Tokyo Detective Chronicles

In the evening, Fushimi dined at the Morikawa residence.

Xiao Kui said that she was too tired from staying up all night and went to rest early.

Therefore, only Fushimi and Morikawa Kanata were present at the table.

"You're awake? Is your brain not fried?"

He sipped his soup slowly and deliberately, without even lifting his eyelids.

"Thanks to you, I remember it vividly," Fushimi replied irritably.

"It's good that you've gained something."

She put down her spoon, her pinkish-white eyes looking at him: "So... what did you see?"

Fushimi kept talking while briefly describing the scene of the dilapidated hospital.

After listening, Morikawa Kanata frowned slightly, seemingly searching his memory, but ultimately shook his head: "I don't remember."

"However, with these clues, it shouldn't be too difficult to find them."

Fushimi nodded, then took out the small glass bottle containing the tea dregs scraped from Takeda-sensei's thermos and handed it to Kanata:

"By the way, can you tell what this is?"

She reached out and took the bottle, opened it and sniffed it, then dipped her finger in it and examined it closely, even touching it lightly with the tip of her tongue.

"Hey, don't try these random things!"

Fushimi's eyes twitched as he watched.

"Anbaichun".

As a professional pharmacist and botanist, Kanata Morikawa quickly provided the answer:

"A rather rare artificially cultivated variant of the flower. It is colorless and odorless when it is not in bloom, but it emits a unique fragrance when it is in full bloom."

"After being dried and crushed, it looks like this. It's usually used to make high-end calming spices or medicines..."

He paused:

"However, it is not common. The cultivation and processing techniques are very complicated and niche. There are better alternatives in terms of both cost and effectiveness, and... it may cause users to develop psychological dependence."

"To be honest, I haven't seen one in many years either. Where did you get it?"

Anbaichun...

Fushimi wrote down the name.

He had no doubts about Morikawa Kanata's words. First, they matched Tengu's analysis and statements earlier. Second, Morikawa Kanata was the most authoritative expert in this field among the people he knew.

"Can you tell where it comes from?"

Kanata Morikawa shook his head:

"It's hard to say... but I can keep an eye out for places or organizations in Tokyo where this kind of thing might be leaking out."

"Okay, thank you."

He said it, but he knew very well that the tea made from Anbaichun tea leaves most likely came from the Hayakawa family.

However, since it's used as an ingredient in a calming medicine, it probably really has nothing to do with that white leech monster.

Fushimi, finally full, put down his utensils.

He suddenly remembered Morikawa Aoi and turned to ask:

"Does Xiao Kui know that you're dying?"

"..."

"There's no need to tell her yet, and you'll have to keep it a secret for me."

really……

Fushimi laughed inappropriately:

"How long are you planning to keep this a secret? Are you planning to throw yourself a surprise funeral party hosted by me and then invite your sister to attend?"

"It's just not the right time yet..." Morikawa Kanata smiled.

"You're really starting to resemble an old charlatan more and more, Master."

Fushimi nodded noncommittally.

After chatting for a few minutes, he picked up his bag, said a brief goodbye, and left the Morikawa family home.

Shortly after he left, Morikawa Aoi, who claimed she had already rested, came somewhat awkwardly to Morikawa Kanata's study.

"Elder brother."

"Hmm, what's wrong, Xiao Kui?"

She stood in front of the desk, her hands clasped behind her back, nervously twisting her fingers, and whispered, "I... want to transfer schools."

Morikawa Kanata was flipping through a document when she heard this, so she paused and looked up.

Looking at her younger sister with her pinkish-white pupils, she understood her intentions almost instantly.

He sighed, somewhat amused.

He was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, his tone somewhat helpless:

"Xiao Kui, you're already in your third year of junior high school and will graduate next spring. I won't interfere with which high school you choose then."

Aoi Morikawa looked down at her toes, her toes unconsciously rubbing against the carpet.

He seemed very unhappy.

