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V6 Story IV – Part 04

“See? I was pretty much spot-on,” Itsuki said. “I can safely say that the crows have gone mad. I’m sure they’re probably in an abnormal state.”

The log house had a fireplace and a ceiling fan. A bookshelf stood by the wall, lined with numerous objects. The house, illuminated by warm-colored lights, was cluttered but cozy. On the ceiling, however, was a surveillance camera. Numerous cameras were installed inside the house, all of them no longer working.

Mayuzumi’s lips twisted into a smile. “You’re sure, yet you say probably? But your opinion is correct. Their reaction is not normal. I can even sense some sort of intent.” She emphasized the last part.

Itsuki’s expression tightened. He smoothed up his hair and furrowed his brows. A shadow fell on his clean-cut features.

“Do you really believe that the crows have gone mad?” Mayuzumi asked.

“…What do you mean?”

Mayuzumi took out a feather-shaped chocolate from her chest pocket and licked it. “You can tell just by looking at them, so there was no need to call for me. So why did you?”

Itsuki bit his lip, then gave a resigned smile. His expression seemed different than before.

“There’s no hiding anything from you,” he said. “I want to make them pay.”

“Make them pay?” I blurted out.

Itsuki nodded, his face tight. “The crows aren’t insane. I feel like they’re being controlled by someone.” He shot Mayuzumi a grave look.

She didn’t interrupt him. Instead, she jerked her chin, urging him to continue.

“The Ugoshi clan’s ability manifests strongly in one person. But it’s possible for others to guide the confused crows even if they lost their master. I don’t know what their goal is, though,” he ended in a lighter tone. Then his face turned grave once more. “This house is currently being managed by me and three other people in rotation. Normally, after the death of the esper, the house is abandoned, but I didn’t want to leave Hina’s house alone, so I volunteered.”

Hina. Was that the name of the esper who committed suicide? I went over what I just heard in my mind.

Who were the other three people? What kind of people were they?

“I see. I get it now,” Mayuzumi said. “You suspect the three of them.”

“That’s right. In the Ugoshi clan, only the esper can use their ability. The rest are prohibited from doing the same. It’s a serious crime. But if I make the decision alone, there’s a chance of personal grudges getting in the way. That’s why I called for you. I could have asked someone else, but you’re the best person for the job since you have lesser ties to your own clan. I can’t not talk about the Ugoshi clan’s internal situation.”

The case to examine the crows’ behavior had quickly been replaced. He must have been hesitant to speak to the main family, not Mayuzumi Azaka. Mayuzumi stroke her cheek gently and set a feather between her pearly teeth.

The chocolate snapped in half.

“You’re lying,” she said.

“I am?”

“Yes, you are.”

Mayuzumi put on a disturbing expression. She crossed her legs haughtily.

“I thought you were desperate,” she said with a sigh. “Isn’t that why you called for me? You want to shout that the king has donkey ears. There lies your true objective.”

Itsuki’s eyes widened. He shook his head tiredly.

“I see… Nothing gets past you. Then would you listen to Hina’s story?”

He leaned forward slightly. But the next moment, there was a sharp, piercing sound. Something shattered.

Clicking his tongue, Itsuki stood up. “This is a great opportunity. Follow me.”

He suddenly put on a pleasant smile. His gentle features reminded me of a large dog.

“I’ll introduce you to the three suspects.”

---

A girl in a red satin dress was crouched on the floor of the dining room. White shards were scattered at her feet. She was hugging her shoulders, her legs splayed onto the checkered floor. Her long black hair hid her expression. A young man was standing next to her. His slanted eyes and short stature gave the impression of a fierce small dog. His red hair, tied like a tail, reinforced the image.

“I’m not scolding you. Why can’t you just say it? You’re always like that, Benihina. You think you can get away with anything if you keep quiet.”

“I don’t know anything. Anything.”

“Come on. Just admit you did it on purpose. You’re busted. You can drop the awful act.”

“That’s enough, you two,” Itsuki admonished, placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Akimasa, Benihina, what’s going on here?”

The man named Akimasa whirled around. “I did nothing wrong. This girl here broke Hina-san’s cup.”

“I see. You feel responsible enough to make excuses. And Benihina, is it true that you broke the glass?”

“…It is. But it wasn’t on purpose.”

