Volume 1 - CH 1

— He was told that the little girl is God.

The first time Saku Fujisaki met Touka Fujisaki was seven years ago.

Saku was only thirteen years old while Touka was eight.

He was taken to Touka to become her servant, which may appear uncommon in today’s world.

The thirteen years old boy had to kneel so he could attend to the eight years old girl whom he will be serving.

Dressed in complete black, Touka gazed at Saku with her pretty, young face. 

Saku remembers the events of that day.

He still remembers that black color within the white space.

Not only that, but the whispering of his mother, when she accompanied him to meet Touka as she held his hand, also remained in his ears.

“Did you know? Touka-sama is going to become God.”

An uncontrollable shudder rushed down his spine the moment he heard those words.

Naturally, for a boy of his age, he didn’t know what becoming a servant meant. But regardless, a strong realization would spontaneously take him over. He was well aware that he would be serving a devout and revered individual. Saku pursed his lips when he realized that much.

For the sons of the Fujisaki clan, becoming a servant of God is considered the highest honor.

Fujisaki is a household with unusual powers.

To this day, all of its descendants are born and reared in exceptional circumstances.

Although the household has several branches, only the God of the main house had absolute authority.

If the Fujisaki clan was to be a living creature, then certainly, their God would be its one and only heart. There is no denying of how unstable and distorted it sounds. Nonetheless, the Fujisaki clan is a cut above others, such as the Komai of the east, Sakigasaki of the west, Nagase of the twelve fortune tellers, and Sanzashi of divine possession.

This is not only because the Fujisaki clan is arrogant.

In fact, the clan boasts strong influence over society.

The head family receives a huge amount of financial offerings from their devotees. They also have a slew of significant ties with politicians and affluent people, which they use to flourish in their various businesses.

At the center of it all, is their God.

Without their God, the Fujisaki clan would not be able to maintain itself.

But despite their reliance on God— and unlike the prophecy clan of Asohito which has its own God— the Fujisakis are not a religious organization.

The God of the Fujisaki clan is but a human being.

It is, however, a genuine one that should not exist in this day and age. 

The women of Fujisaki have mysterious abilities and only one of them becomes the God of the clan. Once they do, they show people visions they desire and deliver the voices and appearances of the dead. Clearly, this is a clan secret that must never be revealed.

Once the present God passes away, a new one is chosen from the women of Fujisaki. As a matter of fact, when Touka was eight years old and Saku was thirteen, the current God of the clan was deemed to have only 2 years left to live. Therefore, Touka Fujisaki became a candidate for taking her position. 

All the Fujisaki women have the same thought. That is, either to become God or be demoted into a worthless being. Hence, all of them are desperate to win the position.

Every candidate is assigned a servant who is also picked from the Fujisaki boys.

Saku served as the servant of Touka Fujisaki, a prominent candidate, for two years.

Although, to their surprise, Touka Fujisaki didn’t become God.

Another girl was chosen when she turned ten years old.

Touka Fujisaki was judged to be nothing but a degraded version of their true God.

From that day onward, Touka lost her purpose in life. 

This also means that Saku Fujisaki had also lost his life goals when he turned fifteen.

— He was told that Touka was to become God.

— But Touka couldn’t become God.

— Then, the God of Fujisaki passed away.

Five years have passed.

Saku was given the freedom to pursue his life as he pleased after being released from his servant duties, and he is currently enrolled in university.

Many of the women candidates lost their hope and returned to being mere daughters of the Fujisaki clan. Most of their former servants left them and started their own personal lives, too. However, the situation was a little different for Touka Fujisaki and Saku.

Touka became a fifteen years old NEET.

In Saku’s apartment, of all places.

***

A basket of mandarin oranges sat in the center of a kotatsu’s table top.

Next to it lay a hardcover mystery book. Next to it was a gourmet novel that got recently published in pocket edition. Diagonally behind it, some thriller novels piled up. Then, next to the pile of books, a bag of potato chips was carefully folded. A pair of chopsticks were placed on top of it in a well-behaved manner. It indicated the attempt of a lifehack that allows one to eat chips without getting their fingers dirty. 

The attempt appeared to have been effective, as the person who emptied the bag of potato chips had clean hands.

With her slender fingers, she carefully flipped through the pages of the book she was reading.

Yes, ‘she’.

She, the young girl.

At this very moment, she was making a solemn face as she read a novel about death games. 

Her cheeks were translucent white and her hair, hanging over her shoulders, was glossy black.

The beauty of her face as she was immersed in her reading seemed out of this world. Gorgeous and sweet. The incarnation of a young maiden; Different from an ordinary human being.

The personification of a young girl. 

There was one disappointing aspect to this existence that seemed so precious.

She was wearing a gray, shabby jersey.

Though, her appearance wasn’t the most disappointing thing about her.

It is what lies inside.

Saku Fujisaki knew all about it.

Taking a quick breath, he called her name, “Hey, Touka.”

“What could it be, Saku-kun. As you can see for yourself, I’m reading right now. The act of concentrating while reading a book allows a person to peek into sceneries that don’t belong to our narrow world. It’s not very praiseworthy to disturb someone in the middle of it.”

“Listen. It was you who placed the signboard outside again, and without my permission, wasn’t it?”

“Gu… !”

“You’re the only person I know who uses sound effects when speaking,“ Saku said while seeming somewhat tired.

The girl— Touka, nervously raised her face.

Saku could see his reflection in her eyes as she blinked at him. Her eyes were as big as those of a cat and their surface looked constantly wet. Longish dark brown hair and a moderately tall height. Skinny face but generally faint facial features. A third party would say she has a neutral look, but for Saku her face would give him the impression of exhaustion instead.

Touka pouted her lips, completely oblivious to Saku’s exhaustion.

“But, listen. Without a signboard, how could clients find this place? Yes, I am a degraded instance. A degraded instance indicates something that falls behind in quality and performance. In other words, that would be me compared to the head house’s God. Haha, it’s such a harsh reality.”

“Nobody said you’re a degraded instance. You’re the only one who enjoys using that term to describe yourself.”

“How rude! I’m just stating the truth here! You know how modest I am! Then of course I’d be conscious of the fact that I am a degraded instance! How admirable of me! Uh… Anyway, we both know that people are constantly visiting the head house, seeking help. But that doesn’t mean that they will also come seeking the help of a degraded instance like me.”

“… And?”

“Therefore, instead of being self-conceited, I need to be proactive in my business activities.”

“That doesn’t grant you permission to hang something like this in front of my door.” Bam. Saku placed the sign he removed on top of the kotatsu.

It was a cheap rectangle plastic board they once bought from a hardware store. Given that she had just duct-taped it to the door, it was unclear whether Touka was serious about her business.

The problem, in fact, was not with the signboard, but with what was printed on it.

“Touka’s Spiritual Detective Agency.”

A fine example of what suspiciousness and weirdness mixed together and exploded would look like on a signboard. 

