Side One Hundred And Sixty-Six – Officer Usui Yoriko

Side One Hundred And Sixty-Six – Officer Usui Yoriko

“All this overtime should be criminal...” Yoriko sighed, yawning. “It’s so early in the morning.” Beside her, Bunta-san looked annoyingly fresh and composed. The difference between a true Chosen and those of us who have only had Chirurgery, I suppose.

“You said you were going out tonight, assuming we finish up. Just look forward to that.” Detective Reiji said to her, chewing on some nicotine-replacement gum. “For now, we have a lead...” He scratched his head, seeming embarrassed. “...as if we can consider random chance a lead.” I’m glad he stopped smoking, it was a disgusting habit. No wonder his wife and daughters were nagging him. I guess a near death experience will make a person reconsider things like that. Yoriko didn’t like thinking about that day, where she was sure he was going to die, and maybe her as well, but she had to admit, that day had changed everything for them. And hey, my pay is higher now too, which is nice.

“You saw it as well as I did. I don’t know how many chunks Tokyo was split up into... a hundred thousand maybe? But while there ended up dots everywhere, these six spots were way more uniformly coloured.”

“It... doesn’t seem a coincidence.” Bunta-san agreed. “Mathematically speaking, the statistical probability of clusters forming is very high, the same way that it only takes twenty-three people in a group before it’s just as likely at least one shares a birthday with another as not.” Oh yes, I forgot he used to be an accountant before this. He’s good with numbers. As they both listened, breath misting in the cold autumnal air of Tokyo, Bunta-san continued. “You could certainly argue that clusters will form, it’s inevitable with enough iterations, but... that’s why the different colours were interesting. The clusters formed were all individual colours, only one of each, weren’t they? The chances of that being coincidence... I wouldn’t bet against it.”

“You certainly are more talkative when you are on a subject you understand.” Detective Reiji said, and Yoriko couldn’t help but agree. It’s surprising. He’s usually so quiet and nervous, despite having such power. But then, power doesn’t always come to those who are suited for it, I suppose. Otherwise we wouldn’t be needed.

“I...” Bunta-san started to sweat, and Yoriko rolled her eyes. I’d have thought a yakuza accountant, especially one bold enough to steal from them, would be less timid. I guess it takes all sorts. Anyway, he’s technically in the Police now... “I just don’t want you to make a mistake, Detective. Besides, if you consider abilities we possess by common sense, you’ll get in trouble, just like Daizen-san did...” His face blanched at that. “Things like luck do exist. I don’t know how luck and fate work, but... I’m not going to question who explained it.”

“Oh yes...” Yoriko said meanly, amused at his expected reaction. “Shiro returned yesterday, didn’t she? I’m meeting her for drinks later, assuming we get done here.” Yeah, like clockwork. As Bunta-san shuddered, face pale, Yoriko continued. “I don’t see why you’re so scared of her, she seems perfectly nice to me.”

“It’s not her, it’s the red thing inside her.” He spat. “You can’t even run from her, she has ways of finding Chosen. But...” He took a deep breath. “I’m safe now, not like Daizen-san. I swore my loyalty, and...” He narrowed his eyes, looking ever more like a rodent, though his expression was shrewd. “I try and avoid spending any time near her, but... she seems to have taken an interest in the boss.”

“Shiro? Isn’t that obvious?” Yoriko asked, and he shook his head.

“No, the demon inside her. Compared to how she treated everyone but Arisugawa-sama, she treats my boss very differently. Curiosity maybe, but...” he shook his head, changing the subject. “Can we just drop it? We’re here to work!”

“Yes, we are.” Detective Reiji agreed. “So, what do we know and what do we expect to find?” They looked out over their target, one of the oldest shrine complexes in Tokyo, with a wealth of small buildings, tea houses and flower gardens, though the blooming azaleas were out of season, the bushes looking a little sad. “Officer Usui, if you would?”

