This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 214 - 183. Visiting Seto Cheng (4000 words)_2

Chapter 214: 183. Visiting Seto Cheng (4000 words)_2

Just as Shen Gu Mirai was about to speak, an irritated female voice came from behind her:

"Is it you again? Beichuan?"

Huh?

Beichuan Si and Shen Gu Mirai turned to look.

They saw Gangye Yoshiko, carrying something in one hand, hastily approaching with an imposing air. Looking at Beichuan Si, she said half annoyed, half amused, "Do you know what today is? It’s February 8th, Saturday. Why is it that you, fellow, seem bound to the soul of the Death God, attracting incidents wherever you go?"

Today was supposed to be a day off, a Saturday, and with no major cases recently, she was looking forward to enjoying her weekend off.

World peace, everything as usual—who wouldn’t like that?

Gangye Yoshiko had been out shopping in Shibuya District when she heard a call on her pager, requesting any available officers in Shibuya to come over and help maintain order.

No need to say anything else, as soon as Gangye Yoshiko saw Beichuan Si, she immediately knew—something violent must’ve happened at this KTV.

"The first person to find the body is you again, right?"

Gangye Yoshiko repeated the question she had asked who knows how many times before.

"Pretty much, the victim’s name is Ebiya Rina, and I was actually here to find her."

"You were here to find her?" Gangye Yoshiko frowned, her voice lowering, "Could it be that kind of case again?"

Unhurriedly, Beichuan Si nodded and replied, "There are a total of two ventilation ducts in the bathroom, neither of which could fit a person through. You can also check the KTV’s surveillance footage, no one should have entered the bathroom after Ebiya Rina, and her manner of death is the same as Ishikawa’s."

"...Alright, regardless, we have to wait for my colleagues to arrive before discussing further. You’ll have to wait a bit; we still need to take a statement from you, it’s just procedure."

Since Gangye Yoshiko and Beichuan Si were well-acquainted, she did not give him a hard time. After giving some brief instructions, she went ahead to start dispersing the crowd.

And that went on until the evening.

After all, it was a homicide case and no one dared to slack off.

Beichuan Si also saw Ebiya Rina’s parents; they were crying so hard that their voices were hoarse when they saw Ebiya Rina; her mother even fainted at one point, and cried again upon waking up.

According to Gangye Yoshiko, Ebiya Rina often had conflicts with her parents and frequently didn’t return home. But when the actual incident occurred, the first to arrive were still Ebiya Rina’s parents.

Watching the tearful middle-aged couple supporting each other, Beichuan Si looked away.

He was that kind of person; he might feel moved inside, but he never showed it.

But Shen Gu Mirai was different; although this young girl usually remained calm in most situations, seeing such a heart-wrenching scene, she couldn’t help her eyes reddening and tearing up.

Kindness is a common human sentiment, and a good thing; Beichuan Si did not dislike kind girls.

But if the curse of the "Four-Person Hide and Seek" game wasn’t resolved soon, there would only be more victims like Ebiya Rina.

The day was gradually darkening.

Beichuan Si and Shen Gu Mirai, as those who had interacted with Ebiya Rina before her death, were naturally given special attention.

And to this, Beichuan Si told the truth, only keeping the "Four-Person Hide and Seek" game hidden.

Shen Gu Mirai turned her head to look at the silently walking Beichuan Si beside her and asked, "Mr. Temple, what’s the plan now?"

Indeed, with things having developed to this point, what was Beichuan Si planning to do next?

She wanted to know Beichuan Si’s plans.

"I plan to visit Seto Cheng tomorrow."

Beichuan Si had no reason to hide anything from Shen Gu Mirai and, pausing for a moment, continued, "As the author of ’The Lost Yuchuan’ and also a local of Yuchuan, Seto Cheng should know some secrets I’m not aware of, about things that were hidden away back in the days of Yuchuan Elementary School."

