Original subtitles

An Art Theatre Guild (ATG) and Tatsumi Kikaku Co., Ltd. co-production

However, it is according to the dictate of time and fate

that We have resolved to pave the way for grand peace for all the generations to come,

by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable.

Summer 1947, Tokyo

I was born from the scorched earth.

Ayaka, undress. I want to see your body.

You don't want to?

All right.

I want you to sell her to me.

It may be only as a front, but she is still my wife.

That's why I said I'll give you money.

200,000?

With all this money, you can get whatever you want.

Very well.

It looks like you need this wild woman

that's like a sunflower that bloomed on a scorched field

and I need money.

So, I'll gladly sell you my wife.

Unrelated Murder Cases

Translation by bLoodZ

Planning: Ryuhei Nishimura Production: Iwao Bokuseki, Makoto Aso

People living inside houses

is a depressing scenery above ground.

Original Work: Ango Sakaguchi

Screenplay: Yozo Tanaka, Atsushi Yamatoya, Chusei Sone, Haruhiko Arai

The past for me is nothing but bad memories.

Shooting: Masaru Mori Lighting: Saburo Mio

Art: Takeharu Sakaguchi, Tsuneo Kobayashi Recording: Fumio Hashimoto, Kazumi Inamura

The past, for an impatient and idle troubled mind, is an ominous nightmare.

Edit: Atsushi Nabeshima Music: Cosmos Factory

Assistant Director: Hiroshi Saito Record: Yoko Ito

I, on a moonlit night, have nailed down my own gloomy shadow on the ground,

Color Measurement: Teruo Moriyama Chief production: Nanao Momoi

in order to stop the shadow from following me forever.

CAST

Takahiro Tamura Tetsuro Sagawa

Junko Natsu, Junko Miyashita Kazuya Kosaka, Ryohei Uchida

Shoichi Kuwayama, Ryunosuke Kaneda Takashi Kanda, Jun Hamamura, Taiji Tonoyama

Kotoe Hatsui, Yuko Kusunoki, Hiroko Isayama Moeko Ezawa, Hiroko Sakurai, Toshie Negishi

Eimei Esumi Gen Kimura

Shosei Muto, Kenji Utsumi, Go Awazu Hirokazu Inoue, Hiroshi Cho

Jun Izumi, Rei Okamoto Meisen Mizuhara, Yoko Azusa

Hitomi Fukuhara, Miyuki Minami Hiroko Sasaki, Megumi Ogawa

Akira Ishihama Noboru Matsuhashi Yuya Uchida

Kayoko!

Directed by: Chusei Sone

That's kind of difficult.

You know, during wartime I was evacuated to your mansion,

and the minute the war ended, I stole your father's beloved woman and ran away.

You're asking the impossible.

What is it?

Kazuma here, he says to come to his country mansion.

And on top of that, the both of us.

I'll be going, then. I left Ayaka all alone.

I don't want to go.

I lived for many years in that mansion,

so I already know what's about to happen there.

Kayoko, his younger sister...

The child his father had with his maid, remember?

Yes. Did something happen with Miss Kayoko?

Well... Even though they're siblings,

their relationship went beyond that of mere siblings, apparently.

For crying out loud, he's one hopeless fellow.

So Ms. Kayoko, you see, she strongly wants to see you.

After all, you were her only friend.

And also, it seems that her health is in bad condition.

"I'll have the tourist bureau send you tickets for August 15",

"so please come with the last train of that day".

"I really want you to come".

"Since one of the three tickets is for Mr. Kose".

"please persuade or even force him to accompany you, if you must".

"Respectfully yours".

"A horrible crime is about to happen".

"A lot of people's blood will..."

"You and Mr. Kose are the only ones I can rely on".

"And also, Ms. Kyo. Ms. Kyo! I beg you, I'm waiting for you".

"A dark sea of blood is in sight".

- If it isn't Mr. Yashiro! - Oh, oh my...

- Oh, Ms. Kyo also. - Hello.

Shall we go together?

- It's been a while. - Hello.

You're also going to Mr. Utagawa's?

Yes, we did receive an invitation letter, after all.

- Hey. - Yes.

I'm sorry, everybody, please get off and give it a push.

I guess we have no choice.

Well, well, well. Hello there!

Where are you going?

The Utagawa Mansion is the only place I would be heading to from here.

I hope we can all get along for the summer.

I hear there's plenty of food and drinks.

After receiving Mr. Kazuma's personal invitation,

there's no way I would refuse such an offer.

Invitation? You got one too?

Excuse me, who is this?

This is artist Koichi Doi.

Oh, the famous one said to be the most unique nowadays.

My name is Toyo Kamiyama, I'm a lawyer.

I worked as Mr. Tamon Utagawa's secretary until seven years ago.

Hi there, Mrs. Multimillionaire. Thanks for welcoming us.

As a reward, I'll fondle you for the first time in a long while.

Hi, good afternoon. Who might you be?

- I'm Utsugi. - Utsugi?

Ah, Ms. Akiko Utsugi, right? That renown woman writer...

Hello, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

I'll introduce myself soon enough.

But my past sweetheart is longing for me right now.

Hey.

You scoundrel!

You good-for-nothing! This is not a place for someone like you!

Leave!

When popular first-class writers dramatists and scholars

Mokubee Miyake, French literature scholar

gather in one place, it sure is a sight.

It's just like when we were evacuated from Tokyo to the Utagawa Mansion.

Mr. Yashiro, shall I get you something?

No.

- My name is Toyo Kamiyama. - Is that so?

I always read your works.

Hey, Pikaichi!

Aren't you going to drink? Huh?

Wani Mochizuki, Writer

Bonsoir, Ms. Kocho.

I often had the honor of seeing you on stage, but,

well, you sure are beautiful.

Let's drink.

You're what they call a beautiful figure with a beautiful face.

Vous êtes très Jolie, charmante, délicate,

and avec orgueilleuse, I would say.

I like this "immorality", you know.

Let's dance.

I don't want to.

Pikaichi, you did well.

Courting that third-rate harlot like actress first,

shows your deep knowledge.

But even with your French training,

you don't seem to understand Western erudition.

You're not supposed to court a harlot in public.

Harlots like to look like a lady!

That truly is some warped arrogance.

Courting a harlot in public makes her stick to her imitation!

In other words,

this is how it's done!

May I?

Oh?

Shall we?

Again.

- What do you think, Mr. Pikaichi? - Uh? Pikaichi? Ah!

I'll do this with you tomorrow evening.

But you mustn't tremble then.

I hate men who tremble.

Tamao Utagawa, Kazuma Utagawa's younger half-sister

Say, Mr. Tango, let's dance the tango.

Yumihiko Tango, Writer

Come, Mr. Utsumi.

You also need to be in the limelight once in a while.

Akira Utsumi, Poet

My only chance for that would be when I'll star in "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame".

I'll be counting on your co-star then.

Oh, really? That sounds great.

Let's do it right here this summer. Mr. Hitomi, prepare a suitable screenplay.

Koroku Hitomi, Dramatist

Very well!

I shall do the stage setting.

Let's perform for the village inhabitants and rip the peasants off their New Yen.

Your stage setting will scare away the peasant customers!

Forget about the play!

With all these actresses here, erotic dance is all we need!

What other options do we have?

Come on.

This is,

how it should be like.

Is that enough? How about another one?

- All right. - Tamao!

Learn to behave. Hey, stop! You're going too far!

Oh, come on. She's just saving me the trouble.

Here! Big brother, don't get angry, I'm borrowing her for a moment.

Showtime is over. It's time for everyone to act in their own play called love.

No spectators allowed!

- Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go! - There you go!

Well, well, his character exceeds what I had heard of him.

The Utagawa Mansion sure is a splendid harlot house.

By the way, about my companion for tonight...

Who is it going to be?

How about you, lady writer?

Well, that will happen eventually, but I have a previous engagement for tonight.

Oh, I see... So you're a couple. Sorry, I didn't know that.

Sorry. Go ahead, go ahead...

