Recently, Tokyo Nichiuri TV host Yoko Okino conducted an exclusive interview. Her interviewee was the renowned private detective and special consultant to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department...
“Nishimoto, who was kicked aside by Kuroiwa and others after Keiji Aso was silenced, was not without resentment.”
"But compared to the other three, he had no power or influence, and he had long since squandered all the money he made from drug trafficking. He simply had no way to compete with them."
"He just lived in a daze until 'Hirata' secretly contacted him."
Yoruichi Toyama recounted the events quietly. These things had been vaguely forming in his mind for some time, but only now, with the final mystery of the incident revealed, has the truth fully surfaced.
"The real Hirata is a timid person, but it's hard to say. The malice in such a person's heart may just be waiting for the right opportunity to erupt."
“You can take advantage of this to portray yourself, 'Hirata,' as someone who is patient but always looking for an opportunity to turn the tables.”
"Nishimoto probably had some initial doubts about Hirata's sudden approach, but he quickly accepted it because they shared the same interests."
"At Hirata's instigation, Kuroiwa planned the scene where he was injured by the protesters, actually to secretly arrange a meeting with Kawashima. Nishimoto, of course, already knew about these things."
"Like the others, the conflict between Kuroiwa and Kawashima has a long history, but they have maintained a superficial peace for many years because of their shared interests. On the eve of this village chief election, especially with the appearance and disappearance of 'Asano Minoru', the conflict was successfully intensified."
"Kawashima was indeed killed by Kuroiwa. If he had been pushed into the sea from this spot and left for another day or two, it would have been very difficult to find the body."
"But before Kuroiwa could even rejoice, he encountered Nishimoto, who was secretly watching him. His fate will probably be the same as Kawashima's, and the timing won't be much different either."
"Xiben doesn't need to worry about the body. All he needs to do is return to the activity center immediately and make sure he's already in everyone's sight when the body appears."
"Finally, it was 'Secretary Hirata's' solo performance. You probably used some method to ensure that the body that fell into the sea could be quickly recovered, then hid Kuroiwa's body, while dragging Kawashima back to shore, placing him on the piano, and arranging him in the same position as Kameyama's death."
"Of course, doing this will inevitably arouse suspicion for Hirata, but what does it matter? Anyway, the Hirata who is caught is no longer the 'Hirata' who committed the crime."
"There's just one thing I don't quite understand." Looking at the other person, Asano Minori, who had orchestrated all of this, Yoruichi Toyama's tone changed slightly.
"So far, things are going according to plan, and the police have not locked down the entire island due to any other suspicions."
Why didn't you leave?
Out of politeness, and especially out of respect for Asano Minoru, who was burdened with a blood feud but had not actually committed the crime himself, Toyama Yoru changed the word "escape" to something else.
Having understood, Asahi gave a cool, aloof smile.
"It's for you, Detective."
"To be precise, it's to see if anyone can solve this final puzzle."
Seeing Yoruichi Toyama's twitching lips, he added a sentence.
“I sent letters of authorization to you and Mr. Mori at the same time, certainly to mislead you, but I also hoped that after the crimes of Kuroiwa and the others were investigated, someone would realize that this was indeed ‘Asano Minoru’s revenge.’”
"During my two years living on the island as Dr. Asai, I saw through the true colors of those hypocritical guys. They are nothing but a bunch of shady rats in the gutter."
"It's easy to imagine that even without my instigation, people like them would eventually turn on each other, and none of them would have a good ending!"
"But I can't just wait for that ending. If I don't do something, how can I face my parents and sister, who keep appearing in my dreams, engulfed in flames?"
"...Yes, detective, everything you just mentioned, I did it. It was my revenge against those guys."
Asagi gently opened her arms and tilted her face up as if basking in the moonlight.
“I have to admit this to others, and this is the final part of my plan.”
"However, it's strange..."
He ignored Yoruichi Toyama's sudden change in alertness and continued muttering to himself.
"I don't feel relieved at all..."
"For so many years, I've been suffocating myself... I told myself I had to find out the truth about my family's tragic deaths, I had to avenge them, and that's how I survived..."
"But now..."
“Because people can’t live on hatred alone.” Yoruichi Toyama continued, trying to remain calm, and took two steps forward.
"What has sustained you for so many years is not hatred for the murderer, but your responsibility to your family."
“You are the only surviving member of the Aso family and want to seek justice for them, which I can understand.”
Recalling how Narumi so resolutely gave up her life after taking revenge in the original story, Yoruichi Toyama suppressed the trembling in her heart and spoke sincerely.
"I came to Moonshadow Island to help you."
Before Asami could commit revenge killings, he discovered evidence of Kuroiwa and others' crimes, brought them to justice, and saved Asami's life.
This was a thought that Yoruichi Toyama never wavered from.
Even if I am utterly defeated in this incident.
Reasoning and winning or losing are not important; what matters is the people.
It is about saving a heart twisted by tragedy.
After taking two more steps forward, Yoru Toyama, who was always only an arm's length away from him, reached out his hand.
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