BXBX NOVEL Volume 1 Chapter 2
Volume 1 Chapter 2
That tunnel was the shortest path from the residential area to the shopping district, but nearly no locals used it.
It was a famous tunnel for having a high accident rate.
There was a death every year.
Inside the tunnel, there were no lights, and it was dim and hard to see even during the day.
There was a sharp curve right outside the tunnel, and unlucky cars got into accidents there so often it was almost guaranteed.
However, the reason for the accidents appeared to be more than just bad visibility.
There had long been endless rumours about how something mysterious appeared in the tunnel –
Some drivers said they’d seen human heads fly by their window.
When they tried to escape in their fear, then their brakes stopped working – they would barely avoid hitting the guard rail.
Others said they’d seen countless human faces in the tunnel walls.
Some cab drivers said they’d taken on a drenched woman in front of the tunnel, but when they looked in the rear-view mirror after exiting, she would suddenly be gone –
Nobody knew the truth.
All that was certain was that many people had died at that tunnel’s exit –
1
It was a quiet night –
‘It’s cold.’
Haruka tried her best not to be hit by the wind, putting up the collar of her beige coat and hunching over as she walked.
It was late at night on Sunday, so even though she was in front of the station, there was practically nobody there.
She just heard the echo of her boots hitting the ground.
She had gone to a party because Miki had forced her to, but when she went in, it had turned out to be a mixer.
Perhaps she was outdated, but she didn’t really like parties of that sort.
Miki would die from loneliness without a boyfriend. She was like a rabbit. But Haruka wasn’t desperate to find someone.
’Haruka, you’ve never really fallen in love.’
Miki often said that to her.
It was true.
Even when she thought back, she felt like she’d never had a romance that felt like a romance.
’So just go date someone.’
Miki said that too.
However, Haruka didn’t feel like trying desperately to meet somebody to find love.
She thought that love would come about naturally – that it wasn’t something to be decided, like with shopping when deciding on goods and checking a wallet’s contents.
’I really am old-fashioned...’ murmured Haruka, letting out a sigh that came out white.
After reaching the roundabout in front of the station, she heard a car horn.
A white car slowed down and rolled up to her, stopping in front of her.
It was a bit suspicious. Haruka was on guard as she stepped back.
Then, the passenger seat window opened and the car’s lights turned on.
’Haruka-chan, I’ll give you a ride.’
Why do they know my name? She felt even more suspicious.
’You can’t have forgotten already, right? We were just together earlier.’
Haruka recalled upon hearing the man’s quick speech.
’Ah!’
It was one of the people from the party earlier. If she remembered correctly, his name was something like Nakahara Tatsuya.
He had a medium build and a rather plain face, but his hair was like a famous soccer player’s. That said, it seemed like he didn’t actually like soccer that much.
’Get on already.’
Tatsuya smiled as he hit the passenger seat.
’It’s fine – the trains are still running.’
Haruka refused with a bow of her head and started walking again.
’Hey, wait a sec.’
Tatsuya quickly got off the car and ran up to stand in front of Haruka, grinning as he pointed at his left wrist.
’What time is it now?’
What’s this all of a sudden?
Haruka didn’t understand, but she checked the time on the wristwatch.
’11:50.’
’Sorry, but the last train’s already left.’
’Eh? The last train is at 12:06.’
’Ah, that’s on weekdays. This is Sunday – a holiday. Trains stop earlier. The last train on holidays is 11:48. You just missed it. Though for me, I just made it.’
Haruka hadn’t known. She was really out of it today.
’That’s why I said I’d drive you. You live in the same direction as I do, Haruka-chan.’
As Tatsuya said that, he opened the door on the passenger side.
“But...’
’Please. I’m frightened of going home alone.’
Tatsuya put his hands together as if praying and bowed his head.
Frightened, he says –
She didn’t mind getting in the car, but...
’Nakahara-san, you weren’t drinking?’
’Ah, I’m no good with alcohol, so I drank oolong tea the whole time.’
After this exchange, Haruka lost and sat in the car.
Tatsuya started talking about the car they were riding in the moment he started the car.
He spoke energetically about how it was a famous sports car that he’d got cheap from an acquaintance who was a car mechanic, but since Haruka had no interest in cars, she didn’t really understand.
Though she didn’t know what sort of car this was, Tatsuya had turned the heat on higher than necessary, and the air freshener made her want to lean away.
Not just that – the rap music in four-four time sung by a Japanese group was so loud it echoed in her belly.
Being shut in this place would make her feel uncomfortable in just five minutes.
She felt bad and kept quiet since he had offered her a ride, but she was at her limits –
’Sorry, could you turn down the volume a bit?’
Haruka spoke to Tatsuya in the driver seat.
’Right? This song is the best.’
What was the best? He wasn’t listening to her at all.
Hair mimicking a soccer player and Japanese rap. And he was wearing a rather seedy suit. What on earth were his interests?
It felt like a comedy – a mix of everything that was popular.
Haruka used the panel to turn down the volume.
Tatsuy looked at her dubiously.
Haruka ignored Tatsuya’s gaze and opened the window slightly, breathing the outside air, unpolluted by the air freshener.
’Ah, it’s a left at the next road,’ Haruka told Tatsuya when they reached the corner with the police precinct.
’Left. Got it.’
Though Tatsuya said that, he turned the wheel right without even putting on the turn signal.
Haruka lost her balance at the sharp curve.
What dangerous driving –
’It isn’t right. It’s left. Please turn around.’
’There’s a place with a beautiful night view ahead. Did you know?’
’I didn’t.’
’Let’s go take a look.’
’It’s fine.’
’It’s really beautiful. You’ll definitely like it. Just at the top of that hill.’
It was no use. He wasn’t listening at all.
It was like he thought everybody in the world had the same perspective as he did.
It was useless no matter what she said.
If she went with him to see the night view, hopefully that’d satisfy him and he’d go back. Haruka gave up and looked out the window.
Come to think of it, she knew another man who did whatever he wanted, no matter what anybody else said.
He was stubborn and contrary. Even though he hated things that were crooked, he was slightly crooked himself. A man full of contradictions.