It would have given off a less suspicious impression if it was indicating a whole building, maybe. But Saku’s room was surrounded by neighbors. He can’t just let Touka hang a sign like that on his door. His criticisms were quite reasonable.

Touka, however, looked up at the ceiling with great exaggeration. The next moment, she slammed her head against the kotatsu table.

She was visibly upset by Saku’s behavior.

“Waaaaah! Why did you take it off? Hanging that sign on the door wasn’t easy, you know!”

“Waaaaah? Really, you’re the only person I know who actually speaks in sound effects.”

“You monster!”

“You should be thankful I didn’t break the sign.”

“Hahan, Could it be that you’re treating me this way because I’m a degraded instance? This is discrimination. I’m gonna sue you!”

“Sue me to who?”

“Saku-kun.”

“Don’t you have anyone else you could rely on?”

“Nope! Waaaaah!”

Touka started rolling left to right inside the kotatsu when Saku made his point. She then lied down on her face and began making strange crying noises while sneaking glances at him. Her black eyes were clean dry. Judging that she was still at a disadvantage from Saku’s expression, she continued feigning tears.

She’s aware of her weak position in this argument, but she doesn’t seem to be reflecting on her actions. He could roughly predict what was on her mind because they’ve known each other for quite some time. Saku sighed loudly. He knows already.

There is always one solution if he really dislikes his current situation. 

He could just kick out Touka.

Since the day she wasn’t chosen to become God, Touka had lost her value in the eyes of the clan.

Henceforth, Touka’s family would ignore her existence in the house. She was never treated badly, however. She probably could even resume her compulsory education if she wished to. But instead, she chose to become a NEET. Right now, she is about fifteen years old, so she’d be in high school. Maybe it’s a little too early to define her as a NEET, after all. But still, it feels more suitable to call her a NEET instead of a shut-in since she refuses to belong to any social organization.

Touka would spend her days in Saku’s apartment, reading books and playing video games.

Her portion of living expenses is regularly transferred to Saku’s bank account from her family, as long as he is looking after her. But Touka seems to take advantage of this situation and is getting lazier by the day.

Just like what any NEET would do.

Sometimes, Saku wonders if he should seriously get angry at her. Due to the servant mentality ingrained in him, he can’t be high-handed with her. Thus, Touka continues to live under saku’s care, like a parasite. 

She would also act unexpectedly sometimes.

Things related to “Touka’s spiritual detective agency” are one example. She gets quite proactive when it comes to it. 

However, there was a reason for that.

Touka seemed to be looking for a way to make use of her abilities that are no longer in demand. At the same time, she could be attempting to compete with the God of the clan, who also solves many spiritual mysteries.

(If only she would forget about it,) Saku thought.

About the past when she was almost chosen to become God.

Touka, however, didn’t think the same way.

Because of this, she keeps on hanging the signboard of ‘Touka’s spiritual detective agency’ on Saku’s door.

Everything would have been fine if things stayed the way they are.

But to Saku’s troubles, she does receive actual requests, although not as much as those of the headhouse.

And regularly, to boot.

(I suppose you might say it’s the fate of the Fujisaki’s women… but still, why would anyone want to rely on her?)

Just when Saku thought to himself. 

Pokopen! Touka’s smartphone made a dumbfounding noise.

Saku frowned as he began to have a bad feeling.

Picking up her phone, Touka started checking her mail inbox. She scrolled through the content of the mail with a habitual gesture. After a moment’s thought, she began typing a reply with a serious face.

She eventually nodded and returned the phone to the kotatsu. Instinctively, Saku asked, “What was the mail about?”

“Hmm, a client request.”

As expected. Saku’s intuition often hit the mark.

Touka had also set up a website and blog as a spiritual detective. She receives requests regularly from the email address listed in there.

This time is no exception, as she had just gotten a request.

Saku was getting a headache and pressed his hands on his temples. Touka’s reaction, however, seemed a bit strange.

She didn’t seem excited about the request, nor did she show any sign of making a move. As if nothing had happened, she resumed her reading inside the kotatsu. Feeling something odd, Saku flipped the kotatsu futon and sat down next to her.

He picked a mandarin orange from the basket and started peeling it.

Touka flipped over her book, stretched her neck like a turtle, and opened her mouth wide.

“Aah.”

“No ‘Aah.’ here.”

Saku put the mandarin oranges in Touka’s mouth one by one, and she began munching them eagerly. She opened her mouth again after Saku finished the second half of the orange and received a slap on the forehead.

“Ouch!”

“Peel the next one by yourself.”

“Tch. What a tyrant you are, Saku-kun.”

“What do you mean I’m a tyrant?”

“My god! Who do you think I can depend on if you stopped spoiling me, huh?”

“Don’t worry. Every human being has themselves to depend on.” Saku started peeling a new mandarin orange as he responded with a half-assed reply. Yet, Touka’s small mouth opened up again. He ended up stuffing the entire mandarin orange while sighing quietly.

Clearly, Saku is spoiling Touka rotten. 

Watching over her chewing, he asked, “So, are you not gonna accept the request?”

“Nope, I’m not. It’s too serious for a spiritual detective to handle.”

Touka put her chin on top of the kotatsu. Her glossy black hair spread out like a folding fan on the table.

She then proceeded, giggling and looking a little distressed, “Resolving a serial murder case of falling internal organs is surely too serious for me to handle.”

***

A serial murder case of falling internal organs.

It’s a bizarre series of murders that’s been making the rounds lately.

Victims’ internal organs were gouged out and tossed off rooftops, according to the incident report.

The crime is committed in a straightforward manner. The killer preys on their victims in the dead of the night, in places without surveillance cameras. They stab them to death and disassemble the body somewhere else— most likely the killer’s residence— then, they throw part of the body from a random high place.

The police consider it to be a crime committed for pleasure by a psychopath.

“The email I got was about resolving the case… ‘It would be nice if you could solve this case since you’re a spiritual detective,’ they said. Unfortunately, this is too heavy for a degraded instance! Besides, the culprit is making a big commotion. Even the frequency of their crimes is getting shorter by the day. Looks to me like they’re losing self-control… They’d get arrested soon enough even if I don’t get involved,” Touka assured Saku with a flowing, smooth tone.

Saku nodded in assent.

It’s very unlikely that a culprit who has committed this many crimes will still be able to escape for a long time. The police of Japan are not so incompetent. The culprit made too much fuss. They will certainly get arrested.

Touka, on the other hand, continued with an unexpected statement, “Well, in terms of the crime’s motivation, I am not in concurrence with the cops.”

“… I see,” replied Saku with a meek voice as he nodded.

It has to be true if Touka says so.

Saku always trusts Touka in this regard. Her estimations of crime motives have never gone wrong. But instead of explaining her point of view, Touka started flapping her hands.

Looks like she’s demanding Tea.

“Soybean tea?”

“Sounds good.”