What in the world is going on here, huh?

Akiko Utsugi is your ex-wife.

Pikaichi Doi is your wife Ayaka's former husband.

Calling even that bunch here,

it's almost sheer madness, isn't it?

Sheer madness, huh? That's well put.

- Did you get my letter? - Of course I did.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have come. By the way, about Mr Kose...

He couldn't come with us, but he'll depart tonight and probably arrive tomorrow.

- Mr. Kose? - Uh-huh.

What's that about Mr. Kose?

What about him, you ask? I'm confused.

You said in your letter to bring Mr. Kose along.

- In my letter? - Uh-huh.

I never wrote such a thing.

I wrote asking only for the two of you to come.

Huh?

Never mind, I think I get what's going on.

It's not only the letter addressed to you.

For the Kamiyama couple and especially Pikaichi Doi,

I would never send an invitation for them.

- And yet they got an invitation. - Wait a minute.

You have the letter, right, Kyoko?

Yes.

- Here. - Oh.

Someone unsealed the letter at one point and made a fair copy.

I know it because they've used the same text that I wrote.

Listen.

I'm saying that someone rewrote it while adding some parts and removing others.

I mean, I would never use an expression like "a horrible crime".

Actually, the ending: "A dark sea of blood is in sight".

That's definitely my sentence. But that's...

Never mind.

Shall I tell him in your stead?

So Kayoko told you everything, didn't she?

Yes.

Ms. Kayoko said,

"I'm marrying brother Kazuma. I'm sure God will allow us".

"And then we'll die together".

- Hey, wait a minute. - Yashiro.

I fell in love with Kayoko. And it's not like a mere sibling love,

nor is it like the love I have for Ayaka.

It's like... an amazing, catastrophic passion.

I see.

"A dark sea of blood is in sight", huh?

Believe me when I tell you that the last line is still a possibility.

Overcoming that would mean Kayoko's death.

For me, Ayaka is...

As long as I have Ayaka...

My, my! It looks like courtesan Tamao has returned.

Did you stay over last night?

- Oh, my head hurts. - Did you stay up all night?

Uh-uh, I slept a lot and I'm still sleepy.

Am I sleepy because we're in the mountains?

What if you're ill?

If I, with no talents except eating, has no appetite, it might be an illness.

Isn't it morning sickness?

If that's the case, you should have Mr. Ebizuka examine you.

Oh no, what if he finds that I'm actually ill?

Mr. Wani is dead.

What?

Mr. Wani... was murdered.

Sunpei, come with me.

Everyone wait here, please.

Mr. Ebizuka, you should come too.

Sure.

- Excuse me. - Darling!

Wani Mochizuki is certainly dead.

No, he has been murdered.

How do you know it was murder?

Even though Wani was like a beast, piercing his own heart with a dagger...

He could never pull such a stunt.

I know who's the culprit!

It's Ms. Akiko Utsugi.

You really are something, since you're capable of murder.

This is Ms. Utsugi's favorite Dunhill lighter, am I right?

It was on Mr. Wani's desk from his bedside.

In the ashtray on the desk, there was a cigarette butt with lipstick on it.

There was no such thing in that room last night while I was there.

It's over for you!

That's not true, I didn't kill him!

A dagger? I would never... I don't know anything of that!

Yes, something terrible happened. Uh? Can you hear me?

It's the famous popular writer, Mr. Wani Mochizuki from Tokyo.

Leave it as it is. As it is.

So this is Mr. Utagawa's actual handwriting?

It's so well done.

You can't tell it apart from the original. It's impressive.

Excuse me, Mr. Kose.

A detective's and a lawyer's work are similar,

so we should be working together here.

Well, I'm not here as a detective.

I was invited here for food and drinks,

so to stumble upon a murder case on arrival... that's terrible.

- Kose, come here. - Okay.

- What's that? - A bell.

There might be other stuff under the bed. Hey, Read-a-Lot, you take a look too.

- Oh! - Huh?

This is strange...

Why was this used to wipe under the bed?

There's not even a single drop of blood or water on it whatsoever.

I would like too see everyone's rooms if possible.

Oh, of course.

Mr. Hitomi, go ahead.

Mr. Hitomi!

Thanks.

By the way, I'm sorry for bringing this up during the meal, but...

Would it be okay if I ask you a few light questions in a casual mood?

The mansion's locks matter seems to be quite a delicate one.

No one here in these deep mountains lock their doors.

Because the fear of thieves is inexistent.

Mr. Inspector, let's cut the small talk.

The criminal didn't come from the outside.

Almost everyone in this mansion wanted to kill Mochizuki.

I see.

But your theory doesn't prove that the criminal didn't come from the outside.

Since the used dagger was adorned in a rack in the lounge,

that must mean that the culprit is familiar with the house.

Brother! Stop.

Mr. Inspector, what would you like to know?

When and who killed him? Isn't that right?

The owner of this lighter,

Ms. Akiko Utsugi, should be able to clear that for you.

It was around 1 o'clock when I went to Mr. Wani's room.

Mr. Wani was asleep.

With no sign of waking up, even after trying to shake him, I,

sat on the bed and smoked a cigarette.

Did you happen to have some of the drink from the flask at that time?

Yes, I drank some of what was left.

- What is that drink? - Geranium thunbergii.

Mr. Wani looked strong, but he had a weak stomach.

He used to gulp down geranium thunbergii everyday like it was tea.

Excuse me, but, do you always take a lighter with you

even when you shortly visit another room?

That's not always the case, but Mr. Wani wasn't a smoker.

Last night, I first went out without the lighter.

But the door was locked.

So I initially went back,

but then realized that I happened to have the key for Mr. Wani's room.

I looked for it and found it.

So, I took the cigarettes and the lighter and went right back.

I see. And what happened with that key?

I took it back with me.

I locked the door after intentionally leaving the lighter behind.

I did that so Mr. Wani would notice my visit.

I went there, but someone else who also had a key might have went there as well.

And who that might be, only Mr. Wani would know, right?

That's why I've left my Dunhill lighter behind.

Lies! That's a huge lie!

This morning, when I discovered Mr. Wani's body, the door wasn't locked.

How could I have entered the room and discover the body when I don't have a key?

Well, this is getting complicated.

Does every room in this house share the same lock?

No, each one is different.

So Ms. Utsugi has Mr. Mochizuki's key.

Who else is able to lock and unlock that room's door?

I mean, who else has the key for that room?

Let me see.

I had them make three keys.

One of them should be inside a desk in the hall next door.

The other one should be in the safe, if I'm not mistaken.

About the one in the drawer...

Hey, Keen-nose, you go and check it out.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry for disturbing you during the meal.

- Is it there? - No.

Who's staying in the room next to Mr. Mochizuki's?

Oh, Mr. Yumihiko Tango.

I often read your work in the magazines.

Did you happen to hear any strange sounds coming from the next room last night?

Yeah, but I stopped paying attention since I hear strange sounds every night.

Well, now that Wani's dead, I can probably have a quiet sleep from tonight onwards.

- Listen here. - Uh?

How are you supposed to distinguish sex sounds from murder sounds? Right?

Excuse me. Excuse me, Madam.

Excuse me, but those slippers...

What about my pantoufle?

Pantou?

I see, so they're not slippers, they're shoes.

- Did you also wear those yesterday? - Yes, I wore them yesterday too.

A bell seems to be missing.

Indeed. I noticed this morning, when I put them on, that a bell was missing.

- What is it? - It's nothing. Excuse me.

I know we weren't a couple before coming here,

however, flirting with another man while under the same roof...

That's a matter of character!

She broke off with Utagawa and got together with me.

And that never made me feel inferior.

But now I feel humiliated.

Getting this done to me makes me feel like a dog.

I can feel a dog's humiliation!

Isn't it too late to throw around pseudo-Hamlet lines?

Getting together and breaking up here,

shows that the swiftness of retributive justice is consistent.

That sure is a great thing. Right, Ms. Utsugi?

Hey! Stop!

Damn it!

Hmm...

