The Results of the Handwriting Analysis
After confirming that Ran and Ayumu had gone downstairs, Hinami closed the wooden door of her room. She locks her door so that no one can disturb her.
"Well then..."
She spreads out the mail that had been delivered to her on the table.
In local newspapers, the headline [Hokkaido Office Bombing Incident] is making headlines.
Yesterday, March 2, 1976, at around 9:02 a.m. An explosion occurred near the elevator on the west side of the lobby of the main Hokkaido Government Office building. Two employees were killed in the blast, and more than 80 others were seriously injured. It is reported that a statement from a far-left violent group was found after the incident.
It's big news for the general public, but it's not of Hinami's interest.
"First, I have to check the letter... Okay. It's sealed. No one has opened it."
She opened the letter from her teacher while looking at the local newspaper. It had a wax seal on it. It was proof that no one had seen it until Hinami broke the wax seal just now.
"The results of the handwriting analysis should be written down."
The check stuck between the letters fell flat on the tatami mat. Hinami had given it to her teacher as a request for an analysis. However, she sent it back because she couldn't accept any money from the students.
"Teachers are... really disciplined..."
Of course, they did a thorough handwriting analysis. Her teacher's husband, who teaches at a boarding school in Tokyo, is an authoritative doctor of forensic medicine. She wrote that she had asked the forensics division of the Metropolitan Police Department, with whom she was familiar, to conduct an informal but highly accurate expert analysis of the handwriting.
"The will sent to Sosuke Isaka was confirmed to be handwritten by Saemon Sakuradani. The handwriting is a perfect match, and the fountain pen ink used in the letter was included in the authentication materials. It was even used in the management journal!"
Hinami reads out the main points of the analysis results.
"Next, in the love letter addressed to Koshiro Himura-san, the handwriting is greatly disturbed. There is some doubt. However, there is a high possibility that it was handwritten by Yukiko Sakuradani. However, it is important to note that in the analysis result, there is a draft written in pencil. It was erased with an eraser, but the draft was traced with a fountain pen. It seems that the draft of the letter was written by someone else."
Hinami's speculations were confirmed by the results of the analysis.
(After all...!! The letter addressed to Sousuke-san is real. And Koshiro-san's letter is a fake written by Mother! If that's true...!)
She didn't know why her father had changed his mind and wanted to reconcile with Sousuke, who had been at odds with him for some reason just before he was killed. However, it was true that he had relied on his childhood friend in the end.
"Koshiro-san is the culprit who threatened my mother and violated her body…!"
An immoral love letter written in a letter that Koshiro had. Koshiro claims that he has been having an affair with Yukiko for many years. But what if he holds her mother's secret and forces her to write it? It must have been Koshiro who drafted the letter in pencil. If you think about it that way, everything makes sense.
"If that's the case, why did Sousuke-san lie like that...? The child in Mother's womb is not Sousuke-san's."
Sousuke insists that he got Yukiko pregnant. However, his story is at odds with the actual rape written by Yukiko. The timeline is inconsistent. Sousuke should have never had a chance to impregnate Yukiko.
(Mother was raped by Koshiro-san. Mother did not want to be pregnant with the child of a rapist, so she was pregnant with Sousuke-san's child... No, I don't think so. If Mother was violated, if he had known that she was being attacked, Sousuke-san would have taken violent measures to eliminate Koshiro.)
Even when face-to-face discussions were held, they were on the verge of a scuffle. If the stationed police officer, Ayumu, hadn't stopped them, the argument between Sousuke and Koshiro would have escalated into a bloody fistfight.
(Is it possible that Sousuke didn't notice anything unusual about Mother?)
Even if Yukiko keeps quiet about the fact of the rape from Sousuke, even an untrained eye can see the traces of the rape when looking at her naked body.
(There was no physical relationship between the mother and Sousuke-san... Reiko diagnosed that there was a laceration on Mother's genitals. If they had had s*x, he would have seen the wound.)
New questions arise. He is the father of the child in her womb. Why did Sousuke tell such a lie?
"I think I need to talk to Sousuke-san."
Hinami wanted to hear directly from Sousuke. Koshiro, who was toying with her mother, will definitely atone for his sin. But she can't do it on her own.
(The fetus in Mother's womb is...)
If it was Koshiro's child, should she have an abortion? Hinami is troubled.
Honestly speaking, she wants to abort it. It is an abomination. She didn't want her mother to give birth to a child she didn't even love, and Hinami didn't feel like she could love her half-sibling like that.
――However, Hinami's teacher added a note in the reply saying that children should not be killed.
The girls' boarding school that Hinami attended was a Christian mission school. Abortion is prohibited in Christianity.
(The hatred I feel is sinful... I understand that it contradicts high morals. But... there's no way I can accept it...)
Do not kill a child, even if it is a child impregnated by rape. Her teacher persuades Hinami by quoting words from the Bible. She helped her with the handwriting analysis. However, because of that, Hinami's situation was revealed.