But even though he also did whatever he wanted, Haruka felt like there was something fundamentally different when comparing him to Tatsuya.
It had been a month since then.
How was he doing? Haruka thought about that sleepy-looking face and ended up smiling slightly.
’Just ahead of this tunnel.’
Tatsuya’s voice brought Haruka back to reality. She looked forward.
Just as he said, there was a tunnel in front of them.
By the entrance, she saw a sign that read ’High Accident Area. Watch Your Speed!’
It looked like there were no lights in the tunnel – an ink-black darkness opened up in front of them.
The moment the car went into the tunnel, the air suddenly felt heavier.
The sound of the engine echoed against the tunnel walls.
Ooooooooh. It sounded just like a person moaning.
The tunnel was really eerie.
Just as they were approaching the exit, Haruka suddenly felt like something had passed them.
’Ack!’ yelled Tatsuya, suddenly slamming the brakes.
The tires screeched.
Haruka was forced forward and hit her head against the window.
Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain.
They had stopped sideways right outside the tunnel.
They’d almost hit the guard rail.
The car was filled with the smell of the burnt tires.
Haruka looked at Tatsuya in the driver’s seat.
Tatsuya was clinging to the wheel, looking down while shivering.
Sweat was rushing down his forehead and his jaw was chattering.
’Hey, what’s wrong?’
Tatsuya didn’t look normal.
Tatsuya tried to respond, but his mouth just moved – no words came out.
’Say it clearly. What happened?’
Haruka shook Tatsuya’s shoulders.
Then, Tatsuya lifted his head for the first time. His face was completely white. Even a mannequin would have more colour in its face.
’...A k-kid...’
’Eh? What about a kid?’
’...Again... I might have hit... Suddenly... a kid...’
Tatsuya’s shaking finger pointed out the front window.
’Hit... You can’t mean...’
A kid? Haruka didn’t think there was any impact after the sudden brakes.
However, she couldn’t be optimistic. Anyway, she could go check.
Haruka opened the door and tried to leave, but Tatsuya grabbed her arm.
’Don’t go.’
’Why? I need to check.’
’It wasn’t my fault. the kid – the kid... suddenly jumped out...’
Tatsuya was frantic as he grabbed Haruka’s arm.
There were tears in his eyes.
’It’s not a problem of who was at fault. We need to call an ambulance.’
’You can’t... If you hit... a person, you can’t drive any more, and university and finding a job... And your parents won’t keep quiet... My life is a mess... Please, Haruka-chan, if you keep quiet...’
’I can’t believe you.’
What a man. The moment he might have taken somebody’s life, all he could think about was how to protect himself.
Arguing with somebody like this was itself pointless.
’Let go of me!’ Haruka yelled, forcing Tatsuya’s arm off her and getting off the car.
The intense difference in temperature shocked her.
Though it was dark outside, with the car’s lights, she could see.
Haruka timidly walked to the front of the car.
She felt like they were driving pretty quickly.
If somebody were hit at that speed, it’d be no use.
Haruka’s legs shook when she imagined a child, collapsed and covered in blood.
However, there was nothing there.
She just saw black lines on the asphalt from the burnt tires. She checked the car’s bumper, but there wasn’t even a dent.
Haruka checked the side and rear as well.
However, she couldn’t find anything. Was Tatsuya just seeing things? That would be fine. They could laugh it off –
Step step step.
There was the sound of someone running.
She thought it might be Tatsuya, but he was still in the car with his head down.
Step step step.
Again.
She heard it from the opposite side, beneath the car.
Haruka crouched and peered under the car. She saw a foot that could be a child’s.
It can’t be! Haruka hurriedly stood up and went around.
However, nobody was there. She might have just imagined it since Tatsuya had said he’d hit a child.
If that was all, it’d be OK.
Haruka was about to go back in the car, when she felt a piercing gaze on her back and stopped.
When she turned around, she saw the large half-circle hole into the dark tunnel.
There was a woman standing there with her back facing her.
Even though nobody had been there earlier –
Haruka couldn’t be sure from her back, but the woman was probably in her late twenties.
She thought that because the woman was wearing a grey suit, but she could actually be younger.
She wasn’t doing anything – just standing there.
Her brown hair shook in the wind.
What was she doing here at a time like this?
’Excuse me...’
When Haruka spoke up to her, the woman slowly turned around.
Haruka thought that her heart might stop from surprise.
There was a large injury on the woman’s forehead, and blood was pouring out, almost pulsing.
The chest portion of her white shirt was dyed completely red.
That wasn’t all – her right arm was bent in such an unnatural way it might have been broken.
It was mysterious how she could stand at all.
’This is terrible...’
Tatsuya hadn’t hit a child. He’d hit this woman.
’Are you all right?’
The woman didn’t respond at all to Haruka’s question. That wasn’t all – her expression was blank, like she didn’t feel the pain at all.
She was probably numb.
’I’ll call an ambulance right away. Please sit down for now.’
The moment Haruka tried to touch the woman –
The woman shook.
Her body convulsed violently.
She was coughing when she vomited blood from her mouth.
’Aaahh!’
Haruka screamed without thinking and leapt back.
Then, as if she had been absorbed by the scenery, the woman disappeared.
Why –
Haruka was disoriented. All she could hear was the wind going through the tunnel –
2
The next day, Haruka went with Tatsuya to Yakumo’s secret hideaway, the Movie Research Circle clubroom.
Yesterday’s experience had to have been a spiritual phenomenon.
If that were the case, it would be best to consult him.
However, while Haruka explained what had happened yesterday to Yakumo, he just played shogi by himself, as if to say he was bored.
’So it’s come to this...’
Yakumo seemed to be admiring something as he moved the pieces on both sides by himself.
What was interesting about playing shogi alone? Haruka couldn’t understand at all.
’Are you listening?’ asked Haruka, displeased.
’Yeah, at any rate.’
’What do you mean, at any rate? Can’t you listen more seriously?’
’You should be more humble. You just barged in here without thinking about how I’d feel about that and suddenly started telling a ghost story.’
