Mister?
What is it?
You're going to die soon.
Kiri
I know.
Boogiepop and Others
Dengeki Bunko
Kirima Seiichi
"Greetings. This is my first time writing you.
I am a big fan of your books.
I'm writing you today because I wanted to inform you of something.
Kirima Seiichi
I will soon be dead.
I'm going to be murdered.
I've had a bizarre ability ever since I was born.
It was not an ability that would be accepted in our world,
and if people found out about it, I would no longer be able to live a peaceful life.
Solitude and Conviction
That's what this power entailed.
But then, I discovered your books."
Solitude can be your greatest gift
"Solitude can be your greatest gift.
The more alone you are,
the greater your ability to connect with a large number of people."
"After that, I thought about gradually showing the world
the ability that I had kept hidden for so long.
But it appears that the world is going to dispose of me as an outsider.
I've started to notice strange people gathering around me.
I'm sure they're assassins sent by my observer.
I figured this would happen,
but I had become an enemy of modern society.
I had become an enemy of modern society.
That's why I wanted to thank you while I still can."
An enemy to modern society?
Gen, are you free right now?
Sure. What's up? Are you researching something again?
Actually... This is sort of special.
Seiichi, I'll start by saying that he is actually dead.
Kirima Seiichi
He died a month ago. The day after the stamp on this letter.
The next day?
Yeah, and on top of that, he was missing three days prior to sending out this letter.
Missing? So he really was up to something?
About that...
What is it?
Well, it might not actually be anything...
Kirima Seiichi
What is it already?
He ended up raising the grades of those around him.
But it's not like he was tutoring them, either.
They mentioned that he gave them a word or two of advice,
or he patted them on the head,
and that's all.
And not just at school.
A guy in a band said he was suddenly able to write extremely unique songs...
There are a lot of stories along those lines.
So in other words... Like, if it were me, I'd be able to write better novels?
Exactly.
Apparently he had the ability to... How do I put this?
The ability to break through whatever was holding them back.
That's unbelievable... It's like he was able to cause miracles, then.
I wouldn't say "like"...
This is just a hunch... but I think this kid was the real deal.
How did he die?
Apparently, he slipped down some stairs and hit his head.
But there were no witnesses.
So after being missing for three days, he fell down some stairs and died...
That's what you're saying?
You'd think that'd cause a huge fuss, right?
For Sale
But it didn't, not in the least.
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His family quickly moved away soon after and disappeared into thin air.
So there aren't any clues?
Yeah, that's the problem.
Look, Seiichi, this is bad news.
If you get mixed up in all of this, who knows what could happen?
A boy who could perform miracles was an enemy to modern society?
...the ability that I had kept hidden...
Showing the world the ability that he had kept hidden...
You gave me strength. I have the courage to take a step forward now.
...I'd been holding back all this time...
...because of your books...
What's going on?
Is something wrong, Dad?
N-No, everything's fine...
What?
Like I said, Mom wants to see you.
But why?
Who knows?
She's getting remarried, so she wanted to see you before that, she said.
B-But...
If you don't want to see her, I'll just tell her that.
A-All right. Tell her I'll see her.
What's the matter?
Nothing.
What? Now I'm curious.
The guy Mom's marrying is super rich.
And?
And apparently it wouldn't be a huge deal to add another kid or two to the family.
So, how do you feel about that?
Oh, come on. Don't look like you're about to cry.
I'll stay with you.
Hey... Were you just teasing me?
Yeah. Big time.
Man... You're way more responsible than I am.
Thinking back to when I was in grade school, I wasn't like you at all.
Well, duh. Of course we kids who are born after your generation are gonna be smarter.
Is that how it works?
It's called evolution. We evolved.
Evolution, huh? Well, aren't you all high and mighty?
Then again, I guess they say, "The Child is father of the Man"...
Middle School Boy Falls to his Death Middle School Student Dies
Missing...
Missing High School Girl Dies in Accident
High School Boy Found Dead...
Kirima Seiichi
Evolution...
Middle School Student Dies
Missing Boy's Body Discovered
Missing High School Girl Dies in Accident
High School Boy Found Dead...