Kata was having a bit of a headache. How come she hadn't noticed before that Aoi was so clingy to Fushimi Iori? To be honest, it was really worrying.

He sighed again, like a gentle old father who had just discovered that his daughter was growing up and about to be abducted by some random man.

He patiently persuaded them:

"Besides... the junior high and senior high schools at Qingchengtai are not even on the same campus."

Even if you transfer schools, you won't see Fushimi Iori regularly.

"Well……"

Hearing this, Morikawa Aoi reluctantly gave up, nodded, but did not leave, and just stood there in front of the table.

She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her younger sister.

"Is there anything else?"

She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then looked up again: "Then, brother... I want to learn how to cook."

Morikawa Kanata: "..."

He found out again; he knew everything.

It goes without saying who the pampered young lady of the Morikawa family would want to learn to cook for.

Oh no... I was too lenient today and didn't apply enough electricity.

He rubbed his throbbing temples and finally nodded:

"Whatever... Go tell Yui yourself."

"Yay! Thank you, brother!"

Aoi Morikawa's eyes lit up, a smile returned to her face, she bowed respectfully, and then left the study with light steps.

After the door closed, Morikawa Kanata sat alone in his wheelchair, gazing at the night outside the window, and after a long while, let out a long, third sigh.

This feeling is really complicated.

On one hand, he hoped that Iori and Aoi would get married, thus binding him to the Morikawa main family; on the other hand, he was somewhat displeased to see his younger sister so devoted to another man…

The next second, he suddenly laughed, realizing how utterly baffling he had been.

Isn't it a wonderful thing that Xiao Kui can marry the person she loves after her death?

Suddenly, Morikawa Kanata remembered the question Fushimi had asked him before:

"When are you going to tell Xiaokui that you're going to die?"

Kanata Morikawa rubbed the armrest of her wheelchair.

The truth is, he had used the swastika candle a year ago to glimpse a corner of his own destiny... and the part of the cause and effect that involved Fushimi Iori and Morikawa Aoi.

This is the real reason why he is so certain that Iori will end up with Aoi...

But this one act alone incurred karmic retribution, accelerating his disability and death.

……

Back in her room, Aoi Morikawa closed the door, leaned against it, her face slightly flushed, and took a deep breath.

She looked at the teddy bear that Fushimi had given her not far away, went up to hug the doll, and shyly threw herself into the soft bed.

It can't go on like this!

Otherwise, my brother Iori will be snatched away by some random wild woman who appears out of nowhere!

You need to learn how to cook, how to dress, and understand all of Iori's brother's preferences...

the most important is--

She stood up, walked to the dressing mirror piled with dolls, sat down, looked at her delicate face in the mirror, first tidied her messy hair, and then coughed twice.

Speaking softly and deliberately, word by word, in front of the mirror:

"I, Zhi".

"Iori".

"Iori!"

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and her shouts became more and more natural.

Yes, that's what we'll call him from now on.

I can't call him Iori's older brother anymore, otherwise I'll be treated like a younger sister for the rest of my life.

I need to show my true charm and make him see me as someone he would see as a potential partner or spouse!

Xiao Kui clenched her fists, looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled.

In short, let's strive to become a qualified fiancée!

……

The tram traveled smoothly through the neon-lit night, the city outside the window shimmering with colorful lights.

The train carriage was completely empty.

Fushimi Iori leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and repeatedly replayed in her mind the image of the dilapidated hospital that appeared at the end of the ceremony, and the two people arguing.

Every detail was unsettlingly clear.

This hospital is undoubtedly the final destination to which all the clues lead.

It's not difficult to find; there are many ways.

The simplest way is to ask Mr. Takeda.

After all, logically speaking, she and the other victims must have had some interaction with this hospital.

"..."

When Rina and I visit Professor Takeda's house on Saturday, we can ask him about it while we're at it.

He opened his eyes and looked at the lights rushing past the car window.

……