The Devil’s Whisper [Hardcover ed.] 4770030533, 9784770030535
Sixteen-year-old Mamoru Kusaka has recently moved to Tokyo to live with his aunt and uncle after the death of his mother
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JAPAN'S #1 BESTSELLING MYSTERY WR/TB
mm
m YUK I
DEVIL'S
[
I
I
WHISPER
Author of Crossfire and A// She
Was Worth
WHISPER
DEVIL'S The
three deaths
one
girl
come
quick succession:
in
jumps from the roof of
a six-story
building; another falls in front of a train; the third
is
hit
by a late-night
And
these related?
taxi.
But
and
how are
are they accidents, suicides
or murder?
Slowly, the answers are uncovered by
Mamoru,
sixteen-year-old
the
nephew
by the police
taxi driver currently being held
on charges of manslaughter
of the
for the death of
the third victim.
Determined to help covers that the
his uncle,
by
girl killed
had participated rate vulnerable
in a
Mamoru
dis-
his uncle's taxi
devious scam to sepa-
men from
their
money, and
that three of the four girls involved in the
ploy are
A with
now
dead.
powerful businessman comes forward
new
evidence in favor of
Mamoru's uncle
and also to reveal the truth about Mamoru's long-lost father,
boy was only But out
if
in the
he
is
who
disappeared
The
meantime,
Mamoru must go
all
to save the last of the four girls
then the
Devil's
the
four.
being targeted by the real
And
when
killer
killer.
contacts him
.
.
.
Whisper sold nearly two million
copies in Japan and
won
the coveted Japan
Mystery-Suspense Award.
DEVIL'S
WHISPER
THE
lYUKI MIYABE TRANSLATED BY
Deborah Stuhr Iwabuchi
KODANSHA INTERNATIONAL Tokyo
•
New
York
•
London
—
Originally published in Japanese in 1989 by Shinchosha, Tokyo, under the
title
Majutsu
ivj sjsj\jku.
Distributed in the United States by
Kodansha
.\merica. Inc.,
and
in the
United Kingdom and continental Europe by Kodansha Europe Ltd.
PubUshed by Kodansha International
Ltd..
1~-14 Otowa 1-chome,
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8652, and Kodansha America, Copyright
©
Inc.
1989 by Miyuki Miyabe.
English translation copyright
©
2007 by Deborah Stuhr Iwabuchi.
All rights reserx ed. Printed in Japan.
ISBN 9-8-4-7700-3053-5 First edition,
2007
15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Miyabe, Mi\-uki [Majutsu
The
wa
devil's p.
"First
sasayaku. English]
whisper
/
XliN'uki
Miyabe; translated by Deborah Iwabuchi.
cm.
pubUshed
in
Japanese as Majutsu
wa
sasayaku by Shinchosa"
T.p. verso.
ISBN 9''8-4-~00-3053-5 I. Iwabuchi, Deborah Stuhr. PL856.I856M3513 2007 895.6'35— dc22
II.
Title.
2007008659 uniii'.kodausha-i fitl.com
COWTENTS
Prologue
CHAPTER
7
1
How
It
All Started
11
CHAPTER 2
Suspicion
CHAPTER
The Disquieting Muses
3
43
CHAPTER 4
On
CHAPTER 5
The
CHAPTER 6
The Sorcerer
Epilogue
233
a
Chain
107
Invisible Light
191
155
65
Prologue
Tokyo Daily News, September
Wedding
Jitters?
Woman
A young woman jumped Okura apartment block to the
Ayase precinct
of the building. Kato
roof
and jumping
week. She
From
left
1
2,
page 14:
Leaps from High-rise
to her death
in
from the roof
of the six-story Palace
Miyoshi, Tokyo, at 3:10 pm yesterday. According
police, the
was seen
woman was Fumie
climbing over the
1
Kato
(24), a
.5-meter guardrail on the
5 meters, to the street below. Kato
was due
Arrow, October
into the path of a Tozai Line limited
Nakano, and
was
Atsuko Mita
(20), a
goku, K
City,
declared dead at the scene. The
company employee
Saitama prefecture.
a motive.
A man her,
woman jumped
express
train
woman was
residing at Co-op
Mita behaving strangely and tried to stop
next
9:
At Tokyo's Takadanobaba Station today at 14:45, a young
from the platform
mam/
to
no suicide note, and police are tn/ing to establish
the evening tabloid
resident
bound
for
identified as
Kawaguchi
in
Sen-
waiting for the train noticed but
was
no suicide note, but the police are tentatively labeling
it
too
late.
a suicide.
There was
You never about
it
get the full picture of an incident or accident
who happened not what was
to be
left
The readers
on the
scene. Readers find out
know
didn't
that
woman had been up there that the woman heard Fumie Fumie looking back
—
it
was
Nor
did the readers
at the guardrail,
when Fumie Kato jumped
airing out her futons.
running up the as
if
that the
came out and hosed
area with salt to purify
had had no
the spot
just as quickly let go.
the police officers on the scene scooping it
The building
in plastic bags.
the blood off the street, then sprinkled the
against similar misfortune.
it
know
She saw
— and watched
woman went over to
touched the cold metal, and
up pieces of Fumie's brain and putting caretaker
off the roof
didn't
stairs to the roof.
she were being chased
know
The readers did not watch
They
scrambled frantically over the guardrail,
as she ran across the rooftop, fell.
what happened, but
behind.
a
and
when reading
newspaper, nor can you ever appreciate the shock of those
in the
recollection of talking to
Fumie Kato
herself
someone on the phone immediately
before her death.
The readers
know about
didn't
the businessman
who
tried to save
Atsuko Mita. He had been standing on the platform hoping that
his
plans to refinance his housing loan would go smoothly. Atsuko had
walked unsteadily past him, glancing back several times ing that something or
someone were following
her.
That's
as
if
suspect-
what she was
doing when her foot went over the edge.
The readers
know that
will never
the collar of Atsuko's thin jacket,
only she had buttoned
it
all
the
the businessman reached out to grab
and that she might have been saved
way up
to the neck.
When
into the station with a high-pitched metal-on-metal screech
her off the platform, the
man was
of the jacket's fabric
on
earlier,
ing
when
his hands.
the train blew
and snatched
standing dumbfounded, the
on the same platform. They hadn't seen him doff stairs.
MIYUKI MIYABE
feel
The readers hadn't seen Atsuko
she read the train schedule out loud for an old
and head up the
8
still
left
if
man
his hat in
stand-
thanks
—
It
took a while to clean up the scene because her body had been
tered in
directions.
all
They couldn't
backed up the train and
it fell
the coupling between the
Atsuko Mita's
eyes,
All these details
first
with
a
splat-
find her head until they slowly
moist thud onto the tracks from
and second
cars.
The readers
didn't see
both darkly open.
remained buried between the printed
lines.
And now Something
else
was taking place of which
unaware. Another young
woman was
good-bye to her two friends to let her off in front of her insisted,
off
in the
the
newspaper readers were
getting out of a taxi
back
She had wanted the driver
seat.
apartment and she wished
but she told her friends that she would be
on the main road from where
it
was
and waving
fine;
just a short
now
that she
they could
let
to herself.
her
walk home. There
the deserted road under the bluish streetlights, she repeated those
words
had
There was nothing to be afraid of
in
same
— she only had to
turn a corner and cross a single street no more than a hundred meters
away. She began to walk. Just before she turned the corner, her wristwatch alarm
was It
as loudly out of place as a
was
at that
up behind
her.
moment
sound during
that she
She walked
faster,
was
a
sure she heard
The
street
off. It
pause in a concert.
someone
and she could hear the
her speed up, too. She looked back.
went
stealing
steps behind
was empty, but
she
knew
she had to escape before something dreadful happened. She mustn't be
caught!
She began to shake and broke into a run. Stumbling along with her hair in her eyes
to scream.
home
.
.
.
and her shoes clacking on the road, she was too scared
Her only thoughts were
to safety!
She didn't slow light.
to run; to escape.
Fve got
to get
Help me!
down when
Help came abruptly and
she reached the intersection with in the
its
red
worst possible form as she was
blinded by a set of headlights.
THE DE\ML'S WHISPER
On
that
same
a scrapbook.
of the
night,
On
under the same
sky, a pair of pale
hands opened up
the right-hand page were the articles about the deaths
two women, neatly cut out and
positioned. Fingers so white they
might have been bleached reached out to
lightly tap the newsprint.
Fumie Kato and Atsuko Mita.
On
the left-hand page
was
a single color
photograph of
a
young man
wearing heavy black-framed spectacles and a smile that revealed a straight white teeth.
A clock
somewhere struck twelve midnight.
The white hands closed
10
MIYUKI MIYABE
the scrapbook
and turned out the
light.
set of
CHAPTER 1
How
All Started
It
Mamoru Kusaka had gone back twelve years to when he was four years old. He was in the house where he had been born, and his In his dream,
mother, Keiko, was there, too. She was standing next to the shoe rack by the front door, the telephone in her hand. Slightly
hunched
over, she
twisting the black cord in her fingers as she listened, nodding
an "Uh-huh" or
jecting
"I see" every ten
This scene was not something
He
seconds or
Mamoru was
to say his father hadn't reported in to
work
inter-
so.
recalling
when
hadn't actually heard the conversation
and
was
from memory.
his father's boss called
that day.
It
wasn't until
much
Mamoru learned his father was missing. But in the haze of his Mamoru was sitting against a wall, hugging his knees and watch-
later that
dream,
ing his mother go pale as she spoke quietly into the phone.
Mamoru woke up and why
stared at the rafters in the ceiling,
he was having a dream
He
often
usually
dreamed of
memories of the
must have known brand new
his
set of tools.
really tough. It
Mamoru
wondering
like this all these years later.
his special friend, last
days they had spent together. The old
time had
Then
Gramps. These dreams were
come because he had given Mamoru
there
had been the boy's
had been the
He
a
safe with the triple lock,
final test.
pulled himself up so he could see his bedside clock.
only two in the morning.
man
It
was
sighed and pulled the covers over his head
11
again, bur in rhe quiet of nighr he could hear his
Aunt Yoriko's
sott voice
coming from downsrairs. She was on the phone.
Mamoru bed.
The
kicked off his futon and swung his legs over the edge of the
floor
was cold
as he stepped out into the hallway.
same moment Maku looking
sleepy and with a cardigan over her paja-
mas, came out of her room on the other side of rhe "It's
mumbled and
the phone," she
At almost rhe
started
hall.
down
the stairs
ahead of
Mamoru.
Mamoru
and she knew
taxi driver
mean.
could see that his cousin was worried. Her father was
Mamoru
Yoriko
full
well
what
a
midnight telephone
call
a
could
tensed.
set the receiver
and stood barefoot
back on rhe hook as the two came downstairs
in front of her.
"What's the matter?" asked Maki. Yoriko frowned. "Well,
"An
it
happened."
accident?''
Yoriko nodded.
"What "It's
hospital
is
he in? Dad's been hurt, hasn't he?"
nor vour father."
"So what happened?"
"He had an on.
"He
hit
accident
all
right."
Yoriko licked her
lips,
hesitating to go
someone."
The November cold ran rhrough Mamoru's
feet
and
straight
up
to his
heart. "It
was
a
young woman. She died
instantly.
That
call
was from
the
police."
"Police?"
"Your
father's
been arrested."
Mamoru was awake
for the rest oi the night.
passed since he had come to
12
MIYUKI MIYABE
live
Only nine months had
with Yoriko Asano, his mother's elder
and he was
sister,
finally getting used to his
new
family and
life in
Tokyo.
The Asanos
The
rivers
lived in the old
Tokyo downtown
below sea
area,
level.
and canals that ran through the area were higher than the
rooftops. Yoriko's husband, Taizo, had driven a taxi for almost twenty
Maki,
years.
spring before and
Mamoru had
was
It
just
been born and raised
was an old
natural hot spring.
graduated from junior college the
in her first job.
Tokyo, where the cherry capital.
had
their only child,
trees
castle
The
m the city of Hirakawa,
bloomed
a
later
little
town and boasted
locals
made
than they did
a small
their livelihood
north of in the
but good quality
on tourism and the
lacquerware for which the area was famous.
Mamoru's
Toshio Kusaka, had worked for
father,
He had
city hall.
been serving as assistant to the finance section chief when he appeared, right after
it
was discovered
that
fifty
dis-
million yen in public
funds were missing.
Mamoru
Who would
had been promoted.
father
position
have thought then that
would one day be splashed across
made Mamoru and
crime that had
Not only
when
could vaguely remember a small family celebration
that, but there
his father's
the headlines proclaiming the
mother
social outcasts?
woman involved. Mamoru and his mother had
had been
After his father disappeared,
Hirakawa. Twelve years
his
later, last
his
a
stayed in
December, Keiko Kusaka had died
suddenly of a stroke at the age of thirty-eight. After she collapsed, Keiko told
Mamoru
had
briefly regained consciousness
about an aunt he had never known
She instructed him to contact his aunt
Mamoru had
if
— her
and had
sister in
Tokyo.
anything should happen to
her.
quickly found his mother's address book and called.
Both Yoriko and Taizo had come immediately, and they had been with
Mamoru when him
in
"I
his
mother
on the family
died.
It
was only then
that Yoriko
had
filled
history.
married your uncle when
I
was eighteen," she
told him.
"Oh,
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
13
your grandparents refused to give their permission, so we eloped." Yoriko spoke
Now
they were so mad.
an honest taxi
he's
we
wasn't going anywhere. After times. But
I
town with
a
had
my
baby
Yoriko had
pride.
my
in
making
got married,
I
almost
him
left
arms. There wasn't anything for
you
if
decided to do
just
and
a steady living,
lots of
wasn't about to run back to that country
I
few years before. "You can laugh I
but in those days he
driver,
me
there."
decided to reconnect with her parents and
finally
opera on TV, and
knew why
tone typical of Tokyoites. "I
in the forthright
it. I
suppose
I
but
like,
it
was watching
was
just didn't
I
more. Maki and your uncle both agreed
guess
I
I
sister a
should do
soap
a
was
time. Taizo
need to rebel anyit,
so
I
wrote to the
old address."
The
letter
was
sent back
was determined
ever,
and headed
a train
to
for
stamped "return to sender." Yoriko, how-
make
contact with her family, so she jumped on
Hirakawa. She soon found someone she knew
her old neighborhood and learned where her "I I
went
straight to the factory
sister
was.
where your mother was working, and
recognized her right away. She hadn't changed much.
for
more than
fifteen years, but
course things weren't easy. I'd close, so
we
didn't have
and
parents' grave,
didn't even let
was
left
knew
hadn't seen her
her as soon as
and we'd never
I
really
saw been
to say to each other. She took
me about
me meet
the big sister
I
I
her.
that
all
me
to our
who
you.