Saku stood up. He went to the kitchen and poured some leftover soybean tea into Touka’s personal kitten mug. He even felt it was a little cold, so he warmed it up in the microwave before snorting at his own naivety. While regretting his spoiling acts, Saku took the teacup and handed it to Touka who was waving her arms while exclaiming ‘Yay!”

Touka accepted the mug and began drinking the warm soy tea in a cheerful attitude.

Saku returned inside the kotatsu and let out another sigh.

From the mandarin oranges, the soy tea, to the permission he gave Touka to stay in his apartment; He’s done everything out of his own volition.

Touka is no longer his lady that he must serve.

During the little time he spent serving her, though, their master-servant bond had already been established.

Saku tried to convince himself many times to become a little more aware of this fact. His perseverance, however, has proven fruitless until this day.

“Thank you, Saku-kun.”

“You’re welcome.”

Yet, another day in which Saku is struck by Touka’s defenseless smile.

After taking several sips from her soy tea, Touka finally continued her explanation.

“There was that one case that caused a stir on social media, a few weeks ago.”

Fujisaki Touka is a NEET.

As a result, she is acutely aware of the flow of information on the internet.

Making a few fiddlings on her phone, she displayed the result of a search about a certain topic.

Saku peeked at the screen of the phone. He gazed at the enormous volume of text with his eyes narrowed. Apparently, several accounts were discussing the same topic. Bizarre words intrigued him, one after the other. 

The angel’s suicide.

“Oh yeah, about that case.”

Saku knew about it as well.

It all started with a post from a certain account.

A post of a miraculously beautiful photo.

The subject of that photo, titled ‘The angel’s suicide,’ was the issue.

It depicted the body of a girl who had jumped off a high building.

Grotesque details like internal organs and ruptured eyeballs were well blurred. 

But the body of the girl, who had her white lovely clothes dyed in crimson red, was captured at the center of the photo from a distance. Like some sort of miracle, The road where the photo was taken had no trace of life, and the blood that splattered coincidentally took the shape of wings, adding to the mystic beauty of the girl’s death.

The tweet received more than hundreds of thousands of retweets and likes.

The photo was first suspected of being a hoax, but that suspicion vanished as many additional accounts submitted photos of the same body from other perspectives.

The girl’s body was a real corpse. Therefore, it didn’t take long for all of the posted photos to be removed.

Not long after, It was then found that the girl committed suicide as a result of severe bullying.

The police also considered it a suicide case.

But in social networks, a theory of murder committed by the first uploader of the photo was getting whispered. Although, contrary to the rumors, the uploader of the photo was confirmed to be just a third party who happened to be at the scene of suicide and took the photo. They were later given a stern warning by the police.

That is all there is to the incident if explained in words.

At least, such was Saku’s impression.

“So, there were a few things that changed since this incident took place.”

Touka sipped her tea noisily. Smacking her lips, she appreciated the ideal temperature.

Saku tilted his head, perplexed. He didn’t appear to understand what Touka was trying to say.

For him, the angel’s suicide was only a passing incident that sparked a brief frenzy on social media before dissipating.

“What is it that… changed?”

“‘The angel’s suicide’ was merely a product of coincidence; A photograph that could be described as miraculous. However, at the same time, you could say that it functioned like some sort of social experiment. ‘Could you iconify a suicide body if it was way too pretty?’”

“… Iconify?”

“The answer is ‘yes.’”

With a loud gulp, Touka emptied her mug of tea. Saku ruminated on her answer.

Could a suicide body become a symbol— an icon— Yes.

Saku couldn’t quite grasp what it meant for a corpse to be a symbol, or an icon.

Touka, however, continued her explanation of the result of this change she stated. 

“Since the post of ‘the angel’s suicide,’ A new problem has arisen, with young boys and girls imitating it on social media. They would commit false attempts of suicide, take pictures of themselves about to die, and finally share it as tweets. An imitation born out of admiration. Not only that but, even the attention of the public slid over— from a common suicide to one that is more beautiful”

“Sounds like bad taste to me… and so, what is your point?”

“‘In other words, a normal suicide is no longer getting attention,’” Touka declared the cold truth.

Dying isn’t enough to make people notice you.

Saku felt a chill when he heard those words. He quickly shook the thought out of his head and reconnected the subject to the original question.

“So… how is this all connected to the serial murder case of falling internal organs?”

“Only after the incident of ‘the angel’s suicide…’ did all sorts of internal organs begin to fall from the tops of buildings… Saku-kun, my estimation is…”

Touka used her fingers to roll a mandarin orange. Her hand moved, and the orangey-red color followed it. She used her index finger to bring it over the edge of the table and stopped.

Interrupting the suicide of the mandarin orange, Touka whispered, “The culprit is aiming for ‘an ultimately unsightly suicide’.”

That was Touka Fujisaki’s estimation of the reason the culprit is throwing internal organs.

***

A brisk breeze blew across the gray building’s roof. The time of the year is December. The weather has been cold recently, with occasional snow falling once every few days. Night sky looked high and clear and stars could barely be seen sparkling in the utter darkness. 

Shoving his hands into the pockets of his brown duffle coat, Saku looked around.

Buildings of this vicinity have all been abandoned due to the downturn of their related companies. Not a single artificial light could be noticed in the gray, gloomy surroundings.

Police cordons have already been lifted and enough time had passed that even fearless spectators would no longer visit this place. The rooftop was completely deserted.

Saku and Touka were standing at the scene of the first crime.

This was due to Touka’s mysterious claim saying that she needed fitting ambiance to continue her explanation and that the both of them had to go to the supermarket to buy ice cream anyway. Touka is the type of NEET who turns aggressive when it comes to food— nevertheless, she must be hiding the real reason behind coming to such a place. Touka spoke with her face buried in her gingham scarf, “It was a uterus that was dropped in the first case, wasn’t it?”

“… Yeah,” Saku responded with a frown.

The victim was murdered and had their internal organs gouged out and thrown from here.

It’s truly an unpleasant case.

Touka walked up to the short fence.

The uterus was probably thrown from the place where she is standing.

She continued, her gaze fixed on the distant streets.

“This act of throwing down body parts lacks consistency, or let’s say a law-like nature, for it to be categorized as a bizarre murder crime committed for pleasure. The remains of some bodies have already been found while other bodies have yet to be discovered. All the information we have is regarding the early stage of the case that didn’t get press restricted, but we never heard anything about sexual traces in the victims’ bodies nonetheless. Then we got the act of throwing internal organs that started a while after the incident of ‘the angel’s suicide…’ I’ve made a guess based on these facts, you know.”

“Yeah.”

“And that is, the culprit is likely to be a person that could no longer commit suicide.”

“You mean the killer is not able to commit suicide?”

Touka’s guess was incomprehensible. Saku’s brow wrinkled in confusion.

Touka nodded back at his question. Clearly stating that it was merely a guess, she continued, “Beautiful suicide is being praised while normal suicide is no longer given attention… This prompted the culprit to launch a protest activity.”

