The Darkest Of The Dark

No Trace

Akira Asashi rushed to the police station to report Akimitsu's death.

Akira: "Officer, Akimitsu has been killed!"

The officer quickly assembled a team to accompany Akira to the building. Together, they reached the top floor where Akimitsu lay dead. Overwhelmed with grief, Akira couldn't hold back his tears.

Officer: "We'll need you to come to the station for questioning."

At the station, Akira sat in an interrogation room alone until Detective Kenjiro entered.

Kenjiro: "Hello, Detective Akira. I'm Detective Kenjiro. Do u want a cup of water to cool you down?"

Akira: "Oh im good, no thanks."

Kenjiro: "Our conversation will be recorded. Please tell me what happened."

5 minutes later...

Kenjiro: "So you're saying this man killed a stranger and Detective Akimitsu?"

Akira: "Yes. Do you believe me?"

Kenjiro: "Akira, your a victim not a suspect. We still aren't sure, we need more info."

Akira: "Pls find who did this."

Kenjiro: "Tell me his name again."

Akira: "Yoshiro Hinata."

Kenjiro: "Alright, let's look him up."

Kenjiro searched for Yoshiro Hinata's name on the computer but found nothing conclusive.

Kenjiro: "No matches. Is there anything else he said to you?"

Akira: "He claimed to be my brother and that he killed my family."

Akira, fists clenched, smashes his hand on the table in anger.

Akira: "Damn it! I'm going to kill Yoshiro, the bastard who did this to my family!"

Kenjiro: "Calm down Akira I understand were doing our best. Do you recall ever having a brother?"

Akira: "No, Its just me and my little sister."

Kenjiro: "Call your family. Ask if you had a brother."

Akira called his mother and spoke briefly.

Kenjiro: "Did she mention anything about a brother?"

Akira: "No, it doesn't make sense."

Kenjiro: "Your little sister whats her name?"

Akira: "Well, Detective Kenjiro I dont think she is involved."

Kenjiro: "Akira, yes i know but she may be somehow connected. Whats her name?"

Akira: "Her name is Yui Asashi."

Kenjiro: "Her age?"

Akira: "25 years old."

Kenjiro's phone rang.

Kenjiro: "I need to take this call."

After the call...

Kenjiro: "My boss informed me they identified the person you and Akimitsu were trying to help. His name was Haruki Tanaka."

Akira: "Why would Yoshiro Hinata kill him?"

Kenjiro: "I don't know. Also, your house is clear now, so you can leave the hotel.

Akira: "Thank you."

Kenjiro: "Akira, we have some questions left."

Akira nods.

Kenjiro: "Akira, you need to describe him more. whats his height?"

Akira: "He was tall, like 6 feet."

Kenjiro: "What age did he look like?"

Akira: "He looked young. Maybe in his early 20s."

Kenjiro: "Did he look like you?"

Akira: "No."

Kenjiro: "What was he wearing?"

Akira: "He was wearing a white polo long sleeve and black pants."

Kenjiro: "What did his hair look like"?

Akira: "Like a red brown, medium-length, middle part."

Kenjiro: "If u saw his eye color what was it?"

Akira: "I think it was silver."

Kenjiro: "What was his skin tone?"

Akira: "He was pretty pale."

Kenjiro: "Thats all the questions right now. Your free to go."

Akira: "Thank you so much."

Akira bowed, left the room, and waved goodbye before leaving the station.

In a nearby phone booth, Akira muttered to himself: "Who could Yoshiro Hinata be?"

He called his boss.

Akira: "Boss, were you behind the one-way
mirror?"

Sakuro: "Of course."

Akira: "Boss, I have a question. Who will lead Akimitsu's case?"

Sakuro: "Oh, Detective Akira, I was planning to tell you this that I will make u take over Akimitsu case."

Akira, shocked, says in an angry voice.

Akira: "Sir, what are you saying?"

Sakuro: "We suspect that Naomi Hamari's case is connected to your wife and son case."

Akira: "If its connected I would like to pursue in it more why are u stopping me!"

Sakuro: "Akira, detectives shouldnt investigate their own family's case

Akira: "Tell me why!!"

Sakuro: "Akira, its bad it will mess up your mental state. You will lose your detective skills. You will become bias."

Akira hangs up in frustration

He recalled a recent encounter at a sushi restaurant, two days before the incident.

In the restaurant at 9:00 PM...

Asami: "Honey, how was work today?"

Akira: "It was alright. Haruto, how did your exam go?"

Haruto: "Perfect, as usual."

Asami: "Darling, such a lovely day isn't it."

Akira: "Yes darling."

Akira holds her hand under the table.

Asami: "I love you, Akira."

Akira: "I love you too."

Akira glances at Haruto but noticed a man with red brown hair smiling mysteriously at him. Feeling uneasy, Akira looked away briefly, but when he glanced back, the man had vanished.

Haruto: "Are you ok, father?"

Asami: "Baby, why are u sweating?"

Akira: "Nothing, Nothing."

Akira snapped out of his flashback, breathing heavily as he pondered the implications.