It looks like he needs to be knocked out.

How about we all surround him and punch him?

These days it seems that you need to be ready to use your fists for a beauty.

Say, Mokubee.

Are there any hunchback fencers in France?

Mr. Utsumi is going to write an anthology for me.

Apparently the theme is "for a homely woman's aching heart". Isn't than nice?

"Aching heart" is unnecessary.

I compose poems just for the homely woman's sake.

Oh my, it's so unlike you to be shy.

You speak so much when we're alone though.

A homely woman shouldn't court an ugly man.

A homely woman should secretly yearn for a handsome man.

And an ugly man's worth would be to die in agony for a beautiful woman.

I think I'll retire for tonight and maybe write some poems.

For the homely woman's sake.

Wait. Let's take a walk.

She's so slatternly.

Isn't she quite cute?

Is that what you call cute? That's so disgusting.

A crow wearing peafowl feathers would look better than that.

Hmm...

I'm going to drink a lot tonight.

You should stop, Ms. Tamao, or you'll throw up afterwards.

She's right, Ms. Tamao. Drinking that much is bad for your health.

I know, but let me have just a little more.

When I drink quietly like this, I can see a vision.

A vision of Mr. Wani getting murdered.

I can clearly see it.

Even the expression of a woman swinging downward a dagger,

I see it clearly.

She has a devil face for sure.

A jealous devil face!

Let's not talk about that.

All right? Let's call it a day.

Come, let's go.

Ms. Utsugi, unlike when you were her sister-in-law,

I see that Ms. Tamao gets along quite well with Ms. Ayaka.

Indeed.

We were at daggers drawn, after all.

Madam, the young Missus is feeling sick and she's throwing up.

Could Dr. Ebizuka...?

Don't be absurd!

Calling for a medical scientist to nurse a drunkard?

I would never do that even for a queen. Get out!

Just ask Ms. Kotoji.

- Change the washbowl, please. - Yes, ma'am.

The relationship diagram between the people present here in the Utagawa Mansion

would look something like this.

Tamon Utagawa's legitimate child is Kazuma.

Tamao is the daughter he had with his second wife, Ms. Kaji.

Kayoko is the fruit of Tamon's toying around with his maid.

What's this "Nagumo family"?

Ms. Yura is Tamon's younger sister, so they live under the same roof.

Therefore, Chigusa is Kazuma's cousin.

I see. So, about these concubines...

Well, about that...

They're women that served him in the bedroom over the years,

and that he gave to his employees after getting tired of them.

That is, Kosono was given to Kamiyama.

Teruyo to the cook, Tsubohei, and Kyoko...

I already know the whole story of her eloping with you.

Still...

This looks more like a correlation diagram than a relationship diagram.

Take a look at this.

This was found in the mailbox.

"Who killed Ms. Kaji? Everything will end on her first death anniversary".

"The hatred and the curse too".

Um, um... Ms. Kaji is...

Like I said, she's Ms. Tamao's birth mother and Kazuma's stepmother.

Ms. Kaji passed away last year in September from cardiac asthma.

At that time, for some reason,

a rumor that I poisoned her spread through the village.

Probably someone like Tamao or Ebizuka spread that just for fun.

Even so, this is a cruel harassment.

September 10, the destined day

What's going to happen on September 10?

What's going to happen on your stepmother's death anniversary?

What in the world awaits us?

Darling, tie the door with a string.

No, you must use a wire.

Radio calisthenics no.1. Ready?

In which teapot was boiled the geranium thunbergii?

Here.

I have a theory, but I'm not sure of it.

The culprit who murdered Wani had the key.

He locked the door once, while Wani was still alive.

And left without locking the door after killing him.

Say, what if when Ms. Utsugi unlocked the door and went inside the room,

the culprit was already inside the room?

Yes, probably that's the case.

And under that bed, Ms. Ayaka's bell was found.

No, I think you have it wrong there.

Mrs. Ayaka has a perfect alibi for that night.

I mean, she was soundly sleeping in Mr. Kazuma's arms, after all.

Mr. Kazuma confirmed it.

The autopsy result revealed an unexpected fact.

Before being stabbed with the dagger, Mr. Mochizuki

was first dosed with a large quantity of sleeping drugs.

However, when we examined him,

we didn't find any sleeping drugs among Mr. Mochizuki's belongings.

Was the sleeping drug perhaps in the geranium thunbergii?

That's right. Do you have any clues about that?

Yesterday morning, I knew something was strange when I was feeling dizzy and sleepy.

And also...

"And also", what?

Ms. Tamao also said her head hurt and that she was feeling sleepy.

So it just came to mind that Ms. Tamao probably also drank some.

Who boiled the geranium thunbergii?

Last night, I mean the night before yesterday,

it was Ms. Tamao herself that boiled the geranium thunbergii.

I know that because I was helping the Tsubohei couple with the cooking.

After boiling it, Ms. Tamao took it off the fire to let it cool,

and then poured it in the flask.

Mrs. Ayaka was also there, right?

Yes, I was preparing a meat pie.

That's the only thing I take pride in, after all.

Then the two ladies, the Madam and the Tsubohei couple...

While it was being boiled, besides these five people,

did you see anyone else in the kitchen?

I don't remember everyone.

I mean, the gentlemen kept coming and going to the kitchen that day.

Ms. Kyoko and Ms. Utsugi were also there that day.

Yes. They were making buckwheat noodles, right?

I came to observe that, then began to help with this and that...

Even when Ms. Tamao took the geranium thunbergii off the stove,

I happened to be present there.

So, from taking it out of the pouch, to putting it in the kettle,

to putting it on the stove, then taking it off after boiling,

to filling the flask and carrying it, it was all done by Ms. Tamao, right?

Yes, that's right.

I see.

To tell you the truth, the result from analyzing the leftover leafs

is that the sleeping drugs weren't poured in the flask,

but they were, without a doubt, put inside the kettle while it was boiling.

Wasn't it that day?

When Mr. Pikaichi was showing off the big snake he caught.

Hey, someone bring a knife, quickly!

Oh my, it's a snake.

I'll turn this into a side dish for dinner. Look!

- Where did you catch it? - Say, doesn't it bite?

I hate even the sight of a snake.

Say, Mrs. Ayaka, the two of us didn't even look at Mr. Pikaichi, right?

Acting like Susanoo-no-Mikoto. How repulsive!

The young Missus...

Huh? What?

...was murdered.

Everyone, stay put right here for the time being!

- Let's go. - Yes.

Hey, who opened this glass door?

It was me this morning when I cleaned up.

- Hey, call the forensics! - Yes, sir!

How was it?

Well...

Wasn't it a suicide, Mr. Kose?

- Huh? - A premeditated suicide.

Well...

There are some suicides that only look like strangulations.

However, in Ms. Tamao's case,

there seems to be no doubt about it not being a murder.

That's strange. Then, who in the world...?

Madam, the gentlemen from Mr. Mochizuki's publishing company have arrived.

I see.

Mr. Yashiro, if it's convenient for you, please follow me.

The Master is waiting for you.

Was this glass always here?

No, it was brought because the young Missus wanted to drink water.

Is this salt water?

- Huh? - No, it's fresh water.

Come, come now. I'm glad you're here.

I would've really liked to be out and have a good time with you all,

but I have recently caught a cold and my stomach is aching.

You easily get sick and every illness is rough when you live in retirement.

Work worries are now fragile.

You must be disheartened after what happened today.

Oh well, all of this,

might be my fault.

Because I am as I am,

it was inevitable that my children would also be born to be peculiar.

Excuse my hospitality even though you were invited here,

but I would like you to have this as a keepsake.

This is a Bada Shanren painting that I purchased in Peking.

Boundless silence... Isn't that what you'd call solitude?

This is something deep that thrills one's soul.

And also... for Kyoko... I have this.

A necktie pin that I purchased on my abroad travels from Paris.

It has 18 karat.

Did you know that Tamao aborted a certain man's offspring?

No. What certain man?

I thought it was Wani Mochizuki.

That was until Tamao was killed.

