Psychic Detective Yakumo / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

File 03 - Separation

1

-

Gotou rubbed his eyes as he got up.

He looked at the clock. It was just past seven in the morning.

- It's morning already?

It appeared that he had fallen asleep at some point.

Ishii was sleeping on the desk in front of him. He was probably tired.

Gotou decided to let him sleep a bit longer.

Gotou stretched out, making his bones crack loudly. A sharp pain ran through his back. It was probably because he had slept sitting down.

Gotou took one cigarette out of the case, bit the filter and had his first puff of the day.

He watched the trailing smoke.

- Wonder how they're doing now?

Suddenly concerned, Gotou took out his mobile and called home.

<Hello, Gotou speaking.>

After two rings, Atsuko picked up.

She sounded cheerful early in the morning.

'Ah, it's me,' said Gotou, feeling awkward.

<sWhat's wrong?>

'I just wanted to know how you were doing.'

<Oh, so even you worry about me sometimes.>

Atsuko's voice sounded wry.

Gotou couldn't say anything back. He had never called home doing work to see how she was doing before.

Men were proud, obstinate, and really good-for-noting creatures. That was why they made women angry.

When Gotou kept silent for a while, Atsuko laughed aloud.

'W-what?'

<I understand. You're worried about Nao-chan, right?>

'That isn't it.'

Though Gotou denied it, he himself knew that he couldn't hide his true feelings.

<You don't have to worry.>

'I see...'

<Nao-chan's a really good girl. She even helps out.>

'She is.'

- Isn't there anything else to say?

Gotou was irritated at himself for only being able to give curt replies.

<But... she really is forcing herself.>

Atsuko spoke in a quiet tone.

It made sense. No matter how brave Nao acted, she was still seven years old.

There was no way she would be all right with Isshin like that, since he was the one who raised her. However, she was still doing her best.

It was probably tough on Atsuko to watch.

Even though she wanted to do something for Nao, there was nothing she could do.

'Right.'

Gotou wanted to say something encouraging, but since he couldn't think of anything, he just agreed.

<Oh, but are you doing OK?>

Atsuko's casual words gave Gotou a start.

Nao had brought about some sort of change in the Gotou couple - he felt it directly.