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The clock on the wall ticked away the hours, and the only sound in the room was the rustling of pages as you devoured every word about the Tokyo Zodiac Murders thanks to a very enlightening conversation you'd had with Ranpo the other day regarding how capable you were of taking on such an extreme case, and how little he believed in you. You wanted—no, it was more like you needed to prove to that smug asshole that you were just as smart and competent as he was, despite your true nature, even if that meant pulling all-nighters you'd be sure to regret in the morning when you felt like a zombie. The darkness outside was palpable, as if the city itself had gone to sleep, leaving only you awake in the otherwise vacant office.
With each turn of the page, you were drawn deeper into the mystery, and the sense of isolation seemed to grow even stronger. You struck the match against the side of the box, the flame illuminating your face as you brought it to the end of the cigarette, before taking a deep drag and letting out a cloud of smoke. You continued to read, despite how uncomfortable you were already becoming.
I acknowledge my reputation as a nonconformist, some might even call me a lunatic. However, I firmly believe that my uniqueness is what makes me an artist. Copying the work of others is not art, true art only exists in being different. Although it may be easier to follow in someone else's footsteps, that is not the path for me. I would rather pave my own way. While I am not a violent person by nature, I cannot deny the intense excitement I experienced during my first human dissection. The contortion of the human body captivates me. The sight of a dislocated arm or the transformation of dying muscles is truly fascinating. If given the opportunity, I would love to capture these moments in my art. I am certain that other artists share my peculiar interests.
Now I want to tell you about my past.
You raised a brow and turned to the next page.
As a teenager, I stumbled upon astrology, an uncommon interest in Japan at the time. My mother sought the insights of the country's first astrologer, a renowned fortune-teller. Initially hesitant to join her, I was captivated by the astrologer's ability to read a person's past and future. I soon became his student, learning the trade from a Dutch missionary who had been dismissed for neglecting his work.
My birth chart revealed that I was born under Aquarius with Virgo as my ascendant, ruled by Saturn. Saturn, the symbol of my life, held my destiny. It was the planet that led me to the world of alchemy, as it represented lead, a fundamental chemical element. I believed that alchemy would enhance my artistic abilities, and I was not deterred by Saturn's association with challenges and perseverance.
The fortune-teller warned me that I would struggle with an inferiority complex and suffer from poor health, especially during my childhood. He advised me to be cautious of getting burned, a warning that went unheeded. I learned this lesson the hard way when I fell onto a brazier in elementary school, scarring my right foot.
