The Darkest Of The Dark

Lies

Akira Asashi breathed heavily as he exited the phone booth, tears streaming down his face after the emotional encounter with memories of his wife and son. Determined because he saw Yoshiro, he got into his car and drove with purpose.

Akira: "I need to go back to that restaurant."

He arrived at the sushi restaurant, entered, and approached the counter, where the cashier looked visibly startled and sweating.

Akira: "I'm Detective Akira Asashi from Chuo Police Station. Could I review the security footage from four days ago?"

Cashier: "Uhm, Uhm. Follow me to the security room. I'll help you."

Akira followed the cashier to the security room.

Cashier: "Hey Ai, can you assist Detective Asashi?"

The security guard powered up the computer and accessed the footage from four days ago.

Security Guard: "Here you go."

Akira scrutinized the footage, searching for Yoshiro Hinata, but he couldn't find him. Even the table where Yoshiro had sat was not captured by the glitchy, outdated security camera.

Security Guard: "What exactly are you looking for, Detective Akira?"

Akira: "I'm looking for a man I saw five days ago. He's tall, with medium-length red brown hair."

The security guard gasped in shock, as he wipes away his sweat on hus forehead.

Security Guard: "I'm sorry, Detective, but we didn't have anyone like that here five days ago. Our camera sometimes glitches; it's an old model from 1983 that we bought for just ¥2500."

Akira: "I see. Thank you for your help."

Akira left the restaurant, entered a nearby phone booth, and called his boss.

Akira: "Hi, boss. I'm really sorry for earlier. I understand now that you were just looking out for me. Please forgive me for shouting."
His voice softened with regret.

Sakuro: "Akira, it's okay. I understand what you're going through."

Akira: "Sir, are you free tonight? I need to talk to you about something."

Sakuro: "I'm free. What's up?"

Akira: "Let's have a drink. I have something important to discuss."

Later, at a bar, Akira sat at a table, waiting for Sakuro. When Sakuro arrived, he greeted him warmly.

Akira: "Hi, boss. Can we talk?"

Sakuro: "Sure, let me order us a beer first."

Sakuro called the waiter.

Sakuro: "Two beers, please."

Eight minutes later.

Sakuro: "So, you think the cashier and security guard were acting oddly, almost like they were scripted?"

Akira: "Yes, exactly. Their responses felt rehearsed. I'm sure they're hiding something."

Sakuro: "Akira, I know you're going through a tough time, but sometimes we see what we want to see."

Akira: "But, boss, why won't you believe me?"

Sakuro: "It might be confirmation bias."

Akira: "I'm telling the truth!"

Sakuro: "You know, Akimitsu forgot something."

Akira: "What?"

Sakuro: "The bullet that killed your wife."

Akira's voice softened, filled with sadness.

Akira: "What do you mean?"

Sakuro: "We still have a chance to catch the killer."

Akira's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you so much. Please, find that bullet."

Sakuro: "We can do this, Akira. I promise we'll find the killer."

Akira: "Thank you."

Sakuro: "It's getting late. We should head out."

Akira: "I agree."

As they left the bar, the once-bustling place grew eerily silent, as if everyone had stopped in unison, their movements frozen like statues.

Akira: "Goodbye, boss."

Sakuro waved goodbye.

Akira started his car and drove off, his thoughts consumed by memories of his wife and son, tears streaming down his face.