way

President Otonashi could've committed the crime.

This is where Koya-san thought that President Otonashi

had really carried out what Rion-san came up with,

and before that became reality,

he thought he and Kaoruko-san had k*lled Sumi-san.

It's because all three plans were coincidentally going on at once

that something so bizarre ended up happening...

That President Otonashi actually believed his plan had worked.

That's how you determined that

President Otonashi really was just trying to prove his own crime,

putting the two of you at ease last night.

Today, President Otonashi admitted his own plan,

and Koya-san was going to just let President Otonashi take the fall for it.

If you had interrupted the president and come clean with your crimes,

I wouldn't have had to say all this, but President Otonashi said...

"Every time you k*ll someone, there is a huge price to pay.

Even if you think everything went well after k*lling someone,

there's still always a price to pay in the end."

Since you're staying silent even after hearing that,

you're forcing me to speak the truth.

Above all, for President Otonashi's beliefs.

Iwanaga-san, what kind of farce is this?

You yourself disproved the theory that Kaoruko was the k*ller yesterday.

Sumi-san shouted out that the k*ller was a man.

You even proved that the k*ller didn't falsify this information somehow.

Kaoruko is the farthest from being the k*ller.

You and Kaoruko-san were both surprised

to later learn that the victim's screams were heard at the scene.

And you knew that put things in your favor.

You might've even thought President Otonashi pulled some strings

and fed the police fake information.

And that's why you were scared that President Otonashi may have thought

that you were the K*llers.

Those were actual words that Sumi-san yelled.

In order to protect her daughter,

Sumi-san screamed out with her last breath that the person who robbed her was a man.

She tried to protect her own daughter from being investigated by the police.

But you debunked that yesterday!

If that was a planned m*rder,

the k*ller would've covered her mouth when they k*lled her

to keep others from hearing her.

Furthermore, the k*ller wouldn't have left the scene

until they confirmed she was dead and no evidence was left behind!

Koya-san!

If this was a planned m*rder committed by someone she knew,

the victim wouldn't have time to yell.

That's why you came to the conclusion that this was an unexpected act

by someone she didn't know!

This was her first m*rder.

Kaoruko-san wasn't able to fully confirm Sumi-san's death.

She decided everything was okay because Sumi-san was on the ground and not moving.

But she was still somehow breathing, and managed that last desperate yell.

A mother's love for her daughter is grand.

Enough of your bullshit theories!

Did Kaoruko-san check the victim's pulse?

Did she confirm if she was still breathing?

She was wearing gloves so she wouldn't leave fingerprints on the Kn*fe, wasn't she?

Could she have checked her pulse with those on?

This was her plan all along. She guided me to the false answer

just so she could corner Uncle Koya.

Well?

Kaoruko told me that she confirmed she wasn't breathing anymore!

There were even witnesses who said that the body

was still warm when the nearby residents found her.

She'd still be warm a few minutes after her death!

People don't go cold immediately after they die!

But there are many people who heard the victim's scream.

Sumi-san was still alive.

Though whether this scream came from the love of a mother

or was merely an attempt to protect

the group's image by covering for her daughter is unknown.

Now, then...

I'm sure Koya-san is mentally exhausted from all my insinuations,

the points I made since yesterday,

and the series of unexpected events.

That could easily make him slip.

This m*rder occurred years ago. There's no evidence left whatsoever.

Unless the suspect mentioned something only they'd know,

we'd be stuck in a pointless argument.

Koya-san clearly said a moment ago...

"Kaoruko told me that she confirmed she wasn't breathing anymore."

President Otonashi,

the m*rder*r is Kaoruko-san, and Koya-san is her accomplice.

But if he was an accomplice from the planning stages,

knowing Koya-san's personality, he probably wouldn't have let Kaoruko-san, a woman,

carry this out.

That's why I believe Kaoruko-san came up with this m*rder plot and carried it out,

and Koya-san found out about it later.

Perhaps Kaoruko-san was terrified of this assignment of yours,

so she finally confessed her crime to Koya-san, years later.

That's probably why he tried so hard to protect her.

The statute of limitations has already passed,

so all that remains is what you and your family believe in.

Please do as you wish.

