Memento Mori

The Meaning of Soul PROLOGUE 13

"Didn't you talk to the police then?"

"The police would have protected the family perfectly?

　It would have only made things worse.

　You, who talk about justice in general terms, can't possibly know what it's like to be trapped in a corner, can you?"

　Kazue interrupted.

"I've never heard of such a thing. It's new to me."

"I didn't want to confuse everyone.

　And I didn't want my family members to be kidnapped or killed because of your easy actions.

　At least if I disappear at that point, it's just a matter of solving it.

　So I decided to pretend that I myself was involved in Saruta's misconduct, and I cleared everything up by leaving the company and getting a divorce ...."

"You couldn't have foreseen that all the wrinkles would eventually come to me.

　I had a stroke soon after you left and ....

　Even so, I am now in rehabilitation and doing better.

　You were just drunk with your own sense of justice. You have no idea how hard everyone around you had to work because of that ...."

　Tetsuya was puzzled by Kazue's tears.

"No, I'm really sorry.

　Even though I didn't know, I'm really apologetic.

　I had planned to come back and make up for it as soon as things had cooled off.

　But it didn't work out the way I wanted it to.

　After all, this is how I am now."

"This is how you are now ...?

　You're a forward-looking young man by all accounts, though.

　Kazue laughs sadly.

"Oh, yeah ....

　Anyway, this is a rare chance I got when I thought I'd never be able to come back ....

　The cancer is probably gone too ...."

　Noboru controls Tetsuya as he begins to speak passionately.

"Oops, that was a close call. I was about to be pulled in by accident ...."

　Tetsuya is at a loss for words.

"What is it? You still can't believe it?"

"Because there is nothing to support that story."

"That's ...."

　Tetsuya is speechless and Kazue suddenly thrusts her fist toward him.

　For a moment, Tetsuya hesitated and then grabbed the fist.

　Then, Kazue pulls it off and grabs Tetsuya's fist.

　This time, Tetsuya slips out of the fist and bumps his own fist against Kazue's fist.

　Aoi breaks the atmosphere of the hardened place.

"What, what? Is that some kind of magic ritual?"

　Kazue blurts out.

"Hmmm, it's just a greeting."

"A greeting?"

"Even Noboru doesn't know about this.

"It's just a greeting we exchange every morning when I send my husband off to work."

"You mean that it's signed only by Grandma and Grandpa?"

　Aoi was excited.

　In contrast, Tetsuo is losing his energy.