Ch-1 The arrival
Kaminoseki was the kind of town the world forgot. Nestled in the mountains and swaddled in mist, it had no skyline—just cedar trees, tiled rooftops, and roads that twisted like secrets.
Rain fell in a steady rhythm as Ren Ichikawa stepped off the train. He adjusted the strap on his black satchel and scanned the empty platform. No welcoming party. No signs. Only a lone figure leaning against a weathered sedan, cigarette glowing under the brim of a hood.
Yuji Nakamura was exactly what Ren had expected from the file—local detective, emotionally driven, average arrest record, messy handwriting. What the file didn’t say was that he had the kind of tired eyes you didn’t get from lack of sleep. You got them from carrying too much for too long.
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
You are younger than I thought
Yuji said, stepping aside so Ren could climb in.
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
Or maybe Tokyo just sends pretty boys now.
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
I’m not here for decoration
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
Good. We’ve already got wind chimes for that.
The car door slammed shut. Kaminoseki swallowed them whole.
The crime scene was a greenhouse at the edge of town, glass panes beaded with condensation. Police tape sagged in the rain, and the air was thick with the scent of wet earth and something sweeter—lavender.
The victim lay on a wooden bench, dressed neatly in a suit. Hands folded. Mouth slightly smiling. Lavender petals scattered around the body like some kind of ritual.
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
Third one this month,
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
Same setup. Locked from the inside. Zero signs of struggle. All men. All around the same age.
Ren crouched, gaze scanning every inch.
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
There(he said)
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
Ink smudge on the thumb.
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
(Yuji leaned in) Ink?
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
Not blood. It’s dried, but the stain’s specific—fountain pen ink. Same as the other two cases. You didn’t notice?
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
(Yuji’s expression darkened) We’re not all trained to see ghosts in smudges.
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
They’re not ghosts,(said) They’re patterns.
Yuji stared at him a second too long.
YUJI Nakamura(MC)
You always talk like that?
Ren ICHIKAWA(Ml)
Only when I’m being ignored.
author (SS)
this is my 1st story
Comments