As I said from the beginning, once I leave this hotel,

I'm going to forget everything I've heard here.

All I wanted to do

was show that President Otonashi relied on powers he never should have.

The president did something that goes against order.

And that's why he was destined to have to face this truth someday.

If you had tried to k*ll your wife with your own hands,

or if you hadn't caved to the temptation of doing something illogical,

even if your daughter was the real k*ller,

you may have believed that your wife was k*lled by a burglar,

and lived out the rest of your life.

Kuro-senpai, let us outsiders take our leave now.

Wait.

You really think you can just walk out of here now?

Sleeping m*rder

Koya-san! Don't do anything rash!

Even if the police find out, it won't be a big deal!

None of us are going to speak of this, nor are we going to let this get out!

Yes. I believe you, the president, and Rion-san,

because you're all part of the Otonashi family.

But these two are different.

First off, they had no reason to bring the truth to light.

And yet they did, which means they must be after something.

No! These two were messed up from the start!

Even if it was an accident,

the effects on the group if this gets out will be astronomical!

Uncle... No...

Who knows what these two— what Iwanaga Kotoko—will do?

We can't let them leave here.

I won't do anything.

You clearly love Kaoruko-san and take good care of her.

Kaoruko-san also committed m*rder to have a future with you.

If I were to get in the way of such a lovely couple,

the god of love would strike me down with divine punishment.

I don't want him messing up my relationship with Kuro-senpai, either.

And that's exactly why I have no intention of being involved with this any further.

Don't agitate him even more by saying stupid things.

Stupid?! I just said I didn't want to get involved for personal reasons!

Um... I realize how Iwanaga is, but she really doesn't plan on doing anything.

Don't move. This isn't an empty thr*at.

I admire your courage, but is there any reason to protect that girl?

Unfortunately, my life can't be bet on anything.

Now there's no turning back for me. You and that boy were wrong.

I am correct, and you can still turn back.

I told you, my life can't be bet.

How...

How are you still alive?! I sh*t you right in the head!

The b*llet ricocheted and embedded itself in the wall!

Um... Oh, you know. It happens in period dramas all the time.

When a samurai uses the back of his sword?

How would you even do that with a b*llet?!

What happened here is basically like a daydream.

Please just think of us as people who live in that daydream.

Therefore we aren't tied down by the laws or rules of reality,

nor do we care about them.

All right, everyone, we will be taking our leave for real now.

I have no intention of making the Otonashi Group my enemy.

Do what you think is best, President Otonashi. Thank you.

September th

Two weeks have passed since all that.

The day after the truth came out about the incident years ago,

Aunt Kaoruko tried to take her own life.

She survived because Uncle Koya found her early and took action quickly,

but she's been stuck in the hospital ever since.

She was terrified that this task of Grandfather's

would bring the m*rder she'd committed to light,

so she had been rather unstable for about a month.

She couldn't accept the fact that her family found out about the m*rder.

She probably held on to some guilt over k*lling her own mother this whole time.

The shadow was always there.

The incident that took place years ago

did involve a m*rder and a m*rder*r.

It was just asleep.

If that girl had just withheld the truth, that outcome could have been avoided.

But still, she awakened the truth.

And in it was something unknown...

Like Iwanaga Kotoko's own beliefs and rules.

She won't let anything stand in her way.

It's cruel...

Preparing

Uncle...

Hey, I thought I'd stop by.

He came by on his way from the hospital.

Welcome.

The closing of the distance between these two may be the only saving grace.

Koya-san is diligently staying by Kaoruko-neesan's side.

Dad's worsening, though.

It's probably due to mental fatigue on top of dealing with those tumors.

I see...

After all that, Grandfather also collapsed and ended up hospitalized.

He wanted to bring his own crime to light and exposed Aunt Kaoruko's instead.

He also ended up having to decide

whether or not he wanted to pass judgment based on his beliefs.

The cause of all this

could be Grandfather himself, as the one who invited that girl.

His self-condemnation is whittling down his own life.

Were there no mistakes in Iwanaga Kotoko's explanation?

Correct. Back then, Kaoruko-neesan married Koya-san,

and to make sure our mother didn't crush his business,

she secretly decided to m*rder our mother,

went through with the plan to falsify the time when she broke her leg,

and kept that a secret to Koya-san until now.