So that's what he meant by "enemy of modern society"...
How do I put this?
The ability to break through whatever was holding them back.
Kirima Seiichi
Missing Boy's Body Discovered
Modern society is fighting to keep the future from happening.
This is a race for survival.
It's probably only a matter of time before this observer tracks me down.
You're going to die soon.
Kiri
I know.
You know, and you're fine with that?
There are some things you just can't control.
What were you looking at?
Birds.
Birds?
Do you know why birds fly in the sky?
Because they have wings, right?
Because there aren't many other things that fly.
There's nothing else that can fly through the skies as freely as birds.
That's why they fly.
What do you mean?
If you have nothing competing with you, you can keep surviving.
That's how the birds survived for centuries.
But even birds fall out of the sky sometimes.
And sometimes it snows in April.
Danger and the unexpected affect all living creatures equally.
What's important is how you live through them.
Humans, too?
Humans, and things beyond humans, too.
There are those who are just a little bit different from the humans before them...
And they have to face the same struggle, too.
Though everyone deals with that struggle differently.
Are you someone important, mister?
Indeed, I am. I'm a humble writer, but I happen to be a huge deal.
I'm public enemy number one.
Enemy?
People who are too new to this world and are forced to become the enemy
seem to be really moved after reading my books.
You could call me their leader.
Then again, all I can do is give them a bit of a push.
I don't believe in the power of words that much.
I can't command or stop them.
But you're going to die.
Apparently.
So things won't work out. They'll end unfinished.
And who gets to decide if that's a failure or not?
You can see people's deaths, can't you?
Yes.
Do you think that bizarre talent is a curse?
I'm not sure.
Yeah. No one truly understands that.
If you were about to start something and weren't able to finish it,
no one gets to decide if that's a failure or not.
Even if it only looks like a bad thing,
your will to try to do something, or even just your earnest feelings...
Things like that will always be left behind within others.
Someone after you might do what you were trying to do even better.
Who?
It might be someone who was your enemy or someone who just happened to pass you by.
No one knows, really.
And then that gets transferred to the next generation,
and someone might eventually make it to the center of the earth.
What about you, mister?
Do you believe someone will continue after you?
Who knows?
Honestly, I just wanted someone to read my novels.
What's your name, mister?
Kirima Seiichi.
And yours?
Minahoshi Suiko.
I'm home.
Don't.
If you kill my daughter, too, this is going to become a huge deal...
Is that what you want?
Did you know that you were going to be killed?
I ended up leaving school early today—
Dad!
Nagi...
What do you think "normal" is?
Normal... huh?
Did you say something?
No.
I was just thinking how cruel this was.
This should be normal for you.
I mean, you're a murderer yourself.
There's a bug inside you.
That bug will gradually grow bigger...
As it eats everything that you try to forget.
That bug will eventually decide your fate.
And that will be the reason you die.
So, you got any ideas, since you're both murderers?
No, none.
I see. Well, this is your mission this time.
Find out why the killer is killing people this way and if need be, dispose of them.
Understood.
I'll be on my way, then.
Where are you going to begin your search?
First, I'll go to the crime scenes.
I'll find out exactly how they were killed and the murderer's possible motive.
The police have already done all that.
There must be a connection that the police haven't caught on to yet.
It's clear that this killer has a motive.
I guess it takes one to know one.
Gross.
Pigeon-san, was it?
You may want to reconsider wearing your heart so visibly on your sleeve.
You're the last person I want to hear that from, you murderer.
There are too many eyes here, and someone would immediately hear any screams.
Meaning the killer had the ability
to finish off their victims quickly, before they could even let out a sound.
But the actual killing is too sloppy.
No caution or calculation at all.
I'm sure it was sheer luck that they weren't found,
but this is basically...
Some carnivore hunting its prey?
Y-You're...
Why are you investigating this area, mister?
You a newspaper reporter?
I'm not investigating...
If you're not investigating, then what the hell are you doing?
Staring at the area like a hawk...
Checking how visible this spot is from the buildings nearby...
Were you watching me all this time?
Is that so bad?
If I am indeed investigating something, what does that have to do with you?