"After investigating at Seto Cheng’s place, I’ll have to go to Yuchuan and take a look at the real Yuchuan Elementary School as well."

Perhaps there, a breakthrough could be discovered.

"Is that so? Do I need to look after Hui Li?"

"Just glance at her occasionally to make sure she’s still alive. Don’t worry too much about anything else; I’ll also get in touch with Qianye Yuki. It could be difficult to continue treating her these next few days."

In fact, Qianye Yuki’s legs were almost healed; it was just a lack of exercise now, and any further exposure to death energy from Beichuan Si was only shortening her recovery process.

Shen Gu Mirai came to a halt and looked at Beichuan Si, suddenly speaking up:

"Mr. Temple, do you have any plans for this summer vacation?"

"Why do you ask?"

Beichuan Si was a bit puzzled.

Let alone his plans for summer vacation, it was a bit more than halfway through spring break, and Shen Gu Mirai was already thinking about summer?

"Uh— I’m just curious!" Shen Gu Mirai’s eyes darted around as she used her usual line.

Curious?

After a moment of silence, Beichuan Si said outright, "If nothing unexpected happens, I guess I’ll take Hui Li out for a trip, to broaden her horizons."

"A trip? ... That doesn’t sound like something you’d say." Shen Gu Mirai was somewhat surprised.

She had planned to extend an invitation first, but didn’t expect Beichuan Si’s thoughts to align so closely with hers.

Beichuan Si, with an indifferent air, answered, "Staying cooped up at home all summer isn’t really a good thing."

"Can I join you then?"

Shen Gu Mirai stopped in her tracks, her eyes shining as she looked at Beichuan Si.

Seeing her like that, Beichuan Si couldn’t help but curiously ask, "Your family is okay with it?"

As soon as this topic was brought up, the previously sparkling expression in Shen Gu Mirai’s eyes dimmed considerably. She pouted, her voice tinged with a hint of resentment:

"I’ve mentioned it to you before, haven’t I? My parents are folklorists, and they’ve already made plans for this summer. They’re off to do another study. The place they’re going to is called ’Ihui Island,’ I think?"

"Ihui Island?"

Beichuan Si muttered the name of the island.

"Yeah, it’s located near Okinawa, a remote little island. I’ve heard that people still live there, but access is only by boat, which is very inconvenient." Shen Gu Mirai shrugged, seeming eager to move past this topic that didn’t cheer her up.

"Okinawa, huh? It might be good to travel there this summer. If your parents agree, I don’t see any issue with bringing you along."

The idea formed quickly in Beichuan Si’s mind. Japan’s southern Okinawa, a famous tourist destination. Going there to relax during the summer vacation could indeed be a good choice.

"Then it’s settled, Mr. Temple." Shen Gu Mirai nodded eagerly.

She was quite confident she could persuade her ’I’m so curious’ mom and reserved dad.

Going on a trip with Beichuan Si would be no problem at all.

Beichuan Si didn’t hesitate and simply stated, "We’ll talk about the specifics when the time comes."

"Mhm!"

Shen Gu Mirai nodded vigorously.

...

After sending Shen Gu Mirai home, Beichuan Si walked alone on the streets, thinking about what he should do tomorrow.

First, he needed to get in touch with Qianye Yuki and her sister Qianye Cang; he reckoned he needed to visit Yuchuan Town in the Danze Mountain Area of Kanagawa in the next few days.

Then there was Beichuan Hui Li’s situation.

This month’s living expenses had been sent over early.

His mother abroad hadn’t forgotten Beichuan Si and Beichuan Hui Li; along with sending the living expenses, she had also sent many local specialties.

This made Beichuan Hui Li happy for a long time.

"After settling Hui Li, I’ll head to Kanagawa, aiming to resolve everything before Kyubei High School starts."

Beichuan Si felt that if he skived off or took leave again, the school would likely relegate him.

"And the key to sorting out all this will be the visit to Seto Cheng tomorrow."

He pinched his chin and thought; he already had an idea in mind.