Evil Legacy (satosugu)

10. The Guest

The old doctor left a deep void in everyone's heart, and it wasn't just the residents of the house. His sudden death was like a bolt from the blue. The inhabitants of the town were terrified - in fact, Dr. Gojo had been unable to work for a long time, but his death, in addition to sadness, also left anxiety.

Suguru had never seen so many people show up to someone's funeral before.

The whole house was in mourning. Mrs. Gojo fell into severe melancholy. The two boys rarely saw her, as she spent all day in bed. Whenever she left her bedroom, she presented a pitiable sight. All joy left her and, immersed in her own misfortune, she stopped responding to the world around her.

Satoru still couldn't comprehend what had happened. However, he didn't have time to think about it, because due to his mother unavailability, he was responsible for organizing the funeral and all the consequences. Now he was head of the family.

As for Suguru, no matter how hard it was for him to come to terms with the loss, he didn't have the opportunity to grieve in peace because he still had to work. At first, it irritated him to hear the condolences from each resident over and over again. He was already suffering terribly without it, and the constant reminders didn't help. It was like constantly scratching at a wound that was having a hard time healing. Over time, however, he began to find in work a way to escape from sorrow - he was busy and had no time to think and mourn. So, he made sure to work even more than before.

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Finally, the spring finally arrived, and while it was blooming in its most beautiful form, it had never before brought such desolation.

The sun was shining through the thick curtains into the living room, where Satoru was sitting in one of the armchairs by the extinguished fireplace. In this same place, not too long ago, he had been sitting with his parents, talking about his plans to get engaged to Utahime. Now, however, these plans had to be postponed.

He turned a small key hanging on a thin string between his fingers and looked at it as if it was some unusual find. He thought back to the day his father died. Shortly before his death, on the edge of consciousness, his father ripped the chain from around his neck and handed him the key.

"Since Suguru is away at the moment, I must ask you to give him this key when he returns. "

"What is this key for? "

"Never mind. Suguru will know. Promise you'll give it to him. Promise! "

Of course, Satoru promised to fulfill his father's wishes. At first, he actually intended to do that - give Suguru the key. But now he began to think more about it, and he felt conflicted emotions.

What was this key for? What secrets did his father and Suguru share? Satoru felt like he wouldn't find peace until he found out. Once he knows, then perhaps he will fulfill his father's will.

He had the key, so now all that was left to do was find the lock. That same day, he went to his father's office. Luckily, Suguru was absent at the time. Not that his presence could have stopped him from investigating, he just wanted to avoid unnecessary questions and explanations.

He gave the room a cursory glance. Everything looked the same as always. Suguru hadn't spent much time here lately, as he usually worked in patients' homes. He started searching. He looked through the cupboards and chests of drawers, but none of the drawers or cabinets had a lock.

Then he went to the desk - and it was a bull's-eye. The drawer actually had a lock. He put the key in the lock and tried to turn it. The lock put up a little resistance, but finally let go. The drawer opened.

There wasn't much inside: a few old things, some documents and a small leather bag - so old that it seemed as if it would fall apart at the slightest touch.