“Wait a moment.”

Saku held his forehead. Touka was looking at him calmly as he sought to piece together the bitter reality he had learned from her. Murdering people and throwing down their internal organs from rooftops.

How is that a protest activity?

“You could say it’s an antithesis directed at a society that finds beauty in suicide. Throwing down internal organs from rooftops could be considered as the most hideous shape of suicide by jumping that uses another person’s body. The culprit is probably not even aware that he is committing murder.”

“You’d still call it suicide even if it consists of throwing body parts of other people?”

“Well, at least for the culprit, it’s nothing else but suicide by jumping off a building,” Touka declared without hesitation while Saku was desperately trying to imagine the mindset of the culprit.

An internal organ is a part of the human body. In a sense, tossing it down would also imply throwing down a body. But it’s still unfathomable. 

Touka continued explaining her hypothesis without seeming to mind Saku’s confusion.

“For the culprit, this act doesn’t mean anything more than a protest against society. They’re most likely planning a real suicide once they’ve convinced themselves that society has seen what an ugly suicide looks like. And that, I believe, is the criminal profile for the serial murder case of falling internal organs.”

“But no one else sees this case the same way you do.”

Touka nodded to Saku’s response. She wiggled her fingers within her gloves and waved them in the air. 

“That’s the actual problem. Naturally, society will continue to interpret the culprit’s protest as murder and treat it apart from the incident of the angel’s suicide. I dare say that I’m the only one realizing the true purpose of the culprit, in fact.”

Saku felt dizzy. Touka’s hypothesis is absurd, to say the least. It makes little to no sense. 

But, he was persuaded that it’s the only truth.

Touka proved to be able to deduce the motives of criminals like this several times, up until now. Above all, The Fujisaki’s women are quite familiar with everything classified as strange or abnormal. They can easily relate and understand the feelings of the broken.

Touka is no exception. She fully understands those with abnormal mindsets.

Pressing her hand to her chest, Touka disclosed with confidence, “So, for the time being, the goal of the culprit is still not achieved. Nobody could tell how many body parts he, or she, is going to keep throwing until society recognizes their protest… Hmm.”

Suddenly, she started pondering. Saku had a nagging feeling about it.

Touka opened her arms wide and looked down at her own body. She was wearing a fluffy, warm coat. She is a young woman, unmistakably. Her small build makes her look powerless, too. After the first several murders, reports regarding the victims of the case were suspended. However, anyone in their rational mind would describe Touka as a victim profile that is likely to get chosen by the culprit. Touka spoke up to tell Saku about her brilliant idea.

“Hey, Saku-kun.”

“I refuse.”

But he refused before she could even say anything. A heavy, cold wind caressed Saku’s body. He just wanted to go back to his apartment and slip inside the kotatsu. Then he would drag the grumpy Touka to take a bath, wipe her head, and get ready for bed. Touka, on the other hand, remained motionless. She kept fixing a serene gaze at him.

“You see, I actually realized something important. Now, I don’t have a choice but to accept that request.”

“You already refused it, didn’t you?”

“There will be more victims, you know.”

“The culprit will get caught soon.”

“Hey, Saku-kun.”

“No.”

“Okay, I get it. I guess I will just sneak away tonight when you’re sleeping.”

“No, wait.”

Anything but that. It’s the absolute worst turn of events that could take place.

Saku often leaves Touka alone in his apartment when he goes to his part-time job. Just the idea that she could act on her own at such opportunities gives him headaches. He is fully aware of how much he cares for Touka despite his rather reluctant attitude towards her. 

He can’t allow a situation in which she is alone and in danger. But Touka looks like she already made up her mind. Enduring the headache, Saku asked, “You’re planning to meet with the culprit, aren’t you?”

“Yep, that’s right.”

“Even the cops haven’t found them yet.”

“I know.”

“Don’t you think it’s not that easy to encounter them?”

“I’m aware.”

“You have one week. If we don’t encounter them in one week, we stop all of this, okay?”

“… Fine. Sounds good to me.”

Touka nodded loudly. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

Saku was taken aback when he saw her at that moment.

Those eyes, again.

From time to time, Touka would give Saku a look that seemed to push him away. In times like that, she would behave as if she wished for her death. Touka whispered with a voice as calm as the surface of a lake.

“Frankly speaking, I don’t really need you to come with me.”

Saku scowled at those words. Touka is intending to encounter the killer. Not only that, but she is also making the face of someone who doesn’t care about their life and death. He didn’t understand the reason behind her abrupt shift of attitude. 

“… Just what is it that motivated you this much?”

“The first reason is related to the sender of the request. Apparently, she is the little sister of the first victim… Although, I have another reason which I’d say is the most important,” Touka replied with the hint of a smile. 

She turned over to the fence again while seeming somewhat troubled. Then, she went on, gazing at the landscape that was unfolding around her.

“Seems like she was on very good terms with her elder sister. ‘I felt like the world completely changed when she died,’ she said. She would no longer feel anything no matter what she saw or ate… “

“I see…”

“I can’t promise her to solve the case as a mere spiritual detective. But at least I can try what I’m capable of doing… There are people out there who are crying and grieving over those victims. Besides, it could be said that there is a meaning to my ability if I can help out in resolving this problem.”

“It’s okay even if your abilities don’t have a meaning.”

“That’s not okay for me.” Touka shook her head exaggeratedly. She looked like she was searching for a reason to live— or rather like she was trying to keep an old promise. “I need to keep looking for a meaning.”

Her voice was brimming with heavy determination. But then, she lifted her face and looked at Saku with a vague smile.

“Saku-kun, I want you to understand that I’m not deserving of you risking your life for me. Touka Fujisaki is a worthless individual. It’s true because I know it is… Therefore, I can keep looking for it on my own. Yeah, that’s how things are supposed to be, in fact.”

“Shut up, quit your nonsense. I’m going with you no matter what you say.”

“Saku-kun, you are… But—”

All of a sudden, she halted her words. It looked as if she was about to say something important but changed her mind at the very last moment. This is not the first time she did this. Yet, Saku still doesn’t know how to urge her to continue those words.

Silence dominated the rooftop for a while.

Touka changed the subject by bringing up a new topic. 

“… Speaking of the primary reason, as I said earlier, I realized something only after we visited the scene of the crime. The culprit must be taking photos of the moments they’re throwing down internal organs… Which is why I think that this case will end up in a terrible way if I don’t meet the culprit before the cops arrest them.”

“What do you mean by ‘a terrible way’?” Saku inquired for further explanation with a low voice tone. Before she replied, Touka looked up at him, wearing a faint smile.

“… At this rate, there is a fair chance of people dying in a far larger scale than the serial murder case of falling internal organs.”

Touka didn’t explain the basis of her ominous prediction.

Saku didn’t need the explanation either.

Touka’s prophetic words always come true.

As if to say it was fate.

***

There are places known as hot spots.