Why me? You can ask Bunta-san too. “Nezu shrine. A history going back two thousand years, though many of the buildings added since were from the fifteenth century onwards. Supposedly in what used to be the Susanoo faction of shrines. I don’t entirely understand the shrine politics, seems a lot of nonsense to me, but basically it’s the group that suffered the most, right?”

“That’s correct.” The Detective said approvingly, and Yoriko was slightly embarrassed by his expression, which looked as if he was talking to his own daughters. “We know of the first Kyoto incident, though now we have the full picture from Hikawa-san...”

They had interviewed him at Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine, as apparently he was the leading figure in former Susanoo in Tokyo. He had revealed that the deaths of the young people in the first Kyoto incidents had been provoked by the son of the leader of Susanoo, a powerful Chosen, the hope of that faction, who now was comatose and had little chance of recovery. Worse, because of faction politics and Susanoo being the first to support Akio-kun, all of the people who died were heirs to Susanoo shrines.

“Yeah, though I still don’t see a motive for them to be involved in this case.” Yoriko said after thinking about it. “It’s hardly Akio-kun’s fault, is it? Even Hikawa-san admitted that.”

“Yes, I don’t see it myself, but... three shrines showed up on the machine. I don’t believe in stuff like this, but then we’re here with a man who can manipulate shadows and make them tangible.” Bunta-san nodded at that. “And yesterday we had tea with a Faerie. So... I’m not prepared to ignore this. Two shrines were Susanoo faction, and one was of no faction, not a true shrine, as Hikawa-san put it. If we set aside who is at fault, all we know is that Susanoo faction has largely collapsed, and Oshiro-san, while not responsible, was definitely near the centre of the incident. Humans are seldom rational.”

“But one thing we know is that the strength displayed in the recent attacks isn’t normal. At minimum it would need to be someone who has had Chirurgery.” Yoriko disagreed. “Nobody from Nezu shrine is on the list.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Detective Reiji agreed. “The numbers of the faith which have been given Chirurgery is still reasonably low, due to Oshiro-san often being busy, and Shaeula refusing to perform it on men. But low isn’t none. Some visitors have been squeezed in, based on recommendations from Saionji-san and Kudou-san, and others were predicated on their potential long-term. I don’t quite get it, but apparently some lingering abilities within bloodlines have value if enhanced.”

“That’s like Izumi-chan.” Yuriko nodded. I can’t say I fully understand, but we’ve talked, and apparently she can see mystical things occasionally, or feel emotions sometimes? Her dad can conjure a small flame too. “So, you’re saying that people related to these shrines might have already received Chirurgery?”

“Yes, the numbers are growing over time. It’s far from impossible.” The Detective scratched his cheek, thinking. “You know, my daughters are always nagging me, wondering when they can have such abilities. I’m a touch conflicted. They’d have to go on the list, and it’s not like they are going to be involved in any fighting, but...”

“Trouble can always come looking.” Bunta-san said darkly. “Just because you’re weak doesn’t mean the strong won’t bully you. I know it well. The yakuza love the weak. And so does...” He shut his mouth, troubled.

“Yes, I know. Honestly though, it’s hard not to worry. My youngest is a huge fan of Shaeula after seeing her on TV, she never used to like traditional clothing, now she’s always pestering me to buy her yukatas. My eldest... she’s... just troubling. Not that they listen to me. I remember Oshiro-san saying he worries for his sister at university. And we’re Police. We know bad things happen to girls all the time.” he sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to bite the bullet. Besides, it is part of the renumeration package. And neither of them are interested in sport, where it might be an issue...”

“Yes, I guess it might be considered cheating.” Yoriko agreed. “Just give in. Your daughters won’t respect you if you keep this from them. Besides, honestly, I agree with Akio-kun. Better to be strong than not. As for being on a list, well, it’s no different to a gun-owning register, is it? And it serves a purpose.”

“Yes. For cases like this.” He agreed finally. “Well, we might as well go in, no?”

********

“That’s very troubling, but I’m afraid I don’t see what I can do to help.” The man in front of them was saying, dressed in the grey robes of the shrine priest.