Haruka couldn’t think of a comeback.
It was just as he said. She had become agitated and hadn’t thought about him at all.
’Sorry.’
’Well, I get the gist of it. Business is business, so shall I take it up?’ said Yakumo, stretching his arms.
’Really?’
’I just have to save your boyfriend, right?’
’I’ll say this again, but he’s not my boyfriend.’
’You’re so cold to him even though he’s right there.’
Haruka let out an exasperated sigh and looked down.
Then, Tatsuya started smirking, though Haruka didn’t know what was so funny.
When she caught his eye, he brought his face close to her ear and whispered.
’We look like a couple.’
’No, you don’t.’
The one who denied that was Yakumo.
’We don’t, you say... Weren’t you the one who said we did earlier?’
’I don’t recall that.’
Did too, did not – it was just like a kid’s fight.
Haruka didn’t feel like talking. For a while, Tatsuya looked at Yakumo’s expression, but then he suddenly seemed to remember something and then started laughing.
’Oh, I see. You like Haruka-chan too. That’s why you don’t like me getting friendly with her. That’s it, right?’ said Tatsuya boastfully.
’Hey, what are you saying?’ objected Haruka.
Tatsuya ignored her and continued.
’Unfortunately, an oaf like you doesn’t match Haruka-chan at all.’
’That’s true. I don’t like stubborn women who get emotionally easily anyway. I couldn’t care less if you simmered her or boiled her,’ said Yakumo, his expression not changing even in the least.
’Is it really OK for you to say that? I’ll really eat Haruka-chan up.’
’Do what you want. If you plan on eating her, you should watch out for food poisoning.’
’Hey, what do you mean by that?’
That was just saying too much. Haruka objected while hitting the table.
’I mean exactly what I said,’ replied Yakumo in a flat tone without bowing his head.
Haruka’s face flushed in anger and she bit her lip.
Really – this man’s words always riled her up. He had to be a genius at making people angry.
’Then I’ll do what I want.’
Tatsuya was still smiling triumphantly as he took a piece from the corner of the shogi board and moved it to another square.
’Checkmate.’
Yakumo had been expressionless, but now there was a deep wrinkle between his brows.
His thin lips were a straight line, and his almond eyes were narrowed.
’I’ll give you just one warning.’
Yakumo put the piece Tatsuya moved back in its original spot and pointed at Tatsuya.
’Warning?’
’Yes. A warning.’
’Oh? What is it?’
’You should use contraception and properly hold memorial services for aborted foetuses.’
’W-what are you suddenly saying?’
Tatsuya pushed Yakumo’s finger away and stood up.
He looked terribly shaken. He was showing his true cowardly nature, that had been hidden behind his exaggerated confidence.
He was disturbed because it had hit home. Haruka looked at Tatsuya coldly.
’Haruka-chan, don’t get the wrong idea. This guy’s nuts. Oi, don’t just say whatever you want. If you don’t stop fooling around, I won’t keep quiet.’
’I’m not fooling around. Would it be easier to understand if I said her name?’
’Who’d you hear it from?’ said Tatsuya, his expression stiffening.
He fell right into the trap. What he’d said just now proved everything. Tatsuya’s head was sweaty as Yakumo continued to pursue him.
’Not just one person either. Two. You didn’t learn your lesson, it seems.’
’You’re wrong. They just selfishly got pregnant. It’s not my fault.’
Tatsuya was so shaken he was digging his own grave. And it was pretty deep.
There was no doubt about it now.
Tatsuya’s careless words made Yakumo even angrier.
’They just selfishly got pregnant? What are you talking about? That might have been an acceptable excuse if it were a false pregnancy, but aren’t pregnancies only possible with a partner?’
’That’s...’
’Though small, it was a new life born into this world. Did you say that they just selfishly got pregnant, like some awful joke, and cruelly kill that life? I rue the fact that Japan’s laws don’t consider people like you murderers.’
Tatsuya’s mouth opened and shut as he frantically tried to think of something to say, but in the end, he said nothing.
Tatsuya had been foolish for getting ahead of himself and challenging Yakumo in an argument.
Tatsuya’s self-respect was probably in shreds.
Tatsuya stood up in a rage, slammed the door open and left. That was probably all he could do to protest.
’Is it all right for you not to go with him?’ said Yakumo, looking at the shogi board again.
’That person is the worst, but you don’t lose to him either.’
’Thank you for the praise.’
That sounded pointed.
’Are you angry?’ asked Haruka.
Yakumo sighed.
’Think a bit. You might like him, but I hate that sort of person. He thinks he’s the most important person in the world and doesn’t care about anything else.’
’So that’s why you lied?’
’Lied?’
’About whether there was an aborted baby or not.’
’Decide that on your own. It’s completely irrelevant to me.’
’That’s right. It was irrelevant. I apologise for causing you trouble,’ said Haruka, standing up. She tried to leave the room.
’There’s more to that story, right?’
Yakumo finally lifted his head.
In the end, she decided that her eyes must have been playing tricks on her and went home.
However, the situation changed the day after. Tatsuya’s front bumper had a bright red handprint the size of a child’s.
Like a bloody hand had touched it.
Tatsuya had been frightened of it and tried to wash it off, but even after using cleansing liquid and a brush, it wouldn’t come off.
He had been too frightened to drive it since.
Haruka gave a short explanation. Yakumo silently crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling. Haruka couldn’t tell if he was listening or not.
’Hey, are you listening?’
’I am. It’s just that the story seems a bit convoluted.’
’Convoluted?’
’Yes, convoluted. For example...’
Yakumo started speaking, but then he ran a hand through his hair in irritation, like something was bothering him.
’What’s wrong?’
’No, it’s nothing. Speculation will start nothing. At times like this, the scene...’
’Let’s go.’
Haruka finished Yakumo’s sentence.
’Exactly.’
’Don’t leave me behind this time.’
’Leave you behind? If you’re talking about the last incident, you were the one who wanted to move separately. Try not to get the wrong idea.’
One sentence too many.
Haruka glared at Yakumo, but Yakumo didn’t care at all.
