Butterfly Shadow

Shadow of the Past

Journey to Nagoya

Izumi took the bullet train to Nagoya. Thoughts swirled in his mind as he looked out the window at the rapidly changing scenery. He felt that something big awaited him at the end of this journey, something that could change the course of his life.

Encounter with the Truth

He arrived in Nagoya in the evening and headed to a small hotel, renting a room. Sitting on the bed, he took out Haruna's diaries and the group photo. He had to start over, but this time in a city where he knew no one.

New Investigations

Izumi began visiting places that might be connected to Haruna. He went to universities, libraries, and cafés she might have visited. He spoke to students and employees, but got no useful information.

One day, while wandering through an old district of Nagoya, he came across a small bookstore called "Tatara." He decided to enter, hoping it might contain something useful.

Tatara Bookstore

He entered the small bookstore, greeted by the antique smell of books. As he wandered between the crowded shelves, he noticed an elderly woman sitting behind the reception desk. He approached her and introduced himself.

Izumi: "Good evening. My name is Izumi Kai. I'm looking for a girl named Haruna. She might have visited this bookstore."

The elderly woman looked at him with sharp eyes, then nodded.

Elderly Woman: "Yes, I remember her. She used to come here often, looking through books on history and genealogy."

Izumi was surprised by this new information and asked hesitantly.

Izumi: "Do you know what exactly she was looking for?"

Elderly Woman: "She was interested in her family. She asked about old family names in Nagoya, as if trying to connect the dots."

Izumi realized that there was something bigger behind Haruna's disappearance, perhaps related to her family's roots. He thanked the woman and left the bookstore, carrying more questions with him.

Visit to the Archives

Izumi decided to visit the central archives in Nagoya, where he could access records of old families. After a long day of searching, he found records related to the Yamada family, discovering that Haruna's biological father was a man named Matsuda Koji, a mysterious figure linked to old crimes and dark secrets.

Izumi began piecing things together and found out that Matsuda Koji was connected to an old criminal network. Haruna was about to uncover the truth about her biological father, and this might have led to her disappearance.

Unexpected Meeting

As Izumi was leaving the archives, he sensed a shadow moving behind him. He turned quickly to find a tall man with harsh features standing in the corner. Izumi recognized this man, it was Murakami Hiro, a member of the criminal network that Matsuda Koji was part of.

Murakami (with a sarcastic smile): "You're looking for Haruna, aren't you?"

Izumi (seriously): "What do you know about her?"

Murakami: "I know a lot. But you won't be happy with what you discover."

Murakami approached Izumi slowly, his eyes filled with challenge.

Murakami: "If you want the truth, come with me. But remember, some doors should stay closed."

Izumi hesitated for a moment, but he knew this was his only chance to find the truth. He followed Murakami to a dark alley, where a black car awaited them. Izumi got into the car, knowing that what he would discover might be more than he could handle.

Secrets Revealed

Murakami drove to an old house in the outskirts of Nagoya. They entered the house and headed to a dark basement. In this basement awaited a collection of documents and photos revealing a long history of crimes and family secrets.

Murakami: "This is the truth you've been searching for. Haruna's father was involved in things he shouldn't have been. And Haruna discovered this truth, which put her in danger."

Izumi began reading the documents, each page revealing a new dark side of Matsuda Koji's life and his connections to the criminal network. Izumi realized that Haruna might have been a victim of a conflict she knew nothing about.

Izumi (in a low voice): "Where is she now?"

Murakami: "I don't know. But she was talking about meeting someone important before she disappeared. Someone who might be the key to all these mysteries."

The pieces of the puzzle began to come together in Izumi's mind. He had to find this person, knowing that time was running out. He decided to return to Tokyo, where he might find more answers. The journey was far from over; it had just begun.

On the way back to Tokyo, Izumi felt the weight of responsibility. He had to save Haruna, but more importantly, he had to confront the shadows of his past that he had always tried to escape.

This was just the beginning of a long and dark journey, a journey toward truth and justice, a journey that might cost him everything.