Chapter 43 Confirmation

Confirmation

“…Morning has arrived, hasn’t it…”

“Yeah…”

Gazing absentmindedly at the sunlight streaming through the window, we murmured to each other.

I knew that staying like this wouldn’t change anything, nor would it save anyone.

But still… if this idle time could give Hatsune even a little space to process everything…

I stroked her beautiful hair, deep in color like lapis lazuli, silently wishing for that.

Ping

“…A message?”

With vacant eyes, Hatsune glanced at the smartphone lying on the floor.

Then… she slowly reached out and picked it up.

“…Ahaha. It’s Mikoto. She’s asking if I’d like to have dinner with her tonight.”

“…I see.”

“Well… I should reply properly to decline, right… Because…”

Hatsune turned her gaze from the phone screen and looked at me.

“I have to go see the police… and my father…”

“Ha-Hatsune…”

Her words left me stunned.

After everything that happened yesterday, isn’t it too soon for her to push herself like this…?

“Ahaha… If I don’t go quickly, Father will feel lonely, after all… And, well… If you don’t mind, um… I’d like you to come with me…”

“Of course! You don’t even need to ask!”

“Mm… Yuuta, thank you…”

Hatsune reached out to touch my cheek, her fingers trembling slightly, as she gave me a faint, weary smile.

“Well, well, I’ve been waiting for you.”

The moment we arrived at the police station, Detective Takahashi greeted us with his usual casual demeanor.

“S-so, about my father…”

“Ah, I’m terribly sorry. At the moment, he’s undergoing a judicial autopsy, so you won’t be able to see him.”

“I… I see…”

“For now, we’d like you to look at his personal belongings to confirm whether they are indeed his.”

With that exchange, we were guided to the room where the personal belongings were kept.

“Um… could he… Naoe Yuuta, accompany me as well?”

Hatsune asked hesitantly, her voice trembling.

“…This time, I’ll make an exception.”

After casting a reluctant glance in my direction, he gave his approval, though his tone betrayed displeasure.

He probably still wasn’t happy with me after yesterday’s incident. Not that it mattered.

“These are the items found on him at the time of discovery.”

“Ah…”

On the conference table lay several items in plastic bags, neatly arranged.

Cigarettes, an oil lighter, car keys, and possibly the key to some room… Hatsune stared at each item, letting out faint, uneven breaths.

“…What do you think?”

“Y-Yes… I recognize this lighter and these car keys… And this cigarette brand… It was my father’s favorite…”

“As expected. Then, it seems certain this was Kakizaki Hodaka… Oh, pardon me. That was careless of me.”

Detective Takahashi’s slip of the tongue earned him a sharp glare from me. Shrugging his shoulders, he gave an awkward smile.

At that moment.

“This… this is…”

“It appears to be an old toy key, based on our investigation. We can’t figure out why he’d have something like this… Kakizaki-san, does it mean anything to you?”

“…I think… it’s probably a toy he bought for me when I was little…”

“I see… Perhaps he kept it as a memento of his time with you.”

A memento, huh…

The instant I heard Detective Takahashi’s words, a surge of anger burned through me.

For two years, he abandoned Hatsune… left her to suffer while he kept running away…!

And yet, he held on to a memory of her?!

If that’s the case, then why?! Why couldn’t he have thought about Hatsune’s feelings?!

Didn’t he realize how much pain she endured?!

“Yuuta…”

Suddenly, Hatsune gently grasped my hand, her eyes shimmering with tears as she gave me a soft, understanding smile.

It was as if she were silently telling me, “I’ll be okay.”

“…Haha. As someone investigating this case, I’d appreciate more cooperation, but… Nii-san, you really do care about her, don’t you?”

Detective Takahashi smirked as he spoke, his tone oddly teasing.

Huh? Of course, Hatsune is important to me, but… What is this guy even talking about?

“Ahaha… Yuuta, you’re bleeding, you know?”

“Huh…? Oh…”

Hatsune leaned in, her handkerchief delicately wiping at my mouth.

Seeing the red stain on the fabric, I realized I must have been biting my lip hard without even noticing.

“Well then… Now that the identity has been confirmed, may I ask you some questions?”

“Th-That is… If Yuuta isn’t with me, um…”

“I’m sorry. This is an official inquiry, so I’m afraid this part must be done separately.”

Hearing this, Hatsune slumped her shoulders in defeat.

Sigh… Isn’t there any way I can stay with her for the questioning?

“…I promise I won’t do anything disrespectful toward Kakizaki-san. You have my word.”

Despite his earlier casual demeanor, Detective Takahashi now addressed us with a serious, earnest expression.

…I guess I had no choice.

“Hatsune… I’ll wait for you outside the room.”

“Yuuta… Okay.”

“Now, this way, please.”

Hatsune and Detective Takahashi stepped into the interrogation room, leaving me to sit on the bench outside, waiting for her to return.