"What about Sayoko?" asked Ayaka, raising a brow as Nanami entered the room.
"Oh! I'm so sorry—please, come in," Ayaka added quickly, stepping aside with a small, nervous smile.
"Thank you," said Nanami, her heels clicking sharply against the polished hardwood as she stepped fully into the living room.
At the top of the stairs, Kōki stood half-hidden, one hand resting lightly on the railing. He leaned forward just slightly, careful to keep his steps silent, his eyes tracking the newcomer.
Who is she? She's… striking, Kōki thought, blinking rapidly. But what does she want with Ayaka? And why is she asking about Sayoko?
He shifted subtly, barely breathing as he observed her.
Downstairs, Ayaka guided Nanami toward the couch, her fingers brushing briefly over the soft fabric.
"So… what were you saying earlier? About Sayoko?" Ayaka asked, her tone gentle but insistent, steering the conversation back on track.
Nanami nodded, hands folding neatly in her lap. "Before I explain, I need to be upfront. I've been working as a news reporter for three years now. In that time, I've built connections—police officers, detectives, lawyers, even people in forensics. Relationships matter in my line of work."
Ayaka tilted her head, curiosity mingled with caution. "Okay… but what does that have to do with Sayoko?"
Nanami's gaze sharpened, her voice dropping slightly. "I don't believe Sayoko's death was an accident. Or suicide."
The room grew heavy. Even the ticking of the wall clock seemed to pause.
"I think someone killed her," Nanami continued, her eyes darkening with intensity. "And not just anyone. Someone close to her. Someone she trusted."
Ayaka's lips parted in shock, her hands resting nervously on her knees. "Wait… what? Are you saying… are you saying she was… murdered?"
"Yes," Nanami said simply, almost coldly.
"And you think… one of her friends did it?" Ayaka's voice wavered.
"I don't have the evidence yet," Nanami admitted. "But I have suspicions—strong ones. And with the help of a few trusted allies, I've convinced the police to quietly reopen the case. Investigations are underway even now."
Ayaka's face darkened, her fingers curling lightly against her own. "So… you came here to accuse me?"
Nanami shook her head briskly. "No, not at all. I came because I trust you. Of all the people close to Sayoko, you've always been genuine. I don't believe for a second that you could have hurt her."
Ayaka exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging a fraction as relief washed over her.
"I need your help," Nanami pressed. "You knew almost everyone Sayoko had contact with. I want you to help me reach out to them—piece by piece. We're compiling a list: anyone who interacted with her in those final weeks. And I need you to be honest about everything. Even the smallest detail."
Ayaka looked down at her hands for a moment, then back up. "Alright. I'll help… for Sayoko."
Upstairs, Kōki's mind raced. Sayoko… she needs to hear this. Quietly, he moved toward his room.
Kōki climbed the stairs, each step measured and silent. Halfway up, he slowed, gripping the railing as he drew in a quiet, steadying breath. Sayoko… she needs to know about this.
He pushed open his door quietly. The room smelled faintly of lavender, untouched since she'd vanished. In the corner, Sayoko hovered, her form faint and shimmering, eyes downcast, hands clasped loosely in front of her.
"Sayoko," Kōki said softly, keeping his voice low. His heart thumped in his chest. "Someone's here… someone from your past."
Sayoko lifted her gaze slowly, the air around her rippling subtly like a heat haze. "Who…?" Her voice was soft, distant, as if carried from far away.
"Her name's Nanami Fuyumine. From high school… does that ring a bell?" Kōki's eyes searched hers, careful not to startle her.
Sayoko's ethereal form flickered, her lips parting slightly. "Nanami… yes, I remember…"
"Good," Kōki said, taking a cautious step closer. "I want you to… try that thing you do." He gestured gently, "The memory thing… when you touch someone and their memories come back."
Sayoko hesitated, the faint glow of her form pulsing. A soft chill drifted through the room, brushing against Kōki's skin. Then, slowly, she raised her hand, though it passed through the air like mist, never truly touching him. Still, he felt it—a warm, pulsing pressure, like a heartbeat pressing against his chest.
"Okay…" she whispered. "I'll try."
From above, Kōki caught the faint scrape of paper sliding across the table. Downstairs, Nanami handed Ayaka a slim folder which made Ayaka glance up, alert.
"This is the preliminary list—names, timelines, last known contacts. Take a look. Tell me if we're missing anyone," Nanami said, voice calm but sharp.
Ayaka accepted the folder, flipping through the pages slowly. "I'll review it tonight. I don't want to overlook anything."
Nanami's eyes darkened slightly. "Thank you. Whoever did this… doesn't deserve to get away with it. I couldn't act back then, but now… I will see justice done."
Unseen, Sayoko drifted closer to Nanami. Her presence didn't make a sound, but the air seemed heavier, cooler, charged with quiet energy. Her gaze lingered on Nanami, a mix of longing and sorrow reflected in her faintly glowing eyes.
