Chapter 238 The Third Player
Oda Sakunosuke has a pen pal whom he has known for three years.
...No, to be more precise and if one-sided "acquaintance" is included, he has actually known that "pen pal" for five years.
Ever since he...read a novel and decided to give up killing and become a novelist.
--Five years ago, Oda Sakunosuke was 15 years old[1] and was still a killer whose life was filled with killing and only killing. However, a novel he came across by chance and the author of a novel he encountered by coincidence changed the trajectory of his life and made him think about giving up killing and becoming a novelist - "I would write a novel about the story of a killer who appeared in a novel and stopped killing people"[2].
Why did the unknown killer give up killing people? What was his life like after he gave up killing people? It was because of such doubts and the desire to clarify these questions that Oda Sakunosuke was tempted by the writer's words "Continue writing it yourself" and thus came up with the idea of "writing it myself".
Although due to some cautious reasons, he has not actually started writing even after five years since he gave up killing, Oda Sakunosuke has indeed maintained this determination and has never wavered.
During this period, although he had the idea of "continue writing", Odasaku still couldn't help but develop some curiosity about the prototype of the "killer who no longer kills" - yes, he inadvertently learned from the writer he met by chance that the "killer" who appeared in the novel had a "prototype" living in reality.
Although he never thought that he would actually meet him in real life, it was still difficult for Oda Sakunosuke not to be curious about him.
And the "pen pal" he had known for three years was exactly the "prototype" mentioned by the author.
Oda Sakunosuke discovered this only half a year ago, two and a half years after he became friends with him.
The pen name of that "pen pal" is "Mochizuki Kurumi", and her real name is "Mochizuki Kaoru". She is a well-known mystery novelist in Yokohama, no, even in Japan.
He regarded the opportunity of meeting Oda Sakunosuke as an accidental "necessity" that came from a whim - that was a cutting-edge mystery novelist. He first noticed the name "Mochizuki Kurumi" in the teahouse he often visited and read books there. His name was printed on the cover of a novel placed on an idle bookshelf in the teahouse for guests to view, and on the book in the hands of the writer who reminded him to "write it yourself."
The writer referred to Mochizuki Kurumi as “a younger generation.”
As a result, Oda Sakunosuke developed the curiosity to "read the novels written by him."
Then he was naturally attracted by his writing style and stories. His novels did not have any characters like the "killer who gave up killing" in another novel he had read, but they were still vivid and shocking, with a different kind of vitality. From his novels, Oda Sakunosuke got a feeling similar to that of the other book, but different from it. It was a very subtle emotion, and it seemed to have a little "empathy" that he was not aware of. At that time, Oda Sakunosuke had not yet realized what that emotion was.
After reading the novel, Oda Sakunosuke hesitated for a year and began to try to send letters to the other party as a reader.
Then, a lucky thing happened - the already famous writer sent a reply to this unknown "lucky reader".
After receiving the reply and reading the contents of the letter, Oda Sakunosuke naturally sent a reply to Mochizuki Kurumi.
After that, the two of them communicated with each other through letters in the relationship of "author" and "reader" for a whole year.
Sometimes even Oda Sakunosuke himself finds it incredible - for some reason, although there was a situation where they didn't send letters to each other for a long time, they didn't really lose contact completely. Instead, after that period of time, one day they suddenly reconnected through letters and never lost contact since then.
Not only did they not lose contact, but from one day on, Oda Sakunosuke's contacts with the other party suddenly began to become regular... After a long time passed, the two of them had unknowingly developed a relationship where they could casually chat about interesting things in each other's lives in letters and could call each other "friends" without hesitation.
This change was subtle and silent. It was the result of the accumulation of countless letters between them. It was made up of various small events until one day, the sand gathered into a tower and the water gathered into an ocean... The quantitative change gradually gave rise to a qualitative change, and Oda Sakunosuke finally discovered these changes belatedly.
But the first time I really felt the reality was last year, when Oda Sakunosuke saw in a letter from Mochizuki Kurumi that she mentioned her past in a vague way.