I thought that Tamao had killed Wani.

She was a girl capable of such a thing.

But Tamao was also killed now.

What is Kazuma saying?

Well, nothing really.

The one who hated Tamao the most

was none other than Kazuma.

I'm sure you can tell at a glance what this powder is since you're a nurse.

It must be morphine. But I have no use for such a thing.

It is my first time seeing it in this room.

Mr. Wani's remains have been returned.

All right.

Come now, everybody, shall we?

Mr. Utsumi, why don't you stay?

It's about a two km walk.

It would be best if you stay behind.

Yes, it's kind of lonely for only us, women, to be left behind.

- Right? - Yes.

Oh my, you're so popular, Mr. Quasimodo.

I'm going.

Otherwise, Wani won't blissfully turn into ashes if I'm not the one to say the requiem.

Hey, Mr. Hunchback.

Get on the wagon, I'll push you.

It might be a coffin wagon, but there's nothing to be superstitious about.

Then, don't mind if I do.

Here we go! One-two! One-two!

One-two! One-two!

One-two! One-two! One-two!

I happened to ride the coffin wagon today,

and the man pulling it told me something strange.

Among the ones evacuated to this village,

there's a terrorist that says an erotic writer like Wani

is Japan's cancer and that he should be killed.

This man also really hates Ms. Tamao.

He apparently said something like, "That kind of women will ruin Japan".

I hear that even the police has started to keep an eye on this man.

Even though that man was an evacuee, he's originally from this village.

He's a veteran called Tonegoro Okuda, he's a draftsman or something.

After discharge, with his house burned down and no sign of his wife and children,

he kind of went a little crazy.

At his evacuee room's windows, he hanged signboards that said,

"Confucius Laboratory" and "The 'Analects of Confucius' Society".

He might be a lunatic, but he sure is rational.

He even visits my clinic sometimes.

I even heard that he sent a letter addressed to,

"The grotesque slut of gentleman Tamon Utagawa".

But he said he didn't receive a reply.

Since he didn't name her, with the many sluts he has,

he presumed that they probably yielded to each other.

Hey, you snobby gentleman-mask wearing quack.

You sure are a despicable high-strung bastard.

Who in the world do you think you are, huh, you bastard?

Then why are you sitting on the same table with the unpleasant people!?

Get over here!

Just get the hell out!

Oh!

Hey you, enough with all that.

Listen here, you might not know Ms. Tamao well,

but she was definitely killed by someone among us, excluding Kose.

What do you mean by "someone among us"?

We here are all men of letters.

How about being more responsible with your words, huh?

Do you know where Chigusa is?

I don't know.

I haven't seen Ms. Chigusa for a while now.

She wasn't here at dinner either, right, Mr. Ebizuka?

Don't ask me!

Say, Ms. Kocho, have you seen Ms. Chigusa?

Was she there at dinner?

No, I haven't seen her there, right?

Oh my, I wonder where she is? I thought I'd find her here.

Where could have she gone?

You've said that you view us as lunatics,

but the way I see it, you are the lunatic here!

Well said! Well said!

You seem to ostracize our conduct as men of letters,

but what about yourself, when every night

you're being intimate with a certain lady in the fishing pavilion?

Moreover, while pretending to do a medical examination,

you apparently hold Ms. Kayoko's hand or play with her breasts for a long time.

Also, I overheard that lately you're quite infatuated with Ms. Kae, a cute maid,

and that under the pretext of a breast disease,

or some internal organ disorder,

you're forcing her to get naked.

Just what in the world are you doing at your clinic?

Comparing the passion of us, men of letters, with that of others,

results that yours is rather unusual!

That cryptic-abnormal view must be because of your inferiority complex?

Great! Great! Great! You're right on the mark.

Great doctor.

Wise doctor.

Those eyes. It's those eyes!

Everyone, look!

These eyes, these glaring eyes of a lunatic. They're eyes that can kill.

They're the eyes of a bloodthirsty murderer that finds satisfaction in a sea of blood.

- You can't hide your true colors! - Excuse me... Excuse me...

I can't find Chigusa anywhere.

Does anyone know where she is?

Don't tell me you think that she's going to get killed too?

Don't worry, granny. She's just in heat.

That's right, Ms. Chigusa went out on a secret date.

You knew about it?

Ms. Chigusa received a letter from her lover.

She fluttered it before me, but I didn't read it.

Then she went out around 6 o'clock.

Where to?

I do not know.

Who is the gentleman?

I think it might be better if I don't say it.

You idiots!

Wow... Wow! What a charade.

What's with all this murder charade?

This house itself is a big charade.

I want to call it a brothel, but on the

contrary, it's like a cluster of sexual desire.

- It's a lunatic's erotic nest! - Shut up! Be silent!

You go back to Tokyo!

You should leave, right now!

What did you say, you bitch?

I dare you say that again!

Stop it! Hey, what are you doing?

- Let me go! - Stop. Stop it.

Damn it. Now you've done it!

You slut! You bitch!

Hey! Stop it!

- Hey! What are you doing? - Everyone stay out of this.

You thug! You criminal!

You prostitute! Wait, you bitch! You slut! You bitch!

You bitch!

Wait! You bitch!

Damn you! Get up!

- Where!? - Out... Outside!

Hey, stop it! Hey, hey!

- Ayaka! Ayaka, run! - Let go! Let me go, you bastard!

Stop it!

Wait, you slut!

Wait! You slut, you bitch! Wait!

Open the door, you slut! Open up! Come out!

He's coming, he's coming.

I'll kill you, you bastards!

Come out, you slut!

I said open up!

Damn you. I'm gonna strangle you to death.

- Are you on a stroll? - It's not a stroll, it's a search.

Ms. Chigusa is nowhere to be found since last night.

Oh? What's this handbag doing here?

She barely put up any resistance.

There's no sign of violence either.

This darn criminal, isn't he quite gentlemanly towards a lady's honor?

She was dragged here all the way from there.

Mr. Utsumi?

Are you awake?

Hey, did you take it?

Yes. But nothing clear came out yet.

Oh, really?

"Dangerous relation", huh?

Uh-huh, that's right.

Three stab marks on the side and two on the chest.

The murder weapon is the same as in Mr. Wani Mochizuki's case.

It's the one from the display case above the dresser in the lounge.

So, about the drunken frenzy of artist Doi...

Let me see, until around 11 o'clock, he stood yelling in front of the door,

with fiery glint in his eyes, just like the two guardian Deva kings.

Wow, that was such a splendid gallantry.

I'm sorry about that. Carry on, please.

From around 12 o'clock, he sat on the floor with his back leaned against the door,

and he was still screaming out loud.

Despite my appearance, I'm an avid reader,

so I was lying down reading a book last night.

Then Mr. Doi's yells began withering, ceasing at around 2 o'clock.

That's when I gently opened the door and peaked out

to find artist Doi asleep.

His back, which he leaned against the door, was now on the floor.

So all the guests here

were evacuees during the war?

- Yes, the majority was evacuated here. - I see.

- Artist Doi also? - No, it's his first time here.

Then, about the neighborhood...

Well, I don't think he's familiar with it.

I see. Thank you.

Oh, we've been waiting for you.

I apologize for calling you during this hectic time.

By the way, doctor, you seem to go out every night.

- Did you have an emergency tonight? - That is ridiculous.

Why would I stay here every night? That is ridiculous.

How did you get that hand injury?

I fell down on the mountain trail last night.

Mr. Ebizuka, I know that you have a bad leg,

but to take four hours and a half to walk from this house to the hospital

seems a little too much.

I was walking the whole time.

I was walking.

But I don't always go straight on the same road.

Did you visit or meet someone along the way to talk to,

or something like that?

There's no one in this village worthy of my visit. That is ridiculous.

After all, Ms. Chigusa was already dead at 9:30 p.m., right?

On August 18, between 6 and 7 p.m., Chigusa Nagumo was murdered,

and on the same night between 11 and 12 o'clock, Akira Utsumi was murdered.

