The First Investigation of Rookie Career Police Officer Akechi - Chapter 10
Chapter 10 : In Kyoto part 1
‘Hyakumanben’[1] is quite an impressive place name, isn’t it?
“Practice makes perfect, a hundred times, a million times!”
As Kobayashi got off the bus and mumbled, Nakamura instinctively exclaimed. Hearing this, Akechi began explaining to the two while smiling.
“A long time ago, a monk from a nearby temple is said to have chanted the Buddhist prayer a million times to quell an epidemic. I don’t know the details, though. This entire area is Kyoto University. If you head up that way, you’ll reach the Silver Pavilion,”
“Silver Pavilion, huh? I would have liked to visit if it wasn’t just a day trip,”
As they chatted, the three entered a narrow alley. The hustle and bustle of the student district quickly disappeared, giving way to a peaceful residential area. Akechi, using his smartphone’s map, led the way with the other two following.
†?†?†
Mr. Yoshida’s childhood home was an old yet well-maintained traditional Japanese house. Upon arrival, the three of them were guided to a tatami room, where they offered their respects at the Buddhist altar. They then took their seats in the formal seating area at a low table. Outside, the open windows looked out onto a courtyard garden, with a pleasant breeze wafting in.
Mrs. Sachiko Yoshida, with a semi-long hairstyle and an elegant demeanor, entered the tatami room carrying a tray with cold green tea. Alongside it, there was Konpeitou served as a snack. According to Sachiko, they were from a shop near Hyakumanben.
After taking a sip of green tea and a bite of Konpeitou[2], Kobayashi began explaining the current situation.
“It has been six months since your husband passed away, and we have been diligently investigating. Unfortunately, we have not yet apprehended the perpetrator. Therefore, we are reexamining the evidence meticulously from scratch, conducting an investigation from both the perspective of a crime and an accident,”
“An incident? It’s not just a traffic accident?”
Seated across from Kobayashi and the others at the lower end of the low table, Sachiko wore a surprised expression.
“With no leads on the perpetrator, we are conducting the investigation without ruling out any possibilities,”
Kobayashi responded cautiously. Sachiko’s reaction to his answer was unexpected.
“Thank you. I just couldn’t believe that my husband was found in such a place. I’ve been worried that he might have been involved in something other than an accident. He was quite tolerant of alcohol, and he hardly ever passed through that road. When he was in Tokyo in his younger days, it seems he used to have drinks with colleagues in that park….”
“I see. Did your husband have any trouble or any issues you can think of that might have led to this?”
“No, unfortunately… I can’t imagine him being resented by anyone,”
Kobayashi directed his gaze toward the photograph of Mr. Yoshida displayed on the Buddhist altar.
“…Your husband seems like a kind person. Was he well-liked by many people?”
“Yes, he may have been a bit awkward and very serious, but he was truly a kind person. He had friends from our hometown, but it seems he didn’t have any in Tokyo. However, he got along well with his colleagues in the same unit at work. Even on the day he passed away, despite being busy with his transfer, it seems he went out for drinks with them,”
“He was transferred in April, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, he was suddenly assigned to work in Osaka, and it was quite a surprise for him too. He didn’t share many details, but it seemed like there was something work-related,”
“Was there some sort of trouble at work?”
“I’m not quite sure… In the evening when he found out about the transfer, my husband was on the phone with someone at home. He mentioned something like ‘BC’ and ‘while I’m here’ and seemed to be talking with a serious expression. After the call, I asked him about it, and he just said it was a bit of a tough job, and he would be busy until the transfer in April.”
“Thank you for sharing. Was your husband speaking on his mobile phone by any chance? If it’s possible, could we borrow that mobile phone?”
“Oh, you don’t have it there? They hasn’t returned it yet,”
Kobayashi and Akechi exchanged glances.
1. ??? (Hyakumanben) – Million times/praying a million times?
2. ??? (Konpeitou) – A type of Japanese sugar candy, it takes the form of a small sphere with a bumpy surface, and comes in a variety of colors and flavors. ?
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Translated by : Cutae30