Places where crimes are perpetrated frequently due to security concerns, such as the lack of surveillance cameras. Admittedly, the police have a strong grasp of such places and they would patrol them quite often. The range of the serial murder case of falling internal organs, however, covers more than just that. 

Even the police were having a hard time covering all the areas.

Touka and Saku chose to walk through areas where the police are unlikely to have investigated.

As far as Saku knows, the culprit had never attacked a group of two or more people.

Then, this time too, nothing should happen. 

A rather simple and logical conclusion Saku came up to. But deep down, he felt a premonition hinting the exact opposite. A strong feeling that something will definitely happen. After all, Touka is a member of the Fujisaki clan. The women of Fujisaki have something in them that attracts sinister incidents. Moreover, Touka was once a candidate for the position of their God. The blood of the family that runs on her veins is one level stronger, embodying the destiny of the Fujisaki. She will most likely encounter something if she wishes for it.

That’s the way things are.

The both of them wandered like swimming fish in the depth of the winter night. They strolled behind an abandoned car that had crashed into a rice field and along a road lined with abandoned houses. Saku stood under a broken streetlight and let out a white sigh.

After giving Touka a new hand warmer, he put the old one in his pocket and turned to face her before conveying his impression.

“It’s like the world has ended.”

“And the survivors are just you and me? Sounds like a perfect world.”

Touka laughed while spreading her arms wide. She didn’t seem embarrassed by what she just said.

On the other hand, Saku felt a little awkward. But his awareness as Touka’s protector appeared to be stronger.

“You better not say this to someone else. They will probably misunderstand you.”

“Fear not, Saku-kun. I’ll tell no one but you. It won’t be a perfect world if you’re not there with me, after all. You’re the only person I need, Saku-kun… And that won’t change.”

Touka seemed somewhat lonely. She looked up at the moon and continued as if she was singing a song, “Ah, if only the world consisted of only me and you, Saku-kun, now and forever.”

She sounded like she was regretting something. 

Or rather, mourning a matter that has long since ended.

Saku looked at the moon with his head tilted.

A white round shape was shining elegantly. 

Touka took a step forward, as if trying to escape from the light. Saku followed her slender back. The both of them walked ahead into the darkness. They wandered aimlessly from one shadow to another.

Touka raised her voice as they strolled across the middle of a deserted road.

“Saku-kun, there!”

“Where?”

She was pointing at a short tunnel beneath an elevated railroad while hastening her steps. They entered inside the narrow tunnel and stopped. Graffiti covered the walls, while empty cans and cigarettes were scattered on the ground.

The fluorescent lamp on the road flickered for a split second.

At the same time, they heard the sound of a car approaching from nearby.

“—— !”

Saku instantly hugged Touka and kicked the ground, jumping backward.

A big car passed near them at a terrific speed. It was a white light van. It would have crushed the both of them if Saku didn’t move to dodge it. Saku glared at the car while still guarding Touka.

To his surprise, The light van hit the brake and stopped instead of running away.

Someone got down from the car.

The hard sound of footsteps resounded inside the tunnel.

The black silhouette turned to their direction. They were wearing eyeglasses and a huge scarf.

Saku realized something unexpected from that slender silhouette.

(… It’s a woman.)

All of a sudden, the woman started running their way. 

Saku thrusted Touka away and drastically bent his body.

The next moment, he heard the sound of a remodeled stun gun right next to his ear. He’d be fainting right now if it touched his neck. Saku swiftly made another backward jump, putting some space between him and the woman.

He then called out to both the suspect and Touka.

“Who are you!? And Touka! What was it you wanted to do with the culprit… Weren’t you going to ask them something?”

“W-Wait a second… I got a little dizzy when you pushed me… A-Alright, You! Waa!”

The woman threw a kick towards Touka.

Before the kick could sink into Touka’s soft belly, Saku drew her to his side. The fluorescent lamp trembled, shaking off the insects on its surface.

He then looked back at the suspect woman who was fixing her gaze at Touka.

Looks like she got attracted to something in her. The woman grumbled, “What a pretty girl… Maybe the world will change its view if I make you commit an ugly suicide. Perhaps then, it will finally notice the countless people who died and realize the obvious truth. That nothing in suicide is beautiful.”

“Touka… Looks like what you said about the culprit’s motive is true.”

“It does indeed. Doesn’t make me want to forgive her in any means, though.”

“Do you think you understand anything about me?” The woman hollered all of a sudden.

They weren’t expecting her to be hearing their conversation from this far. The culprit woman was stamping her feet. She would repeatedly strike the hard soles of her boots against the concrete ground while ranting desperately, like a crying child. 

“Just what is it… What… What is it that you understand!? Tell me. Hm? Tell me. Tell me what you understand. Say it! If you understand something then say it!”

“Hey Touka. This doesn’t look good.”

“I do understand. The background of a person who is no longer able to commit suicide must surely be tragic.”

Touka’s statement seemed to have taken the woman by surprise, since she stopped moving almost immediately.

Touka didn’t sway her gaze from the culprit. She kept staring at her with tranquil eyes and continued, “As the young maiden I am, I understand people’s sorrow.”

Touka affirmed as she pressed her hand against her chest. The tone of her voice was gentle and awfully kind.

The culprit was interrupted just as she was about to say something.

That’s because the voices of a third party started sounding from afar. It sounded like they were talking about school while exchanging jokes.

Looks like a group of college students on their way home from part-time jobs were trying to pass under the railroad.

Before they knew it, the culprit woman reacted without hesitation. She dashed and jumped inside the light van. The tires squeaked furiously because of the rapid acceleration and the van took off with an insane speed.

Touka and Saku were left alone, standing.

The fluorescent lamp trembled again. 

A fly that collided with its surface plummeted to the ground.

***

The woman was unquestionably the murderer in the serial case of falling internal organs.

Ensured of that fact, Saku and Touka went to report what happened to them to a small neighborhood police station. But the officer’s reaction was rather unfavorable. The seemingly middle-aged man refused to believe their testimony. He sent them on their way the moment they finished telling him their story. His attitude was quite regrettable. Something would definitely have changed if they were to utilize that information in the investigation. On the other hand, the way they got treated wasn’t very surprising.

After all, this wasn’t the first case they had to testify to the cops and get treated this way.

Not all police officers are upfront about solving these kinds of bizarre cases.

In addition, the middle-aged police officer didn’t seem to want any trouble.

They could have sent a report directly to the police station of the city, but they chose to go home instead, albeit temporarily. They’ll have to find another way to deal with the criminal as quickly as possible, anyway.

That’s right, they both knew that they had to.

Touka danced into the apartment as soon as the door opened and muttered with a red nose, “Uuh, It’s so cold. I’m freezing.”

“Touka, wash your hands first.”

“Uu, I know, I know, but can’t you turn a blind eye today?”

Touka slid inside the Kotatsu and curled up like a cat. 