’It’s not walking distance, right?’
Even though Haruka kept glaring, Yakumo asked a question, as if he didn’t care at all.
’Eh?’
’The tunnel where the incident occurred.’
’Ah. I know where it is, but it’d be difficult to walk there.’
’Do you have a car?’
’I don’t even have a licence.’
’Don’t act proud of it.’
’I’m not...’
’DO you have the address?’
’Should I ask Tatsuya-kun?’
’I’d rather walk.’
Yakumo tapped his temple with his finger. It looked like he was thinking, but in the end, he slowly stood up and put on a black hooded coat that was in the corner of the room and started getting dressed.
’Do you have the address?’
’I have an idea.’
Yakumo opened the refrigerator and took a key out. Why was there a key in the refrigerator?
’Promise me one thing before we go.’
As he said that, Yakumo pointed his index finger at Haruka’s nose.
’What?’
’For the next little while, don’t ask any questions.’
’What do you mean?’
’To put it simply, shut that chatty mouth.’
’Chatty...’
That was an awful way of putting it.
Haruka wanted to object, but Yakumo had already left the room.
’Hey, wait a second.’
Haruka ran after Yakumo.
Yakumo suddenly turned around and threw something at Haruka. It was so sudden that Haruka almost lost her balance as she caught it with both hands.
’It’s cold – ’
It was the key from the refrigerator.
’Shut the door properly.’
’Wait...’
’Don’t forget to shut your mouth too.’
What a guy. Talking to a girl like this –
He was really insensitive, selfish and unpleasant.
’Idiot!’
Haruka couldn’t stop herself from yelling.
However, Yakumo seemed to have mistaken what she said, as he just raised his hand and continued walking away briskly.
Haruka locked the door and ended up having to run after Yakumo again.
3
Haruka walked behind Yakumo.
She couldn’t say anything after he’d told her to shut his mouth. She had been silent for fifteen minutes.
They soon reached a steep slope.
On both sides of the road, there were gingko trees with yellow leaves.
It was a beautiful little road that made you want to stop and enjoy it.
However, Yakumo didn’t seem to want to enjoy it, as he briskly climbed the slope.
At the top of the slope, there were the gates to a temple. Yakumo stopped in front of them.
It looked like a fairly old temple, but it was well kept and didn’t seem wild.
Why did they come to a temple?
’Hey...’
’Did you forget? No questions.’
The moment Haruka tried to ask why, Yakumo glared at her coldly.
Am I that chatty? Though she couldn’t be called quiet in comparison to her friends, she didn’t think she was particularly chatty.
Of course she would have questions without any explanations, and it was human to want to ask about that.
I’m not chatty – Yakumo’s just strange.
’Don’t move from the gates.’
’I don’t have to go?’
’No questions.’
Yakumo refused her flat with an expressionless face.
Even a wooden Buddha statue would have more emotion.
It looked like he really didn’t plan on saying anything. Haruka gave up and went to the pillar by the gates and put her hands behind her back.
Yakumo seemed to be satisfied by that, as he started walking briskly.
He went on the path to the temple, surrounded by gravel on both sides, and went inside a separate building that was probably the priests’ quarters.
He hadn’t pressed the intercom button or greeted anybody.
Did Yakumo have some sort of connection to this temple? Perhaps that was why he didn’t want to talk about it.
It’s cold though –
She hadn’t noticed while walking, but the wind was biting when she stood here alone like this.
Why did she have to wait here by herself?
Anger rose within her as she waited.
’Hurry back!’
Unable to keep in her anger, Haruka picked up a rock at her feet and threw it towards the direction Yakumo had walked.
’Ouch!’
She was surprised by the sudden voice.
Somebody slowly walked out from behind the gates.
’I-I-I’m sorry.’
Haruka hurriedly bowed her head.
Even though there shouldn’t have been anybody in the direction she threw the rock, she’d actually hit someone –
’You might get cursed for throwing a rock at a temple.’
’I’m really sorry.’
Haruka shrunk further.
’No, no, don’t look so worried. It didn’t actually hit. Now, lift your head.’
Urged by the low and gentle voice, Haruka timidly lifted her head.
There was a middle-aged monk standing there in navy working robes and straw sandals.
He had an egg-shaped face and eyes thin like string. He had a warm impression to him, like Maitreya.
’Ah.’
Haruka let out a voice of surprise upon seeing the monk’s face.
’What is it?’
’No, it’s nothing.’
She recalled that Yakumo had asked her not to ask anything. Perhaps this was why.
The monk standing in front of Haruka had a left eye that glowed red like Yakumo’s.
’What are you doing here?’
’E-er, I’m waiting for Yakumo-kun – no, a friend...’
Even though it wasn’t like she was doing anything suspicious or like she was lying, she was fumbling for words.
’I see. Are you Yakumo’s girlfriend? Quite the curio.’
’C-curio?’
’Ah, sorry. It’s the first time Yakumo’s brought a girlfriend over, so I got excited.’
Could this person be Yakumo’s father?
’U-um, do you know Yakumo-kun?’
Yakumo had said not to ask him questions, but he hadn’t said not to ask anybody else questions.
Haruka changed the interpretation the way she liked and tried asking.
’I’m Yakumo’s father.’
’Eh?’
Yakumo had said his father was missing –
’Ah, no, to be correct, I plan on being his father. Since he definitely won’t accept it. I’m his mother’s little brother. His uncle.’
Yakumo’s uncle smiled wryly as he scratched his shaved head.
’Well, let’s not just talk while standing. Come in.’
’Eh, but...’
’It’s fine, it’s fine. Just ignore what Yakumo says. No matter what you do, he’ll complain.’
Haruka was troubled, but she went through the gates, as urged by Yakumo’s uncle.
After she went into the priests’ quarters, she got under the kotatsu in the living room and waited for Yakumo.
His uncle brought tea on a tray and sat across from Haruka.
When she looked at him properly, he did look like Yakumo.
She wouldn’t know how to explain if asked what was similar, but if she had to say, it was probably the shape of the face.
However, the atmosphere around him was completely different from Yakumo’s.
’Sorry. I invited you in, but this is all I can offer. I should have bought some youkan.’
’No, please don’t fuss over me.’
’It must have been cold standing there by yourself.’
’Yes, very.’
Normally, she would have said something like ’Not at all’, but she ended up saying the truth.
’How honest.’
Yakumo’s uncle smiled.
When he smiled, his eyes closed. It was a gentle expression.
’I’m often told I’m too honest. I think I need to fix that myself.’
’No, honesty is best. There are probably people who have been helped by your words.’
’Do you think so? I always just hurt people.’
It was strange. This person found his way into people’s hearts with incredible ease.
However, it didn’t feel unpleasant at all.
’Not at all. I know at least one person who’s been helped by your words.’
’Eh?’
She didn’t think somebody she’d just met would say that.
Even though he has no way of knowing who I’ve met –
’It’s you, isn’t it? The one who said Yakumo’s eye was beautiful.’
It was true that Haruka had said that the first time she saw Yakumo’s red eye.
Yakumo had laughed at her, saying she was the first person who’d said that.
’How do you know that?’
At Haruka’s question, Yakumo’s uncle leant forward before saying, ’This is just between us...’
’Uncle, you don’t have to say anything else unnecessary.’
Suddenly, Yakumo interrupted.
Yakumo stood in the living room entrance, looking disapprovingly at Haruka. Even though Haruka noticed, she just slowly sipped her tea.
’What are you wasting your time for? We’re going.’
Yakumo’s order irritated her. She decided to pretend that she hadn’t heard it.
I’m not a dog. Even if I were, like I’d listen to the words of such an oppressive owner.
’What, it’s you, Yakumo? Don’t interrupt. I want to talk with your girlfriend a bit more.’
’She’s not my girlfriend. She’s a troublemaker. Don’t get the wrong idea.’
’Oh, so you already have such a strong bond? Well done.’
’Uncle, listen properly to what other people have to say.’
’Saying things like that. If you dawdle too much, some other man will snatch her up. There must be a lot of takers since she’s so cute.’
What on earth were they talking about with her right there? Haruka felt somewhat astonished, or rather –
’If there are people who want to take her, they can do whatever they want.’
’I’ll do what I want even without you saying so.’
Haruka had planned on saying that so that Yakumo wouldn’t be able to hear, but it looked like the words hadn’t escaped Yakumo’s ears.
His cold gaze came her way.
’Yakumo, can’t you be a bit nicer?’
’I wouldn’t mind thinking about it depending on the amount of money.’
His uncle shook his head in exasperation.
’Uncle, sorry, but I’m borrowing the car.’
’A drive with your girlfriend?’
’You’re obstinate.’
Yakumo said just that and left the room.
Haruka thought for a while, but just as Yakumo said, this was trouble that she had brought to him. She couldn’t just let Yakumo deal with it. After politely thanking Yakumo’s uncle, she stood up.
’That’s the sort of kid he is,’ Yakumo’s uncle said quietly as Haruka was about to leave the room.
It sounded somewhat lonely.
’Though Yakumo can see more than most, he’s shut his heart.’
’Are you talking about ghosts?’
After nodding, Yakumo’s uncle continued.
’Because he’s afraid of connecting too deeply with other people, he runs away. His emotions are a little twisted. Even though he’s like that, he’s really a nice kid... Hm.... That isn’t very convincing...’
His uncle cocked his head, looking troubled.
’I know.’
Haruka replied with a smile and left the room.
She wasn’t just saying that to make Yakumo’s uncle feel better. At that time, she honestly thought that, for some reason.
4
’Hey, about your uncle’s eye.’
When Haruka got in the white sedan, she timidly asked Yakumo in the driver seat this question.
There was no reply.
Haruka gave up and looked out the window.
Neither the car audio or radio was playing.
All she could hear was the engine and the sound of cold air blowing through the car.
In this car where there wasn’t even conversation, Haruka strangely didn’t feel uncomfortable.
’My uncle’s eye wasn’t like that from birth. He’s wearing a red contact lens.’
Yakumo suddenly started speaking once they approached the slope leading to the hill.
Haruka looked at Yakumo’s profile.
’Eh?’
’What? Isn’t that what you wanted to ask?’ said Yakumo, looking to his side.
For a moment, their eyes met. Haruka looked away in surprise. Her whole face felt hot.
’Why would he go out of his way to do that?’
’By going out of his way to make his eye red, he’s trying to get the world to look at him oddly and feel the same suffering and solitariness that I do.’
’To the point of sacrificing himself?’
’That’s the sort of person he is.’
Though Yakumo said that simply, what his uncle was doing wasn’t something that could be done simply.
’’Even though there’s somebody who cares so much for you, why are you living at the university, Yakumo-kun? You should think a little about how your uncle feels.’
She was speaking unusually strongly.
’Your faults are blabbering without thinking properly and deciding everything with your own perspective.’
’Your faults, Yakumo-kun, are your unfriendliness and your tendency to say insensitive things without thinking about other people’s feelings.’
Haruka bit back, not losing to Yakumo.
Yakumo shook his head, as if he were talking to an unreasonable child.
’Do you know what sort of place that was?’
’A temple.’
’Correct. A temple.’
’What about it? Isn’t that unrelated?’
’Have you forgotten? My left eye can see the spirits of the dead. Regardless of whether I want to or not.’
’Ah...’
Haruka finally understood what Yakumo was trying to say.
That was right. If a person who could see the spirits of the dead were at the temple, he would have to see dozens – no, hundreds of ghosts every day.
He would have to live with all the negative emotions from the spirits of the dead – their hatred, their anger, their sadness.
It would be impossible to stay sane.
For Haruka, it was just a temple, but it wasn’t the case for Yakumo.
’Uncle knows that. It’s too noisy there for me.’
Haruka felt like she had peered into Yakumo’s heart for the first time.
Just as Yakumo says, I might just decide things based on my own perspective.
Haruka opened the window and stuck her head out slightly.
The wind hit her forehead. The wind which was too cool felt pleasant now –
5
When they got close to the tunnel in question, Yakumo stopped the car by the road.
