Chapter 16
“What’s the latest on his whereabouts?”
Mamoru Yasuhara asked his subordinate and partner, Atsuko Kamiya.
“When we reviewed the security camera footage, we found that the suspect took a hostage and fled. This matches the testimony of people who were inside the bank.”
“Have you identified the car?”
“Yes, I’ve confirmed it. The owner is unknown, but it doesn’t appear to be a stolen vehicle. It had already been abandoned by the time it was found. It looks like the suspect has been moving on foot since then. We’re checking security cameras and other sources, but haven’t found anything yet.”
Kamiya furrowed her brow.
“What about the hostage?”
According to eyewitness accounts from the bank, he’d heard that a woman had been taken hostage.
“Nothing at the moment. There’s a possibility she might be an accomplice.”
“Hmm.”
Yasuhara reviewed the bank’s security cameras multiple times. Indeed, the woman didn’t appear particularly flustered. But the suspect was different. He seemed to interact with her cautiously and tensely. If that was an act, then the suspect must be an exceptionally skilled actor……
“If he’s using public transportation, you’d think he’d have been caught by now.”
“That’s true. The fact that we still have no leads… maybe he left the city to avoid the cameras. We might need to cast a wider net.”
Yasuhara said this and glanced at his watch.
The area within walking distance is limited. If only they could track his movements even a little bit after he got out of the car……
“Kamiya, get me a map. Where exactly was the abandoned car found?”
At his prompting, Kamiya unfolded a paper map. Ideally, she would have preferred to pull up a map on his computer, but when Yasuhara asked for a map, it had to be paper. An old-fashioned residential map.
“It’s around here.”
Yasuhara put on his glasses and stared intently at the map.
“Why there? There’s no public transportation nearby, and no rental car agencies. Are there any places to stay within walking distance from here?
“If you’re willing to head out of the city, there are quite a few hotels and the like in the suburbs. We’ve circulated the wanted notice, but there’s been no response.”
So, it goes without saying.
It’s been almost a year and a half since Kamiya started working alongside Yasuhara. She still has so much to learn, and recently, she’s been gradually beginning to understand what Yasuhara is trying to do. Yasuhara watches Kamiya with a look of satisfaction as she takes the initiative to advance the investigation rather than waiting for instructions.
“I thought we’d catch him right away. I never imagined it would be this difficult.”
A lone perpetrator. Traveling by car. Since he didn’t steal anything, he has no money. He thought it would be easy to track his movements.
“The hostage situation makes me hesitate, though…”
Why did he take her? Or were they accomplices from the beginning…? That part remained a mystery.
“It would be a big help if the woman turned herself in.”
Yasuhara folded his arms and exhaled deeply.
◇◇◇
The morning arrives.
While I agonized over what kind of expression to wear when I saw him, Shinji spoke to me as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
“Want some water? We’re running low. Once you’re ready, let’s head out as planned.”
“Yeah.”
After discussing it, we decided that I would go to the police station alone. I really wanted us to go together, but there was the matter of Yasuhara. Since there was no guarantee that he would be safe if Yasuhara touched him, I decided that I would talk to Yasuhara first.
It’s not that we never talked about just continuing to be on the run like this. But that’s not realistic, and we certainly don’t want to keep running. We have to acknowledge this mistake and start over properly. Shinji now feels the same way. So …….
“Natsumi?”
Shinji spoke, as if to snap me out of my daze.
“Ah, sorry. I’m fine.”
“Are you worried?”
I looked at Shinji’s face as he peered down at me.
“I am worried, a little.…But more than that, I just don’t want to be apart from you.”
I clutched the hem of his jacket.
“I thought Natsumi, who has found love, was supposed to be invincible?”
He looked at me with a smirk. Those were the words I blurted out yesterday when I was all hyped up. I think I said something like, “I’ve found love. So the loop shouldn’t happen anymore. I’m invincible!” Ugh, doesn’t that make me sound weird!
“Stop it! That’s embarrassing!”
I gave Shinji a light slap, but he grabbed my hand. He pulled me toward him and hugged me tight.
“I don’t want to leave you either, but I’m sure it’ll work out. It’ll be alright.”
A gentle hug.
I wrapped my arm around Shinji’s back and squeezed him tightly. I was filled with the determination that no matter what, this time… this time for sure.
We hopped on the motorcycle and headed out onto the road. If we continued over the mountain pass, there would be a campground at the top of the mountain. Once we got there, there would be shops and people. I was supposed to get off there, while Shinji would head back to that abandoned school.
It was a situation where you could almost say everything depended on me. However, even at this point, it was still uncertain whether I had actually broken out of the loop.
The motorcycle wound its way along the mountain road. His back is warm. Soon, we’ll be going our separate ways. To make sure I never forget this warmth—to make sure I don’t lose it—I have to give it my all.
Near the summit. I get off the motorcycle. To buy a little time, I decided to walk from here. Shinji was supposed to stop at a convenience store near the campground to pick up some supplies before heading back to the abandoned school.
“See you later, then.”
When I called out to him, Shinji nodded silently. Then the motorcycle sped away.
I started walking slowly. First, I wanted to use the toilet and shower at the campground. Then I’ll take the bus that goes down to the town on the other side of the pass. From there, I’ll go to the police station. I’ll call Yasuhara and negotiate. I hope it goes well.
I could see the entrance to the campground at the summit.
As I passed by, I saw Shinji riding the motorcycle down the road I’d just come up.
Sads Translates 