“Cut the bullshit out already! You did it on purpose!”

“Enough. Apologize.” Itsuki tapped Akimasa’s shoulder.

Wearing a frown, the young man apologized in a small voice. Benihina lifted her face as if nothing had happened. She touched the ceramic shards with her pale fingers. She cut her fingertip, and blood flowed. I quickly bent down to pick up the pieces of the cup.

Right before I could tell her not to touch them, her eyes opened wide, and she screamed.

“Give it back!”

She snatched the shards from my hand, causing a sharp pain to shoot through my finger. But her own hand was injured even more severely. Clutching the broken pieces to her chest, she stood up and fled, despite the fragments digging into her palm. I gazed after her in shock.

Drops of blood dotted the floor. Fresh red quivered.

“What is wrong… Ouch!”

Suddenly, I was pulled by the arm. I turned around and saw Shirayuki holding my hand.

She took out a handkerchief from her kimono sleeve and pressed it on my finger.

“Thank you, Shirayuki-san,” I said.

“…”

Shirayuki put pressure on the wound and straightened her posture. It looked like we were holding hands.

I wanted her to let go of me, but her hand was stopping the bleeding. I gave up on the idea and turned to face the new faces.

“I get it now. So that’s what’s going on between you two,” Itsuki said. “No, that doesn’t matter. I’m really sorry. Her name’s Benihina, and she’s Hina’s younger sister.”

“Her sister? What about her injuries? We should treat her as soon as possible,” I said.

“Don’t worry about that. She’s always getting hurt, so she’ll treat her wounds herself.”

Itsuki looked at the door that Benihina went through. There was no hint of concern in his eyes.

It was as if he was looking at someone he loathed.

“So who are you guys?” Akimasa snarled. “What are outsiders doing in Hina-san’s house?”

Itsuki grabbed the scruff of his neck. “I told you before, didn’t I? There’s something wrong with the crows, so we’re asking outsiders for their opinions.”

“And I objected to the idea! I didn’t agree to it! Something’s off. Why today of all days? Pretty sure you planned this.”

He twisted like a puppy, but then shut his mouth the next moment. His alarmingly dark eyes regarded Itsuki.

“I don’t like this. You’re plotting something, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about?” Itsuki laughed. “It’s too late for me to be plotting anything. I lost interest when Hina died.” He put on a pleasant smile.

Akimasa looked away, not convinced. Seconds later, he nodded.

“I guess… After Hina-san’s marriage, you were as good as dead.”

“Same goes for you. Stop making it sound like it’s only me.”

“Anyway, I don’t know who these people are, and I don’t care. Just don’t break anything in the house. Benihina’s doing plenty of that already. Damn it.”

“Akimasa!” Itsuki shouted.

Ignoring him, the young man turned and fled, slamming the door shut behind him.

A heavy silence fell. The grandfather clock chimed loudly.

Itsuki exhaled sharply and sat down in a chair. A tablecloth with a detailed pattern covered the table. Coffee cups lined the small shelf installed on the wall behind the open kitchen.

One of the cups was missing.

“Those were two of the three suspects,” Itsuki explained. “Benihina and Akimasa. Benihina has a bad habit of breaking Hina’s things and taking them. She thinks she can have them if they’re broken. It’s a headache.”

Itsuki clenched his fist and bit his lip. He showed a completely different attitude than when he calmed Akimasa down.

Mayuzumi pulled a chair back and sat in front of Itsuki. She reached for the decoration on the table, stroking the bronze crow sculpture with her pale fingertips.

“I know that Hina is the name of the esper,” she said. “She was abandoned by her husband and committed suicide. I know that. But there’s something else I want to ask about. It just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Mayuzumi narrowed her eyes, studying Itsuki with suspicion. Her red lips curled.

“The esper is forbidden from contact with humans. However, to preserve the lineage, and the fact that the esper two generations ago committed suicide due to loneliness, having a partner was allowed. That is the only liberty afforded to them. Therefore, their partner becomes the only existence that the esper shares their life with. In sickness and in health, they love and cherish each other, until death do them part.”

Mayuzumi tapped the crow with her nails. She ran her finger along the feathers and stroked its beak.

Finally, she pointed at Itsuki. “But who are you guys?”

Why were there four humans in the home of the esper?