Next, she threw out what she’d bought on the table. A manju with meat, a sweet anko, and an ice cream cup. She bought them all after they got attacked by the culprit. Touka is a NEET who gets as aggressive as it is needed to acquire her food. Without delay, she started by opening the lid of the ice cream cup while wearing a warm and comfortable smile.

“Vanilla ice in winter days is like a gospel to the world.”

“You better not lick the lid of the cup.”

“I won’t! Stop discriminating against degraded instances! I will sue you!”

“To me?”

“Yes!”

Touka nodded cheerfully and began to scoop the ice cream while still rambling.

But then, as she tossed the white ice cream into her mouth, she changed into a grim face.

“Well then. We managed to encounter the culprit. But she escaped… And now, we need to find another way to meet with her again… Hm?”

She tilted her head after turning on her phone. Her expression suddenly stiffened, making Saku realize that something major had taken place. 

Saku leaned up close to Touka to look at what was on the phone, and Touka moved her hand to assist him.

The screen was bustling with tweets, many of which were harshly critical. They didn’t stop popping up no matter how much Touka scrolled down. Saku got the impression of a horde of people yelling in rage. 

Touka murmured while slightly shaking her screen, “We got an interesting hashtag created here.”

“‘Against iconifying the angel’s suicide’?”

Apparently, a new hashtag was recently created and is now going viral.

Its trigger was the publishing of a book about the topic of the angel’s suicide by some rising author. The comment section of the announcements was filled with anticipating fan replies as well as hostile cursings from the opposing party.

The matter was being discussed all over the platform.

Various opinions were exchanged about the benefits and drawbacks of reviving attention to the incident of the angel’s suicide as well as about the social significance in analysing the background of the incident. Touka clicked on the hashtag to bring up a list of tweets against the iconifying of the incident. She spotted a few twisted tweets and saved them in her profile by giving a like.

“Give us back our normal suicide!”

“Stop iconifying the angel’s suicide. Suicide is originally something tragic and not beautiful.”

“This is not how we should approach the subject of death. Death is hideous.”

“Countless youngsters are ending their lives because of this angel’s suicide. That’s just ridiculous.”

Saku began inadvertently reading those tweets out loud with a scowl on his face.

“Sounds like they were all written by one person.”

“Yeah, they do. But that’s not the case. I personally think that they were all written by different people.”

“You look like you’re searching for something specific… Did you find it?”

“Let’s see. I’m gonna add a condition here, and… There we go. A list of recent related tweets that also bring up the topic of the falling organs case.”

Touka managed to filter the list into a few tweets by adding more keywords in her query. Now the screen shows only recent tweets that also talk about other incidents.

“Same goes for the serial murder case of falling organs. Shouldn’t we grieve over these recent tragedies instead of giving attention to this suicide fuss?”

“There is also the serial murder case of falling organs that happened nearby IIRC. This author must be having a fun time writing about suicide while people are being murdered on that same rooftop.”

“The serial murder case of falling organs. We must shift our attention to the girls who died in this incident. This is not the time to idolise the angel’s suicide. What we need to focus on is not an angel, but our close surroundings. Suicide is the privilege of humans, not angels. It’s for us, the humans with flesh and blood running in our veins.”

Some of the tweets were long enough to be split into many parts. Saku didn’t notice anything different in them. They all complained about the same topic. But Touka was grinning.

“Bingo,” She said, as she clicked on the user account of the last tweet.

The icon of the account was a woman closing her eyes.

She was neither beautiful nor ugly. A woman with average looks. Her skin was pale white and her slightly opened eyelids couldn’t be noticed at first glance. She was also applying some sort of shadow filter that looked like a splash in her neck.

Saku didn’t understand what’s so special about that account.

“Hey, Touka. What makes this tweet different from the others?”

“The first organ thrown down was a uterus. Then, the first victim is accordingly a woman. But we all know that the profiles of the other victims were never revealed. Yet, this tweet here assumes that all of them are girls.”

“Oh, I see.”

“The user of this account knows something the others don’t… in other words, it’s the culprit.”

Touka declared the astonishing truth in a nonchalant attitude. 

The woman riding the white van was the first picture that came to mind when Saku heard the word culprit. So that means she is the one in the icon, which brings up the question of why she chose to upload a photo of her face with her eyes nearly closed.

Saku couldn’t think of a rational explanation.

Touka made more operations on the profile of the culprit.

“Oh, looks like she accepts messages from everyone in this account.”

She sent a few short messages as soon as she found out. Saku was stunned when he took a peek at them. Her messages were way too dangerous to send to a killer.

I want to meet you.

You, in particular, and nobody else.

“H-Hey!”

“We already got a reply.”

Pokopen! The phone made a dumbfounding sound. Saku started to feel worried. But Touka, in extreme speed and a solemn expression, typed and sent the next message before he could warn her. For a short while, She kept exchanging words with the culprit with one hand while chewing the sweet anko with the other.

The conversation ended by the time she finished eating.

“We got a Rendez-Vous,” She said after placing her phone on the table. 

Touka chose the gray building as the location for her meeting with the criminal.

The rooftop in which the first incident was committed.

***

White is fading into the night’s darkness.

It was snowing.

The snow was fluttering down so softly that it made the surrounding scenery look like a still painting.

Saku was reminded of cherry blossoms by the way it was falling, although it was totally different. For him, Sakura blossoms are the embodiment of violent beauty; an emblem of God. It made him recall the spectacle in that garden.

The world, painted in sakura blossoms.

The twisted, endless-seeming birdcage in which God resides, or rather is incarcerated.

The head house’s obsession with their God is unusual. Saku couldn’t help but wonder what the God of Fujisaki was doing in that cage right now. Her conditions didn’t change a bit despite the occurrence of that incident. Saku shook his head, bringing his attention back to what was in front of him.

It was peacefully snowing.

In the white, Touka stood.

In front of her, there was a woman.

The woman, in black, looked in their direction.

“You said that you wanted to meet me. Me, in particular, and nobody else. You said that you were interested in me more than the angel’s suicide.”

“Yes, that’s what I said in our earlier conversation. I knew it was you,” Touka replied with her gaze fixed on the woman.

The woman blinked, and Touka continued.

“It’s been a few days. Do you still remember me?”

“Yes, I remember you. In fact, I had a feeling that it was you who sent me that message. But you look different today, the way you’re dressed.”

The light van woman whispered and Touka nodded.

Touka was wearing a classic black one-piece. Everything she wore was black, including her gloves and stockings. It was a dress that blended well in the night. The same one she was wearing when she met with Saku for the first time.

Thrusting her black umbrella like a cane, she spoke with elegance.

“As the young maiden I am, dressing appropriately for a performance is a must.”

“You said that you understand the sorrow of people, as the young maiden you are, didn’t you?”

The woman would talk.

Touka would nod.

In the meantime, Saku was keeping a close eye on their conversation. He was pressing his feet against the ground so that he could swiftly rush out in case of an emergency. He was prepared to act as Touka’s shield the moment she got in danger.