After Wani Mochizuki's cremation, everyone started walking back at 6 p.m.

Here we go! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!

"The plain woman and the hunchback are to rendez-vous"

"today at 6:30-7 o'clock at the back of Miwa Shrine."

"Further details when I see you".

Mr. Utsumi is crazy about me.

But calling me a plain woman is rude.

I'm off to give that Notre-Dame hunchback a scolding.

Is Mr. Yashiro here?

Or Mr. Kamiyama?

They're both not here. What is it?

You see, Grandpa,

says he wants to know about the place where Chigusa was killed.

Excuse me... Is there something wrong?

Good morning.

He exerted himself to walk and look at him now.

For old people, it's hard to do today what they could do ten days ago.

I was told that you are ill.

Well, since this morning, he was feeling a little better.

He wanted to go around the place where Chigusa's body was found.

It's just an old man's stubbornness.

Who is this gentleman?

He's a mansion guest called Mr. Yashiro.

You know, the gentleman who married Ms. Kyoko.

Oh, I see. That gentleman.

After three consecutive nights of murder, a week has passed without anything happening.

Hello.

Good afternoon.

Are we celebrating something today?

The young Master was born on August 26.

Oh my, Ms. Kayoko, what a rare sight.

Since today is my brother's birthday,

- I came here to the mansion. - Oh, I see.

Over here.

Go ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you Mr. Tonegoro Okuda.

Rather than calling him a "Analects of Confucius" scholar,

he's the most earnest and honest

practitioner of the "Analects of Confucius",

ascetic and sage.

Go ahead.

- People don't live to eat... - Hey, hey, hey!

That's not from the "Analects of Confucius". Cut it with the cheap semi-Western sermon.

Lunatic hicks should stay quiet.

That'll never liven up a party.

This is truly offensive. Hey, Ebizuka!

Not only your presence alone at our gathering is unpleasant and useless,

you dare bring a stranger who seeks our approval?

Mr. Ebizuka.

As the host of this gathering,

I find that man's trespassing unacceptable, so take him out of here.

And also, you should stop attending this gathering for the time being.

Well, in Tokyo you won't hear the sermon of a "Analects of Confucius" sage.

Recklessly chasing away someone without investigating his true worth,

for a performer's attitude...

Performer my ass! Intellectual my ass!

No wonder your novels don't sell.

Come now, people like you should make themselves disappear.

And one-two, one-two, one-two, one-two.

One-two, one-two, one-two, one-two...

- Here you go. - Thank you.

Oh, they'll bring you food right now.

Just let me get you a chair.

Mr. Ebizuka.

The difference in character between you and the people gathered here is way too big.

From now on, I would like you to exclude yourself from this gathering.

- You should go eat in the main building. - Ms. Kyoko, could you...?

- Another bowl. - Hey, darling, come here.

- Just a little. - Yes, sir.

- Mr. Kose. - Oh, okay.

Here you go.

- Oh my. It was you, detective? - Yeah.

I just thought of taking a little lookout stroll.

Then, was that also you hiding in the bush just now?

I'm not sure, who knows?

I wasn't actually planing it, but I shall go on a patrol for you.

- I'd appreciate that. - No problem.

Darling, sugar.

Son-of-a-bitch, you're always giving me the same chipped teacup.

It's you who went on a rampage and chipped the coffee teacup.

You reap what you sow.

Oh? I should have given that to lady Kayo instead.

This one's more chipped.

Then, let's give this to Ms. Kayoko.

Since this one has less chips.

- Right? - Yes.

Ms. Kayoko! What's wrong? Get a grip!

- Ms. Kayoko! - Kayoko! Kayoko!

- Kayoko! Kayoko! - Ms. Kayoko!

Hey, call a doctor! What are you all dilly-dallying for?

Don't you stand up! Listen up, no one moves!

No one leaves! And, don't touch anything on the table!

Got it? Ms. Kayoko was poisoned.

She got killed in my stead!

Son-of-a-bitch! Who tried to poison me?

Look! You killed Ms. Kayoko instead!

You have my condolences.

Could you accompany me to the main building?

Sure.

Everyone, I'm really ashamed of our incompetence,

but evidently our opponent is the most devilish among devils.

Tonight, two murders were committed simultaneously in two different places.

- Two? - That's right, two.

Mr. Tamon Utagawa and Ms. Kayoko.

Moreover, the plan was carried out right in the kitchen next door.

In other words, they both had their food poisoned.

Ms. Kayoko with potassium cyanide,

and Mr. Tamon Utagawa was killed with morphine.

- Who prepared Mr. Tamon's meal? - It's me, sir.

The Master avoids eating quadrupeds,

so tonight's menu was grilled sweetfish, carp sashimi, broth soup,

cubed tofu and boiled vegetables.

And after the meal, he had pudding, as usual.

- And who made the pudding? - It was the Madam, sir.

You see, the morphine was put inside the pudding.

But that's impossible.

Nothing really happened while I was making the pudding.

I have never even left the place.

And I didn't notice anything suspicious either.

Excuse me, Madam, what if it was in the sugar?

- What about the sugar? - Sir.

Um, because of the Master's poor health,

he usually didn't consume normal sugar.

Um, with the limited things that the Master could eat,

we had a special jar of sugar prepared.

So we started using beet sugar for him.

Check it out.

- Send some of this to the office. - Yes, sir.

When did you use the sugar before using it for the pudding?

We used it with the black tea at lunch.

Since for lunch we made sandwiches,

I personally poured the black tea and sugar in 360 ml of milk and boiled it.

- But you first took a larger quantity? - Yes, that's right.

I took a quantity that I thought would be enough for the pudding too.

Did the Master drink all of it?

Um...

He drank it all.

- You served him the lunch, right? - Yes.

Did anything strange happen after that?

No.

Did anyone come to the kitchen after lunch?

Yes... no.

After lunch, everyone went for an afternoon nap,

so until 3 o'clock no one came to the kitchen.

So from 1:30 to 3 o'clock the kitchen was empty, right?

Yes, that's right.

It's just... around 2 o'clock the sweetfish had arrived.

Um, Ms. Moroi delivered it.

Delivering the sweetfish is also a part of your job?

I was the only employee awake in the house at that time.

And the kitchen was empty at that time, right?

No, someone was there.

Who was it?

It was lady Kayo.

Ms. Moroi, you're counting on the fact that dead men tell no tales, don't you?

You might be right.

I realize it's absurd to trust my words.

By the way, why did you exchange the coffee teacups?

Why did I exchange teacups? Before answering that...

Now, Mr. Inspector, please listen well.

My teacup had a mark on it. It was a chip on the edge.

And in that teacup with a mark, potassium cyanide was poured.

By whom?

I'm sure you all know very well who that was.

But unfortunately, Ms. Kayoko's teacup was chipped more than mine.

So after proposing that we switch them, that's when tragedy struck.

I would immediately spit out the coffee with potassium cyanide,

since I'm invulnerable.

Mr. Inspector,

if you investigate the ones who went in and out the dining room after the meal,

you'll find the culprit right away.

Stop lying!

You poured potassium cyanide in your own teacup,

and then gave it to Ms. Kayoko.

This person here is a sleight of hand master, you know.

Be it cards or dices,

he's more skilled at magic tricks than he is at gambling.

He is a fingertip magician, you hear me.

Hey!

Ladies and gentlemen!

I'll now perform for your amusement a black and white fantasy love story.

It's not like I'm a homicidal maniac. Why would I kill Ms. Kayoko?

All murders have a motive. We need to find the motive first.

Ladies and gentlemen!

I see.

"The entire inheritance is to be fairly split in half

between Mr. Kazuma and Ms. Kayoko".

"Lady Yura and Seijiro Katakura get 200,000 Yen each".

Seijiro Katakura... Who is that?

Uh? Well... He's the clerk who served this house his whole life.

He got sick this spring and is currently recovering.

I see. If you'll excuse me.

- Hurry up. - Yes, sir.

- Over here. - All right.

Come inside.

Hey.

Mr. Sei, this gentleman is from the police.

