Psychic Detective Yakumo / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

File 01: Disappearance

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Hijikata Makoto stopped the taxi in front of a multi-tenant building to see a small illuminated sign that read <Snake>.

Makoto paid and quickly descended the stairs to the basement.

It was already almost an hour past the appointed time. Her work always dragged on at times like this. Irritated, Makoto pushed open the heavy wooden door and entered the bar.

There were four table seats and a counter that could seat five. Using indirect lighting with blue as its premise, jazz played throughout the bar.

Though the place wasn't large, it had a good atmosphere.

Makoto looked around and soon found Asami, whom she had arranged to meet. She was smoking a slim cigarette at the table by the entrance.

'Sorry I'm late...'

Makoto clapped Asami on the shoulder.

'You're too late.'

Asami pouted with her puffy lips.

It had been a while since they last met. Makoto felt that Asami had changed quite a lot. During university, Asami hadn't smoked, and she had had a stronger healthy impression. It might have been because of the makeup, but now it looked like there were shadows somewhere.

However, one thing that didn't change was her beauty.

'I'm really sorry.'

Makoto put her hands together as she asked for forgiveness.

'It's OK. It'd be a different matter if it was because of a man, but you had work, right?'

'Yup. Well.'

'It was your goal, right? Working at a newspaper agency.'

Makoto somehow managed to smile back, but she couldn't actually smile honestly. It'd be difficult to say that even though she was employed at a news agency, it had been because her father was the chief of police rather than because of her own aptitude.

'Anyway, it's really been a while. When'd we last see each other?'

Makoto changed the topic.

'Hm - university?'

Now that Asami said it, Makoto felt that was right. After graduating, Asami had returned to her home in Nagano and they hadn't met directly like this since, though they had sent emails and New Year's cards.

That would mean she hadn't seen Asami in three years.

'So the last time was at the graduation ceremony.'

'I didn't go to the ceremony, so...'

Asami's expression went a bit stiff. Makoto tried tracing back in her memory.

That was right. If she remembered correctly, Asami had taken a one-month break around graduation because her health had worsened, and then graduation had come. Makoto had asked something she shouldn't have.

'That's right. Sorry.'

'Don't worry about it,' Asami said nonchalantly. She put out the cigarette she had been smoking in the ashtray.

'So when'd you come here?'

'Last month. I transferred for work.'

'So that's how it was. Then we'll be able to meet up for drinks again.'

'I won't let you get away.'

Asami just smiled. The old Asami would have laughed aloud. People could change a lot in three years.