I missed her… Sayoko whispered internally.
Sayoko moved closer, her fingers brushing lightly against Nanami's shoulder. A faint pulse of warmth—or maybe something more—spread through her touch, and suddenly Nanami's mind was flooded with memories from five years ago, back when Sayoko had still been alive.
"See you later, Nanami," a smiling Sayoko said in the memory, her bag swinging lightly as she waved. "I'll catch up with you after class!"
Nanami forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah… see you later."
The door clicked shut behind her, and the warmth of the memory dissolved. Nanami froze, her shoulders stiffening. She let out a heavy sigh, her fingers curling into her lap.
Her smile faltered, her tone dipping almost unconsciously. "She was… so much sometimes. Always the center of attention…"
A pause, then sharper, brittle as glass: "She's… so annoying. I can't stand it."
Sayoko watched, silent, as Nanami's bitterness spilled out. "She acts so sweet. So innocent. Like some perfect little angel… but it's all fake. Everything about her. Every single guy we met… she had them wrapped around her finger like she was some goddess. And she loved it. It made me… sick."
A tremor ran through Nanami's voice. "I hated that about her. Every time she walked into a room, everyone smiled. Everyone listened. Even teachers. And me… I was just the girl beside her. Always second place. Always invisible."
"I hope she drops dead one day," she muttered.
The memory faded, and Sayoko froze mid-step, her own lips parting. "No… no way," she whispered. "She… said that?"
Kōki, standing beside her, frowned, his chest tightening. "What did you see? Did you… recover a lost memory?"
Sayoko's hands clutched her chest. "She… she hated me?" Her voice cracked. Tears welled in her eyes, froze mid-air for a heartbeat, and then drifted slowly down, glistening at the corners. "That much?"
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. "We were friends… we did everything together. Studied, laughed, cried… I was always there for her."
Her gaze lifted, glossy with unshed tears. "Why? "Why would she hate me so much?" Her voice broke, each word trembling. "I… I never hurt her. I never even knew she felt that way…"
Kōki reached out, a tentative hand hovering. "Sayoko…"
She didn't move, her shoulders trembling slightly. "I thought… I mattered to her…"
The memory of Nanami faded completely, leaving a quiet ache in the room.
Later, after Nanami had finished speaking with Ayaka, her heels clicked against the pavement as she left, fading into the distance. Kōki's frown deepened, his gaze following her until she disappeared from view.
"Sis… what was that all about?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice.
Ayaka blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Oh… it's you, Kō. It's nothing for you to worry about," she said, waving a hand dismissively, though her shoulders stiffened slightly.
Kōki crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "Well, I was eavesdropping… so yeah, I know it's definitely something important."
Ayaka rubbed her forehead, sighing softly. "I should've known better than to expect otherwise from you."
"So that person… Nanami Fuyumine," Ayaka muttered, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the edge of the table. Her eyes flicked up at Kō, then away again. "She has connections high up in the police department, and she convinced them to reopen the case… to investigate the murder of Sayoko Mizuhara. At least… that's what she told me."
Kōki's brow furrowed, his hand tightening slightly around the edge of his chair. "And she has a list of people she thinks could be possible suspects, right?" His voice was steady, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.
Ayaka nodded, biting the inside of her cheek before letting out a quiet sigh. "More or less… yes," she admitted, eyes dropping to her lap. Her hands twisted nervously together, and she kept her gaze averted.
Kōki leaned forward, resting his elbows lightly on his knees. "I don't think you should get involved with her—or this whole situation," he said, his voice firm, carrying the weight of warning. "Why would she come to you, of all people?"
Ayaka's shoulders twitched slightly, a faint shiver passing through her. "I… I don't know," she whispered, her voice softer than before. "She said she trusts me."
Kōki caught the subtle tension in her posture—the way her shoulders stiffened, the way she avoided meeting his gaze. I… I made Sayoko come into contact with Nanami. And… it ended up triggering a memory. One that wasn't pleasant. Could she somehow be connected to Sayoko's murder? Maybe she has an ulterior motive for approaching my sister?
Ayaka's fingers twisted tighter in her lap. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then forced the words out.
"I just… don't feel like Nanami is really trying to find out who killed Sayoko."
Kōki extended a hand. "Can I see the list she gave you?"
Ayaka fished a folded paper from her pocket, her fingers brushing his briefly as she handed it over. "Here… take it," she said, voice small, almost tentative.
Kōki unfolded it carefully, scanning the names. Each one pressed against his mind like a warning. He could hear his heartbeat thumping sharply in his ears, feel the weight of the situation in his chest, the tension coiling through his shoulders.
So these are the people we need Sayoko to come in contact with… I can't tell Ayaka what's really going on… not yet.
He clenched the paper tighter, letting the edges bite into his palms. Based on what Sayoko said, Nanami herself could be a prime suspect. We need to get to the bottom of this.