Greetings.

The death of Ms. Kayoko's mother wasn't a suicide but a murder.

That's what a part of the elders have been saying.

Is that true?

Mr. Inspector, that is something that even I don't know.

I had noticed that the waistband around her neck was lady Kaji's.

And that she was wearing one of lady Kaji's clogs and one of hers.

Of course I knew that lady Kaji wasn't involved in it.

However, I thought that the suspicion might turn towards lady Kaji,

so I panicked.

Thinking back, it might have been my rashness

that brought trouble to this house, I believe.

In that bad moment, that villain...

Hmm...

It looks like the rumor that shook the Utagawa Mansion wasn't a lie, after all.

Toyo Kamiyama's blackmail includes another secret of this house.

Huh?

When the Master was still 20 years old,

before going to Tokyo to study,

he had a child with an inn maid that he played around with.

This child was adopted into a distant relative's family, but,

he grew up to commit fraud and blackmail.

He eventually resorted to robbery and ended up dying in prison.

He left behind two children, however,

the elder one, Gentaro, passed away three years ago.

Regarding the younger one.

He's the man named Koji Ebizuka that's

currently working in this village as a doctor.

That person is the Master's grandson.

Ebizuka is my blood relative...

The one who found out about this secret

was again that scoundrel called Toyo Kamiyama.

That damned Kamiyama told Ebizuka everything,

and blackmailed lady Kaji with a property distribution lawsuit.

I don't even remember how many times I wanted to kill that damned Kamiyama,

but not doing it, is my only regret in life.

That's the only thing that's keeping me from dying now.

Excluding Mr. Kazuma,

is there any other child of Mr. Tamon that's still alive?

There isn't anyone else left alive.

He was a man that had only a few children.

Thank you. If you'll excuse me.

Say Mr. Kose, what if some of these incidents have different culprits?

Maybe the cases involving the Utagawa family,

and Ms. Chigusa's, Mr. Wani's and Mr. Utsumi's cases,

actually have different culprits?

I wonder.

When I'll record this for posterity,

I might name it "The unrelated murder cases".

And that's because it's exactly what the culprit is aiming at.

In other words, the culprit's plan

is to confuse us about which case contains his motive.

Then, are you saying that all the cases are the deed of the same culprit?

Well of course, that's obvious.

And that's because,

for so many characters with a shady past to be gathered in the same building...

That's not just a coincidence,

but it was all according to the criminal's will.

He even was kind enough to summon me too.

I somewhat feel offended.

Then, what in the world would the culprit's real motive be?

If I knew that, I would've already known who's the culprit.

- Going out? - Yes.

I looks like you got a little too greedy, artist Doi.

Excuse me.

Wow.

- That's ten. - This is bad.

Hi there. Are you going out?

- Yes, for a bit. - I see.

Excuse me, Mr. Yashiro.

Today, I'll join you to the mineral spring. Lead the way.

You're going to the mineral spring too?

No, I have a Go meeting at the postmaster's place.

Oh my, his house is not this way, you know?

Yeah, but what I mean is that while I do like Go,

I tend to dislike it when it comes to meetings.

Therefore, when I'm supposed to walk to the meeting place,

my legs naturally start walking in the opposite way.

You are twisted from birth, I see.

Say, while at it, why don't you come with us to the mineral spring inn?

Hmm, hearing that makes my legs naturally turn the other way.

If you'll excuse me.

See you.

He sure is eccentric.

Your symptoms are definitely a breast disease sign.

Today, I shall give you a physical examination.

Come now, come, come.

- No! I don't want to! - Hey!

If you don't do as you're told, I will restrain and then undress you!

No! Let me go! Let me go!

I went there twice, but he wasn't home.

Then, you should've asked to wait for him inside.

Hello.

Did you see Ms. Akiko get on the same bus with you?

No.

- Keep up the good work. - Hello.

- Hey, go call the forensics! - Yes, sir.

I'm really sorry about it.

I got absorbed into a billiards bet,

and failed to prevent it again.

However, I won't let the criminal get away.

"September 10, the destined day", huh?

I'll return before September 10,

but do tell Mr. Kazuma to be really careful.

He can even tie the door with a string if he wants.

And also be cautious about the food.

Better safe than sorry, and view everyone as the culprit.

For what reason are you going on a trip?

To search for material evidence.

Evidence? Isn't there any here?

No, there isn't.

All I can say is that the criminal got himself trapped between time and space.

And also psychologically...

However, I have no material evidence to say the least.

Then, does that mean you know who the criminal is?

Yeah.

That's why I need to make sure that this personage is the one for sure.

Mr. Ebizuka, you took the 12:40 bus and headed to Niitsu.

I need you to tell me what you did from 9 to 12:40.

Mr. Ebizuka!

Yesterday, between 9:40-9:50 you entered the Utagawa Mansion via the back gate.

Then went in the main building and ordered the maid, Ms. Yae,

to bring nurse Moroi to you.

However, at that time, nurse Moroi did not take the second bus to town.

And you turned pale the moment you heard that.

Then, apparently, you had a sudden change of heart.

"I'll be going ahead to the fishing pavilion",

"so just call Ms. Kae for me," you said.

And went to the fishing pavilion.

- You insolent fool! That's a lie! - Hey!

After getting Ms. Yae's message, wondering what it could be,

Ms. Kae headed towards the fishing pavilion at once.

And then she found you waiting for her with a stethoscope.

Excuse me.

That's nonsense. You insolent fool!

Calm down!

Ms. Kae was surprised and fought back.

Fortunately, grandma Yura, who was on a stroll around the area, heard her screams,

and came to take a look in the fishing pavilion.

Thus, interrupting your erotic plan and allowing Ms. Kae to escape your claws.

Am I right?

I called Ms. Kae here too, but if that's not enough,

I could call grandma Yura as well, if you want.

Then, you nervously rushed like a madman to the Utagawa Mansion,

and that was around 10 or 10:10.

Now, where and what did you do after that before getting on the 12:40 bus?

You idiots! You lunatics!

All you bastards will meet divine punishment and get massacred!

You darn lunatics! You huge idiots!

Why aren't you arresting him? Why?

We have no evidence and we are a democratic police, you see.

I also went to Niitsu, but I took the second bus.

I went together with lady Kyoko,

and we also met with lady Kotoji at the bus stop.

We got off at the Taisho Street in Niitsu,

and since my husband is running for the election,

I went to talk with the influential people in town.

After that, by chance, I ran into lady Kyoko on the last bus.

I went out with the first bus and returned with the last one.

I see.

Did you notice anything unusual about your wife?

From my perspective, that woman is always unusual.

We stay in different rooms since we came to this house...

What I mean is that, in reality, we are actually separated.

I see.

She ignored me and calmly, under that situation with Wani,

it's as you already know...

Anyway, since that woman couldn't live three days without feeling a man's body,

I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Does that mean that you usually didn't have intercourse with your wife?

Well, we were more estranged than strangers.

In other words, since we were under war, we weren't strangers, we were enemies.

Thank you for your cooperation.

- How about him? - Yes, sir.

He definitely took the first bus to Niitsu.

I see.

Artist Doi, lawyer Kamiyama and Mr. Kose,

have the alibi of playing billiards the whole day.

Mrs. Yashiro, Mrs. Kamiyama and nurse Moroi...

Since the victim's estimated time of death was around noon,

I think it would be all right to exclude them.

Mr. Kazuma took the 9:20 bus to Kanbara.

He said he went to a relative's place, right?

Yes, we're now checking with the Kanbara police station.

Good. Mr. Tango took the 10:50 bus to Kanbara.

After arriving in Kanbara, he ate sweetfish, then took an afternoon nap.

Mr. Yashiro was at the mineral spring inn, writing his manuscript.

Mrs. Ayaka, at the same mineral spring,

took a bath and then returned home.

Kotoji Moroi.

On September 3. What were you doing?

Confess everything!

Nonsense.

Kotoji Moroi, you wicked woman.

Hypocrite Mokubee Miyake!