At the tunnel entrance, there were chrysanthemum flowers in an empty can.
They had probably been a fresh white colour before, but now they were withered and brown.
Even in the day, the tunnel felt eerie.
’This is the right place, right?’
Haruka responded with a silent nod.
It made her think of how frightening it had been then. Yakumo leant back on the seat and looked into the tunnel with a serious gaze.
Though it wasn’t that long a tunnel, perhaps because it was curved or because i sloped, she couldn’t see the tunnel’s end.
It was just a pitch-black hole, like an entrance to another world.
The wind coming through the tunnel made a low moan, like a beast’s howl.
The fallen leaves on the road danced up, rustling as they did so.
’Did you see something?’ Haruka asked Yakumo’s profile.
’It’s certain that there’s something, but I can’t clearly tell what it is from here.’
’So we have to go?’
’We do.’
After saying that, Yakumo slowly put down the side brake.
The car moved forward, as if being sucked in by the tunnel.
The car went inside the tunnel.
It suddenly grew darker. The air became heavier, and Haruka’s ears were ringing. Just like then.
Oooooooo.
For a moment, she felt like the wind’s moan grew louder.
After going through about half of the tunnel, the sound of the engine clearly changed. It was the sound an engine made when failing to climb a steep slope.
’This is bad...’
Yakumo said just that and bit his lower lip.
His usual sleepy expression was gone from his face. They were the eyes of a wolf on his prey. There was sweat on his forehead.
’I was too careless.’
’Eh?’
’Cover your face until I say it’s OK. Don’t look outside the window.’
’Why not?’
’Just cover your face!’ yelled Yakumo. He probably saw something.
Something incredibly frightening. Haruka did as she was told and covered her face with both hands, hunching over.
At the same time, Yakumo slammed the accelerator, making the engine roar. However, it felt like the speed didn’t go up that much.
Haruka was bent over with her eyes closed, but she felt something outside the car.
Oooooo.
She heard something like a moan that was clearly not the sound of the engine. There was also a sticking sound of something gluing itself to the window.
What could it be? Haruka tried to lift her head.
’Don’t look! Cover your face!’
Haruka’s shoulders jolted and she returned to her previous posture. Suddenly, something brushed Haruka’s neck.
What?
What just passed? She didn’t know.
Stick.
Something touched her cheek.
Cold. Very cold.
Ooooo.
She heard the moan again. What was happening?
She didn’t know.
No. I can’t stand this any longer –
Haruka lifted her head.
She saw the tunnel exit. There was a sharp curve there.
Yakumo was in a daze, as if he wasn’t looking forward at all.
’Watch out!’
She yelled immediately.
Gripping the wheel, Yakumo came back to his senses.
’Hold on!’ shouted Yakumo.
Hold on to what?
Before Haruka could ask, Yakumo slammed the brakes. The tires locked and let out white smoke as the car started to veer.
In the end, Haruka couldn’t find anywhere to hold on to and was swung about by the centrifugal force. Her cheek hit the side window hard.
This was the second time. Her vision went white.
She came back to reality with the smell of burning tires.
Yakumo was bent back on the driver’s seat, breathing deeply with his eyes closed.
The car had stopped after turning around so that it was facing the tunnel again.
It was just a few centimetres from the guard rail. It was a cliff ahead of that, with ten metres to the bottom.
They had narrowly escaped death.
’If you’re going to slam the brakes, tell me earlier,’ said Haruka, rubbing the cheek she had hit.
’Ask me earlier.’
’Why can’t you apologise honestly? There’s going to be a lump here.’
’I want you to be grateful that it’s just going to be a lump.’
Really, whatever this man said, it was always acerbic.
’Hey, was there something there?’
’Yeah.’
When Yakumo finished saying that, he made a U-turn and put the car by the side of the road. He got off the car.
Haruka followed him.
Yakumo went to the front of the car and pointed at the front glass.
’!’
Haruka was lost for words. Shudders crawled up from her toes to her head.
There were handprints on the car’s front glass, like somebody had touched it with their bare hand.
It wasn’t just one or two. There were handprints everywhere, with almost no cracks.
She had felt like something was there, but for there to be this many –
’At first, there was one person. A man in his thirties was on the car’s bonnet.’
Yakumo put his index finger to his brow and started talking.
’After that, more and more stuck to the car. It was like there were trying to stop me in the tunnel.’
’They made the handprints?’
The strength left Haruka’s body and she sank to the floor. It made her think of zombies she’d seen in a late-night movie before. They had surrounded the protagonist’s car – an endless number of the dead.
’An amazing number of people have died in this tunnel.’
’Why – ’
’At first, they were probably just accidents. Then, the spirits that died but couldn’t rest in peace wandered here and caused the next accidents. Then the spirits that couldn’t rest in peace grew in number. A cycle of that. The dead call the dead, causing the same thing to happen endlessly.’
Hearing it was enough to make Haruka’s spine feel a chill. A chain of death.
’Hey, what are you going to do?’
At Haruka’s question, Yakumo slowly walked towards the tunnel.
’There’s nothing I can do.’
Yakumo said just that.
’Can’t you get them exorcised?’
’It’s pointless. That wouldn’t solve anything.’
’You said that before, but what do you mean?’
Yakumo smiled bitterly at Haruka’s question and ran a hand through his messy hair.
’I don’t believe in curses or exorcisms. It’s heresy. Chanting to get ghosts to leave and exorcising them – it’s really hard for me to believe in that.’
’To me, it’s just as hard to believe in your eye that can see ghosts, Yakumo-kun.’
’You’re mistaking spirits of the dead for something like demons.’
’What do you mean?’
’What do you think ghosts come from?’
It was a sudden question.
However, it wasn’t like she couldn’t answer. Naturally –
’Living people.’
’Correct. It’s not like they’re born from eggs or like they come from space. They were originally people with emotions. However, what do you think ghosts are?’
That was –
’I don’t know.’
’This is just my theory, but I think that they might be a cluster of the dead person’s wills and emotions.’