It
herself.
She wasn't very
was my
fault, so
I
specific,
and she
couldn't complain.
any pull from her old hometown, and
me
blame
was
clear that
for."
her," said Yoriko. "It wasn't
The two
ever, writing letters to
sisters
Keiko had
little
MIYUKIMIYABE
something she could ever
did begin a sort of correspondence,
each other every month
a year, Keiko told her sister
14
it
feel
resuming the relationship.
"I didn't
forgive
I
hadn't even been there for our parents' funerals."
Yoriko made no further attempts to see her nephew. She didn't
interest in
Of
apologized to them for everything. After that she
I
finally started telling
much
in
or so. Finally, after
what had happened
to her family.
howabout
"What I
don't
a shock!
I
felt
know how many
so sorry for her. But she
times
I
hers and come here with you to she
live
with
husband of
she wanted to be there
he did. She always was stubborn. She said she'd brought you up to
believe
your father would eventually come home."
There was something died:
too.
But she refused. She said
us.
knew Toshio would come back someday, and
when
was exasperating,
told her to forget that awful
when
his father
else
seal. All
never
knew
until after his
mother
had disappeared twelve years before, he had
divorce papers behind. His
personal
Mamoru
name was on them, and he had
mit them to the authorities, but she had never done
affixed his
own name and
Keiko had had to do was sign her
left
sub-
so.
Mamoru told his aunt that it made him feel as if he had never really known his mother. Yoriko nodded sympathetically, and then added, "But it was just like her to do that. And you know, I don't even know what your father looked like. Keiko never showed me a photo, and I didn't
want
to see one anyway.
I
heard somewhere that he was
tall,
and
nephew. "You look
like
not too bad looking."
Yoriko paused and took a long look
at her
your mother. Especially around the eyes. be like
her.
makes me worry
She was strong, but you just can't
everything on herself.
And
then
.
.
.
well,
After Keiko's funeral, Yoriko asked
her family in Tokyo. that he
It
One
saw something
I
that you'll
live all alone.
She took
lost her."
Mamoru
to
come and
of the reasons he decided to go
live
with
may have
been
in his aunt's eyes that
he had never seen in his
He
got used to the city soon
mother's. Life in
Tokyo had not been easy
enough, but
it
was hard learning
at first.
one
who had
helped him out with that.
him
like he'd
always lived there. At
but he gradually realized that
The
first
it
new
to live with a
was
first
From
family.
the very
he thought
just the
way
it
first
it
the
she treated
was out of
pity,
she was.
time they met, she had laughed and said, "So
suddenly got a sixteen-year-old brother,
Maki was
now
that I've
makes me an old lady
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
at
15
twenty-one." first
Mamoru
found out
impression of his nephew
later that
"He's a gloomy kid,
as,
response had been, "Actually, that's
Once Maki had
called
Taizo had
my
isn't
his
he?" Maki's
favorite type."
Mamoru from
the station after a night out
drinking with her friends. "I can't find a taxi.
had found Maki leaning against
summed up
Come
me."
get
a utility pole singing as a
Mamoru
male friend
stood by looking on.
"Are you her brother?" The guy scratched
Maki.
"I
was going
to
walk her home
his
head and motioned
at
.. ."
"Leave him alone," Maki called out drunkenly to her friend.
"Mamoru,
I
don't
want you
to ever
become
a city
boy
him!"
like
Mamoru was stuck dragging her home, and Maki never stopped singing. When Mamoru finally burst out laughing, she laughed right along.
"See?" she said. "Life in Tokyo
isn't
No,
Mamoru. And
it
wasn't bad at
all,
decided
so bad!" that
was why
it
was
so
hard tonight, looking out into the dark and listening to Maki weeping.
Mamoru
finally
jumped out of bed and went
was
a canal right in front of the house.
was
a sloping concrete bank.
summer
Mamoru had flowed
Depending on the wind
were
left in their
own
you
never seen a canal before he came to Tokyo. They
Hirakawa,
told. In
It
direction,
wasn't too bad, except on
days.
in artificially straight
were
window. There
Between the house and the canal
could smell the river from inside the house. the hottest
to the
concrete beds, going exactly where they
rivers
natural state.
were no danger to the population, and
They were
forms of self-expression. The canals
tame, and they seemed to
like
it
lively,
in
and they
Tokyo were
all
all
had
their
drowsy and
that way.
When Mamoru had mentioned
this to his uncle, the
been quick. "You say that now, but
just
you wait
till
a
response had
typhoon comes
through." In mid-September, a large storm hit the
16
MIYUKI MIYABE
Kanto
Plain.
Mamoru put on
a
and went out
raincoat,
to stand
on the concrete bank with Taizo,
finally
understanding what he meant.
The
river
was howling, ^e
rivers
have awoken!
it
gathered up the swiftly falling rainwater and pulled the while continuing
you don't have
to hurry. If you don't
banks and, at a single stroke,
flatten
its
When you have
relentless flow.
its
watch
and wash
yours,
As he right
now. The
night,
all
its
river
was
bank was
inside, all
much power,
down
these
out the land that was ours to begin
Mamoru
still; it
felt
you humans think
looked
the urge to go out for a look
like a
a garage for a tour bus
smooth black board.
company
that
was
lit
On up
bright lights standing out in the quiet streets. Traffic signals
interspersed along the road occasionally blinked red in a
this
it
out to sea.
recalled that night,
the opposite all
it
power
out, we'll break
with. We'll take back the land, along with everything is
seemed to say as
and green; beautiful
melancholy sort of way.
Mamoru
climbed up the bank and walked along the top
He
had the time the typhoon came through. staircase that led
down under
marked with numbers
to
the bridge,
climbed
where
down
just as
he
the rusty iron
a single thin
column was
measure the height of the water. During the
typhoon, he had stood there with Taizo, both of them blinking hard to keep the rain out of their eyes as they looked up
was marked that
at the levels the river
had destroyed the
height of
name
the
was
a red line labeled
entire area.
The stone column
There was one mark right about the a foot or so higher.
of the typhoon and the date.
"Danger
it.
had reached long ago during typhoons
Mamoru's head and another
was
at
To
Next
to each
the side of these inscriptions
level."
Taizo had pointed at that mark. "The water will never get that high again," he said. "Those floods are a thing of the past. you'll never
It's
safe here
now;
have to worry about that."
Mamoru had started a new life now fate had intervened again.
After a childhood cursed by bad luck, in a
new home with
He was
sure that
it
a
new
family. But
was he who had brought
this
calamity on the Asano
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
17
family,
and now he was having doubts about whether the neighborhood
would be The
safe
him.
was
river
and threw
from flooding with him
it
Mamoru found a rock at water. He heard it plop down
sleeping.
into the
must be high
It
living there. his feet,
picked
it
up
surprisingly close to
tide.
Something darker than night began to seep into Mamoru's
heart.
College Co-ed Hit by Taxi About midnight on November 14 Yoko Sugano College,
was
(21), a junior at
struck by a taxi driven by Taizo
Itchome intersection
was
the scene. Asano
Toa
(50) at
Ward, Tokyo. Sugano died
K
in
Asano
Women's
the Midori
of her injuries at
arrested for reckless driving and taken to Joto Police
Station for questioning.
The man learned about
the accident in the
morning paper when the
headline caught his eye. The report w^as in a small typeface near the bot-
tom
of an inside page.
He scanned
seconds before the meaning sank
it
in.
and went on, and
He went back and
it
was
read
it
a
few
again,
carefully checking the details, then folded up the paper, took off his
and rubbed
glasses,
his eyes.
There was no mistaking either the name or
the address.
Next he reached
for a business newspaper,
and opened
it
same accident had been reported with an additional couple of ing that the taxi driver
The man shook
He heard
his
had been charged with running head as he stared
his late-rising wife
sound of her footsteps that she was she say
when
a customer^
18
M
I
she
An
Y U K
I
saw
his face?
accident^
MIYABE
still
Have
stairs.
He
could
not quite awake.
the stocks
Someone you know
The
lines stat-
a red light.
at the print. It wasn't
on the
up.
fair.
tell
from the
What would
dropped f Did you
dief She'd
lose
come out with
something
like that,
But he couldn't talk about
He
stood up and
into the
know why
wanting to
left
it
to her
the living
The water was almost
cold, rainy
morning many years
over and over again. The water his face in the
He
room
bathroom, turned the water on
his hands.
He
— or
anybody
to
else.
so she wouldn't see him, in the sink,
as cold as the
before.
still
he looked so grim.
He
and
run over
let it
memory
of a certain
splashed water on his face
dripping from his chm, he looked at
clouded mirror. His complexion was gray.
could hear the sound of the TV. His wife must have turned
spoke to himself not
"It's
went
in a
low voice that she wouldn't be able
it
on.
to hear.
fair."
He wiped
his face
with a towel, walked through the kitchen
with the aroma of coffee, and climbed the
stairs.
Going into
filled
his study,
he carefully closed the door, pulled out a key, and opened the bottom
drawer of pulled
his desk. In the
out and opened
it
drawer was a blue-jacketed photo album. He
it.
fifteen or sixteen years old.
There were three photos. One was of a boy,
He was wearing
dering a backpack. Another photo
was of
a school
uniform and shoul-
same boy walking with
the
a
woman who looked about twenty. The third was of a dark green taxi. A heavy-set middle-aged man was washing it. The boy was there, too, a hose in his hands. It looked like he might turn it on the man at
young
any moment. Both of them were smiling. The rest of the
On
man thumbed
through the
album.
another page was a single photo of a
woman
wearing white work
clothes with a matching scarf covering her head. She held a serving tray in her
her late
thirties.
left
hand and
wooden
a brush in her right. She looked to be in
Possibly surprised by the photographer, she had turned
suddenly to be faced with the camera and was squinting her eyes
modest
was
smile. She wasn't a beauty, but the line of her
in a
rounded cheeks
soft.
The man
stared steadily at the photo of the
back to the photos of the boy.
He
spoke again
woman. Then
in a
low
he turned
voice.
THE DEVIL-S WHISPER
19
"Mamoru, how could The boy looked back
That same morning, ing at the
had
all this
ing;
same
have happened?"
this
at
him, smiling.
another part of Tokyo, a young
in
article.
She never used to read the newspaper
Now she read through the
started.
Then she
lit
up a
cigarette
and took
look-
—not
inside pages every
had become part of her routine. She read the
it
woman was
until
morn-
article three times.
Her hands
several long, slow drags.
were shaking.
smoked two
After she had her clothes.
was time
It
fully applied her
doors were
all
to
cigarettes, she got
up and began
go to work. She chose a bright red
makeup. Before she
left,
made
she
locked, poured the leftover coffee
down
impulse grabbed the newspaper off the table as she
As she walked down the outside
hand
called out to her.
was
It
stairs,
a
sure the
suit,
and
on an
her apartment.
with a broom
the wife of her landlord,
care-
windows and
the sink, then
left
woman
to change
who
in her
lived in the
apartment beneath. They were fussy about rent payments, but not about
much
else. It
was
a comfortable place to
"Miss Takagi, you got
you were so
package from your mother yesterday, but
late last night
I
couldn't bring
when
I
get
stop by for
"I'll
a
live.
it
home
it
up
to you."
tonight," she said brusquely as she
hurried past.
"All right," the
woman
muttered to herself,
"It
wouldn't
kill
Kazuko Takagi had already crossed and was heading newspaper onto
"What
at a
you to say thank you!" By then
the street in front of the building
quick pace off toward the station. She tossed the
a pile of trash waiting for the
a waste,"
and then
called after her retreating figure,
morning pickup.
muttered the landlord's wife, screwing up her face
and getting back to her chores.
In yet another corner of the city, a different person altogether
ing the
20
same
article.
The bony
MIYUKIMIYABE
was read-
fingers of the bleached-white
hands
carefully cut
out with a pair of scissors. Then they pulled out the
it
scrapbook and deliberately positioned the Kato, Atsuko Mita, and
article
Yoko Sugano. Three
on
a
new
page. Fumie
reports about the deaths of
women.
three
The Asano family article.
Mamoru
Neither
After the phone
had returned
at
call,
nor Maki had got another wink of sleep.
down
Yoriko had rushed
dawn
"They wouldn't
morning with the newspaper
also started the
to the police station,
and
looking pale and drawn.
let
me
see
him because
it
was
the middle of the night!
That's not a reason." It
took the three of them to spread out the paper with
their
unsteady
hands.
"Here self
it
had
There's no mistake."
it is.
really
happened.
There was nothing actually occurred. It
was
like
in the
Maki was
Mamoru was
still
trying to persuade her-
having trouble believing
it,
too.
dry report to convince him that the tragedy had
The midnight
call
was
starting to
looking at a photo that you never
seem
like a
dream.
knew had been
taken.
When you saw it, you were sure it was of someone you didn't know. That was how Mamoru felt when he saw the name "Taizo Asano" in print. This bad luck had befallen another Taizo Asano, and his uncle would
walk through the door "It's cruel,"
at
any moment.
said Yoriko, folding
up the newspaper. The three of them
Maki was unable
much. She
sat at
the table with a cold, wet towel against her face, trying to bring
down
ate their breakfast in silence.
to eat
the swelling around her eyes caused by hours of crying.
"You've got to eat," urged Yoriko. "It doesn't matter,
"You
can't
you used up
do
all
I'm not going to
that!
You
told
work
me how
today."
busy everyone was.
And
haven't
your vacation days?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
21
Maki looked up and answered that?
Who
cares about vacation days and
What am I supposed
"How can
her mother angrily,
work? Dad's been
you say
arrested!
do?"
to
"There's nothing for you to do here."
"Mom!" "You
me," Yoriko put down her chopsticks, placed her
listen to
plump elbows on
the table,
and leaned toward her daughter. "Just
because there was an accident doesn't mean your father was at He's at the police station, but they might release him today.
Now calm down day.
just
It'll
Mamoru
trust him.
and go to work." She softened her expression
ing to comfort Maki. "If all
I
make
you stay home, you're going
to
fault.
as
if
try-
here and fret
sit
things worse."
spoke up. "Aunt Yoriko, what are you planning to do
today?"