On September 3, you, Mokubee Miyake,

had a secret meeting in Niitsu with Kotoji Moroi!

Acting all righteous, you dare insult me? You dare insult your wife's infidelity,

while you're committing adultery with Kotoji Moroi? Hey!?

You, hypocrite Mokubee Miyake, answer me!

Ladies and gentlemen! Behold! Hypocrite Mokubee Miyake!

- While acting all righteous... - Mr. Ebizuka!

You are caught red-handed for assault.

Hey, you! What are you doing? Hey!

You insolent fool! Let me go! Hey!

I apologize for the disturbance, sorry.

You insolent fool! Let me go! What are you doing?

September 10, the destined day.

Stop!

Let... let me go!

Madam, what's wrong!?

Open up, please!

Madam! What happened!?

Hey, open the door!

- You guys, stay here. Stand guard! - Yes, sir!

Here.

Hey, careful not to disturb the crime scene. Turn on the light.

Yes, sir.

- Hey! - Yes, sir.

- Hey, Keen-nose, bring some water. - Yes, sir.

What's wrong?

Are you all right?

When I suddenly woke up, it was completely dark.

Someone was holding me down, and when I woke up scared,

I heard my husband's soft voice saying, "It's me".

My husband, embracing me gently.

"I'm going to die. Please, die together with me".

"I can't take it anymore", he said.

Shocked, I asked: "What can't you endure"?

Instead of an answer,

he let out an "ugh" groan.

Suddenly, when I thought he was trying to hug me tightly with intense power,

he started strangling me.

Without knowing it, I fought back.

Then we tumbled down...

I don't remember what happened next.

Did your husband say anything else?

No.

I see.

"The police caught up with me, so it's all over".

That's what he said, right?

No, that's not true.

"I can't take it anymore", is the only thing he said.

Last night, my husband, ever since he came in the bedroom,

was agitated and unable to stay put. He appeared to be terrified.

My husband,

since he believed Mr. Ebizuka to be the culprit,

after he got arrested,

he was relieved.

So, the shock that paper notice gave him was too much.

That was close. You were lucky that you fainted.

Your husband committed suicide after believing that you have died.

Why is that?

I am sorry to say this, but all the tragedies so far were your husband's doing.

It's just that we couldn't arrest him, because of lack of material evidence.

You're wrong!

I know.

Last night, when I went to the dining room,

there was no paper notice on the pillar.

My husband came with me to the dining room,

and he never left his seat until the dinner ended.

You are quite right.

To be honest, it was us who put that paper notice.

"September 10, the destined day".

In other words, we used the culprit's destined day.

This irony was the only thing to get through the criminal.

- Hey. - Yes, sir.

Um, the cup on the floor and also that will looking thing on the desk.

I managed to follow the police automobile halfway,

but then I had to run blindly.

Sorry, I'm kinda out of shape these days.

I'm back.

Oh, Mr. Kose.

You're back? I'm afraid you're too late, though.

The tragedy already ended while you were away.

It's over? Then, has Mr. Utagawa been killed?

No, Mr. Kazuma Utagawa committed suicide.

Oh no... I'm too late.

Even without sleep, and I still...

I made a big mistake.

Without sleep, huh? That's too bad.

However we were also sleepless last night.

Anyway, it's good that things have finally settled down.

Damn it! I won't let you get away.

So I was too late?

I know it's too late now, but I'm going to unmask him.

- Who are you going to unmask? - The criminal.

But Kazuma Utagawa already committed suicide.

Mr. Utagawa died from poison, am I right?

Indeed, it was potassium cyanide.

- Did you find a will? - No.

But we found something that he kept writing and erasing over the night.

The forensics are going through it now.

I was expecting a will to be prepared at least.

I had anticipated this murder.

By the time Mr. Wani Mochizuki was killed,

the plan to murder Mr. Utagawa disguised as a suicide was already set.

In any case, let's go to the other room.

I will explain to you the heinous killer's MO, come.

Ladies and gentlemen.

These murder cases,

were most likely planned more than 10 months ago.

One of the culprits traveled incognito here in advance,

to get familiar enough with this land's terrain and side roads, I believe.

But even after all the thorough planing, they had to redress

their murder plan when it got set back due to inevitable circumstances.

That's what Ms. Chigusa's and Mr. Utsumi's murders were for.

From the start, the meticulous culprit,

already had a plan, in case of an unexpected urgent situation.

And Ms. Chigusa's murder solved that.

But then I realized it was a mistake to think so.

And then something else

happened during that night that required for Mr. Utsumi to be killed.

Well, that sort of took care of it,

but since a plan on paper often contains oversights,

at that time, the culprit had already left

an irreversible psychological trace behind.

Then, what could the only trace that the culprit left behind be?

Well, before backtracking the crimes and explaining them,

I shall first reveal the name of the culprit.

Who'd be the most unlikely culprit for Mr. Utsumi's murder?

That would be Mrs. Ayaka and artist Doi, obviously.

Indeed.

Artist Doi would be the most unlikely.

That's because he was always in the same place, making a commotion.

And that place was the best for observing people go in and out.

In other words, Mr. Doi, while creating his own alibi,

was simultaneously filling a more crucial role, which is the role of a lookout.

If anyone of you would had went through the door,

most probably, Mr. Doi would have grabbed your attention by making a commotion.

And while backed up by Mr. Doi's ingenious lookout,

Mrs. Ayaka snuck out the living room, went downstairs,

and repeatedly stabbed Mr. Utsumi to death and then returned.

And just in case...

I mean, if she somehow left any fingerprints behind to incriminate her,

she went to Mr. Utsumi's bedroom the next morning

to have the excuse of discovering the incident when she went to wake him up.

Mr. Great Detective, what "irreversible psychological trace" is that?

Hey, Mr. Detective.

We're talking here about a criminal who murdered eight people.

Let us hear what's your evidence about that.

Most likely, Mr. Doi and Mrs. Ayaka

got Mr. Kazuma Utagawa to intensely fall in love with Mrs. Ayaka.

After discovering that the head of the Utagawa family was wealthy,

he broke up with Mrs. Ayaka and managed to rip off some settlement money as well.

Creating those fake seeds of discord between them,

was one of the most necessary steps in their plan.

In other words, this murderous plan was concocted before the marriage.

That is ridiculous!

From your perspective,

solely being on bad terms becomes evidence of complicity?

Mrs. Ayaka would marry him and then dig out everything she could

about the Utagawa family and report everything back.

The rumors about lady Kaji's unnatural death and that of Ms. Kayoko's mother,

Ms. Tamao's pregnancy as well, she was to report all of that and

Mr. Doi would thoroughly check out the land's geography.

And thus their plan was set.

What was left was the guests' invitations and their roles.

Among these, the uninvited guests were Mr. Doi, the Kamiyama couple,

and also myself, appointed as a spectator.

For the despised Mr. Kamiyama... I apologize for that.

And the despised Mr. Doi to show up side by side

made the whole "uninvited guests" thing look unexpectedly spontaneous.

Also, calling a novice detective like me was part of their scheme.

Thus, the full cast was gathered,

and in the same day the first crime was executed in accordance with the plan.

First, regarding Mr. Wani's killing.

And, as you are aware, Mr. Wani was physically strong,

and he also dealt with the Madam multiple times.

So, in order to take care of him, he needed to be put to sleep first.

But killing him with sleeping drugs could bring Mrs. Ayaka under suspicion.

Therefore, on top of giving him sleeping drugs, they also resorted

to the more elaborate method of stabbing him to death.

On that night, at around 1 a.m.,

when Ms. Utsugi visited Mr. Wani's room

the door was locked.

And, obviously, at that time,

artist Doi was in Mr. Wani's room.

He most likely used the duplicate key that Mrs. Ayaka stole as planned.

He then wiped clean under the bed with Mr. Wani's coat,

in order to remove all the prints

that might give away any physical traits.

And the one bell left behind.

That was the criminal's unique cunning method

of laying the ground for killing Mr. Kazuma Utagawa disguised as a suicide.

