Chapter 42 The News of Death
#21MotoKanojoThe News of Death
“A week ago, in the mountains of XX Prefecture, the body of an unidentified middle-aged man was discovered.”
““Wha…!?””
Detective Takahashi's words left both Hatsune and me completely speechless.
After all… for the police to come all the way here to report this, it had to have something to do with Hatsune.
And it was undeniable that she had a connection to the deceased man.
“Do… do you know his identity?”
Taking Hatsune's place as she trembled and hung her head, I directed the question at Detective Takahashi.
“No, the body had sustained significant damage, so we can’t be absolutely certain. However, based on personal belongings, we believe it to be Kakizaki Hodaka-san.”
“Ah…”
Hatsune let out a faint sound, her vacant expression betraying little reaction.
“…May I ask why you’ve come here?”
“Hm? Why, you ask?”
When I posed the question, Detective Takahashi feigned ignorance, a calculated response.
“Surely, you didn’t come all the way here just to inform us of this, did you?”
“Well… you’re not wrong.”
Though Detective Takahashi forced a strained smile, his eyes were devoid of warmth.
He probably wanted to question Hatsune further.
Perhaps… about whether she’d been in contact with her father, Kakizaki Hodaka.
“So… if possible, we’d like you to confirm the body and personal belongings. Also, we have a few questions we’d like to ask.”
“…W-What kind of questions?”
Hatsune’s trembling voice broke the silence, though her sharp gaze fixed firmly on Detective Takahashi.
Her fragile yet resolute demeanor struck me deeply.
“Ah, well, it’s nothing serious. For example, about your recent activities, or whether you've had any contact from Kakizaki Hodaka-san…”
“He hasn’t contacted me… Not once! Not since that incident! Never! You already know that, yet…!!!”
Unable to contain herself any longer, Hatsune stood up and shouted, tears streaming down her face.
Watching her like that… it hurt so much that my chest felt like it would shatter. But her pain… it was on a level I couldn’t begin to imagine.
“Detective Takahashi… this questioning… it’s voluntary, isn’t it?”
I asked in a low, measured voice.
Making his intentions as clear as possible.
“Well… I’d appreciate your cooperation if possible…”
“I’m sorry, but given Hatsune’s current state, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Sensing my unwavering resolve, Detective Takahashi tried to push for cooperation, his tone slightly intimidating, but I firmly rejected him.
“No, no, it’s not Hatsune’s decision, is it?”
“Sigh… Hatsune, is this okay with you?”
“…(nods silently)”
Letting out a soft sigh, I turned to Hatsune, who responded with a quiet nod.
“That’s the situation, so please leave for today.”
Opening the door to the room, I motioned for him to leave immediately.
“…Well then, I’ll be back.”
“No, if you show up unannounced, it’ll only cause trouble. Just leave your contact information; if necessary, we’ll get in touch.”
“…Tch.”
Detective Takahashi clicked his tongue lightly, as though realizing he couldn’t press further. He placed a business card with his contact details on the table and left.
Once the door closed, I locked it with a soft click.
“Ah!”
“Yuuta…! My father… My father is…!”
Hatsune collapsed into my chest, her body shaking as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Of course… the fact that the police came to inform us like that left little doubt. It had to be Kakizaki Hodaka.
There was no way Hatsune could endure something like this.
“Hatsune… I’ll… I’ll always be by your side. Always… forever, always…”
I wrapped my arms tightly around Hatsune’s small frame.
Hoping to ease her pain, even just a little.
Hoping to soothe her sadness, even just a bit.
That was all I could do for her.
“Suuu… suuu…”
Hatsune cried for hours after that, eventually succumbing to exhaustion and falling asleep.
Now, her head rested gently on my lap.
From time to time, her face contorted with pain… with sadness.
“Even so…!”
Recalling that man, Detective Takahashi, I ground my teeth in frustration.
Solving the case was his ultimate priority, leaving Hatsune’s feelings as little more than an afterthought.
To him, Hatsune was nothing more than the daughter of a criminal.
In his eyes, she wasn’t a victim… but a perpetrator.
If he didn’t think that way, he wouldn’t have pressed her for questioning so soon after delivering such devastating news.
“Hatsune…”
Thinking about her made my chest ache so badly… I could hardly breathe.
How could I save the most important person in my world?
What could I do?
“Mmm…”
It seemed she was waking up.
“…Yuuta.”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“My father… he’s really gone…”
“Yeah… he is.”
“You know… back when my mother was still alive, my father was so kind…”
In a strained, hoarse voice, Hatsune began to speak.
Bit by bit, she recounted her memories of her childhood with her parents.
How they’d gone on family picnics.
How her father had enthusiastically filmed her school sports day with a video camera.
How she and her mother had once made a Christmas cake together.
How they’d buried a time capsule filled with precious mementos for their future family.
“…But, you know? After my mother passed away, my father threw himself into work. Around my third year of middle school, he started associating with shady people. Suddenly, he had money to spare… and he barely came home anymore…”
Pressing her face against my thigh, Hatsune trembled as she spoke.
How much more unfairness would this world heap onto her small shoulders?
What had Hatsune ever done to deserve this?
“Oh…? Ahaha… Yuuta, you’re crying, aren’t you…?”
“Haha… No, I’m not…”
Staring at me with her sapphire-blue eyes glistening with tears, Hatsune gently scooped the drops running down my cheeks with her fingers.
“Yuuta… I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad… that you’re with me…!”
And then, with a fragile smile on her face, Hatsune broke into a heart-wrenching cry.