Don't get so pissy. I was just curious.
I've seen your face before.
In a tabloid, I believe, stating you're the only daughter of
a popular author who was killed.
Oh?
Daiichi Foods Sales Department
I was indeed investigating.
I'm not sure why, but I felt like I could understand what happened in this incident.
A normal salaryman like yourself?
I find it creepy myself,
but I feel like I have something in common with the suspect in this case.
Why are you interested in this case?
Because I'm bored.
You're bored?
Say, Sasaki-san.
Wanna investigate this case together?
Huh?
I have money, and you understand how the killer feels.
I think we'd make a perfect pair.
I knew that the system was already on the move...
But what are you trying to do, Nagi-chan?
Do you want me to taste you?
You do look like you'd taste wonderful.
This place is completely different from the last. It looks ideal for a murder.
What the hell?
What is it?
Hey, Sasaki-san, you can imagine what the killer was thinking, right?
Do you feel anything?
I can't say it's that easy...
Why would they do the same thing here
and at the spot earlier where everyone could see them?
I believe it's because it didn't matter to them if anyone saw them or not.
So they didn't care if they caught someone's eye, you mean.
What would you do in this case?
If you had the motive of sucking out someone's brain...
Could you actually do it without worrying about being seen?
If it were me, I'd do it after hiding the corpse.
I'd be scared if someone saw me.
Scared, huh?
Does that mean the killer wasn't scared?
You seem to lack that as well, Kirima-san.
Are you telling me I'm insensitive?
I'm saying that you're fearless.
Fearless, huh?
Being scared of something? Fearing something?
Looks like this won't work.
We can't get by.
Have you ever hit on a girl, Sasaki-san?
Huh?
Have you ever hit on a girl? You know, picking up women.
No... I haven't.
Then I guess this is going to be your first time.
Um... Hey.
Y-Yes?
Well, it's just... I thought you might have known the victim...
Oh, uh... I promise I'm not anyone suspicious...
We're investigating this case.
Can we ask you some questions?
Insurance investigators?
I know it's hard to believe, but she's actually 26.
Say, Rika-san, why did you try to run away?
Well, I'm sure there are paparazzi
looking for anyone who knew the victim.
What were you two investigating?
O-Oh, well, you see...
We're trying to determine if the victim was killed at random,
or if someone had a deep-seated grudge...
Grudge?! Shizue was—
What was Shizue-san like?
So no one would hold a grudge against her?
No.
She never did anything to make anyone hate her.
That's the truth.
So she was a cheerful person?
Yes. She was cheerful and really strong deep down.
Strong deep down?
She was very forward with her feelings...
and determined, plus very outgoing.
She'd never think twice about walking alone in the dark.
That's why this happened to her...
She sounds a lot like you, Kirima-san.
Even I have things I'm afraid of.
But Shizue-san didn't, right?
R-Right... It could just be that I'm a pretty big coward myself...
I see.
I've always been a coward, ever since I was little.
Why does fear even exist?
Huh?
What's the matter?
The person I met earlier said something similar.
What do you mean?
It must've been terrifying.
Why does fear even exist?
If only fear didn't exist, she'd probably still be alive and smiling today.
She was really creepy... So when you two called me over, I was...
I see... Got it.
Is something wrong?
Sorry. I'll leave some money for the tab.
Please wait!
What's gotten into you?
You're no longer a suspect, Sasaki-san.
Huh?
Sorry. I was suspicious of you, as well.
But now that's been settled.
So this is goodbye.
Why do you no longer suspect me?
I—
What you felt is just an impulse, Sasaki-san.
The bug inside you was just squirming around a bit.
You're actually a kind person.
You'd never kill anyone on your own accord.
We've only just met. What makes you say that?
Just a hunch.
When I told you to go talk to Rika-san earlier, you were honestly flustered.
There was no lie there.
That's enough, isn't it?
See ya.
Do you... Do you know who the killer is?
I gave you a hint... Now all I have to do is wait.
You'll come, won't you, Nagi-chan?
With your extraordinary sense of justice, I'm sure you will.
And prove to me...
that you have strength like a flame
that can burn through everything...