As you know, that night, Mrs. Ayaka,

was sleeping in the same room with Mr. Kazuma.

In other words, for Mr. Kazuma,

when it came down to suspecting everyone,

Mrs. Ayaka would clearly appear innocent to him.

And this unconditional trust,

was set up in preparation for the final episode.

That's because, in the end,

when it came down to suspecting everyone,

Mr. Kazuma could trust Mrs. Ayaka,

and would most likely drink whatever she served him without a single trace of doubt.

Why didn't you warn Mr. Kazuma about that?

I thought the criminal would not commit this crime until I had returned.

It was my biggest mistake to overestimate the criminal.

Now, explaining the second murder, that of Tamao, is extremely easy.

However, before Tamao's murder was discovered,

Ms. Chigusa had believed that Wani's murderer

was Ms. Tamao, the one who put sleeping drugs in the geranium thunbergii.

But when she learned that Ms. Tamao was killed...

That's strange. Then, who in the world...?

This is when the need to promptly kill Ms. Chigusa arose.

First, Mrs. Ayaka forged a rendezvous letter.

Ms. Chigusa. This is from Mr. Utsumi.

According to the ways of love, a beautiful woman loves secretly.

But a homely woman tends to show it off.

Mr. Utsumi is crazy about me. But calling me a plain woman is rude.

I'm off to give that Notre-Dame hunchback a scolding.

To think that Ms. Chigusa would show this letter to someone.

That's something even Mrs. Ayaka never imagined.

It was around 6:06, when Mr. Doi started returning from Mr. Wani's cremation.

It happened that the wagon that carried the body,

was returning empty, but he noticed that and promptly took advantage of it.

Thus, Ms. Chigusa's killing was easily accomplished.

And so, both culprits were supposed to have gotten out of the crisis.

However, like a bolt from the blue,

their greatest crisis was still awaiting for them.

That night, nurse Moroi was shown the rendezvous letter.

She was also told the name of the man.

When they realized that, artist Doi and Mrs. Ayaka were deeply shocked.

To kill nurse Moroi or to kill Mr. Utsumi?

In that situation, killing Mr. Utsumi would be easier.

But nurse Moroi, who wasn't yet aware of Ms. Chigusa's murder,

even though she hesitated to reveal the man's name in the hall,

might have told someone in the main building.

Or she might have even wrote it in a diary.

Therefore, they needed to prepare an immediate plan to kill Mr. Utsumi.

And that planning was done, inconceivably even for Mr. Kamiyama,

during that obvious groundless fight that was started with a trivial pretext.

Wait, you slut! Damn it!

That desperate, appalling fight was because they were driven into a corner,

and it was a matter of life and death for them.

Damn it!

It's Utsumi.

- What should we do? - Keep a lookout for me.

And so they managed to arrange their plan before we had arrived.

And the plan was just as I've already told you.

It was really ingenious.

However, since the crisis of that day came like a bolt out of the blue,

they had no time to thoroughly think it over.

And this is where they unconsciously left a psychological trace behind.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you all, once again,

to remember the circumstances of that night.

In other words, from those present in the hall, Mr. Hitomi, Mr. Miyake,

and also Mr. Kazuma, Mr. Kamiyama and me.

All these men were entirely on Mrs. Ayaka's side.

Wait, you bitch!

That's where you'll find the psychological trace that I mentioned.

Not seeking refuge behind her allies,

but instead running away outside where there's no one,

according to human psychology,

it's an unimaginable, strange thing to do.

In other words,

she must've had a reason for running outside where there's no one around.

I see.

I was also deceived by their excellent acting,

and failed to detect that unnaturalness.

It was only one week later when I figured that out.

Stop lying!

You poured potassium cyanide in your own teacup,

and then gave it to Ms. Kayoko.

This person here is a sleight of hand master, you know.

The intense malice in Mrs. Ayaka's words that day,

had nothing to do with the terrible fight from the previous day.

Even so, artist Doi didn't jump at Mrs. Ayaka and remained calm.

Why is that?

When I asked myself that... The strange intensity of that fight...

And also the psychological trace...

That's when the impossible unnaturalness that had hid in the darkness,

was finally revealed to me.

Now, I shall move on to the fifth case, the poisoning of Tamon and Kayoko.

In Mr. Tamon's case, Mrs. Ayaka had absolutely no trouble with it.

She mixed the morphine in Mr. Tamon's personal sugar jar,

and then pretended to be unaware when she made the pudding.

Now the problem is Ms. Kayoko's murder.

Since Ms. Kayoko usually didn't come to this dining room,

she was given a coffee teacup more chipped than artist Doi's.

Artist Doi took advantage of this and switched teacups with her.

That's when, with his finger magic, he

poured the poison and gave it to Ms. Kayoko.

And in order to make it a success,

they needed to make it look like anyone could have been poisoned.

And that was Mrs. Ayaka's role.

...the people gathered here is way too big.

From now on, I would like you to exclude yourself from this gathering.

- You should go eat in the main building. - Ms. Kyoko, could you...?

Now that most of the main murders were accomplished,

all that was left was the primary objective, the killing of Mr. Kazuma.

However, they needed a worthy "unrelated" move,

in the midst of their unrelated murder cases.

And Ms. Akiko Utsugi was chosen to be the sacrifice.

Aha...

After discovering the psychological trace, I deduced the case's full picture,

but I still had no material evidence.

In that case, other than waiting for the next murder to inspect the scene,

I had no other available moves, so I stuck around with artist Doi,

in order to try and grasp a clue about their next "unrelated" performance.

Hi there. Are you going out?

- Yes, for a bit. - I see.

That was my blunder.

Since Mr. Utsumi's murder was an unexpected critical moment,

it was an exception among exceptions.

So except for the final murder, that of Mr. Kazuma,

I had assumed that Mrs. Ayaka's "unrelated" turn was no longer necessary.

But I was completely outsmarted.

Now, moving on to the final crime.

If it weren't for the insanity incident, the role of the highest plausible suspect

for Kazuma's murder would've been unloaded upon Mr. Ebizuka.

For better or worse, since he was detained,

they had to return to their initial plan.

Namely, they needed to carry out Mr. Kazuma's murder disguised as a suicide.

If all my deductions so far are correct, so the next one will be too.

Darling, why don't you drink some medicine and rest a little?

All right.

Darling! Stop!

Darling! Let me go!

Madam, what's wrong!?

To convey Mr. Kazuma's alleged confession, "I can't take it anymore",

she made it look like a forced double suicide,

as they needed to leave behind evidence that it was the real criminal's suicide.

Thus, the crime planned 10 months ago had successfully been achieved.

I went to Tokyo.

In order for such a detailed planned crime to be carried out,

multiple meetings between the two were necessary to take place.

After her wedding, Mrs. Ayaka,

had the habit of going to Tokyo once or twice per month.

So I was sure that the two of them were meeting somewhere.

Tea houses, inns, restaurants.

I went to them one by one.

- It's them. - Were they together?

- Yes, they were always together. - It's them.

And so I managed to find out their nest.

"Semimaru's Mistress and Maid".

"Palanquin Street, First Building".

"Semimaru, Semimaru".

That's the name of their meeting place.

Hey... Hey, hey!

Please, let me go to her.

Mr. Suspicious Inspector, you understand me, right?

I... to her...

Please, let me go to where Ayaka is.

You may be at odds with me, but we're still civilized here.

What I'm trying to say is that me and Ayaka,

are publicly admitting now of being the culprits.

Then, you can let go of my arms now.

Just allow me one last moment of freedom!

Well done, Mr. Apprentice Detective.

You are praiseworthy.

This was foolish. You didn't have to die.

Just because the meeting place, the mistress and the maid were found...

It wasn't something that we couldn't handle.

You did such a rash thing.

There's nothing that can be done now.

I guess suicide is one of the ways for a culprit to confess.

Very well.

To be cordial to you, my beloved, I, your husband, Pikaichi,

shall follow you and confess as well.

Let's go back home.

Translation by bLoodZ

THE END