The task our father gave us reminded her of the past,

and she asked Koya-san for help.

And to think that Koya-san actually followed through...

We never should've gotten involved with that girl. We don't know anything about her.

Yes. I never want to see her again.

Not that Sakuragawa Kuro guy, either.

I wonder if those two were even human.

I didn't have you come here just so I could talk about a grudge.

I brought about that outcome myself, and it was not outside of my own beliefs.

Just because you didn't show compassion and keep the truth to yourselves

doesn't mean I'm going to resent you.

I don't mind listening to some resentment.

I'm not that heartless.

I'm sure you're not at all interested in what happened after all that.

Calling you out here goes against our promise, as well.

But there was just something I wanted to confirm.

Sakuragawa Kuro-kun, wasn't it?

I heard that you're Sakuragawa Rikka-san's cousin.

You know Rikka-san?

The first person I talked to about getting rid of my guilt was Sakuragawa Rikka-san.

I heard there was some woman who was immortal and could see visions of the future,

who'd been in the hospital for a very long time.

It was said that if you talked to her, most things would go well.

I don't know the reason she was in the hospital for so long.

I had previously made a deal with a yoko,

so I was always interested in things that shouldn't exist,

and asked if I could meet her just once.

And...

She was the real deal.

She was beautiful, but she seemed clearly inhuman to me.

Around two months ago, I coincidentally saw her in town.

I was trying to figure out what to do with my past sins,

so I saw this as a message from the heavens and talked to her.

She said that if I was troubled

by a problem caused by interacting with the supernatural,

I should talk to someone involved with the supernatural.

She did seem a bit hesitant, but she heard me out.

I didn't tell her about the m*rder, though.

I told her I had once made a deal with a monster,

and asked if she knew of any way I could redeem myself,

or if she could use her ability to obtain the future that should come to be.

That's what I asked her.

But then, she said...

I have a cousin who possesses the same power, and also...

She told me that you two should be able to solve my problem.

I wasn't fully convinced, but after researching you, Kotoko-san,

so many extraordinary things came up.

And after meeting you, I felt an extraordinary power.

You may take offense to my saying this,

but neither of you seem human to me.

That's why I trusted you and left this in your hands.

But as I sit here, I wonder...

Why did I ever listen to that Rikka woman and decide to trust you?

Now I'm starting to doubt everything.

Could it be that she led me to this particular future?

Neither she nor Kuro-senpai is able to make just any future come true.

They can only make the most probable future come true.

Due to your past experiences,

you were in a mindset where you tended to trust the supernatural,

and you strongly wished they could take care of this.

Rikka-san probably helped relieve some hesitations.

It's not as though she had complete control over you.

I see. Yes, you're probably right.

Do you know where Rikka-san is right now?

I haven't seen her since we last parted. I didn't ask for her contact info, either.

She probably didn't care what the outcome would be.

But perhaps she recommended you two because she figured this would happen.

I'm not sure.

She's nothing but a nuisance to me.

To think that Rikka-san was the puppet master in this...

I thought it was a bit too convenient when the president asked me for help,

but I couldn't read into it any further.

Why did she want me to do this?

Even Rikka-san wouldn't be able to understand everything in a case

when she had so little information.

Is she just trying to bully me?

I can think of two reasons.

The first is to have you concentrating on this case

so you wouldn't notice what she's planning next.

I guess that's much more likely than her just bullying me.

The other is to show me how you would conclude any problems with the supernatural.

Now? But you've seen that many times.

Yes, but just like this case where humans were secretly involved,

she may have thought you'd be much more extreme.

This time, you kept your emotions out of this to protect order,

and revealed the truth, even though tragedy waited in the end.

You show no mercy when it comes to order being protected.

Maybe she thought I'd get a better look at that.

Wait, wait. Don't make me sound like a cruel, emotionless robot.

The one who committed the offense is the president,

and there were no emotions necessary to set that straight.

Yes, and that's how you should be. There's no reason to worry.

Not that you would, anyway.

Your words are what's emotionless here!

Say, Kuro.

You still haven't realized just how terrifying Kotoko-san is?

To be continued