Even if Touka doesn’t wish for it.

He knew well that she had a tendency of being apathetic towards her death, despite the carefree way she seems to enjoy spending her days. Saku was still unable to reach the frigid core of her soul, which she kept hidden deep inside. She never stopped considering herself unworthy of being alive as a degraded instance.

(Or is it possible she’s hiding something else?) 

The woman removed her eyeglasses and stared at Touka. Her looks were neutral. She wasn’t pretty, but neither was she ugly. Saku, however, scowled when he saw her face. Despite the slight resemblance, it was clearly different from the face in the profile picture.

The anonymous culprit whispered, “Then, you’re saying that you understand my sorrow?”

“I dare say… You are no longer able to commit suicide. Am I right?”

“You already know that much, I see.”

The woman let out a thin breath.

A strong gust of wind blew, playing with her entangled hair.

It seemed almost as if her black hair was dancing with the soft, white snow.

The snowflakes did, in fact, resemble sakura petals.

“Furthermore, I assume that your actions are the product of the death of someone.”

“How—!”

It was Saku who exclaimed. He never thought the motive of a serial murder could be related to another death. Touka continued explaining as if to say she was stating the obvious.

“‘What we need to focus on is not an angel, but our close surroundings. Suicide is the privilege of humans, not angels. It’s for us, the humans with flesh and blood running in our veins…’ This part of your tweet was strange. It seemed as if you were hinting at the death of someone that should have been given attention,” Touka pointed out.

The woman didn’t answer, but she maintained her listening stance.

Thus, Touka continued.

“The photo in your profile picture also attracted my attention. It’s a close-up face photo of a woman’s corpse, isn’t it?”

To this, Saku’s eyes widened in surprise. 

He recalled the photo of the woman with average looks. 

That woman was actually a corpse. Yet, nobody could distinguish the image of a dead body. 

“I’m sure you wouldn’t do something so stupid as using a photo of your victims. Meaning that the corpse belongs to someone you knew well. Her skin was white pale and her eyelids were barely open. This is caused by the postmortem movement of blood from the capillaries to a lower position and the drying of the skin that caused the opening of eyelids. Nevertheless, the biggest clue was the black shadowy splash on her neck. You wouldn’t apply a filter on your neck, would you? Instead, one would do it on their face. In other words, it was the trace of a dried bloodstain that looked like an artificial shadow.”

To sum it up, the account that was tweeting against iconifying the angel’s suicide was using a photo of a normal suicide body in its profile picture.

A picture of the dead was mixed in among the many tweets.

Pressing her hand to her chest, Touka continued her speech.

“Moreover, you used body parts of other people to make them suicide by jumping. This made me think… Doesn’t the idea behind your protest behavior imply the existence of someone who died in your place?”

“She committed suicide, my best friend… I was supposed to follow her next.”

Then, the woman started recounting. 

Her heavy voice echoed in the darkness.

Touka and Saku listened intently to her dark, deep, yet plain tragedy.

“I was supposed to live my life normally. I was supposed to find a job, spend my days working and age like everyone else. And yet, it gradually became harder for me to get out of my bed in the morning. I became unable to ride the train like I would usually do every day. I could no longer stop crying, for no reason. I became afraid of peeking at people’s happiness and sorrow on social networks. I would spend my days just trembling, until my best friend made a suggestion. ‘Let’s die,’ She said. ‘I will go first, and you will follow me. We’d cause an uproar.’ She was, too, at the end of her wits and would spend her days drinking so much alcohol. At that moment, we both laughed for the first time in a while. It was fun. We didn’t doubt that the world would be surprised. But then…”

The angel’s suicide happened.

The overly beautiful suicide shook the entirety of social media, sliding the attention of society.

From a normal, plain suicide, to a beautiful one.

Every other suicide got buried inside the commotion caused by the angel.

“I tweeted about her suicide several times, but nobody would look at us. No one caused a fuss about us. Not even a single person. There are countless people on social media. All of them are supposed to be connected with each other, yet nobody would cry for us.”

The woman complained.

Saku could relate to her feelings. Society did indeed shift its attention.

(… But even if the angel’s suicide didn’t happen… )

“There are more than twenty thousand suicides that occur every year and tweets about people killing themselves are numberless. Didn’t you consider that the number of your followers or the quality of your account was the reason you didn’t buzz? You’re not even so sure that your tweets were precise enough for people to understand them. The key to getting attention on social networks is whether or not the information you’re providing is attracting enough for people. I don’t think it’s only because of the angel’s suicide that the world didn’t look at your friend’s death.”

“That’s not true! We’re talking about the death of a person here! There is no way it could be shadowed by such minor factors!”

Why doesn’t anyone seem to notice us!

The woman hysterically screamed. 

Her voice was brimming with deep sorrow and intense fury.

Saku couldn’t help but frown at her inconsistency.

“I understand your lamentation. Frankly, I’m not surprised. You and I are alike in a certain sense. Well, it could be said that every murderer and I are alike. Which makes me want to ask you.”

Saku wasn’t pleased by Touka’s words. She’s been claiming the same fact several times in front of him, but he still doesn’t know what makes her similar to a murder. Touka continued with her question without minding Saku’s visible confusion.

“As the young maiden I am, I have to make sure.”

She spread her arms wide and started dancing inside the white.

She danced, spun around and danced, before asking, “So, why do you kill?”

“That’s because I have no other choice.”

That was the very moment in which the woman broke.

Saku was sharp enough to notice the invisible change. It was almost as if he heard the sound of something cracking within her.

Opening her eyes wide, the woman started shaking her hands.

Her attitude was clearly different from that of a few seconds ago.

Spitting like she had been possessed, the woman began to explain.

“They will understand. Everyone will eventually understand. I mean, look at how pitiful we are. Nobody would want an angel stealing their suicide from them, no? Suicide is the last privilege that was left for us you know! We had no other option! And then, they stole it from us. That’s why I had everyone else help me out in retrieving it back. They all are equally guilty! They all ignored the suicide of my best friend! So they may as well die for me.”

The woman declared with a smirk. She then started laughing loudly while shedding tears over and over again. Her laugh eventually turned into a crying voice.

Saku realized the hopelessness of the situation.

(It’s too late to save her.)

She already started running towards a cliff of despair.

There is no stopping her at this point.

The woman reached into her pocket and pulled out a certain item.

The blade of the knife she held reflected the faint moonlight. Saku was not surprised. There is no way she’d let them go after they’ve seen her face.

With a lethal weapon in her hand and a smirk on her face, the woman continued.

“The both of you would happily die for me, right?”

“I can’t agree with you on that part. Besides, there is still something you need to talk about, isn’t there?” Touka asked. 

The woman squinted.

The snowfall intensified.

Then, a sudden snapping sound echoed.

It was the sound of Touka’s umbrella opening.

Carrying the jet-black darkness on her shoulder, Touka whispered, “You didn’t talk about your true intentions.”