Perhaps it was something like "empathy between killers", coupled with some of Oda Sakunosuke's still sharp and not completely rusty intuition, and after reading the letter, the information exchanged in every letter between them in the past gradually emerged in his mind...all these clues came together, and he suddenly realized that "Mochizuki Kurumi" was not only the "descendant" of the author of the novel he read, but also the prototype of the killer who appeared in the novel and chose to "give up killing" at the end of the novel.
——Before receiving the letter from the other party, Oda Sakunosuke also inadvertently mentioned his past in a letter sent to the other party - his past as a "killer".
From this, he suddenly realized that the relationship between him and "Mochizuki Kurumi" had leaped to such a distance without him knowing when.
They can share and talk about each other's past lives frankly and without any scruples, and will not have any hesitation or regret about talking about it.
Is it because they have only ever communicated through letters and have never met in real life or exchanged real contact information, so even if they passed each other on the street they would only regard each other as strangers, so they would open their hearts to each other?
Oda Sakunosuke thinks that this is probably not the case.
Although he knew this information, Oda Sakunosuke's relationship with the other party remained the same as before, without any change, and he did not ask the other party more about his past and present thoughts... Perhaps for Oda Sakunosuke, the only change was that the curiosity about "what the prototype of the killer looks like now" that occasionally appeared in his mind before has since sunk into his mind and has never appeared again.
"Author and reader", "close friends who have never met" - this is how Oda Sakunosuke positioned the relationship between him and Mochizuki Kurumi.
...a week ago.
Because of this relationship, it was suddenly broken one day a week ago.
It all started with a letter from Kurumi Mochizuki, a sudden and unexpected letter in which she expressed the wish to meet him.
For some reason, in the three years before this, as if they had maintained some kind of inexplicable tacit understanding, neither he nor Mochizuki Kurumi had ever mentioned the topic of "wanting to exchange real contact information" or "let's meet" in any of their letters. Oda Sakunosuke had never even had such an idea, as if such an idea had been subconsciously deleted from his mind and ignored...
But after Mochizuki Kurumi suddenly mentioned it to him, Oda Sakunosuke never thought of refusing or hesitating, but chose to accept it naturally, as if it was just an ordinary and natural thing. Just like they chose to send each other every letter in the past three years.
The time when Oda Sakunosuke met with the other party was a relatively sunny afternoon. Whether it was Oda Sakunosuke or Mochizuki Kurumi, whose real name was "Mochizuki Kaoru", neither of them had any awkward situation of "pen pals dying in the open". Oda Sakunosuke thought about it and if he had to describe it... it was probably an ordinary meeting and communication, just like every communication they had with each other on letter paper.
They completely and directly crossed the stage of "from strangers to friends", just like meeting a friend who was already very familiar with them... No, they were indeed very familiar friends.
After meeting for seven consecutive days to discuss novels, and after gaining new insights into "novel writing" from their conversations, Oda Sakunosuke had a rare feeling that he was "probably very lucky."
However, the other party did not seem to agree with his behavior of not writing after he had the idea of "wanting to be a novelist" - "The best time to start writing is now, the most handy tool is your own mind, and the best technique is the countless words you write down from your heart, so why not start now?"
This is what the other party said to him.
"Sakunosuke, you certainly have the qualifications to write." - Then he said the same thing as another writer whom Oda Sakunosuke knew.
...Perhaps all writers have some similarities?
As a "successful representative" who successfully transformed from a "killer" (although Mochizuki Kaoru himself does not seem to identify with this identity) into a well-known writer, Oda Sakunosuke feels that the other party's advice may also be of great reference to him.
So, under the advice of Mochizuki Kaoru, Oda Sakunosuke also began to waver in his behavior of not writing for a long time, and began to think about whether he should also accumulate writing experience.
Today's meeting with Mochizuki Kaoru in the cafe was also based on this idea.
Kaoru Mochizuki is currently writing a new mystery novel.
The name of the book is "Reader Letters", a mystery novel based partly on letters sent to him by some readers. "There may be a lot of plots in it that come from the content discussed in the letters you have sent to me in the past. I wonder if Sakunosuke would mind" - this is what the other party asked him.
Perhaps it was based on this consideration that Mochizuki Kaoru came up with the idea of meeting him - a face-to-face conversation would obviously be faster and more convenient than communicating via letters, and she wouldn't waste too much time waiting back and forth.
Naturally, Oda Sakunosuke had no reason to disagree.
The purpose of our recent meeting was also to "find more inspiration and information for my new book", and -
"Talking with Sakunosuke will give me more inspiration for my new work, and will also allow me to gain more enlightenment from the perspective of a 'reader'. In short, it is very necessary for me. Of course, even if it is not because of the new book, just from the perspective of 'meeting with friends', meeting you will also make me feel happy." Mochizuki Kaoru said to him.
"Of course, in addition to your letter, Sakunosuke, the initial inspiration for this book also came from another...'friend' of mine." The young man, who was a few years older than him, hesitated, as if he was not sure about the relationship of "friend".
Oda Sakunosuke nodded and said, "I think he is also an interesting writer."
Oda Sakunosuke was immediately filled with respect for the "friend" that Mochizuki Kaoru mentioned - it was an amazing idea that she could think of using readers' letters as a source of inspiration for a mystery novel.
"No, Sakunosuke, you guessed wrong this time - the other party is not a writer, but a... Mafia."
There was a strange expression on Mochizuki Kaoru's face. He said, "He is a 15-year-old Mafia leader."
It sounds like it’s even more powerful… Oda Sakunosuke thought solemnly, and even felt some strange pressure.
"Mr. Mochizuki is truly amazing," said Oda Sakunosuke.
"Sorry, wait a minute—I think I saw him."
As if she saw something, Mochizuki Kaoru suddenly stood up from her seat, walked quickly out of the cafe, and came to a black-haired boy with a bandage around his head and wearing a black coat.
He was the "15-year-old young Mafia leader" that Mochizuki Kaoru had just mentioned - Odasaku reacted immediately.
In fact, Oda Sakunosuke noticed that the black-haired boy cast his eyes towards them when he appeared just now, but he was so focused on discussing the content of the novel with Mochizuki Kaoru that he completely treated the boy as a stranger... Unexpectedly, he was the friend of Mochizuki Kaoru.
I don't know what they said, but Mochizuki Kaoru quickly brought the other person back into the cafe and sat next to them... although the boy's expression looked a little strange.
It's like wanting to say something but not being able to.
But the expression on Mochizuki Kaoru's face looked quite natural, so Oda Sakunosuke said nothing.
"Sakunosuke, this is the other person who inspired me that I talked to you about earlier, Dazai-kun."
Mochizuki Kaoru introduced him.
"Mr. Mochizuki mentioned you to me. You are his friend."
Oda Sakunosuke put on a serious expression: "Hello, I'm Oda Sakunosuke... I'm probably a potential novelist at the moment."
Under Mochizuki Kaoru's gentle gaze, Oda Sakunosuke hesitantly added the second half of the sentence.
Then Oda Sakunosuke saw that the expression on the boy's face became even stranger.
"Is that what Teacher Mochizuki said?" After a long while, the young man suddenly spoke.
Assistant Oda Sakuyuki nodded as a matter of course.
The boy seemed to have an expression of surprise on his face.
...Did he say something wrong? Oda Sakunosuke looked at him.
"It does seem a bit offensive to call the current leader of the Port Mafia a 'friend' without permission..." Mochizuki Kaoru said thoughtfully.
——He is actually the current leader of the Port Mafia! Even more amazing!
"No, of course not!" Oda Sakunosuke heard the boy's quick retort, even a little anxious. He said in a very serious and solemn tone: "I mean, Mr. Mochizuki is of course my friend."
Then Oda Sakunosuke saw a smile on Mochizuki Kaoru's face.
It was a smile he rarely saw on his face, a smile that was calm but also slightly cunning.
"Then, as you said, Dazai-kun, we are friends now." Mochizuki Kaoru said calmly.
He then turned to look at Oda Sakunosuke and introduced him, "This is my other friend, Oda Sakunosuke."
Then Dazai Osamu's attention shifted from Mochizuki Kaoru to Oda Sakunosuke.
"Odasaku... can I call you that?" The other party hesitated, with a dark light flashing in his black eyes, and asked: "I am Dazai, Dazai Osamu."
Strangely enough, at this moment, Odasaku felt a kind of tension from the boy.
Although it seemed a bit strange to feel such emotions from a guy who became the leader of Mafia at the age of only fifteen, since the other party was Kaoru Mochizuki's friend, out of trust in Kaoru Mochizuki and the impression he had of the other party from what Kaoru Mochizuki had said before, Oda Sakunosuke still chose to send some friendly signals to him.
"It sounds a bit strange, like a farmer's name."
Oda Sakunosuke was confused for a moment, but finally decided to fight for himself: "Do I have the right to change it?"[3]
Dazai blinked rapidly.
"Isn't this title acceptable?"
"If you don't want to change, there's nothing we can do." Oda Sakunosuke sighed.
Dazai smiled, and his voice became lighter: "Then I will call you Odasaku from now on."
Oda Sakunosuke could even feel that the tense emotions that had been lingering around him had relaxed.
He looked like a real 15-year-old boy, and it was even hard to imagine what he would be like as the leader of the port Mafia.
Is it true that the leader of the Port Mafia is such an easy-going type?
It seems that he and Mochizuki Kaoru have a very good relationship.
"Does it mean to omit the last part of Oda Sakunosuke's name and just read it as Oda Saku?"
Mochizuki Kaoru asked curiously, smiling: "This title does sound interesting, and it is also easier to remember than the title 'Sakunosuke'."
"Oh, by the way... Speaking of which, in this weather, shouldn't you call your subordinate in as well, Dazai?" Mochizuki Kaoru suddenly asked, "Sakunosuke, do you mind?"
——It is autumn now, but the tail of summer is still here and the temperature outside is still very high.
If you stay outside all the time, you'll get burned pretty quickly.
If people are left outside in the sun for a long time, they may suffer from heat stroke. This is true even for the subordinates of the Port Mafia.
Oda Sakunosuke shook his head.
Then, Oda Sakunosuke quickly saw the smile on Dazai Osamu's lips froze, and then instantly turned into reluctance.
——It was as if he didn’t want “that subordinate” that Mochizuki Kaoru mentioned to come in as well.
But he still nodded at Mochizuki Kaoru and did not reject his words.
He did not stand up, but gestured to the outside through the glass wall of the cafe. A moment later, Oda Sakunosuke saw a young man dressed like a scholar, wearing a three-piece suit, round glasses, and combed back hair, walked in from outside, then stood beside Dazai Osamu, bowed slightly to Dazai Osamu respectfully, and called out, "Chief."
Then he turned his head slightly and greeted Oda Sakunosuke and Mochizuki Kaoru politely.
The distance was very close, and Oda Sakunosuke saw beads of sweat on his forehead, probably because he was outside in the sun and exposed to the high temperature.
"You're so lucky, Ango. Even if you're alone outside so far away, you'll be lucky enough to be spotted by Mochizuki-sensei, who will even invite you to sit in the cafe, so you don't have to suffer from the sun at all."
Dazai smiled, but Oda Sakunosuke thought that smile was strange. He said, "Would you like to sit next to me?"
In front of them was a small round table, the type that could seat four or five people. Oda Sakunosuke sat on the left of Mochizuki Kaoru, and there was a chair between Dazai Osamu and both of them, so it seemed as if he was sitting opposite them.
"No, Chief, I'll just sit next to you."
The young man named "Ango" said respectfully. He did not choose to sit next to Dazai Osamu, but sat on a chair in front of another table next to them. His back was very straight, and his expression was still gentle with a hint of seriousness and nervousness.
——It was not until this moment that Oda Sakunosuke finally had some sense of reality that "the young man in front of him was indeed the leader of the Port Mafia."
Then he saw Dazai Osamu's gaze return to him and Mochizuki Kaoru beside him, and his expression seemed to become a little nervous again: "Teacher Mochizuki, Oda Saku..."
He called both of their names hesitantly, but suddenly stopped talking.
"What's wrong, Dazai?" asked Mochizuki Kaoru.
"No, nothing." Dazai blinked and asked, "I want to ask, why did Mr. Mochizuki suddenly invite me in?"
"Didn't you, Dazai, just now want me to invite you in outside?"
Mochizuki Kaoru looked at him strangely and said in a matter-of-fact tone: "Just passing by... This excuse is too lame, Dazai. If you really want me to believe it, try another reason next time."
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