"I'm going to
Sayama
I
want
They
and
I'll
to take your father
told
machines, too.
me
your uncle's old boss and ask him to
for us. He's a lawyer,
with me. clothes.
visit
me
I've
I
something to eat and
self
a
change of
could bring him some change for the vending
new underwear,
and make sure there were no
Yoriko spoke distractedly, almost mumbling the she realized
Mr.
ask him to go to the police station
got to buy him some
to cut off the tags
call
Maki and Mamoru were
still
there.
but they told
strings ..." details to herself until
She quickly pulled her-
together again.
"Then
I'll
go back to Mr. Sayama's
office to
hear what he has to say."
Taizo had had a long career with Tokai Taxi before he went independent. His boss
had been Mr. Satomi, and Mr. Sayama was the company
lawyer.
Maki
pulled herself
up from the
table reluctantly and, glancing at the
clock, headed off to her room. Yoriko called out, extra makeup. You'll be breaking mirrors
As
usual,
Maki and Mamoru
"Would you
22
give
me
left
all
day with that face."
the house together.
a ride to the station?"
MIYUKI MIYABE
"And put on some
Maki
asked, pointing at
the back of
Mamoru's
bicycle. "I don't
want
to take a bus looking like
this."
Mamoru
waited for her to climb on the back and put an arm around
his waist. After a
Dad
gave
wonder
"I
if
they
breakfast."
Mamoru spoil her
few minutes, Maki wondered aloud,
tried to think of a response that
makeup. "Sure they
did.
The
wouldn't make her cry and
police'U treat
him
right."
"Even though they arrested him?" "It
was an
Taizo's got
all
accident.''
Mamoru
tried to
those safe driver awards.
The
sound optimistic. "Uncle
police
must know
that. He'll
be fine." "I don't
know
..."
Maki
scratched her head, and the change in
balance
made Mamoru's
donburi
— everything piled on top of
bicycle wobble.
a
"You know Dad
bowl of
rice. Isn't
doesn't like
that
what
the
police feed people?"
what they do on TV. But they've got
"That's
to order
it
from some-
where, and shops aren't open that early." "Rice and miso soup, then?"
Maki was thoroughly engrossed
images running through her mind. him;
I
just
hope
Mamoru had
it's
"I don't really care
in the
what they
give
hot."
been thinkirig the same thing.
It
winter was stealthily taking over from autumn.
was cold
He
let
this
morning;
Maki
off at the
station.
"No "I
crying at work!" he
know,
I
warned her
affectionately.
know."
"But when you see your boyfriend, you can look as sad as you
like.
Let him take good care of you."
"Are you talking about Maekawa?" Maki never could keep a
secret,
and she had already told her family about the young man from work she had
started seeing.
Mamoru had
spoken to him once on the phone when
he'd called for her.
"Yeah,
I
think you can trust him.
He sounded hke
a
good guy
to
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
me."
23
He had
finally
coaxed
off her shoulders.
a smile out of his cousin.
Mamoru
flipped her hair
got back on his bike and took
turning the corner, he looked back and waved. go,
Maki
Before
off.
Maki was watching him
and waved back.
Mamoru went
to a public high school a twenty-minute bike ride
from the Asano home. equipped with the
had been
It
built only
latest in heating
out front were neat and
tidy,
and
two years before and was
air conditioning.
The gardens
and balanced well with the new white
buildings.
The
bicycle sheds were behind the cafeteria,
through to them without slowing down.
straight
there
was nobody
were
all
He took somewhat his
was
that
else
mops
set
When Mamoru
ride
arrived,
out to dry on a balcony
there to greet him.
up to
the stairs
better than
mood
improved
around. Three
and you could
his class, 1-A,
when he
left
and opened the door,
the house.
The next
feeling
instant, however,
vanished.
Not again, thought Mamoru. Next
to the
door was
a bulletin
uncle's accident, neatly clipped,
board to which the
article
about
his
had been fastened with thumbtacks.
Written on the blackboard in large, crude lettering in red chalk was
"MURDERER!" An
arrow pointed toward the
article.
who did things like this. Mamoru tried to keep his anger in check. Jerks who got their kicks from the misery of others were like cockroaches; no matter how many you got Everywhere you went there were people
rid of, there
The
were always hundreds more.
article
on Taizo was
little
were spaced awkwardly to serve
from
all
the rest
more than this
who had
filler,
and the
lines
purpose, with one line jutting out
and two words dangling
the animosity of the person
a space
at the end.
Mamoru
could
feel
taken the time and energy to cut
it
out so neatly.
The same
sort of thing
crime had come to
24
light.
had happened
Compared with
MIYUKI MIYABE
in
Hirakawa
the big
city,
after his father's
criminal incidents
there were few
few changes ting
down
and
lies
was
far
between. In towns that were peaceful and saw
took on a
in the population, scandals
roots and settling
up
right
until his
known
always been it
and
in.
a
left
town.
Kusaka." The
as "the son of that Toshio
was more
hurtful than the act
good idea who was behind
own, put-
been dogged by rumors
mother died and he himself
starting all over again
Mamoru had
Mamoru had
of their
life
He had
fact that
itself,
and
it.
Public schools were not fussy about tardies; they seemed to expect a certain percentage of students to be late each day.
Kunihiko Miura was
one of the regulars, and he showed up near the end of the
He opened and took
his time pulling
didn't turn
ing him. Tall
and
his hair in
felt
on
room
his back,
girl
around
in
the type
Miura and
his
400 cc motorcycle on which he
a
turned around once. Miura stared back at
an enormous
grin.
who had done
crowd had
Other slack-offs
in the
back of
it.
There was no mistake.
a mental age of ten, thought
Mamoru,
just
boys in Hirakawa. a seat!"
The teacher
gestured with the English text in his hand.
teacher for the class, and
Mamoru was
before class, he had done no
on the blackboard, erase
it,
at the front of the
He was
the
homeroom
chagrined that this was as far as
he would ever go in terms of discipline.
ten
always stopped to
every few months or so. Unable to bear the gaze
"Miura, hurry up and find
room
who
snickered in refrain. the one
room
knew Miura was watch-
to look, but he
Miura was
Mamoru
Miura was
like the
chair.
windows and drove
him and broke out the
up a
athletic,
sported a different
he
period.
the door at the back of the room, entered at a leisurely pace,
Mamoru check
first
When
he had walked into the
more than glance
and open
his
at
what was
writ-
book. His name was Mr.
Nozaki, but the students called him Nonashi, or "Mr. Incompetent." Maintaining an expressionless
keep your eyes
in front!"
face,
Mr. Incompetent added, "Kusaka,
There was more snickering
in the back.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
25
"What
is
this?
How stupid can
After the end of the girl
known
letin
at
first
period, one of
Anego, or "Big
as
board. As she balled
you get?"
it
Mamoru's
Sis," pulled the
up and tossed
Miura out of the corner of her
eye.
it
classmates, a cheerful
offending article off the bul-
in the wastebasket, she glared
Miura paid no attention and con-
tinued chatting with his friends as they leaned against the windowsills.
Mamoru had school year.
ordinarily
hadn't been a big deal and he occasionally wished he had
out of the matter to begin with. There was a
just stayed
next door
It
got off to a bad start with Miura at the beginning of the
the class
who was known throughout the school for being extrabeautiful. Mamoru had seen her a few times and noted that
her reputation
was warranted.
started at the
It all
girl in
and
after classes
end of April, when the
a search turned
would have been
to report
up nothing. The normal course of action
to the office
it
her wallet one day
girl lost
and go home, but the wallet
held the key to the lock on her bike. She and her friends had just decided it
would be
best
the next day,
take her
This
if
home and brought
when Miura and
home on
girl
she walked
his
the spare key with her
group passed
by.
Miura offered
to
his motorcycle.
was not
the type to
know. She was the quiet
sort,
hop on
the motorcycle of a
and could be trusted
to
her bike instead of a motorcycle, and go to a movie
permission, of course
— and not
a disco.
Looking
boy she didn't
obey the
rules, ride
—with her parent's
truly frightened, she
turned Miura down, but Miura wouldn't take no for an answer.
He
told
her to wait there while he went to get his motorcycle, and hurried off,
smirking at his good fortune.
Mamoru girl
overheard most of the conversation, and he saw that the
was almost
walked
off.
in tears, terrified of
Mamoru
what would happen
if
she just
suggested that he remove the lock from her bike
and she could pretend that she'd found her
26
later
MIYUKl MIYABE
wallet.
She looked hopeful. "Can you really do that?"
"Bike locks are easy," he'd responded, careful not to
was capable of
a lot more.
on that he
let
By the time Miura got back, the
girl
was on
her bike and ready to leave. Miura had been completely outwitted.
Mamoru
didn't
know who had
told
Miura what happened, and he
didn't really care. Within a couple of days, though, the story
throughout the
gleam
class,
in his eye.
A
and Miura began to look
couple of weeks
out
his guardians,
how to get
and
revenge. Within a
it
when
Mamoru's
distributed, everyone learned that
from that of
later,
at
had spread
Mamoru with
an
was
the student roster
last
evil
name was
different
Miura
to figure
didn't take long for
week he had dug up
the story of Toshio
Kusaka. Mamoru's breath was taken away by the warped energy Miura
had put
into the project.
One morning he had come begets a thief" painted ing
and had
on
to school to find the old saying
his desk.
Mamoru had known
tried to prepare himself for
it,
this
"A
thief
was com-
but he involuntarily stiffened
at the sight. It
was none other than
the school janitor
the resourceful
Anego who had tracked down
and got hold of a can of paint remover. This was when
Mamoru had learned that her real name was Saori Tokida. "You can call me Anego, like everyone else^ After all, my parents named me without asking me how I felt about it!" She'd laughed heartily at her own joke. After
Anego had torn
straight over to
Mamoru and
a clouded expression "I
saw
it
the article off the bulletin board, she
in the
plopped
down
on her shiny freckled
morning paper.
simple words of concern
It
into the chair next to him,
face.
must be awful
moved something
frozen since the accident had happened.
went
for you."
in his heart that
The two were
Her
had been
silent for a
few
moments. "But
it
was an
accident," she reassured him. "It
Mamoru nodded
in
was only an
accident."
agreement and looked out the window.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
27
company where Kazuko Takagi worked, was
East Cosmetics, Ltd., the
a
five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
your
"I notice
down. Aren't you
sales are
supervisor after the morning meeting.
on Kazuko and Her boss put
The
feeling well?" asked her
implicit criticism
she ignored him, busily writing
a cigarette in his
mouth and came
was not
up her plan
lost
for the day.
to stand behind her seat,
waiting for an answer. "I've been a
little
under the weather," she eventually managed to
spit
out.
The man blew thetically.
"Well then, take
She
the office at ten
left
the station.
smoke through
cigarette
easy
it
why
his
nose and sniffed unsympa-
don't you?"
on the dot and decided
The weather was good and
The people she passed appeared
there
to start out in front of
was
a comfortable breeze.
to be in fine spirits.
Kazuko, though,
walked with her head down. It
was only
after she
to her that she
She hated
be.
it
had
was back
in
Shinjuku.
here. She hated the
together. She hated the trash
and
settled into this job that
And
way
the people
who
So why did
I
spent
had occurred
not where
that's
the buildings were
and the stench
in
I
all
want
to
crowded
underground passageways
shrubs around high-rises. She hated the
in the
it
money
spent here and
it.
come back
The thought made her
to
angrier
make myself the money
that others spends
and more impatient than
ever.
This morning she was unable to get any work done. All she could think of
was
that report in the
no matter how hard she in a coffee shop,
had
a
morning paper.
tried to
push
and
it
was being used by
in a business suit,
28
just
kept coming back
aside in her mind. She stopped
cup of coffee and smoked more than usual. She
killed time staring at the skyscrapers.
the shop,
it
It
another
MIYUKIMIYABE
There was a pink public phone
a constant stream of people.
in a flashy
checked
suit
who
looked
in
A man like
he
worked in the slot
woman, probably
in a bar, a
department
and making
They
stores.
a housewife
who had come
to shop
took their turns putting coins
all
in the
calls.
At about noon, Kazuko
finally
stood up and walked over to the
phone. She thumbed through her address book until she found
S.
On
a
page crammed with names and numbers, there was only one name of a
Yoko Sugano. The
personal friend:
When Yoko had moved,
erased and then rewritten. the details
Kazuko ber
and begged her not to dialed the
tell
number and
what she had planned
receiver
away from her
address and phone
anyone
listened to
to say
if
number had been
Kazuko
she'd given
else.
ring.
it
She couldn't remem-
anyone answered, so she pulled the
ear to think about
it.
"Hello.^ Hello?"
Hearing the distant voice calling out to
home
senses. "Is this the
of
Kazuko came
her,
to her
Yoko Sugano?"
After a pause, the person on the other end responded. "That's right."
"I'm a friend of Yoko's.
morning
I,
ah
...
"I see," the voice said.
"Did she
uh, newspaper this
the,
really die? Is
"I'm Yoko's mother." it
true?
I
..."
"We're having a hard time believing
Kazuko gripped true that
saw
I
..."
it
the receiver harder
too."
it,
and squeezed her eyes
shut. "Is
it
was an accident?"
"And
"Yes," Yoko's mother sounded angry.
it
wasn't
this afternoon. That's
where
the driver claims
hisfauh!" "I'm so sorry.
Is
she ...
is
her body.
.
.
at
"We're taking her back home with us
home
.
.
.
?"
we're going to have the funeral." "I'd like to go.
Could you please give me the time and place?"
Yoko's mother carefully told Kazuko
Kazuko wrote
it
all
down.
When
how
to get to their
town, and
they were finished, Yoko's mother
asked, "Are you a friend of hers from school?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
29
Kazuko was
"Hello? Are you
"Ah
.
.
.
still
she and
the receiver back
The
I
worked
together,"
had begun
to serve lunch
When
two-hour express
a
telling her that
it
was
finally
answered, and
and was
walked to the
Can
Then
it
all
and got
her turn came, she bought a ticket for a ride
from Tokyo. She remembered Yoko
and there was nothing
a dull place
to
do
last
there.
time she'd
be a coincidence^ Things don't just happen like
this!
she'd burst into tears.
I'm scared, too, thought Kazuko. But Yoko, you died
You were all
unpleas-
felt
train station
Kazuko, I'm scared. That's what Yoko had said the seen her.
set
up with
filling
company uniforms. Kazuko suddenly
in their
in line at the travel center.
was
Kazuko
cradle.
antly out of place in her red suit. She
city that
say.
there?"
on the
coffee shop
young women
not knowing what to
silent,
killed
by a taxi driver running a red
in
light. It's all
an accident. over now.
It
died along with you.
As she walked, Kazuko told dences. Anything at bright, she
About
all
herself that she did believe in coinci-
could happen in Tokyo. The sunlight was so
had to squint her eyes against
three
months
before, she
it.
had got
into a
crowded
elevator.
During the few seconds before the doors closed, a young man walked past.
He was
poorly dressed and had a stoop to his walk that she thought
she had seen before.
Kazuko was
her, too.
He had been one
Kazuko
tried to
his
hand out
to her,
sion
and
make
startled,
of her "clients."
and the man suddenly noticed It
was
a suffocating
herself smaller as he turned
toward her and put
to stop the elevator. "We're full here," said
as the doors closed the
young man with
moment.
someone next
the surprised expres-
had disappeared from view.
That had been
a coincidence, too. In the midst of the millions of
people in Tokyo, the chances of her running into a client that she was finished with
were remote indeed.
Anything can happen
30
here.
MIYUKI MIYABE
You
can't
worry about every
little
thing.
That night, Yoriko took Maki and house
to, as she
put
it,
Mamoru
to a
neighborhood steak
get something in their stomachs so they could
keep their strength up. The restaurant, with
and bright Hghting, was almost
full,
its
rugged wooden interior
and the delicious smell of steak sauce
permeated the entire place. After the three had been seated and placed their orders,
Yoriko started
telling
"Your father was very upset
Maki and Mamoru about
her day.
now. You
for a while, but he's calmer
don't have to worry," Yoriko said firmly.
Maki was not station?
reassured. "But
They should
Mamoru
let
looked at
already taken
does he have to stay at the police
him come home."
his cousin
on
its toll
why
her.
and thought that the day's anxiety had
She had the beginnings of dark
circles
under
her eyes.
Yoriko seemed the more optimistic of the two. "I've got more to you," she continued. She took a
always had with head. it all
her. It
"You know
down
The
so
I
memo
can never remember
I
could
intersection
tell
large
handbag she
Sayama Law
Office letter-
pad out of the
was printed with
the
details.
had Mr. Sayama write
where the accident took place was one that Taizo
well.
area.
The southeast corner was occupied by
there
was an apartment building
was
I
you about what was going on."
knew
It
tell
just
behind the main thoroughfare,
that
was
still
a large
in a residential
playground, and
under construction on the
opposite corner. The northwest and southwest corners were occupied by private residences. cigarette a
The house on
shop on the
first floor,
the former
had
and outside
vending machine. The patrolman
who had
it
a small family-operated
were
a public
phone and
arrived on the scene of the
accident had called an ambulance from that phone.
"So the police were there immediately "That's right.
He had been making
after
his
it
happened.-^''
rounds
in the area,
and came
running when he heard the commotion. That turned out to be bad luck
THE DEXIL'S WHISPER
31
for
your
father, too. Since
he was the driver, the patrolman gave him a
chewing out, and that made him even more upset."
"Did Dad "It didn't
Maki's eyes opened wide
hit him.^"
come
young, and he
to that, but
it
wasn't
He
lost his temper, too.
much
in concern.
better.
The patrolman was
arrested your father
"How could he!" Maki managed to sputter out. Mamoru finally spoke up in a hesitant voice. "It's
on the spot."
hard to imagine
Uncle Taizo being confused about the signal ..." "It
looked bad," continued Yoriko, "and you
know your
uncle has
never had an accident before. He's been hit from behind, but he has
always been proud of
his safety record."
Their meals arrived, but none of them could even pick up a fork. "Let's eat before
it
Maki
gets cold," urged Yoriko, but
had
still
questions.
"What about how Dad's fault?
I
the accident
happened? Are they saying
it
was
can't believe it!"
Yoriko sighed. "Mr. Sayama says they don't know." "Don't
know what?"
"They don't have any witnesses. Of course there was after
happened, but nobody saw the car
it
sound
tired.
"And
since the girl
"What does Dad
"He
crowd
Yoriko began to
dead ..."
say?"
says that the
insists that
is
hit the girl."
quite a
girl,
Yoko Sugano,
just
ran out into the
street.
He
he had the green light."
"Well, that must be the truth!
Dad would
never
lie."
Maki was ada-
mant, but she knew that Taizo's word alone would not convince the police of anything.
After a few moments, Yoriko continued. "Miss Sugano died in the
ambulance, but she said something about the accident."
"What
did she say?"
Yoriko looked
down
at the table.
other.
32
MIYUKI MIYABE
Maki and Mamoru looked
at
each
"She was barely conscious, but she kept repeating
'It's
awful, awful!
How could he?' Both the patrolman and the ambulance medics distinctly heard her say
it."
The words of taurant table.
woman seemed
the dead
Mamoru
shivered.
"Your father says Miss Sugano ran
He had
to avoid her, but couldn't. that's
how
tried
police don't think
fast the car
that
you
was going, where
where the car stopped. But
was red or
light
The
and he
saw anything. They say
else
can investigate the scene to figure out the brakes were applied, and
into the intersection,
the green light.
what happened, and nobody
know whether the
to float in the air over the res-
they'll
green, or whether or not Miss
never
Sugano
suddenly appeared out of nowhere."
"What's going to happen?" Maki was clearly upset. "What's going to
happen
him
to
"They
if
they don't
know?"
can't say for sure," Yoriko began, "but
they can't find any
if
evidence to support his story, he might go to prison. Your father
is
a
professional driver, and the victim died."
Maki covered
her face with her hands, and
"But what happens
if
Mamoru
spoke up again.
Then what
they do find evidence?
will
happen?"
"They
him oH. Whether
can't just let
order, the least he
would
get
there's a trial or a
summary
would be probation. Mr. Sayama
said he
would do what he could." Yoriko tried to put on a brave smile. for not keeping his eyes
the speed limit,
on the road.
It's
"If just
nothing
bad
else, they'll get
He was
luck.
him
a bit over
which wouldn't be a problem normally. He was used to
driving in the area, and
knew
there
was never anyone out on
that street
after ten."
Yoriko looked up father
is
eating, too.
at
He
Maki
didn't
move.
a drink.
"Why
can't he
Maki and Mamoru. "Come told
me
it
on,
let's eat.
Your
wasn't just donburi.''
Finally, she
picked up her water glass and took
come home? They should
let
him come home
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
33
when
they're through questioning him.
"Well,
^'When
I
keep the driver
there's a fatal accident, they usually
They do
"Can we go
see
that
no matter who
why
"They
aren't allowing
it
memo
again.
"Umm
.
.
.
no."
"You know your
this time."
this time}''
and Yoriko found
it
Maki was growing more and more
difficult to
knows
father
hand. The police are afraid
he'll try to talk to
where he often goes, and
the accident
and that
it
go on.
the Midori area like the back of his
coffee shop
"How
custody
is."
it
.^"
"What do you mean, agitated,
in
him?" asked Mamoru.
Yoriko frowned and read the "But
run away."
try to
asked about that, too ..." Yoriko looked back at the memo.
for ten days.
the people in that all-night
them
get
to testify that they
saw
wasn't his fault."
suspicious can they get?"
"I guess
it's
"He would "I
He won't
happened before." never do that!"
Maki almost
know!" Yoriko was beginning
to look
dream of suspecting him of doing anything
Mamoru
stepped
in. "Is
spit
there anything
out the words.
and sound
tired. "I'd
never
like that."
we can do?"
Yoriko's expression softened. "Just try to take care of yourselves. Mr.
Sayama and
I
will take care of the rest.
Don't worry!" As
if
remem-
bering a chore she had to do, Yoriko continued in a deceptively light tone.
"Tomorrow, Mr. Sayama and
home. She ily
home
you two
is
lived in
are going to Miss Sugano's parents'
Tokyo because she was going
rather far away.
will
I
We
to school,
and her fam-
might have to stay the night, so
I
hope
look after things here."
"The funeral?" "That's right.
We might not agree on how the
these people have lost their daughter. Sooner or
accident happened, but
later, we'll
have to
settle
things with them."
The
34
three
M
1
managed
Y U K
I
M
I
to eat their dinner,
YA B E
and walked back home. As
they got to the door, they could hear the phone ringing. Yoriko hurriedly
unlocked the door, and Maki flew "Hello? Hello? Yes, this
Mamoru watched her
the Asanos."
expression go taut, and reached for the receiver
Maki threw
a second before
as he picked
is
inside.
it
to the floor. "Troublemaker," he muttered
up the phone and
set
it
back on the cradle. The
caller
had
already disconnected.
"What
did they say?" Yoriko looked terrified.
"'Murderer. Anyone tence.'
I
who
it,"
Yoriko
should get the death sen-
He sounded
couldn't listen to any more.
"Just forget about
woman
kills a
said,
drunk."
and headed toward the
living
room.
Maki stood
staring at the
other calls like that?" Yoriko
Mamoru
phone and asked, "Mom, have there been
was
silent.
"Why
stood watching the two of them.
did this have to happen?
It's
showed me
I
went
the paper.
to
you
tell
Maki began
us?"
"Why
to cry.
not fair!"
"You're not helping any of us by crying
"But when
didn't
like that,"
scolded Yoriko.
work, the section chief called me over and
He knew
it
"So what?" Yoriko's face was
was Dad." "Are you going to be punished
tense.
in
some way?" "No, he about
it.
didn't say anything like that. But everyone
They asked what would happen
ran a red light."
Maki
bit
something happened today other kids say?
It's
just
her
lip
and
Dad and whether
to
know
he really
tears glistened in her eyes. "I bet
at school to
awful the
to
wanted
you
too,
way people
Mamoru. What
did the
act!" she exploded,
and
ran to her room, slamming the door.
Mamoru turned Yoriko looked
to his aunt. "Let
at
Mamoru and
had enough trouble already.
.
.
me answer
the
phone
gave him a crooked smile. "You've
you don't need any more." Then,
struck by something, she turned back to him. "Is this
when your
for a while."
as
if
what happened
father disappeared, too?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
35
Yon have no know.
I
thought Mamoru. But
idea,
was too small
woman
know what
to
There were two more
anything anyone said meant."
from the
"Thank you
others.
One was
during the next hour.
calls
ranting about the state of traffic
different
he said was, "I don't
all
safer\'.
had
it
At about eleven that up and answered "If
in
coming."
He hung up
night, there
what he hoped was
you keep up that tone of
a
was
serious.
Thanks
Mamoru could reply.
before
was another
caller
Yoko Sugano."
for taking care of
The voice sounded raspy and high with excitement. "I'm for killing her. She
a hysterical
But the second
call.
Mamoru
picked
it
threatenmg voice.
voice, you'll never get a girlfriend!"
It
was Anego.
Mamoru
laughed and apologized. "I appreciate what you did today."
"You mean throwing out you. After school
tell
me
two, and he told
I
that article? Forget
went looking
he didn't do
for
He
it.
it.
Miura
said he
I've
got something to
to teach
had an
him
a thing or
alibi."
"Anahbi?"
"He was
late as
usual this morning, right? Just before he walked
in.
he
got collared by a teacher: he said he wasn't there early enough to put anything up on the wall or scribble on the blackboard.
could prove
Mamoru
it. I
listened to
at her language. "If
with.
Who
don't need
know who
don't
it
Anego.
him any more
it
riled
He
appreciated her directness but winced it
pensive.
starting player
the idiots he hangs out
up than he already
"Miura
looking. Girls like that type.
was one of
was? Stay away from him, Anego. You
"Don't worry, Miura won't come
Anego was oddly
said the teacher
that jackass thinks he can fool."
wasn't him
cares which one
He
He
after
is."
me. But
isn't ugly.
it's
strange, isn't it?"
He's even kind of good
plays basketball, and he's the youngest
on the team. His grades are okay. So why does he always
have to pick on kids when they're down?" "He's
sick;
it's
easier to think of
it
that way."
"Yeah, or he has some kind of complex." Anego had said what she
had
36
to say, so she said
M
I
^'
U K
I
M
I
^
good night and hung up.
A B E
She was right,
worked
Mamoru
someone
else. In
no longer through
rely
had money. He must
was
to take something
away from
order to be happy, Miura and countless others could to
do some subtracting to make
it
life.
worse some time
coming
right
words shaking.
after midnight.
It
was Maki and
alone in his room, and the voices got louder and
up the
"I can't believe it!"
of her
his family
everything, but so did lots of other
to feel superior
Mamoru was
Yoriko.
He had
on addition, they had
fighting got
louder,
decided.
The only way
people.
thought. Miura had everything. His father
company, and
in a big insurance
be greedy,
The
Mamoru
stairs.
Maki
yelled at her
"How can you
mother
as she sobbed, the ends
Dad? Do you
say that about
really
think he'd do something like that?"
"This
between your father and me. You've got no say
is
Yoriko was your father
yelling, too, but she is
was
not irresponsible. But
it
still
calmer than Maki. "I
doesn't matter
been the wife of a taxi driver since you were better than
in diapers!
"You
never run a red
light, hit
know much
I
and
kill
someone, and then
lie
would?"
said he
did! You're planning to apologize to that girl's parents
the matter with them. You're going to
"You don't know what you're sound of Yoriko's
fist
tell
talking about!"
hitting the table.
"A
same thing over and "I don't agree,"
mising
over: this
Maki
is
for
your
and
set-
them Dad was wrong!"
Mamoru
girl died.
heard the
There's nothing
shameful about trying to compensate her parents for that.
I've said the
father's sake, too!"
persisted. "I'll never forgive
you
for
compro-
was
silent for
like this."
"Do whatever you a
believe. I've
I
it."
"And who
tle
what
know
you about what accidents do and don't involve."
"Dad would about
in the matter."
moment
like,
then," replied Yoriko, and she
before continuing. "Maki," her voice had begun to tremble,
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
37
"
"You keep saying you're only thinking
too.
you
really thinking
about what
it
will
mean
of your father, but aren't
for
you
if
he has a criminal
record? Aren't you worried about what people will think?
If
you ask me,
that's pretty selfish."
Silence.
Then Mamoru heard Maki break down slammed
upstairs. She
About
ten minutes
the door of her room,
Mamoru went
later,
on Maki's door. There was no
reply.
opened the door a crack. His cousin was
in
angry sobs and run
and the house went
quiet.
out into the hall and knocked
"Maki?" he sitting
called softly
and
on her bed with her
face
in her hands. "I don't care
you
if
she
is
my mother,"
she sniffed. "There are
some
things
just shouldn't say."
Mamoru
leaned against the door, watching her.
"Is there
something wrong with what
I
said?" she asked.
"No, of course not."
"Then why does she
—
"She's not wrong, either."
Maki brushed
her hair back and looked up.
"How can you
agree with
us both?"
Mamoru
smiled. "You're both right."
"What do you "I
know Uncle
"That's not
up
think,
Taizo would never break the law
what
I
at him, her cheeks
"It
was
Mamoru?"
different.
mean. I'm talking about your still
My
like that."
father."
Maki looked
wet.
father did something wrong.
He
really did
embezzle that money."
"Was
there evidence?
Mamoru "It
must have been awful
happened
it?"
nodded.
Mamoru
38
Did they prove he did
all
didn't answer.
for you."
He
those years ago.
MIYUKI MIYABE
didn't
He
want
to explain to her
wasn't sure he could
tell
what had
her the truth.
The reason he wouldn't
money ment
was
—
it
forgive his father
had nothing
do with the
to
was because he had abandoned them. He'd avoided punish-
for his crime the
the only one of
way you might
them that got
take off a pair of shppers, and he
to put
on
new
a
pair.
"Maki?"
"What?"
"You
really are
both right."
"What do you mean?" "You
believe Uncle Taizo
out trying to
make
and don't want your mother to him.
a case for
And
it's
true that
settle
with-
you are worried
about him having a criminal record."
Maki
didn't even blink. "So,
Mamoru them both
you
feel that
way about me,
too?"
refused to back down. "They're both true, and you feel
in equal
know how angry
know how your mother
amounts. You
she must feel because
Her blood must be
nobody
You
feels.
believes Uncle Taizo.
boiling to hear the police say there's nothing they can
do unless someone comes up with evidence."
Sometimes like
Mamoru
two hands clasped
of the
left
hand
Having two
lined
believed that the shape of the
together, the fingers of the right
up and pulling alternately
different feelingsr inside
They were diametrically opposed the
human
same person. He was sure
his
heart
was
hand and those
in opposite directions.
your heart had to be the same way.
to each other, but both belonged to
mother had had similar
feelings.
She
had never touched the divorce papers, and never said a word against her husband. She kept have
felt
his family
Mamoru knew
that she
must
betrayed by him.
Maki stood up and fill it
name. But
pulled a small bag out of her closet. She began to
with her clothes.
"Are you leaving?" "I'm going to stay with a friend," she said, and then smiled in a vaguely reassuring manner. "But
I'll
be back."
"Are you going to stay with Maekawa?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
39
"No, he they do
was
in
with
lives
romance
Things don't always work out the way
his parents.
novels.
And
.
.
more
sure she had something
Maki
."
closed her mouth.
Mamoru
and he waited, but she was
to say,
silent.
Mamoru went in the tically
outside with her and
made
sure she caught a taxi. Back
house, he found his Aunt Yoriko in the living room, uncharacteris-
smoking
'Tt's
not the
worry about
Mamoru
a cigarette. first
time she's done this," she said, her eyes red. "Don't
it."
decided to go out for
He changed
two-kilometer course.
Every night he ran the same
a run.
into his running clothes,
and when
he came back downstairs he could see that his aunt had turned out the lights in her
room, but he heard
She sounds a
It
was
late.
lot like
The man turned
the car, gazing out the
He had stopped bridge.
The
Mom,
street
a
loud sigh as he walked past her door.
he thought.
off the engine
and
lights,
and
sat alone in
window.
next to the bank of the canal, at the foot of the
lamps shone the
faintest of lights
on the
silver
gray
car.
He
waited.
He knew
that the
boy went running
he wanted to see him.
dow
a crack to let in
He
some
lit
air.
at the
a cigarette, In
came
same time every
night,
and
and then opened the car win-
a faint breeze
and the smell of the
canal.
The town was
He
asleep,
and there were
looked up at them as
if
he had
stars in the sky.
made
a
new
discovery.
He had
for-
gotten for so long that there were stars.
The stagnant
40
M
I
Y U K
I
water.
M
M
The low-lying houses.
A B E
In
between the plants and
homes were
out-of-date mortar-coated buildings.
One
apartment
of the houses on the side of the road had laundry hang-
ing outside that
someone had forgotten
showed up about four
finally
around the corner
at a
slow
The man quickly put out
trot,
appearing
his cigarette
A
to take in.
man company
pair of children's pants kept the
The boy
flashy Western-style
and
white shirt and a
in the dark.
cigarettes later.
in the
man's rearview mirror.
down
slid
He came
in his seat.
The boy was smaller than he had thought. He probably hadn't got growth spurt
yet. In his light blue
running
outfit
his
he looked clean, whole-
some, and entirely too defenseless. Left, right, left, right.
winded. in time
He had
with his
He was
rolled
up
He
kept up a steady pace.
his sleeves to his elbows,
fact.
The boy drew
and then stopped,
his
arms moved
seem
He
almost
continued to face straight
He
in the car.
his shoulders
man was
ran a few steps past
heaving up and down. His shape
up the view through the windshield.
The man
tried instinctively to pull himself
He
wouldn't move.
realized the
boy was standing under the to see
closer.
man
ahead; he had not noticed the
filled
didn't
legs.
going to be a good runner. For an instant, the
proud of the
the car
and
He
anyone lurking
even lower, but his body
boy wouldn't be able
light of the street
in the dark.
He was
to see his face.
The
lamp and wouldn't be able
probably
just suspicious of the
unfamiliar car stopped on the street.
The man couldn't move. He couldn't even take
who was
his gaze off the
boy
unwittingly staring straight at him.
The boy
tilted his
head as
if
trying to hear something.
cate features; he
was good looking and would
into adulthood.
He took
difference
was
certainly remain that
after his mother, the
the firm set of his
mouth
He had
man
deli-
way
thought. The only
that revealed his strength of
character.
During those few moments, the
man had
impulse to open the door, walk out into the
to fight street,
an overwhelming
and
call
out to the
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
41
boy.
what he
didn't matter
It
voice sounded hke, find out
how
knew he
sion changed. But he
he just wanted to hear what the boy's
said,
he would answer, see
didn't yet have the courage to
The boy straightened up, turned around, and The
farther
finally
away he
got, the whiter his blue
his
sweaty
fist,
and
his expres-
do
that.
started running again.
running
turned a corner and disappeared from
The man unclenched
how
outfit appeared.
He
sight.
sat there for a while staring
at the corner. It's
me.
It's
his head; they
me! The words repeated themselves over and over were
The man was
hammer.
like a
careful not to
It's
budge
me,
it's
inside
me!
until he
had recovered from the
He
finally
took a deep breath and leaned forward, searching for something
in the
temptation to run after the boy, screaming these words at him.
inside pocket of his jacket. It
was small and
It
was
a ring.
it
sparkled in his hand.
The man had kept
photos of the boy and
The it
initials
back
his mother. It
engraved inside
with him and kept in his pocket,
the ring stored with the
it
it
were
album
of the
was Toshio Kusaka's wedding still
legible.
Nowadays, he
as close to his heart as possible.
He
ring.
carried
put the ring
then turned the key in the ignition and started the
engine.
I'm going to make
my
41
chance.
Mamoru,
it
up
I'll
to you, he said to himself. I've finally
be hack to see you.
MIYUKI MIYABE
found
CHAPTER 2
Suspicion
The next day was Saturday, and Mamoru only had As soon store
as school
two
worked
was over he headed
stations away.
in the
On
in
for Laurel, a large
department
Saturday afternoons and Sundays he
Books section on the fourth
entrance, he stamped his blue time card
Employees
a half-day of classes.
floor.
Going
and slipped
Books and Audio wore orange
jackets,
in the
employees'
into the locker
room.
Mamoru name
and
"s
tag had a blue line to indicate his part-time status.
On
his
way
out, he checked himself in the mirror. Laurel
was
fussy
about appearance. Long hair and sandals were not allowed. VCbmen had to keep their hair tied
He climbed
back and
was forbidden.
nail polish
the service stairway to the fourth floor,
the side of the storeroom.
The afternoon
delivery
had
coming out
just arrived
at
and
employees were busy opening and checking the boxes. "Hey,
box with
Mamoru!"
a large cutter.
had taught lifting.
Sato, another part-timer, greeted
Mamoru
There were
He'd been working
the ropes.
Most
him
at Laurel for
as he
opened
some years and
Mamoru's work involved heavy
of
receipts, shipments, stocking, deliver)*,
and returns that
needed processing. In terms of handling, books were as hea\y as appliances.
men
Of the
in their teens
registers,
twent}'-five
employees
through their
and the only man over
in this section, nvent\^
thirties.
fift}'
was
a
Four
women
electric
were yoimg
operated the cash
a plainclothes securit)^ officer.
43
"Takano
him when you got here." Sato deUvered
said to go see
message while expertly dividing up the contents of the boxes. rolled
up
his sleeves in defiance of the rules to reveal darkly
this
He had tanned
arms. As soon as he had saved up enough, Sato would head off on a trip
equipped with only
when he ran out
He had
bag and backpack, and he'd be back again
his sleeping
of money.
month
returned from his most recent travels a
Mamoru had
When
inquired where he'd been this time, the brief reply had been,
"The Gobi Desert." Whenever Sato was away, the
would speculate about where he'd gone, and they of the
before.
moon was
the only place they'd rule out
—
rest of the
employees
liked to say the surface
for
now anyway.
Takano?"
"So where
is
"Probably
in the office.
He was
door
ing." Sato indicated the
getting ready for the
monthly meet-
back of the storage area with
at the
his
chin.
Hajime Takano was the middle manager.
He was
employees
on the
managers
strictly
who had
Books
chief of the
just thirty. Laurel
basis of ability,
section; a low-ranking
promoted
and there were cases of store
only been out of college a few years.
Another interesting thing about Laurel was
norm
in
full-time
its
that, contrary to the
Japan, employees did not use ranks or honorific language
when
addressing each other. Job descriptions were detailed and the store
quently often.
moved
its
employees around, which meant that ranks changed
The company had decided
spend time and energy figuring out realized that this
when cards.
it
came
would make
it
to doing business.
it
was
how
inefficient to
among
was eliminated This system
have employees
to address each other.
easier for their customers
They
large-scale retailers.
They
also
and suppliers
didn't even print titles
The Laurel organization was committed
competition
fre-
on business
to surviving the cutthroat
Anything unrelated to
this goal
as a waste of resources.
made
life
easier for employees, too.
Mamoru knocked on
the office door without having to switch into a formal mode. Takano's
44
MIYUKIMIYABE
hands were took on
"Hi
of sales records that he had just printed out. hut his face
full
there.
heard about the accident. Are you
I
heard from your uncle?" going to be grilled the
me know
"Let
Mamoru.
look of concern as soon as he saw
a
anything
I
Have you
almost panicked, afraid that he was
way Maki had been
there's
if
Mamoru
right?
all
at
work. Takano continued,
can do for you. Don't be afraid to ask
for time off.
Relief set in quickly, along with a t\vinge of guilt.
know Takano
for six months, long enough to
He had worked
here
cared about the people
working under him.
much any
"There's not care of
Takano
of us can do right now.
but thanks for asking."
it,
in
Mamoru
A
lawyer
taking
pulled up a stool, and
filled
on what had happened.
"So everyone has a different story?" Takano leaned back looked up
is
at the ceiling
no evidence
to prove
and clasped
what color
his
hands behind
his head. "There's
was or what
the light
m his chair,
the
woman
actu-
allvdid?" "Well,
"And
we it
all
believe
my
uncle.
Not
that
it
does him any good."
doesn't help that the medics heard
what Yoko Sugano
said
before she died."
"You mean,
'It's
awful, awful.
Takano uncrossed
man on
the scene,
I
his
could he?'"
long legs and sat up. "Yeah,
if I
were
a police-
guess I'd have to think about what that meant."
"You'd have to believe
"Hmm," Takano was
How
a dying person
wouldn't
pulled at his chin the
thinking. "But the person
who
way
lie."
he always did
when he
heard what she said might turn
it
into a lie."
"What do you mean?" "I
mean, the words are what she
said, but she
might not have been
talking about your uncle."
"But she was alone when
"You don't know
that.
it
happened."
She might have had a fight with her boyfriend
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
45
and been on her way home. Some molest
dark neighborhood
man might
like that,
it
have tried to
could have been any-
Something happened, and she ran into the intersection and got
thing.
by a
A quiet,
her.
dirty old
And
car.
she cried out,
aw^ful,
'It's
"And w^hoever was chasing
how^ could he?'
her probably ran
Make
away when
hit
sense?"
they
saw her
get hit."
"Right.
wonder
I
the police are checking into
if
what she was doing
at
the time." "I haven't
hope
new
at this
told
possibility.
Then he remembered
"You know,
the night before.
He
Mamoru
heard anything about that."
Takano about how
I
phone
the
got a strange phone
call
man had thanked them
the
Sugano and that she had deserved to
Takano frowned, furrowing
glimmer of
felt a
call
he got
from some guy." for killing
Yoko
die.
eyebrows. "Did you mention
his thick
that to your lawyer?"
"No, we
didn't think
"You ought
to
"But
know
I
don't
tell
much about
him. if it's
It's
pretty
it
at the time."
odd even
prank
for a
call."
worth anything ..."
"Why?"
"A was got
lot of
the
weird people get busy
same when
anonymous
my
letters
someone claimed
my
were
money
all lies,
Mamoru
Phone
father disappeared.
like this
happens.
calls, letters, lies.
father
was
living. It all
who
said
my
—somebody
else
turned out to be
I
We
it
Then
who had
father wasn't the one
had done
lies.
and framed him
for
it.
sto-
Those
too."
shrugged
his shoulders as
if
trying to
work
a
kink out of
them. Talking about his father always made him tense. "Anyway,
why
It
with addresses and directions to the place where
we'd hear from people len the
when something
don't really
want
to follow
up on that
that's
call."
"I see."
"But there might have been someone happened.
46
I'll
ask the lawyer about that."
MIYUKI MIYABE
else there
when
the accident
Takano was one of
the few people
Minors had
about
his father.
work.
When Mamoru
Mamoru had
voluntarily told
from
to have permission
a guardian to
applied at Laurel, he had told Takano that both
of his parents were dead and that he lived with his aunt. As he got to
know Takano,
he began to think of him as a friend, but he'd
Would
doubts.
Mamoru change
toward
his attitude
he
if
had
his
knew about
his
still
family history? Prepared for disappointment, he'd decided to test
by
telling
him
the story.