“It’s simply a routine enquiry, Bando-san.” Detective Reiji said professionally. “You needn’t have troubled yourself to get us tea.”

The man, who was in his forties, and rather non-descript, little standing out about him, merely nodded. “Maybe not, but I have a great respect for the rule of law, and seeing three esteemed Officers here, a little hospitality is only natural.”

Yoriko couldn’t help but snigger a little, though at her superior’s hard look she was able to keep it under control, sipping at her tea. Sure, everyone loves it when the Police visit. Even the innocent worry, because nobody has truly done nothing illegal, even if it’s as minor as speeding or littering.

“I see. If only more citizens were so inclined, we’d have a much easier job.” The Detective replied sunnily, though Yoriko knew him well enough to know he was being false. “In any case, you’re no doubt aware of the attack on Shinohara-sama recently? It was all over the news.”

“Yes, a bad business that. Her philanthropic works show the world that the rich are not always bad people. Compared to her, our charity work is hardly impressive.” Bando-san agreed. “I hope she can recover, but I hear that her injuries were... severe?”

“Akio-kun’s family is well-protected. Guards with Chirurgery and combat skills, or they’re Chosen themselves. That won’t work. And I don’t think Bando-san has the power or connections. Like he said, though he was pretty bitter about it, Hikawa-san is in Akio-kun’s camp, and so are what was the other two factions. It must piss them off. They supported him first, only to get screwed.”

“Language, officer Usui!” the Detective complained and she snorted, sucking coffee through her straw noisily.

“I’m only speaking the truth. Anyway, they can hardly get revenge directly. But none of the victims have any relation to Akio-kun or anyone else in his group. We’ve checked, right?”

“Yes, of course. Thoroughly.” Detective Reiji agreed. “So there’s no motive for the crime. All we have is a great dislike for him. Which while not exactly fair, is understandable. As close friends with someone whose two daughters were murdered, and Oshiro-san, while not to blame, was certainly the catalyst... it’s only natural to despise him. But taking action...”

“So, now you’re going to tell me that the Oracle Engine just happened to find us the location of two of the victims, and three shrines, the first of which has someone who loathes Akio-kun. My intuition is screaming that there’s some connection.”

“Touché.” The Detective replied dryly, often having dragged her out following his own hunches. “I don’t disagree. But I’m certain that he’s no murderer. Nor the attacker who maimed Shinohara-sama.”

“But then, I could have infiltrated...” Bunta-san began again, and he was once more denied.

“Again, if we could take such extra-legal actions, we might as well use Shaeula after all.” Detective Reiji sighed. “However... the thing is, ordinary people who try and commit crimes are sloppy. And if he is involved, he’ll try and warn others involved too.”

“Let me guess.” Yoriko grinned. “Then he’ll make a call to the other shrines.”

“If they are connected, almost certainly. So, next we’ll see if they aren’t surprised to see us. If so...” the Detective began. “...it still doesn’t prove anything in regard to the murders, but... we are also missing several pieces of the puzzle.”

“Yeah, like what’s the sixth location. It’s in a residential area, so we can hardly check every house, the Gods know that would be too....” Yoriko trailed off, looking at the printouts from the Oracle Engine. “Hey, are we stupid?”

“What do you mean?” Bunta-san asked.

“There’s no shrine here, nor any victim, but...” she pointed to the edge, where a small, unobtrusive building was located. “Our Lady Of The Sea, Saint Maria’s Church. It may not be a shrine, but... it’s a big coincidence.”

“Hmm. It seems a stretch.” The Detective looked at the map again. “But I suppose we can check it out. But first, we need to see if there are any links between that and the shrines.” He pulled out his phone and made a call, leaving Bunta-san and Yoriko alone.

“Personally, I’d have let you infiltrate. Assuming you can.” Yoriko sighed, watching the Detective as he stood outside, talking quietly.

“Yes, it’s foolish not to use everything we can. But... I respect him, I guess.”

That was surprising. Her eyes widening at his response, Bunta-san explained.

