Chapter 73: Beyond the Side Mirror

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Translator: Soafp

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[Kyoko PoV]

The night air is supposed to be clear, yet the coldness I feel through the window glass strangely stabs at my skin.

The faint light from the streetlamp reflected on the windshield dimly illuminates the residential area sinking into the darkness. The engine is off. Only the soft sound of breathing fills the car, quietly blending my presence into the night.

The unique stillness of a winter night numbs my ears. Occasionally, the cold wind shakes the trees, and the faint creaking sound of metal playground equipment in the park echoes. A deserted park. A place that would be filled with children’s voices during the day is now swallowed by darkness, ruled by silence and coldness.

I rest my arm on the steering wheel and let out a deep breath. Without the heating on, the car fills with a slightly cold air, which seems to awaken the unease and doubt lingering deep inside my chest.

I shift my gaze to the side mirror. There, a man walks slowly, holding a leash in one hand.

Mizuki Aizawa.

He is the cousin of Miyabi, the man I saw not long ago when I dropped Miyabi off at her house. At that time, we just exchanged a brief nod, but the faint sense of déjà vu I felt from his profile still lingers in my chest. No, it's not just lingering, it's aching deep within me. I've seen that face before. A face I couldn't possibly forget.

I definitely know that face.

From the fragments of my memories, I pull a distant winter evening from years ago.

It was a few years ago, back when Hajime was still young—the incident that occurred then.

Hajime's childhood friend, Suz Suzumura.

The innocent smile of Suz. She was always with Hajime, Miyabi, and Aoi. Without any warning, she disappeared. According to her parents, she got caught up in some incident and moved away with her family, but no further details were shared. I never pressed the issue. What stayed strongly in my heart was the slightly lonely look in Hajime's eyes.

I heard the news about Suz Suzumura's suicide about five years ago. The words my mother told me were strangely calm, and I couldn't even grasp the reality of it. It was just that the thought of that small Suz ending her own life tightened my chest painfully.

I never told Hajime. I couldn't bring myself to.

The name Suz reached my ears again just recently. When Hajime suddenly spoke her name, the memories I had locked away rushed back. For Hajime, Suz was one of the irreplaceable people. Why did Suz disappear? Why did she end her life…?

Staring at Mizuki's figure in the side mirror, I begin to piece together the fragments of the past.

Just before Suz disappeared, I remember the face of a boy who had been with her. The boy who had been strangely loitering around Hajime. There was no mistaking it. That was the young Mizuki Aizawa.

If Mizuki were involved in Suz's disappearance or suicide…

A cold shiver crawls up my spine at the possibility. I continue staring at Mizuki's figure when suddenly, there's a tapping sound on the window.

I instinctively freeze. Outside the window, a police officer on a bicycle stands. His figure, with the collar of his winter uniform turned up, is illuminated by the passing car lights.

When I roll down the window, the officer dismounts from his bike and gives a polite bow.

“Is it a woman inside? Sorry for the late hour. I've been patrolling this area, and I noticed your car had been parked here for a while, so I was a little concerned.”

“Ah, sorry, am I in your way? I'll move right away.”

I quickly say, but the officer waves his hand lightly.

“No, this spot is fine. It’s just… I was a little concerned.”

His words feel slightly off. When I ask if something's wrong, he looks around and lowers his voice.

“Actually, there have been several incidents recently where young women have been targeted around here. We’re increasing patrols because of that.”

Young women…

“What are the suspect’s characteristics?”

“According to public reports, they're an adult male, but details haven't been confirmed yet.”

A feeling of unease swells deep inside me.

“I'll contact you if I see anything suspicious.”

“Thank you. Please stay safe.”

As the officer leaves, I glance back at the side mirror.

“What?!”

Mizuki's figure, reflected in the foggy glass, sways faintly like a shadow. But I can tell he's looking at me. Even though it's through the side mirror, his gaze pierces me. A coldness creeps up my spine, but it's a different kind of chill, one that feels wet and sticks to my back.

Mizuki stands perfectly still, staring at me. His figure, rising from the darkness, feels somewhat unreal, and I can't help but swallow nervously.

I can't look away. If I do, when I look back, I feel like he'll be standing right outside my window.

Unable to bear the sense of pressure creeping closer, I shrink back, sinking deep into the seat. I hold my breath, trying to disappear. I just wanted him to notice I was just another passerby in a car.

As I hold my breath, I peek at the mirror again, and Mizuki's figure has already disappeared.

But I can't relax. I'm suddenly gripped by the illusion that I might hear breathing from behind me.

Suz's disappearance, the recent incidents involving young women, and Mizuki…

Everything seems to be connected by a dim thread. Something colder than the air crawls up my spine.

At that moment, my phone vibrates. The display shows “Hajime.”

I feel my heart loosen all at once, the coldness I was just feeling disappearing. My face involuntarily relaxes. The cold and the unease are forgotten, and my chest feels warm.

“What's up, Hajime? Did you already miss me?”

I try to tease him lightly. A phone call from my younger brother is something special to me. For him to call me in such a serious voice means something must be wrong.

But Hajime's voice on the other end isn't the usual playful tone. It's unusually serious.

“Kyoko-nee… I… I need to ask you something…”

His voice grips my heart tightly. It's been so long since Hajime asked me for something like this. When I try to recall, I can't even remember the last time.

Normally, Hajime would try to solve everything on his own. For him to ask me for help…

“Of course, it's my duty to solve my cute little brother's problems. Tell me.”

With a smile full of composure, I wait eagerly for Hajime's words.