Psychic Detective Yakumo / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

File 03 - The Tree of Deceit

1

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Haruka stood with Yakumo in front of Mai's hospital room.

- Let's go see her again.

After receiving Makoto's report, Yakumo made that suggestion, but Haruka didn't understand why.

'What are we going to do when we see her?'

'There's something I want to confirm,' replied Yakumo, running a hand through his messy hair.

'What do you plan on confirming?'

'You'll know when you see it,' said Yakumo expressionlessly. He probably wouldn't say anything even if Haruka pressed further.

Haruka gave up and knocked on the door.

There was no response. When she opened the door, she saw Mai lying on the bed.

Though her eyes were open, they weren't focussed.

She looked a bit more tired than she had yesterday. Haruka wanted to save her somehow, but she had no way to do that.

Yakumo slowly walked up to the bed and sat on the round chair beside it.

Haruka watched while holding her breath.

'Kosaka... Yukari-san, yes...?'

In response to Yakumo's murmur, Mai turned to look at Yakumo.

'A... h...'

It sounded like it hurt Mai to speak.

'You know the man named Mochizuki Toshiki-san, don't you.'

The moment Yakumo said that name, Mai's eyes flew open. She pulled her body up and reached out towards Yakumo.

Her hands gripped Yakumo's neck.

'Yakumo-kun!'

Haruka tried to run out to him, but Yakumo stopped her.

Mai's hands dug into Yakumo's neck. Even in that situation, Yakumo just looked at Mai without faltering.

'I'm not Mochizuki Toshiki-san,' said Yakumo, though his breath sounded constricted.

'Ur... gh...'

Mai sounded like she was suffering.

'You understand this as well, don't you? Killing me won't dispel your grudge,' Yakumo said quietly.

Mai let go of his neck.

'Are you OK?' asked Haruka.

'Don't worry about it,' Yakumo replied, but the hands' imprints remained on his neck.

Haruka felt anew the resolve Yakumo had upon facing this case.

After a silence, Yakumo brought his face close to Mai's eyes and murmured, 'I want to ask you something. What happened that day?'

Mai's dry lips moved slightly.

'I... was betrayed...' replied Mai. No, to be correct, it was Yukari, the spirit possessing Mai.

'Who were you betrayed by?' asked Yakumo.

'That... man...'

'Mochizuki-san?'

Mai's breathing was ragged.

'I... was always... waiting... For that man... that... but...'

'He didn't come.'

'I... loved... but... that man...'

'Somebody else came to the shrine that day, correct?' said Yakumo. Like he had known from the start.