(Mother is not a Christian. I'm sure if she regains consciousness...)
What would her mother say? Hinami didn't know. However, no matter which option she chooses, she doesn't think she would make the decision to kill the fetus without any hesitation.
As the female doctor Reiko said, she might decide to give birth out of pity for the fetus. She felt like that too.
The young proprietress of Sakuradani-kan was a compassionate woman. However, Hinami strongly wishes for its abortion. She couldn't allow a horrible rapist's child to exist in this world.
"...? What is this? Who is this letter from?"
The mail that Ran brought contained a brown envelope with an unknown sender. The addressee is written as Hinami Sakuradani. However, there is no sender's name. Although she is suspicious, she tries to check what's inside it.
The brown envelope contained a letter.
[I posted this letter in a mailbox in Sengatake Village on the night of February 24. You will receive it on March 3. The reason I contacted you in such a roundabout way was to warn you. You should not have come back to Sengatake Village. If you believe me, I want you to come to the burnt ruins of the Oni Tengu Shrine at 16:00 on March 3rd. I will be waiting for you at the same time after that. I would appreciate it if you could come alone. If that is too difficult, then leave Yukiko to me and run away to a school in Tokyo, no matter what anyone says. ――From Sosuke Isaka]
The sender of the letter was Sousuke. Hinami looks at her watch.
"What time is it now?"
It was just after 15 o'clock. Oni Tengu Shrine was located at the top of the mountain behind the mountain. You can get there in about 40 minutes from the main building of Sakuradani Inn. If she wanted to meet him today, she only had about ten minutes to hesitate.
"Can I trust Sousuke-san? If Father's letter is genuine, then Sousuke-san is the person I should rely on..."
The will left by Saemon was genuine. If her father's will is to be believed, then Sousuke is a person she can trust.
If the results of the handwriting analysis had not come out, Hinami would not have answered the call. However, she felt like she could trust Sousuke now.
The son of the village chief who was criticized for being a prodigal. He hasn't had a good impression so far. However, Hinami thought that way because of her parents. Saemon and Yukiko had a strained relationship with Sousuke.
(Normally, Mother was in charge of admonishing Father. However, when Sousuke-san got involved, Mother didn't say anything. I thought that Mother hated Sousuke-san too...)
There are so many things she wants to ask Sousuke. Yukiko, Saemon, and Sousuke. The three are childhood friends who were born and raised in Sengatake Village.
The relationship between the Sakuradani family and the Isaka family, the secret mystery that Yukiko was threatened with, and the truth behind the fire that broke out at Oni Tengu Shrine. Sousuke may know the hidden secret.
◆ ◆ ◆
Hinami sneaked out of Sakuradani-kan in secret.
Just in case, she carries a flashlight. It's a large flashlight that can be used as a blunt weapon in an emergency.
(No one notices)
She proceeds along the inconspicuous trail at the back and crosses the steep uphill slope. Fatigue was building up in her thigh muscles. Along the way, as she passes through the bamboo forest, she hears the sounds of a man and a woman talking.
(Hmm? I can hear the voices of a young man and woman. Maybe Aymuu-san and Ran?)
Sakuradani-kan was built along a valley, so voices can be heard carried far by the wind. Hinami stopped and listened. She could hear the conversation between Ayumu and Ran in the open-air bath.
"...The women's bath... as expected, this is...! Other spa guests... saw me... as I thought... I should go home after all..."
Ayumu, a young police officer, is shaken and his usual calm and collected mask has been torn off, and he appears to be extremely anxious.
Ayumu is making some noise in a raised voice. The cause of this was Ran, who was directly assigned to take care of him.
"It's okay! I put up a sign at the entrance saying it's being cleaned. There are no female guests, and there are no bathers coming to Sakuradani-kan right now. We're in the middle of a commotion, right?"
When she heard Ran's blunt words, Hinami couldn't help but smile bitterly. Customers from the village rarely come. That's certainly true. However, it would be a big problem if Ran, an employee, mentioned it.
"Let's just relax and think of it as a private bath. Unlike the small bath at the police station, you can stretch your arms and legs in this open-air bath. Shall I wash your back?"
"It's fine! I can do it myself! Stop...!"
"No way... ♥︎ Please don't hesitate... I guess you're having a hard time with your duties at the station, right? Please let me comfort you... ♥︎"
Hinami stops to take a break. Ran's voice came into her ears more clearly than Ayumu's.
(...She's passionate... already...)
It seems that Ran brought Aymuu into the women's bath. She can see the confused look on the quiet adult police officer's face.
(Jeez... I didn't tell you to go that far, Ran.)
She can hear Ran and Ayumu's voices. But it's just the voice. She can only peek into the open-air bath from the cliff side of the valley.
(I feel like taking a peek at the open-air bath, just for a moment.)
The brittle geological cliff is a steep precipice where even wild monkeys slip to their deaths. It is said that villagers who harbored impure thoughts long ago died trying to peek into the women's bath.
Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, the location of Sakuradani-kan had been calculated. Climbing the valley was difficult even with climbing tools. Moreover, it was said that the bottom of the valley would accumulate volcanic poison gas.
(Ran's so assertive, even though she looks like she's shy. Fufu! I want to support a maiden's love life. It's not bad that the person she loves is a police officer. But she should consider her age a little... If the people at the branch office find out, Ayumu-san will be punished, you know?)
Ran is about two or three years younger than Hinami. She is, in other words, a young girl in her early teens.
Mixed bathing with minors is not acceptable even in this day and age. Ayumu will not feel alive as he is approached passionately. However, it is a pure relationship. Even though she thought it was meddling, Hinami couldn't help but want to support Ran's love life.
(She should wait about three more years. She's still a minor... But I guess Ran is at that age. Fufufu...! Oh, she's really cute.)
After a short break, Hinami resumes climbing the back mountain with a smile on her face.
(If there was a world where s*xual love between men and women was pure and correct, we wouldn't have suffered. Mistakes must be corrected. While I was away, a big mistake was made in Sengatake Village. There is a villainous person who killed Father and humiliated Mother. I will unravel the hidden truth and right the wrong...!!)
Sousuke is waiting at the site of Oni Tengu Shrine. By the time she finished climbing to the top, it was already 16:00 as promised.
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[Introduction of characters]
▼ Yukiko Sakuradani
The young proprietress of Sakuradani-kan, a long-established hot spring inn.
She lost her husband and became a widow. She is raped by someone from Sengatake Village and she becomes pregnant.
▼ Saemon Sakuradani (deceased)
Yukiko's late husband. Burn to death in a fire. He has a severed relationship with Sousuke.
▼ Hinami Sakuradani
Yukiko and Saemon's only daughter. She left Sengatake Village and entered a girls' school in Tokyo. Until recently, she was studying abroad.
She reunites with her mother for the first time in two years and is told that she is pregnant.
▼ Sousuke Isaka
The prodigal son of the Isaka family, who monopolizes the position of village chief in Sengatake Village.
He was an old friend of Yukiko and Saemon, but they had a rift over a certain incident and their relationship became strained.
He takes out [Saemon's will] and claims that he got Yukiko pregnant.
▼ Koshiro Himura
A bank employee at Yamatoku Mujin Bank. An obese, ugly middle-aged man.
Although he is the exclusive representative of the Sakuradani family, he was despised by Saemon when he was alive.
He brings out [Yukiko's love letter] and claims that he got her pregnant.
▼ Motonobu Matsudaira
Self-proclaimed novelist. A guest staying at Sakuradani-kan for a long time.
He claims that Yukiko approached him and they had a physical relationship.
▼ Misaki Reiko
A female doctor who works at a clinic in Sengatake Village. She diagnoses that Yukiko is pregnant.
▼ Ran
An apprentice who works at Sakuradani-kan. She is a twelve-year-old girl, but she does not go to school.
▼ Yoshiharu Sakuradani (deceased)
Yukiko's father. He doted on his granddaughter, Hinami. He trusted Koshiro and valued him.
He and the Isaka family are bitter enemies. He opposed the plan of a ski resort.
▼ Taisuke Isaka
The village chief of Sengatake Village. His son is Sousuke.
He has been at odds with the Sakuradani family for several decades over a plan to build a ski resort.
He has a grudge against the Sakuradani family, the large landowners who are hindering the development of the village.
▼ Ayumu Higashiyama
A police officer stationed in Sengatake Village. He is a beautiful young man with fair skin and an androgynous face.
Although he keeps his distance from the people in the village, he is liked by Ran.
▼ Adashino (deceased)
Former police officer. He was familiar with Sengatake Village, but committed suicide with a pistol two years ago.
There is a rumor that he was guiding the Hokuwakai.
[Records of Sengatake Village]
▽ 1966
Winter: Grandfather Yoshiharu Sakuradani dies of illness
▽ 1974
One day in April: Hinami enters a girls' school in Tokyo and leaves Sengatake Village.
July 7th: Saemon was burned to death in a fire.
July 8th: Adashino's corpse is found at the police post.
August 24th: Saemon's 49th memorial service, rape photo taken of Yukiko
Late August: Yukiko's emotions become disturbed and she begins to kick out the old employees.
▽ 1975
A certain day in July: Sousuke returns to Sengatake Village.
A certain day in September: Yukiko becomes pregnant by the rape demon's seed (♥︎)
September 25th: Yukiko and Koshiro's marriage registration is submitted(?)
▽ 1976
February 24th: Hinami returns home and is told that her mother, Yukiko, is pregnant.
February 25th: Influential people from Sengatake Village gather for discussion.
March 3rd: Handwriting analysis results arrive from Tokyo.
Sousuke calls Hinami to Oni Tengu Shrine.
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