"Look," he'd
Takano
Takano, however, had not even batted an eyelid.
said. "I
might get worried
if
looking for your father so he could teach you
you started talking about
how
to embezzle
own. But on the other hand," he'd started laughing,
on your
might want to
"I
tag along!"
As
Mamoru
decor.
wide.
It
was
The
colors,
got
down
to
work he soon noticed
a video display
to be the
addition to the
about two meters high by two meters
screen, currently featuring a video of a
was positioned
new
a
first
mountain
thing customers
saw
forest in fall
as they stepped
off the escalator. "It really is
One
something,
isn^t it?
They're calling
it
their latest
of the girls at the cash register called over to
noticed him staring at the screen open-mouthed.
weapon."
Mamoru when
"It's
she
been here since
Monday." "Is that
what they
call
an environmental video?"
"I guess so. It looks better
the customers like
it,
than plastic leaves pinned up on the wall;
anyway. But
"Have they got one on every
"Of course. of operating
new
it.
It's all
room
is
now
hear
it
was
pretty expensive."
floor?"
controlled centrally, and there's
They had
security control
I
someone
a terrible time finding the space.
room
in
Thanks
charge to the
they have for this thing, the women's locker
quite a bit smaller."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
47
"Watch out an
aisle
—
it
might be Big Brother!" Sato, scowUng, appeared from
where he was straightening the
Mamoru and
racks.
the girl exchanged a look.
much
science fiction almost as
world. Everyone
knew
Here we go again! Sato
as he enjoyed
liked
wandering around the
that Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
was
his favorite novel.
"You can laugh The
eye on us.
"And
all
you
but they're using that video to keep an
like,
pretty pictures are nothing but camouflage."
just last
week you were
you were sure the
the bosses because
be careful not to badmouth
telling us to
toilets
were bugged!" the
girl
retorted.
"And I was ladies
wasn't
right,
I?
The managers
all
knew which one
of you
were planning to sneak Takano chocolates for Valentine's Day."
"Oh
really!
We
bought them together. You got some, too,
all
I
believe." "I said 'sneak.'"
The
girl
"Go
leaned closer. "So
who was
it?"
ask the managers."
Mamoru walked
over to the screen and peered up at
switch or control panel.
It
was no more than
tourists gathering chestnuts. In the
Mamoru
spotted the initials
thought he'd seen
"As long
it
before, but he couldn't
showing videos, why don't they
"Are you kidding?"
"Kusaka, you've got
Mamoru
around
and unclenching
work up
48
like that?"
laughed. "It
his.
Mamoru
let
us see 2001:
Sato was
would put
still
A
griping.
the customers to
turned around to find Yoichi
Yoichi looked uncomfortable, clenching
his fists nervously,
almost as though he was trying to
the courage to say something.
MIYUKI MIYABE
remember where.
to buying anything."
a visitor!"
Miyashita, a classmate of
now showing
lower left-hand corner of the frame,
Space Odyssey, or something interesting
sleep before they got
a giant screen,
There was no
M and A linked together in a logo. He
somewhere
as they're
it.
He was
pale and slight, and
had the
sort of soft, light-skinned
complexion so coveted by
Mamoru rarely saw him talking to anyone
girls.
outside of class. His grades
were barely average and he was often absent. Everyone knew that Miura
and
his
goons were the cause.
"Hey, come to do some shopping?" Yoichi looked so uncomfortable that
Art
Mamoru
wished Anego was there to smooth things
over there ..."
is
Mamoru knew
and he'd seen him reading Modern Art magazine. fessional journal that
worked
was
that Yoichi
Mamoru would
It
was
over.
''Modern
in the art club,
the sort of pro-
never have noticed had he not
Books.
in
At the time, he had looked over Yoichi's shoulder. The picture he was looking at was of faceless figures of undetermined sex standing in something like a coliseum.
"What's that?" he had asked. Yoichi's eyes Chirico.
It's
Muses
.
.
had shone.
work
The Disquieting Muses by Giorgio de
my favorite." now that he mentioned .
wearing long robes. The rico's
"It's
in
title
it,
Mamoru saw
on the page was
for
that they were
an exhibit of de Chi-
Osaka.
"There's going to be a major exhibit with works flown in from overseas."
"Women the
sure paint strange pictures," muttered
name "Chirico"
sure
it
for the Japanese "Kiriko."
not a Japanese
"It's
was
the
first
ful Italian artist.
Mamoru, mistaking
woman!"
Yoichi had laughed, and
time he had ever seen him doing so. "He's a wonder-
One
of the
first surrealists."
Yoichi had talked about de Chirico as
if
he were talking about his
favorite teenage rock star. After that exchange, Yoichi
became
Mamoru was
friends, although
and
Mamoru
Mamoru remained unable to comprehend Mamoru was sure that Miura hated
the complexities of his love of art.
Yoichi
if
only because he refused to hide his passion for works of art that
others found difficult to appreciate.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
49
"
Do you need to talk?" Mamoru asked. "Is again?" He knew Miura took every opportunity
"So, what's the matter?
Miura up to pick
knew
to
something
on Yoichi
"No,
it's
area and
and confused
for his shght figure
that Mr. Incompetent ignored
nothing
like that,"
remembered you
said
And
attitude.
he also
it all.
Yoichi denied quickly. "I was in the
you worked
here, so
I
thought
I'd stop
by."
Mamoru was
surprised and pleased. He'd always thought Yoichi
who'd take
the type
no matter how
off
whenever he saw anyone he knew on the
friendly.
be off in about half an hour.
"I'll
was
street,
If
you don't mind waiting, we could
leave together."
"Ummm ..."
Yoichi began rocking on the balls of his
down the whole time. "Actually I'm here because—
feet,
looking
"Excuse me!" a customer called out to Mamoru. "Do you have the second volume of
this
novel?"
"You're busy," concluded Yoichi
hastily. "I'll talk to
you
later."
With-
out waiting for a reply, he dashed off to the escalator.
"Excuse me!" The customer called out
what Yoichi had wanted the
romance
to say,
Mamoru
insistently. Still
ran off to look for the book in
section.
The wake had already begun when Kazuko Takagi no's
wondering
home. The town was
as small as
Yoko had
arrived at
told her
it
Yoko Suga-
was. She had
followed the black-framed signs indicating a funeral for the Sugano family
up
a
narrow mountain road
three houses built
The wind was house to
register
on
it.
came
to a flat piece of land with
Yoko's was on the far end.
strong.
The top of
the tent set up to the side of the
mourners flapped astonishingly loudly as a gust of wind
passed through.
50
until she
MIYUKIMIYABE
A
young
girl
who
looked quite a
So
cally to each visitor.
bit like
Yoko
must be her younger
this
sat
refused to allow
and had told her
it
Kazuko thought.
sister,
She had heard that she, too, had been anxious to come
Yoko had
bowing mechani-
live in
Tokyo, but
was nothing
sister there
worthwhile for her there.
Kazuko had brought along money, but hadn't signed
it
the customary envelope of condolence
with her real name. There were so
many
people there she was sure that the entire town had turned out. The casket and an altar
had been
set
up
in a
tatami
house, and a Buddhist priest sat in front of
windows
ceiling
offer incense
waited in priest.
of the
it,
and prayers without having
to
at the front of the
chanting.
room had been opened
The
floor-to-
so the mourners could
come
into the house.
and then stepped to the
line for her turn,
When
room
Kazuko
side to listen to the
who
she began to shiver from the cold wind, the neighbors
had turned up to help invited her
to
warm
herself by a fire they
had
made. "Are you from Tokyo?" a middle-aged
woman
asked her in the
dis-
tinct intonation of the local dialect.
"Yes,
I
got here about two o'clock."
station, she it.
had been drawn
to the
When Kazuko had
arrived at the
broad riverbed that spread out before
She had walked for a while along a gently sloping footpath, over a
bridge, along the riverbed,
and through the woods. She
been relieved of a burden, and could ders. It
had been
five
o'clock before she
feel the
knew
felt
as
if
she had
tension leave her shoul-
it,
and the sky was turning
dark.
"Are you from Yoko's college?" persisted the woman.
Kazuko nodded
as she
warmed
her fingers.
The woman stopped
a girl
walking by with a tray of cups, removed two, and gave one to Kazuko.
The cup was
full
"Yoko was
of
the
weak but comfortingly hot
same age
she did well in school and
do whatever she wanted
as
was
to, so
my
tea.
daughter," the
pretty, too.
woman
offered. "But
The Suganos wanted
to let her
they sent her to college."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
51
"Yes...
I
know."
"And now
she's dead. It didn't
make any
difference."
Kazuko, unable to respond, continued to
"Tokyo
is
sip her tea.
a scary place."
happen everywhere,"
"Traffic accidents
Kazuko. "Yoko was
said
just
unlucky."
The woman gave Kazuko the
fire,
Kazuko
a questioning look, but
blinking every time one of the logs crackled and
stared into
popped
as
it
burned. That's right, she assured herself.
Yoko
just
had bad
luck.
There had
been two suicides and one accident. There had been three dead bodies, but there was nothing to link their deaths.
The
girl in
of the house.
Kazuko gave
cup back on the
tray,
"Are you Yoko's "Yes,
my name
"I live in
and walked toward the entrance
the reception tent got up
"Thank you
for
woman
a polite parting
and walked toward the
I
Yukiko."
was
a friend of Yoko's."
making
the long trip out here."
against the branches of a tree that
The two stepped
"No
had
Kazuko brushed
lost all of its leaves.
last
phone
call
we had from
her
was
a couple
Why do you ask?"
reason."
Kazuko
tried to act as
if
there really were
giving the only hint of a smile an occasion like this all
to
talked to your sister recently?" she inquired.
Yukiko shrugged. "The of weeks ago.
tea-
girl.
the side to stay out of the path of the line of mourners.
"Had you
bow, put her
sister?"
is
Tokyo;
the
so sudden, and
it
had been
a while since
I
would
no reason,
allow. "It
had spoken to
her.
was
I'm so
sorry ..."
"Yoko
told us she
wanted
to
come home," Yukiko
said.
"Come home?" "She said she was lonely. stay.
52
Mom talked
She only had a year of college
MIYUKI MIYABE
left,
to her
and convinced her
and
wasn't long
it
till
to
win-
Mom
ter vacation.
said she
would go
her and see hov^ she was
visit
doing."
Kazuko remembered Yoko told
me
that
you wanted
"I did for a while,
to
but
telling her
come
scared she was.
"Yoko
to Tokyo, too."
changed
I
how
my mind."
"Why?" "Nothing
really.
I
got a good job here, and
it
wasn't as though
going to school. Yoko wanted to study English; that's college."
money
Yukiko looked
resentful.
"And my
why
I
was
she went to
parents didn't have enough
to send both of us."
There was a constant
hum
of voices, and the scent of incense
was
everywhere. "I can't believe she died like this.
a petulant child,
and her eyes
filled
What
with
a fool."
Yukiko sounded
like
tears.
"So you didn't hear anything ..." Kazuko said
in a small voice.
"Hearwhat.^"
Kazuko opened her
purse, took out a handkerchief,
Yukiko. "Nothing, nothing at
Kazuko went head back to the
it
to
more time and decided
to
all."
to look at Yoko's picture one station. /
and handed
want
to get
hack to Tokyo.
Suddenly she heard a comrtiotion at the front of the house. There was yelling,
and the sound of something being
hit.
One
of the large wreaths
of funeral flowers had begun to tip over from the force of ing into "It's
it,
and people rushed to
right
it.
"Yes, she
the one that hit
came with her
Yuko?"
lawyer. Uh-oh, there goes
Yukiko ran toward them and Kazuko followed "Get out of here! Leave!" Angry voices were
came
flying out of the front door.
was
plump woman wearing
"We
fall-
the wife of the driver," said Yukiko.
"You mean
a
someone
One was
a
Dad."
her.
raised,
man
and two people
in a suit.
The other
black.
only want to apologize!"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
53
"You
can't bring our daughter back. So get out!"
something black came
flying out of the
house and
As
if
hit the
for emphasis,
woman
full in
the face.
"Mrs. Asano!" The keep her from
had thrown.
was
in the suit
rushed to the woman's side to
Kazuko hurried forward
falling.
It
man
No
bleeding.
The neighbors stood
all
the right side of her face. She
at a distance
watching the exchange.
Kazuko.
right?" asked
"She's been hurt," said the
much
looked to be
in as
Kazuko saw
the shiny badge
was
a lawyer. She
and
sat her
man
pain as
on
if
down on
He
peering into the woman's face.
he were the one
his lapel; just as
and the lawyer helped the
who had
been
Yukiko had
woman
hit.
said,
he
to a quieter spot
the stone ledge of the next-door neighbor's house.
The woman used her
hand to gesture the two not
free
to worry. "I'm
right."
"You to
father
one stepped forward to help.
"Are you
all
what Yoko's
a heavy, large-sized shoe.
The woman squatted down clutching was
to see
don't look
all
right to
me. Excuse me. Miss," the lawyer turned
Kazuko. "Would you mind staying with her
going to
call a taxi. I've
until
I
get back? I'm
got to get her to a doctor."
"Yes, of course."
The lawyer hastened
off in the direction of the station.
Kazuko
felt
anxious and hoped he'd be back soon.
"I'm sorry," the
you and here you
woman
began speaking to
her. "I
handkerchief the lawyer had
left
isn't
that right?"
"Yes, I'm Yoriko, his wife."
54
woman
came from Tokyo. You're from
"This must be
difficult for
MIYUKl MIYABE
at the
blood with the
behind.
"Did you know Miss Sugano?" the I
know
are taking care of me. Please, I'm fine ..."
"No, you're bleeding badly." Kazuko dabbed
"Yes,
don't even
you."
asked.
the family of the taxi driver,
my
"That's the least of
A
worries.
girl
has died," Yoriko Asano said
bravely.
know
"But you
they're not going to forgive
you
just
because you
apologize." "I
suppose
who was
shouldn't have
me
with
are serious to hear
I
—
shown up with Mr. Sayama. That man
he's a lawyer.
But
I
and that we intend to do the
what
I
had
wanted them right thing.
know
to
that
we
And I wanted them
to say, too."
Kazuko lowered her
embarrassed
eyes,
at
how much
Yoriko was shar-
ing with her.
Yoriko looked up since
"I'm sorry to bother you with
at her.
this, especially
Miss Sugano was a friend of yours."
"It's all right.
about
I
wasn't so close to
Kazuko was not being
this."
Yoko
that
I
can't be
entirely truthful, but
open-minded it
did seem to
calm Yoriko down.
"My
husband claims that Miss Sugano ran out
Kazuko caught her
into the intersection."
breath.
"She was running so escape from something.
fast,
He
it
looked as though she was trying to
couldn't avoid her.
What
she
was doing was
suicidal."
"Excuse me, but ..." "Yes?" Yoriko did her best to look up at Kazuko again.
"Was he
telling the truth?"
"Yes, he was," Yoriko declared almost defiantly. doesn't
lie."
A
pair of headlights began to shine in the distance. Mr.
Sayama was back with
a taxi.
He
helped Yoriko into the
headed for the emergency room of the
Kazuko
said good-bye,
toward the the car. She
"My husband
station.
car,
and they
local hospital.
and headed slowly down the mountain road
Yoko Sugano had run out
into the road in front of
had appeared so suddenly that the driver had been unable
to swerve to avoid her.
Kazuko heard Yoko's words
in her
head again.
I'm scared. Kazuko, you can see what happened, can't you? Those two
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
55
didn't
No it,
commit
suicide.
There was somebody
Kazuko
there wasn't!
and how? You could
mit suicide.
You
around
The
to look.
memory.
cut off the
just couldn't!
A short
But
.
.
Who
could have done
.
pair of footsteps
distance a
light of a single street
—
someone, but you couldn't make them com-
kill
Kazuko heard another
else
way
on the dark road. She turned
saw
she
lamp shone behind
it,
a small
human shadow.
and she couldn't
see the
face.
"Did
frighten
I
you?" the shadow spoke. "I'm so
sorry,
I
didn't
mean
to."
Kazuko stood
When Mamoru
staring at
still,
arrived
home
it
as
it
drew
closer.
that night, he found a glass door in the
back of the house shattered, the fragments scattered about. to the side of the door,
On
someone had scrawled "Murderer"
the wall
in
brown
paint.
A
neighbor told him that she had heard the sound of glass breaking
When
early in the evening. a
boy
in a
When Thinking
swept up the glass and scrubbed the writing off the wall.
that he realized
still
it
it
might be
hadn't been written in paint, but in blood.
his aunt, he
man who had
Mr. Asano, the one
who
went
to pick
it
up, but
it
was
the
same
called the night before.
did
me
the favor of killing
Yoko Asano,
being held by the police?"
"Who
are you?"
"They should
let
him
go.
The
police are fools.
search far to find out that she had to die."
56
It
he was in the bathroom washing his hands, the phone rang.
raspy voice of the "Is
what had happened, she saw
school uniform running away.
Mamoru was then
she went to see
MIYUKIMIYABE
They wouldn't have
to
"
How can you say—
"Just a minute!
The phone went dead.
but the caller was no longer on the
The
down
quiet that
Yoko Sugano. But
Mamoru
and wondered
to think,
it
continued to
yell into
it,
line.
police wouldn't have to search far?
The house was so sat
Mamoru
Frustrated,
What would
they find out?
could hear the clock ticking.
moment about
for a
was an accident I Mamoru
the private
tried to
He
life
of
put the questions
out of his mind.
"Good
evening!" a cheery voice called out.
door, her arms full of shopping bags.
and he was loaded down with bags,
"Good voice,
Her brother
Shinji
and bowed
was with
said you'd be alone tonight,
Anego was upbeat
"I'm the chaperone!" Shinji giggled. to be alone!
sister's
tone of
I
mean
it
I
thought
I'd
come over and
as always.
"It
would be dangerous
would be dangerous
for you,
for the
Mamoru!"
Anego's leg flew out to the side as she deftly kicked her brother.
your cousin
still
ner of hamburgers, and
came from
game
the living
all
Anego was adding milk and sugar
coffee. High-pitched electronic beeps
collection.
through
"Is
gone?"
"Sounds pretty strange to me." The three of them had finished
ond cup of
her,
grown-up way.
in a
dinner for you."
two of you
at the front
too.
evening!" Shinji did his best to copy his big
"When you make
Anego stood
room where
From
Shinji
the soundtracks,
their din-
to her sec-
and blasting noises
was playing with Maki's video
Mamoru was
sure he
was going
of them, one by one.
"Maybe you should
talk to the police or to that lawyer.
Takano might
be right."
"Yeah,
I
will.
The lawyer
funeral for the girl thirty.
"If
who
is
what
that caller said
my
aunt today. They went to the
He looked up
died."
"She should have called
with
at the clock. It
was
eight-
home by now."
was
true,
it
might help your uncle out
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
— but 57
it's
way someone you
creepy the
girl.
She was only twenty, right?
"That's exactly
what
anything to come from
I
don't even
Maybe
thought."
it
here,
Mamoru
Mamoru was
to keep his face expressionless.
"It's
He
"We
can't expect
poked
this
He
here, have
fist
head
his
at him.
in.
"Speak-
you?"
notion immediately, so he just tried realized he
had
failed
when he saw
gave up and laughed.
not funny," she said. "What's he done now?"
"Nothing "But
Shinji
you brat!" Anego balled up her
unable to deny
Anego's expression.
sighed.
off."
it."
you haven't had Miura out
ing of creeps,
bad-mouthing that
is
was some guy she blew
"What do you mean, expect anything}'' "Get out of
know
really.
Don't worry about
it."
." .
.
"Come
on, I've got
my
pride!
can't have a girl
I
working
my
as
body-
guard." "That's not what I'm doing."
him, impressing
Anego batted her
Mamoru with her
eyes a few times at
long lashes.
"I'm just joking," he did his best to laugh. "I appreciate
Anego smiled demurely. feminine
—usually she
just
It
was
rare for her to
do anything so overtly
Mamoru
laughed out loud.
it."
felt privileged.
"Promise you won't get mad?" she asked.
"What?" "Promise!" "All right, whatever. "I
have
Mamoru
What
is
it?"
your father
this feeling that
is
upset about
struggled to hide his surprise. "I feel like he's
by and that
he's
all this,
somewhere
been keeping an eye on you and your mother.
you're here with the Asanos and he wants to
come
too." close
He knows
see you, but he just
can't bring himself to."
"Now
that
you mention
it,
whenever
I've
gone to put flowers on
my
mother's grave on special days, someone has always been there before
me—"
58
MIYUKI MIYABE
Anego's eyes opened wide, but raised his hands in surrender
Mamoru, unable
and laughed. "No,
to keep
that's a
up the
act,
never
lie. It's
happened!" Trying to cover up her embarrassment at having been so gullible,
Anego quickly added, "Anyway, my
mom
way men
says that's the
are."
"Okay,
we
it
in
mind." The conversation had come to an uneasy anxious to cheer Anego up again. "But you know,
my dad
wonder
somewhere
close by.
I
actually run into each other sometimes without
knowing
it."
sometimes if
keep
Mamoru was
and
halt,
I'll
I
feel that
way. Like
is
"What do you mean? Don't you remember what he looked "No,
I've forgotten,
and I'm sure he doesn't remember me
like?"
either."
"How old were you when he left?" Mamoru held up four fingers. you wouldn't remember. Don't you have any pictures?"
"I guess "It
wasn't really the sort of situation where you'd hold on to family
photos.
If
you looked through old newspapers from twelve years ago,
you'd probably find one or two
— out of focus."
"Didn't your mother leave anything for you?"
"She
left
me some pictures
nodded, obviously moved. It
two of us and her wedding ring." Anego
of the
"Mom always wore her wedding ring ..."
had been raining the day Toshio Kusaka
was cold
in the north.
Mamoru had
first
Mamoru's room was next had heard
his father leaving.
a crack. His father
shoelaces.
Mamoru
a
downpour
Hirakawa
to the front
door of
Mamoru had
had been dressed thought that
it
March
in the early
left early, just after five
Station.
express train passed through
family.
rain
been small, but he recalled that
had begun raining the night before, and
had kept him awake. Toshio had
left his
pushed
in his suit,
their his
—
it
hours
before the
home and
door open
and he was tying
he
just
his
must have been some kind of early
morning meeting, and he remembered thinking that
his
mother must
still
be asleep. Looking back, he decided she must have been pretending to
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
59
His father's
sleep.
when he
had become
lifestyle
didn't even
come home
irregular,
and there were days
at night.
His mother must have realized that there was another involved, but in tears.
Mamoru had
He wondered
might have been easier on him
if it
It
was almost
as
if
if
he had. The
home was
only impression he had had was that something in his broken.
woman
never seen his parents arguing or his mother
being
he could hear the sound, not of destruction,
but of collapse.
When
his father
became louder and
had opened the front door, the sound of the rain it
lasted for several long seconds as Toshio paused,
looking back inside before turning to go. The door closed, and the
sound was once again muffled. Toshio had
Mamoru had
left
space.
him.
father
trials
began when
and exactly what
was
it
a small child feels
realizing that fire
and
is
his father
first
She would be cutting
just stop
dangerous.
and
stare into
it
was
with
to lose a
had done. this fact
was
similar to
touching a hot stove and suddenly
Mamoru
did his best to forget the fact
it.
Mamoru's mother had never blamed to defend him. She only said that they
Mamoru
the last time
his friends all refused to play
Comprehension of
when
and distance himself from
and
was
spent the rest of his childhood learning what
My father abandoned me. what
in a daze.
in the kitchen or folding laundry,
Mamoru's
He
it
and the news of the embezzled funds got out,
mother spent more and more time
something
and
ever seen him.
After his father his
left,
his father for
anything nor tried
had nothing to be ashamed
of,
should remember that.
Anego's voice brought
Mamoru
back to the present. "Didn't you ever
think of leaving Hirakawa?"
"Yeah, but
"Why "I
never did."
not?"
had a good
besides,
60
I
friend that
my mother and I
MIYUKI MIYABE
I
didn't
want
to lose. He's
only had each other."
dead now.
And
wonder why your mother wouldn't
"I
Have you
leave.
ever thought
about that?"
Of course he had; sometimes never decide whether
it
was
around
he thought about.
m
a bar
mother, and her waist was
his
happen,
for things to
some kmd
or
He
could
of hope, or
other choices.
His father's girlfriend had worked
younger than
all
was stubborn pride
havmg no
simply a matter of
it
either; she
m
town. She was
tinier.
had
And
left
much
she didn't wait
Hirakawa
a
week
before Toshio.
The police had searched
would a
lead
condo
them
relentlessly for her, believing that she
Kusaka. They had
to Toshio
finally located her in
but Toshio was nowhere to be found.
in Sendai,
He had
already been replaced by her latest conquest, a salesman from a local
loan
company who was saved from
her clutches by the arrival of the
police.
She had passed
pimp,
all
of the
a two-bit gangster type.
have been shaking Toshio prove
It
For
when
money Toshio had The
down
police suspected that the
as well, but there
pimp might
was no evidence
to
because they never found Toshio.
his part,
Mamoru
she found out
Her husband was
who
suspected that his mother held on to hope
woman was and what
the
sure to contact her;
That may have been why she refused left
supplied her with to her
there'd be
nobody
she had been up to.
maybe he would even come home. to leave. She
there for Toshio
when he
was did
afraid that
if
she
come home, and
she'd miss her chance to be reunited with him.
"Your mother must
have loved your father," Anego concluded
really
softly.
"That's not the
way I saw
"Well, that's the live with.
way you should
I'm sure that's
not to grow up
like
it."
how
she
see
felt
it.
It
was good enough
for her to
— she never told you to be careful
him, did she?"
"Not once."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
61
"What looked
a strong
down
woman." Anego propped
at the table,
her chin in her hands and
speaking quietly. "But
it
must have been tough
for you. She believed in your father. She wasn't the sort to for her child's sake.
"Who
likes
That evening,
I
want
who?"
after
compromise
to be like her ..."
Shinji
popped
Anego and
into the kitchen.
Shinji
had
left,
there
was
a call
from the
lawyer, Mr. Sayama.
"Why "Is
isn't
my
aunt calling?"
Mamoru was
immediately concerned.
something wrong?" "She's been injured." Sayama's voice
to see a doctor office
is
on
sounded
and he wants to give her some
their
way
agitated. "She's been
tests.
here to take care of things.
You
Someone from my needn't worry."
"What happened?" "I'm sure you can imagine the situation," the lawyer began and gave
Mamoru the whole story. Mamoru was speechless trying to imagine what through. He could feel his heart drop into his toes.
his
aunt had been
"Mr. Sayama?"
"What "I've
is
It?"
been thinking about the accident and wondering
was with someone when
"It's
Yoko Sugano
she got hit by the car."
"That would make everything a
Mamoru
if
lot easier."
explained to him what Takano and Anego had suggested.
possible," concluded Sayama, "but
we
haven't had any reports
of anyone leaving the scene."
"But
it is
"Yes, but
possible?" if
everything happened just because
be sipping cocktails on
it
was
possible,
all
Mars by now."
Mamoru continued to think for a long time after he hung Why cant the police take a few minutes to look into itf His Uncle Taizo was spending another night
62
we'd
MIYUKI MIYABE
in jail,
up.
and
his
Aunt
Yoriko was
Mr. Sayama had said that she had been
in a hospital.
hit in
the face by a shoe.
A
few minutes
to look into
The clock struck 77/ just
It
it
.
.
.
ten.
have to be the one to do
didn't take long for
him
to
it.
make
And
the decision.
he was lucky,
everything was set in his favor.
He
Lucky.
bit his lip at the
made
Just after ten, he
busy
When
work.
at
irony of that particular word.
a call to
someone who he knew would
he heard the voice come onto the
line,
still
be
he got right
to the point.
"Do you remember what we were that's
what
story.
Can you make some
I
mean. Look,
He hung up
the
I
talking about this morning? Right,
need to talk to you
time.^ Great,
phone and began
I'll
— there's more to the
be right over."
go out. The house-
to get ready to
keeper his wife had recently hired gave him a concerned look.
"Are you going out so late?" "Yes,
be gone for several hours, so don't wait up."
I'll
"What
shall
I tell
"You don't need the housekeeper his wife
had
He went
in
your wife when she gets home?" to
worry about
would come
each other's
to the garage
were shaking up
Would
clear
his eyes
He knew
that within the
week
to understand the lack of interest he
and
activities.
and warmed up the
like they it
her."
his heart as well.
car.
The
Would
dull vibrations felt
this actually
work?
up everything and leave him with no regrets? He closed
and pictured the boy's
face.
He
felt
calmer by the time he eased
the car out of the garage.
Standing in front of the building, he was afraid for the
time.