’Cluster?’
It didn’t really make sense to her.
’Human memory and emotion are said to be electric signals. Some people even say that the whirlpool of information flowing in the internet resembles the construction of the brain.’
’Really?’
She kind of understood, but she kind of didn’t –
’If you think that way, the moment human emotions lose their container, they don’t just all return to nothing, right? Electricity flows without a container, and the information on the net moves to another container once it loses its original. It wouldn’t be strange for the dead’s thoughts and feelings to wander.’
’That’s true.’
’It’s a theory I’ve made from my experience, so I wouldn’t be able to explain it scientifically if asked.’
’So they don’t have a physical body and exist just as emotions?’
’Well, something like that. If ghosts are just emotions, returning to exorcism, what effect would mediums chanting curses and performing exorcisms have on people’s emotions? I’ll say this again, but ghosts aren’t demons.’
Haruka kind of understood. Perhaps it was as Yakumo said.
Whether they were alive or dead, ghosts weren’t new living things. People didn’t become different life forms after dying.
They were still human.
’Let’s say mediums have amazing powers and can exorcise ghosts and send them to the underworld. But that ignores the people’s emotions – they would just be forcing them.’
’That’s true.’
’That’s the same as beating up people who don’t listen to make them submit. To put it clearly, it’s savage.’
It felt like he was a bit prejudiced, but Haruka could understand what he was saying.
Still, it was a bit unexpected that Yakumo saw ghosts as people.
The words Yakumo’s uncle had said came up in her mind. ’ His emotions are a little twisted’ –
It suddenly seemed funny to Haruka, making her laugh.
’What’s so funny?’
Yakumo’s brows furrowed in displeasure as he glared at her.
Ooh, scary.
Haruka hurriedly swallowed her laughter and decided to ask another question.
’Then how about with Miki?’
’I just restricted the spirit, found out the reason it was suffering and explained that to the spirit. In short, it was only persuasion.’
Haruka nodded a number of time in understanding.
Now that she thought about it, it was true.
Yakumo hadn’t done anything to Miki directly. By finding out the reason the female spirit that possessed her had died, she had taken away her fear.
As a result, he saved Miki.
’You said you saw a woman in front of the tunnel,’ Yakumo said suddenly.
With a sharp gaze, like a beast, he looked at the tunnel. There was a tension she’d never seen in his back.
’I did, but...’
’In her late twenties. A woman with long hair and a grey suit?’
Haruka recalled the scene in her head.
With blood flowing from her brow, a woman with long hair, standing there emotionlessly –
’That’s right, that’s the person. Do you see her?’
’She’s standing right in front of you.’
’Eh?’
Haruka looked around frantically, but she couldn’t see anything.
At the time, the woman was trying to express something, but I didn’t understand.
But if it’s Yakumo –
Yakumo slowly walked up to the guard rail and leant over it, looking down.
Was something down there? Haruka did the same, looking down.
On the sharp cliff, weeds and pine trees were growing wildly like a forest.
When she looked carefully, there was oversized rubbish there in the back of the forest, like refrigerators, televisions and bicycles.
It looked like people had used it as a dump because it was difficult to see from the road.
’Here...’ murmured Yakumo, jumping over the guard rail, gripping tree branches skilfully as he climbed down the cliff.
It was starting to grow dark.
The large entrance to the tunnel felt eerie.
It even felt like she might be sucked in.
It was getting harder to see Yakumo.
She didn’t want to be left behind here. Haruka climbed over the guard rail too and went after Yakumo.
She was naive.
It had been a much steeper cliff than it had seemed from above.
Haruka tried futilely to advance and lost her balance, practically rolling down the cliff.
Countless tree branches hit her arms and legs. It hurt, but she couldn’t stop. It was better than waiting alone. It was too late to regret now.
After getting down the cliff, she fell forward from the force.
It was like being hit hard in the knee. There was a jolt of pain.
She felt pathetic and wanted to cry.
When she held back her tears and looked up, she saw Yakumo holding out a hand in front of her.
She gripped the cold white hand and was pulled up.
’I told you to wait, didn’t I?’
’You didn’t say that!’
Haruka’s tone was rough because of the pain.
Haruka sat on a nearby rock and looked at the knee she had hit. Her jeans were ripped and she could see her knee clearly. The skin was broken and it was bloody.
’It hurts...’
The words slipped out of her mouth.
Yakumo went to stand in front of Haruka, knelt on one knee and pressed a handkerchief against Haruka’s knee.
’Hold it until the blood stops.’
She couldn’t say thank you.
’Explain why we came here so suddenly.’
Instead of gratitude, dissatisfaction came out of Haruka’s mouth.
Yakumo shook his head in exasperation and stood up. Then, he pointed at the ground a few metres ahead.
Haruka looked where Yakumo was pointing.
Her breath caught.
There was a woman in a grey suit lying face-up there.
Perhaps that woman –
Haruka didn’t have to check to know that the woman was dead.
The blood from her forehead was dark, sticking to her lifeless skin. What could her cloudy eyes see as they looked up at the sky?
’There was probably an accident on that road,’ said Yakumo.
How many days had she been here?
The woman must have shown up there wanting somebody to find her.
If I could see clearly like Yakumo, I could have found her sooner.
I’m sorry.
Haruka murmured that in her head and closed her eyes –
6
When Haruka went to Yakumo’s secret hiding place, there was the man she’d seen at the police precinct during the last case.
If she remembered correctly, he was a detective named Gotou.
He had a large frame with sharp eyes. It made Haruka think he could be a professional wrestler.
Yakumo had told her to come if she was interested because there was something he’d found out about the woman they found yesterday.
Haruka closed the door, thinking she could come again if he already had a guest.
’Great timing. Come in – I’ll explain.’
Yakumo urged her to sit, and Gotou pulled out the chair.
Now she couldn’t not go in.
Haruka sat next to Gotou. When she thought about how a detective was next to her, it made her a bit nervous.
’You’ve met Gotou-san before, right?’
Haruka nodded.
’Oi, Yakumo. Introduce me properly? I don’t know her name.’
Yakumo scratched his back, looking annoyed.
’She’s Ozawa-san.’
’Oi, oi, that’s all? There’s gotta be more, right?’
’Please ask her yourself afterwards.’
’Ah, what a cold guy, really. So what’s your given name?’
Gotou suddenly turned towards Haruka.
Though he had a full-faced smile, with the shadows under his eyes and his stubble, it was weird.
’Ah, it’s Haruka.’
’Oh? You’re too cute for Yakumo. So how’d you get to know each other?’
’Er...’
’I said afterwards, didn’t I?’
Yakumo cut the conversation down. Gotou muttered ’Stingy’ under his breath.
Haruka couldn’t tell how these two knew each other.
Gotou was a detective and was older than them.
Though Yakumo used polite language, his attitude made it clear he was making fun of Gotou. Gotou seemed to be talking to Yakumo as a friend.
’Now, introductions are done. Please start explaining.’
Yakumo urged Gotou to continue. So that’s how it was, thought Haruka.
Yakumo had set the time to make Gotou explain everything.
’Ah, that’s right. I almost forgot.’
Gotou completely ignored Yakumo’s acerbity and took a notebook out of his wrinkled shirt. He cleared his throat and started speaking.
’For the corpse of that woman, the cause of death was probably a brain contusion.’
’Was it murder?’ asked Yakumo.
’No. According to the coroner, the body had car paint and a light fragment on it – it’s clear that she was hit by a car.’
Gotou rubbed the stubble on his chin with his palm.
Haruka was bewildered. Gotou was talking about police information.
’E-excuse me. Is it OK to talk about this?’
Haruka interrupted without thinking.
Yakumo and Gotou looked at Haruka at the same time.
She hadn’t thought she’d said something strange, but that made her feel anxious. After a silence, Gotou continued like nothing had happened.
’So about the female victim, her bag and wallet – all the things we could get her identity from – were taken off of her.’
’Somebody hid her identity on purpose.’
Yakumo put a finger on his brow.
’Exactly. We found out her identity immediately from her dental records. The victim lived in a nearby residential area. Let’s call her A-ko-san. She was spotted leaving her office a couple days ago and went missing after that.’
’The search request?’
’Parents put it out. We got the parents to identify the corpse. A-ko-san’s parents were confused, but they said they wanted to thank the person who found their daughter.’
Gotou glanced at Yakumo, but he didn’t respond.
’And the culprit?’
’Ah, because of the fragments of the car, we figured out the type of car. It didn’t take that long.’
’So everything’s settled?’
’Man, it’s an awful story. The culprits were two middle school students who live on the same street as the victim, A-ko-san.’
’So they didn’t have a licence.’
’They were full of themselves, took the car for a spin, and hit her. They say they were driving like mad out of the tunnel ’cause they were being chased by ghosts, and they couldn’t turn the curve and hit the woman.’
’That story’s true.’
Haruka interrupted without thinking.
’I believe it too, but unfortunately, Japanese law doesn’t acknowledge the existence of ghosts.’
’Somebody’s dead. The existence of ghosts isn’t an excuse,’ said Yakumo, bringing the off-track conversation back on topic.
’How harsh.’
Gotou smiled wryly. He loosened the already loose tie around his neck and took out a cigarette from his inner pocket.
’I think you know.’
’I know. No smoking, right? I won’t light it. just gonna hold it in my mouth,’ said Gotou in irritation at Yakumo’s retort.
Gotou cleared his throat and started talking again.
’Well, putting aside those kids, their parents are the problem. After the two kids caused this incident, they got afraid and called their parents. And the parents...’
’Hid the incident,’ said Yakumo, biting his lip.
’Correct. They stole the wallet and bag and then tossed the corpse off the cliff...’
Haruka’s shoulders shuddered upon hearing Gotou’s words. She felt uncomfortable, like she would vomit.
They didn’t treat her like a human.
Throwing away a corpse. How cold could people be to protect themselves –
’Well, that’s the gist of it. Pretty much as you expected, Yakumo.’
Gotou concluded the story and clapped his notebook shut.
As expected? So Yakumo had seen through the whole case?
Haruka had just been confused, unable to see the truth ahead at all.
It even made her want to suspect that Yakumo’s eye couldn’t see just the spirits of the dead but the future as well.
’Ah, I forgot to say one thing. The car that caused the accident’s already been repaired. Seems like they requested some car shop somewhere, but there must’ve been a lot of blood.’
’They fixed it knowing it had hit a car.’
Yakumo finished Gotou’s words.
’Well, that’s it. We’re asking the parents now where that car shop was...’
It really was an unpleasant case.
However, there was something Haruka didn’t understand.
’So what will happen with Tatsuya-kun’s case?’
’Can’t go near that tunnel again if he doesn’t want to die,’ said Yakumo with a yawn.
Well, that was probably how it would be, but the uneasy feeling didn’t leave her chest...
7
Tatsuya was driving the car for the first time in a while, when he spotted the back of somebody unexpected on the hill leading to the university.
When he honked the horn, the person turned to look at him with sleepy eyes.
Saitou Yakumo. He’d embarrassed Tatsuya in front of Haruka earlier.
If he loitered around any more, to say it clearly, it’d be a hassle.
It’d be better to warn him here.
Tatsuya opened the car window and drove up to Yakumo.
’Thanks for earlier. I heard from Haruka-chan. I won’t go to that tunnel any more.’
Yakumo was clearly displeased as he continued to walk silently.
’Wait a second. I’m trying to thank you here.’
Tatsuya matched Yakumo’s pace and slowly drove the car as he spoke.
’You have no reason to thank me,’ said Yakumo, giving Tatsuya a glance.
He really didn’t like this guy. That thought came to Tatsuya again.
When those eyes looked at him, like they could see to the bottom of his heart, he just couldn’t relax.
’Don’t say that. I’m counting on you the next time something happens.’
’There’s no next time. Do something about it yourself.’
Tatsuya clicked his tongue.
’Don’t want to help your rival in love?’
’Are you talking to me?’
’Is there anybody besides you?’
’If you’re talking to