“…”

The woman didn’t answer.

But Touka kept speaking with conviction.

“— That is turning yourself into an icon.”

The woman broadened her smirk, with her gaze still fixed on Touka.

***

“There is still more to your plan. Now that I have noticed it, I found myself with no other option but to stop you. You own a powerful way to get the attention of people on social media. That is the ability to submit pictures of your bizarre murders and dumpings of internal organs. You’d then officially declare your opposition against the angel’s suicide and live-film yourself suiciding at the end. That would definitely cause an uproar.”

Then you will become the incipient idol of suicide, Touka claimed.

Saku could only gasp at the fact that he could easily imagine such a story becoming reality.

She would definitely attract attention if she was to follow those steps. The number of likes and shares on her tweets could even exceed those of the angel’s suicide before getting removed.

Hence, the attention of society will slide in her favor.

From a beautiful suicide to a closer one.

Many people will change the way they think. 

Maybe it’s fine to die if one feels tired.

The woman is practically trying to demonstrate her ideology by sacrificing herself and her victims.

“Yes, exactly. I will become the new symbol of suicide. Inevitably, by throwing away myself.”

“You and your best friends will certainly get noticed and acknowledged by the world… If that happens. More freedom will get appended to the concept of suicide and many people will likely follow your track and die. You’re telling me that you are wishing for all of this to happen?”

“I never wished for anything like this. But everyone else does. I’m sure that every suicidal person is wishing for the idea of suicide to become free more than it ever was. I’m merely acting to liberate these people. Everyone I sacrificed was for their sake.”

Touka expressed her assent with a loud nod. It turned out the woman’s protest really had a meaning.

Her heartfelt cry could shake the souls of those who want to commit suicide as well. 

Many people would follow her example just like they did with the angel’s suicide, for the sole reason that they could be noticed if they do it now.

“… You tried to tell the world that it’s okay to die by ultimately killing yourself. But I personally can’t allow you to do that, nor would your victims do.”

“How can you be so sure? It’s for the sake of people who want to commit suicide. It’s all for those who are tired, just like me. I even decided to sacrifice myself in the process, so why do you think the other girls who died for me won’t like the result?”

“Do you really believe that your victims— would agree with those words?”

“Yeah, I do. Of course they agree. Otherwise, I’d find myself incapable of forgiving anyone.”

The woman sounded as if she was singing. She didn’t seem to be feeling the slightest bit of guilt, neither did she understand the gravity of her sin. In her head, the world that had forsaken the death of her friend was far guiltier. Therefore, every murder she commits is nothing but a necessary sacrifice for her plan.

Touka sighed and turned to look at Saku.

She tilted her neck and fixed her gaze into his eyes. 

Her pupils reflected in his eyes like they would in a mirror.

Few seconds passed with nothing happening. Saku was familiar with this ritual that’s necessary for him, Touka, and the case. Shortly after, Touka returned her gaze to the woman.

“Fine then. I got my answers.”

Touka cast down her eyelids.

Then, she closed her umbrella.

The black circle in her shoulder disappeared. 

White snow surrounded her from all sides.

With a loud striking sound, Touka dropped her umbrella on the ground like a justice mallet.

She spoke with a clear, resounding voice. 

“That being the case, as the young maiden I am, I entrust you with the decision.”

There was a reason behind the way Touka refers to herself as a young maiden.

She is not a God.

Only a young girl.

Thereby, as the young maiden she is, she entrusts other beings with judgment of sins she witnesses with her eyes.

Touka spread her arms, her eyes casting the void.

She then whispered with her crimson-red lips.

“— Come over.”

The next moment, the rooftop became linked with a place that doesn’t belong to our world.

***

The God of the Fujisaki clan can speak to the dead and reveal their form to ordinary people.

Touka Fujisaki has the same power.

But, she is a degraded instance.

The God of the headhouse is omnipotent. She could even materialize people’s desires and dreams into reality. The headhouse is immersed to the bone into the profits and religious faith they derive from these powers. Touka’s powers however, are a little different. 

She can only conjure souls that have a grudge against the living.

She doesn’t by any means, materialize a soul by looking at it.

In fact, all she does is witness scenes in which the dignity of a person gets trampled on then she drags back souls that are significantly related to those scenes and haven’t lost their reasons to live. 

This ability of hers was being fully exhibited in the current situation.

Several arms belonging to the conjured souls twined around the woman. 

White arms with flabby soft flesh.

A vacant face appeared from behind her back.

It already turned into something that barely seemed like a human.

And most importantly, it was harboring a tremendous amount of malice.

White fingers pulled the woman’s face. Disfigured tooth gnawed on her arms. Long hair coiled around her legs.

Countless murdered souls entangled in the woman’s body.

It was obvious that they disapproved of her plans since they were in the middle of ripping her to pieces. 

The woman let out a confused scream. She shrieked hopelessly as she watched them twine around her.

“What! What is this!? W-What the fuck is this!? What what whaaat!?”

“Those are your victims. Looks like they didn’t agree with you, after all,” Touka replied with an indifferent attitude.

The woman’s face was paralyzed with fear. It slowly got distorted as the skin of her cheeks was torn off. Teeth sunk into her arms, splattering blood around. Hair sluggishly crawled into her flesh.

The spirits did what they had to relieve their grudge.

They stabbed their nails into her belly driving more blood to overflow, more fat to come out, and exposing her inner muscles.

The woman was getting disassembled alive by the countless arms.

She was getting consumed by the enormous amount of resentment. 

But she managed to say one thing in spite of the indescribable pain of getting torn apart. 

“I did nothing wrong.”

She wasn’t wrong. It was the world that wouldn’t look at her that was wrong; The society that wouldn’t give attention to trivial, boring matters.

That was all she said.

The next moment, a sound that was out of this world, reverberated through the rooftop.

The multiple arms peeled the skin and flesh from the woman’s body. Various parts of it fell on the rooftop, making unpleasant sounds.

The woman performed a beautiful dance while spurting blood all over the place.

She kept rotating until she hit the short fence, and eventually surmounted it. 

She fell down from the rooftop while getting consumed and broken into pieces.

Then, all of a sudden, everything came to an end after one loud, wet sound.

Overwhelming silence was all that was left.

Then, the footsteps of Touka approached the fence.

She stopped to witness the outcome and quietly whispered with sorrow, “She wouldn’t have ended up like this if the girls she killed didn’t hold a grudge against her… Her death was caused by her own actions. But, still.”

Touka continued her whisper against the world’s way of life, staring at the body with sorry eyes.

“A beautiful suicide body is indeed ridiculous.”

— That’s the true shape of a human, there.

Saku stepped forward and stood next to her.

He followed her serene gaze and thought to himself.

She’s right. That’s the true form of a human body.

A glossy pile of organs.

Translator note: 

Hello, I hope you liked the first chapter of this new series I picked after almost three years of inactivity. I’d like to note a few things here which may concern you as a reader or a translator: