Chapter 313 - Happy journey

"Then…" Kinoshita Iori stares hard at Adachi Kase. "Can you tell me what happened that day?"

Adachi Kase observes her for a moment. She seems close to Kamiyama Takeshi. He looks down at his coffee, wondering if it is truly a good idea to reveal everything. Nothing can undo words once they leave one's mouth. 

But he hasn't been able to have a proper sleep after seeing the pictures of the victims' grieving family. Kinoshita Iori didn't contact him after that day. He's been waiting while thinking whether he should do it or not. Going to work has been displeasing. Even using the money that he received for keeping quiet has felt burdensome. 

At first, he only wanted to save himself. Then, the guilt started to gnaw on his heart and conscience.

When Kamiyama Takeshi called him, he finally found himself being able to breathe. He didn't even know that he felt heavy because of the guilt. 

"The materials came from Tezuka Kohei's manufacturing company." Adachi Kase tells her with a heavy voice, "The materials were quite cheap. Some explosive chemical was used. It didn't follow the safety guidelines. My superior asked me to be quiet. He said that these materials won't be used. I didn't push it either. Many illegal deals were happening in Ngage. We were supposed to keep our eyes close and just work."

Iori pinches her lips together. She signals Takeshi to focus the phone camera on Adachi Kase.

"The accident happened when I wasn't there." Adachi Kase holds his head. "The materials were in the storage room. I have no idea how it caught fire. It killed so many people. Later, I heard something disturbing."

Iori leans forwards. "What was it?"

"The manager was talking to an employee." Adachi Kase takes a deep breath. "Someone purposely set it on fire. That's how the factory caught fire. The person who set it on fire is still alive."

She gasps, horrified. More than thirty people died. It's a murder.

"They didn't rule it out as an industrial accident. It was better if they blamed the employees. That way, they would not have to compensate the employees' families." Adachi Kase peers at her. Her face is nearly white. "It was a plan from the beginning."

"Who is involved in this incident?" Iori gives him a pen and a notebook. "Write down all the names."

Adachi Kase nods. He takes the pen and notebook. "I heard that Tezuka Kohei had links with the underworld."

Did he? Iori looks at him passively. Adachi Kase's complexion looks better. But her heart is heavier. How could these people do it? Is money everything? Lives don't matter. 

The weak don't have a voice. They are easily trampled upon by the stronger ones. 

Someone's life can never be more valuable than money. Those families lost their loved ones. 

"I am not proud of the things that I did." Adachi Kase tells her, "I was too scared to speak back then. Tezuka Kohei had the power to make people disappear. I value my life. I am selfish and a coward. But I also can't live knowing that I could help those families like the way you said. Your words have been on my mind."

Was she able to help someone? But Iori doesn't feel relieved. Though she knows about the dark side of the world, hearing it again doesn't make her feel any better. Is she making this world a little better for herself and the people she loves? She doesn't know anymore. There will always be powerful people who can easily destroy other people's lives. Some people even do it because they can.

"Here." Kamiyama Takeshi places the flight ticket on the table. "Adachi-san, thank you for being brave. Your words will bring justice to those families. Even if it can't bring back those lives, the culprits won't be able to get away from it anymore. Those souls might be able to rest in peace, and the families might get some closure."

Iori glances at Takeshi. Closure and peace. That's right. Stopping those people is important. If they are caught, they won't be able to harm another life. If she can save a single person's life, isn't it worth it?

"I will take my leave." Adachi Kase deeply bows to them. "I apologise for my actions. Please keep me updated about Ngage."

"I will," Iori promises him solemnly. "You are amazing, Adachi-san. Despite being afraid, you have come forward. It's true courage."

Adachi Kase smiles. "I won't be able to attend your wedding, but I will send a gift."

Iori blinks her eyes. Did Takeshi already tell him? "You can visit for a while."

"I will try," He replies vaguely. 

Iori realizes that he is still afraid. She gives him a small smile. "We will stay in contact."

Adachi Kase nods and shakes Kamiyama Takeshi's hand. "Thanks for giving me this opportunity."

"I will make sure that it doesn't affect you much," Takeshi says to him. "Happy journey."

"Happy?"

The light voice startles them. Takeshi looks at the person standing only half a feet away from them. The person has an average height, but he realises like he hasn't slept in days. There are dark circles around his eyes, and his clothes have a distinct smell.

But that's not what bothers Takeshi.

The man is wearing the same baseball that the man, who was visiting Sawano Shusui's office in the surveillance camera, had on his head.

"There won't be a happy journey." The man chuckles. "In fact, nobody is leaving the restaurant today."

His voice is low and hushed. Takeshi pushes Adachi Kase. He turns toward Kinoshita Iori.

"Iori, run!"

The deafening sound of a gunshot shakes everyone's heart. Frozen in her seat, Iori opens her eyes. Takeshi is holding her body tightly under the table.

She can barely breathe.

There is a corpse on the floor. Adachi Kase is dead.

Dead silence.

People scream when they realise what has happened. 

The man shoots a woman who was running toward the door.

"Nobody leaves." He unzips his jacket and reveals the bombs attached to his body. "If you want to live, stay where you are."