“I’m not a brave man. And sticking to your principles takes courage. It’s why I ended up working for the yakuza clients. I didn’t have the courage to say no. Then when I saw the ill-gotten money, while I was living a modest life... I didn’t have the strength to resist taking it. Then I couldn’t protect myself, so I fled, and I didn’t have the will to refuse the power I was given. Then White found me...” He shuddered, and Yoriko could see he still had genuine terror of her. “...nobody could be brave enough to resist her. Sure, Shiratori-sama....” He now knew the name of his erstwhile boss. “...is beautiful, but with that monster inside her... I have no idea how he can bear it. No, I’m getting off the subject. All I’m saying is, you can see how a chain of weakness led me to here. I’m still scared, you know. Being strong just means you draw strength to you. That’s why my power can be used to restrain, to hide and... to assassinate. Though I haven’t!” he insisted again.

“Don’t be such a baby, I believe you. And it doesn’t matter. Just like Oguro Daizen’s death was deemed an... act of God...” Her lips curled into a bitter smile, and Bunta-san couldn’t help but murmur that indeed it was. “...your crimes would be likely extra-legal as they were committed in a time before spiritual matters were considered. Besides, you’ve got someone to stand surety for you. Just like that Chinese woman, Nie Ling.”

“And I‘m grateful. But my point is... having the ability to hold fast to one’s beliefs is precious. We should respect it. But... there comes a limit. If he wants to protect people, then he has to be prepared to get down in the mud, use everything. I’ve learned that.”

“No kidding.” I’ve seen it. A group of people willing to go to any lengths for each other, for the good of Japan and the world. At the time all I saw was him killing a man to protect me, to protect the Detective, but now... now I know. “But following up on the Oracle Engine was a big step. And he’s right. If we rely on Shaeula now, and... something happens to her... then we may have solved a crime, but we’d have learnt nothing.”

“Exactly right, Officer Usui.” The Detective had returned, and was smiling warmly. “I can see you’ve absorbed a good amount of my teachings. We, as a new branch of the Police, do indeed need to learn new methods of working, of investigation. But methods that rely on fragile, single assets... not that I can ever see Shaeula dying, but who is to say she won’t return to her home, wherever it is, and we certainly can’t ask her help constantly. No, we do this the old-fashioned way, but making use of what other abilities we can muster.” At their nods, he continued. “No connection between the shrines and the church were apparent... at first. But...” he grinned. “I got a hit on the internet. Apparently a mixture of Japanese, Chinese and Western religious facilities, a group of temples, shrines and churches, were involved in fundraising for disaster relief. There were a lot of floods last year, after all. It was one of the worst years on record...”

“Let me guess. At least one of our shrines, and Saint Maria’s, were both involved?” Yoriko said, and the only answer she needed was his knowing smile. “In that case... I don’t see how this can be a coincidence.”

“Beware of seeing what you want to see. False positives are everywhere in policework. But... it certainly requires further investigation.” He agreed. “Finish up, and we’ll pay our other two shrines a visit.”

Yoriko grabbed her half-drunk iced coffee and swilled it down. Yeah, I’m extremely curious. But I think I already know the answer. They’re involved, but how? That Oracle Device may be a miracle, or is it Shaeula’s luck that just bends reality?

********

“They definitely had been tipped off. They were trying to hide it, but amateurs are worse at covering things up when their minds are on it.” Yoriko quoted her training. “So many tells. And my eyes are sharp enough to pick them up easily.”

“Yes, the priests of both shrines were nonchalant, and tried to cover up their anger, but prodding them about certain subjects, such as Oshiro-san and what happened in Kyoto, they weren’t able to keep it together.” The Detective agreed.

“It still proves nothing, but not even you are going to tell me that it’s all a coincidence now?” She stretched, yawning, glancing at the small church they were in front of, nestled in a residential district of Tokyo.

“We still have no connection to the attacks. But... there’s something.” He agreed. “Anyway, let’s go.”

The door to the church swung open, and the three of them crossed the threshold. I wonder what we’ll discover here...