Could
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
63
first
.
he really pull this off? truth? Well,
it
What
he lost control and began to spout the
if
was something he would
have to find out for himself.
just
Seated in an express train speeding toward Tokyo, Kazuko Takagi was
having a dream. She ribly tired.
throbbing
felt a dull
She was even tired
in her
ter-
dream.
Kazuko, I'm dead! Yoko was standing next to unbearably sad. Poor Kazuko,
head, and she was
in her
her.
now it's your turn.
Her expression was
You'll be the last one.
I'm not going to die! Kazuko screamed as hard as she could
in her
dream. She could see Yoko, Fumie Kato, and Atsuko Mita. Atsuko was headless.
How come
Kazuko,
I've lost
Poor Kazuko. The
she
was
my head.
last
one
Kazuko woke up with pounding. in the
It
was dark
to be
somewhere
Why am down
I
Help
me find it! Help
will suffer the
outside,
home and
and she could
.
.
.
.
.
look
.
.
.
see her
watch. She'd be
at her lie
worst
me, look
Her head ached and her heart was
a start.
window. She looked
She wanted to go
able to cry like that?
down
in her
own
in
own
face reflected
Tokyo
in
an hour.
apartment. She wanted
safe.
so afraid^
Kazuko
talked to herself as she tried to slow
her breathing. I'm not going to
commit
suicide. There's
no reason
to be frightened.
She looked at her watch again. She glanced at the timetable she had
bought
at the station
when
she
left
Tokyo, and suddenly realized
why
she ought to be afraid.
She had train
Yoko's family
home
home. There was no reason
nowhere So
left
for her to spend time even
why was
in plenty
for her to stay there if
any longer and
she had wanted to.
she on the last train to Tokyo?
Kazuko wrung her hands. What was
64
of time to catch an earlier
MIYUKI MIYABE
I
doing
all that
time?
CHAPTER 3
The Dispieting Muses
It
was
Mamoni was standing at the intersection place. He could see stars in the clear night sky.
morning, and
oiie in the
where the accident took
The
air
was
just
had
its
cool,
stood for a while and watched the
yellow, green.
was
ever\i:hing looked as clean as a fishbowl that has
water changed. Everxone was asleep.
Mamoru efficiently
and
It
was a lonely
Mamoru
rook
among the dreams a
left
the house.
On
nighttime job
in the night.
He had changed
old, thin-soled pair of jogging shoes
The ones he
usually
his
wore
hands were gloves with the
he had a white towel around his neck.
was doing, he'd have no rrouble more
its
to run
had thick
soles
from impact, but he was afraid they would squeak
to protect his ankles
as he walked.
and an
Maybe
it
of the sleeping masses.
deep breath, drinking
into a dark gray running suit
change: red,
performance. During the day,
processed restless hordes of vehicles.
to keep order
before he
electrical
traffic signal
If
fingertips cut out,
anyone asked him what he
explaining. He'd heard that
joggers went our late ar night
when
and
more and
they could have the streets to
themselves. In the right-hand
pocket of his pants were the tools he would need to
complete his job tonight.
The
signal turned green,
and
Mamoru crossed
Just as his aunt had said, there
was
a cigarette
the silent intersection.
vending machine and
65
phone
a public
in front of the shuttered store.
map, and he knew what direction
Mamoru had
to go. Turning his
checked a
back on the
inter-
section, he started off at a leisurely run.
The mere tile
tiny
fifty
apartment building where Yoko Sugano had lived was
meters west facing a narrow side road.
It
out of the light of the street lamps, looked
that,
beyond the narrow, paved driveway was There was no inside corridor;
all
was surfaced
a
red
in
like dried blood. Just
a lighted concrete staircase.
had outside entrances.
the apartments
Mamoru stood running in place as he looked around. No one was on the road. He thought he heard the faint sound of singing; maybe there was a karaoke bar somewhere nearby. Mamoru ran across the driveway over to the staircase.
A
black cat with shining gold eyes ran out from
behind the building and out into the
an instant
street.
Mamoru's
—that was one witness!
At the foot of the
stairs
were the aluminum mailboxes of the
dents.
They were divided
had
combination-lock padlock hanging from
a
heart stopped for
into four rows, one for each floor, it.
resi-
and each
"Sugano 404" was
written neatly on one of the boxes on the top row.
Mamoru in his
took off
stocking feet
The fourth
floor
his shoes, hid
felt
seemed awfully
had never seemed
large
in a bush,
and climbed the
—the sound of footsteps tended to carry
wrapped sandbags around that
them
his ankles
this hard.
and naked under the
As he reached the
far up. In
The
to pass.
He
Then he
and climbed the soles of his feet
but even
lights.
the street. His heart
pounded
He
couldn't
to listen.
tell
Someone
as he waited for
them
started climbing again. floor,
and turned to look out for an overview of
Next door were two two-story houses and then another
ment building of about
the
same height
as this one. Its
the curtains pulled and none of the lights were on.
66
stairs,
were cold, and he
third-floor landing, he heard voices.
reached the fourth
the area.
late at night.
weight training at school he
where they were coming from, so he crouched down
was walking by on
stairs
MIYUKIMIYABE
windows
apartall
had
In the
narrow hallway where he now stood, there were
doors facing the road, each accompanied by
Mamoru
crouched
down
as
low
matching gas meter.
name on
leaned against the railing and took a deep breath. to see
do
what
sort of place
Yoko Sugano
white
and moved forward
as he could
he got to the one marked 404. There was no
a
five
the door.
Mamoru
He had come
and he had the
lived in,
until
here
skills to
so.
Mamoru
thought about Gramps, the good friend he'd told Anego he
hadn't wanted to lose. Well, he had never imagined that he would be using everything
Gramps had taught him
After his father had disappeared, play with
for a situation like this.
Mamoru's
had refused
to
him anymore. To begin with he was merely perplexed, but
as
friends
he grew older things got worse and he better understood what had happened.
No
look after him at the
summer
the adults, but prejudice it
would take him and
baseball teams
is
mothers refused to
The discrimination began with
a powerful disease,
and
it
wasn't long before
spread to the children.
Soon
after he started first grade,
one invited him to play soccer
work it
festivals.
local
Mamoru
after school.
found himself alone.
He had no one
with, and no one to throw spitballs at during class.
was only
natural: Toshio
Kusaka had
stolen
wife and child were unable to put up with
life
to
do home-
He supposed
from the taxpayers.
in the
No
If his
town, they were
free
to leave.
About
this time, his
nothing out.
left
her account.
mother explained what had happened
Mamoru would
Mamoru,
never forget her words as she finished
she had said, you've done nothing to be
of.
Don't you ever forget
the
same thing
in
that.
He was
an attempt to make
Keiko was working one
who had known
out.
Without that
to him. She
sure that she
life
was
somehow more
at a paint plant at the time.
her husband's family and
ashamed
telling herself
tolerable.
She had found som.e-
was
willing to help her
job, the only alternative to leaving
Hirakawa would
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
67
have been to murder her son and commit suicide. At
would have remained
Mamoru had
in the
nothing to be ashamed
Then he met Gramps. his bike in the
ment
a hot
sitting at
home
on the wall
Mamoru looked up when he heard someone thickset man was standing in the shade of the
older,
gray shirt and held a small bag
hand. His almost-bald head was covered in perspiration.
mop
his head,
some shaved
Mamoru
He
and spoke again.
"You'll die of heat stroke sitting there in the sun. for
left
in front of his apart-
alone.
pulled out a handkerchief to
me
Mamoru had
August.
go and nothing to do, but he was
to
He was wearing an open-necked
in his left
in
isn't it?"
An
talking to him.
but he was always alone.
of,
day
sitting
He had nowhere
"Awfully hot,
wall.
was
backyard and was
building.
bored of
It
least their ashes
town.
How about joining
ice?"
He had
hesitated before standing up.
a
few coins
in his
pocket with which he had been instructed to buy his lunch.
And
was how
that
Gramps'
real
it
had
all
begun.
name was Goichi Takahashi, but Mamoru never
him anything but Gramps. He never knew probably over sixty when they
Gramps was had been born
Osaka
in
his exact age, but he
was
met.
a retired locksmith
who had
specialized in safes.
Hirakawa but was apprenticed
after the war,
retired to
first
called
and he had worked there
Hirakawa, and that was about
all
He
to a locksmith in
his entire career.
he ever told
He had
Mamoru
about
himself. All
it
took was a bowl of shaved
ice.
Afterward, Gramps had taken
Mamoru home and shown him
the
was
different shapes
filled
with shiny tools of
all
workshop attached
enough to hold Mamoru. There were some that were impossible to figure out
"This
is
my
how
and
sizes,
and
a safe big
to open.
hobby," Gramps had announced with a smile.
MIYUKI MIYABE
It
beautifully decorated boxes
couldn't help looking around at everything, and
68
to his house.
Mamoru
Gramps had had
to
"
laugh. "I get lonely
know what? They
don't have these things around me.
if I
get lonely, too,
if
no
one's
And you
around to take care of
them.
"You can look and touch and play with anything isn't
dangerous." After that,
whenever he came to safes
and
room
that
Mamoru was allowed to do as he pleased He loved to touch the cold "skin" of the
mazes that made up the devices
stare at the
He opened Gramps'
visit.
in this
old photo albums that were
full
inside the locks.
of pictures of keys
carved in wickerwork designs and safes that had to be more valuable
Mamoru commented on how
than anything they held. were, and
Gramps nodded
in
agreement.
Gramps was always engrossed and looked
the rounds
beautiful they
in his
work. After
at everything, he
Gramps' hands were quick and amazingly
would
graceful,
Mamoru had made and watch him.
sit
and he always had a
contented look on his face as he worked on the safes and locks.
One
when Mamoru had been coming around
day,
weeks, Gramps turned to him and asked,
Would you an old
He was
like to try this?"
"How
using a fine
file
for a couple of
about
it,
Mamoru?
to get the rust off of
safe.
"Do you
think
I
can?"
"Of course you can!" Gfamps smiled and handed him gentle with
it,
Mamoru
the
"Be
file.
now.
spent the next
week gently
filing the rust off the safe.
Beneath the rust that had accumulated over the years, the safe had a shiny gray surface.
engraved peony.
On
When
each corner of
he was finished,
"She's a beauty, isn't she?"
to
becoming
became
a helper.
From
lost the
there
Gramps
smiled.
it
was only
being an observer
a matter of time until he
Gramps' work.
key to his apartment. There were
hours until his mother came Outside the third-story
door was an exquisitely
Mamoru had gone from
interested in the rest of
Once Mamoru
its
home from work and could
window hung
still
let
two
him
in.
the laundry that he should have
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
69
taken
hours earlier and, to make matters worse,
in
going to
Mamoru
rain.
like
magic, but
less
than
Gramps frowned and
The next day he came over with
Mamoru
"Would you
minutes to pick. To
five
ought to have a better lock. This one
through,
looked
like
was
it
ran to look for Gramps.
The lock took Gramps looked
it
asked,
"Do you
a
is
no
new
think
I
Mamoru
it
"You and your mother
said,
better than a toy."
lock for the door.
When
could do something
he was
like that.^"
like to try?"
"Yes!"
"Well then," said Gramps, "you can do anything as long as you're interested."
That was how
Mamoru
began learning the locksmith's
craft.
He
and how they
started out by learning about the different kinds of locks
worked. Different manufacturers made different types of locks, and each country had
its
own
niques, there were so
were opened by
distinct models.
many
lining
to learn.
He
When
it
came
to actual tech-
learned about padlocks that
up numbers, bicycle keys, and car door
locks.
Next Gramps taught him about cylinder locks with pin tumblers, most
common
type.
of wire, and even
Mamoru
made
learned
how to
pick locks using
himself a picking gun.
He
learned
two
how
the
pieces
to
make
impressions of keys, and then practiced making duplicates of them using
hundreds of uncut keys. that
was
him of
even learned
how to open
a lock using a key
similar to the original but not exactly the same.
It
reminded
trying to convince a stubborn person about something new.
final skill
figure out
he learned was
constitute a
it all,
to manipulate a
Mamoru
accidentally, but he
combination lock to
it.
realized that locks
and keys did not
like
else for
had kept
at
him it
to
do and he had come upon
for pretty
much
it
it all
ten years because
it
play for him.
Last October, just as the final leaves \yere falling off the trees,
70
The
hobby often pursued by young boys, but he had enjoyed
There was nothing
had been
how
what numbers would open
Looking back on
all.
He
MIYUKIMIYABE
Gramps
had died suddenly of had
a heart attack.
fek as though his world
fallen apart.
Gramps had given him
Mamoru wondered long to
live.
later
Mamoru had hadn't given
it
Gramps had somehow known he
if
I've
didn't have
a question.
how to
taught you
pick locks?"
been so delighted with the brand-new tools that he
much
was because
thought. "It
"No. Don't you remember what
You can do anything for a
few days before he died.
a set of tools just a
Mamoru
He'd asked
"Do you know why
to
Mamoru
I
told
I
asked you
to,
you when you
as long as you're interested."
He
wasn't
started?
first
looked at
it?"
Mamoru
few moments before he continued. "You know, you've never talked
me about your
Mamoru was "Are there
dad."
confused. "I
still
people
who
was
sure
you knew. Everybody does."
bother you about that?"
"Sometimes. But not as
many
"People forget. They
forget eventually."
"I've forgotten
all
as before."
about him, too."
"Did you enjoy learning about locks?" "Yeah."
"Why?"
Mamoru
thought a few moments. "Nobody
Gramps nodded and looked
at
Mamoru was
"No, of course
A
not.
can do
it!"
Mamoru's hands. "Have you
thought about using what you've learned to
"Never!"
else
steal or to
adamant. "Did you think
lot of the things I've
I
ever
harm someone?" would?"
taught you are outdated
now. The times have changed, and there are new kinds of locks and keys. Before long you won't even see this sort anymore."
sounded
sad.
thought he
"But that doesn't mean that everything you've learned will
go to waste. You're a things that others
don't
Mamoru
want you
little bit
want
to go. If
Gramps looked
into
different
You can
to hide away.
you want
from other boys. You can
see
get into places people
to, that is."
Mamoru's
eyes.
"You could have done
all
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
that
71
already, but
and
that's
you
why
didn't.
never even occurred to you.
It
Mamoru,
taught you. Keys,
I
believe in you,
I
are used to protect
what
is
important to people. Your father," he continued sadly, "did not have the pick locks, and he
skills to
was not one
did something he shouldn't have.
stole
make
spare keys. But he
He
money.
their trust.
And
he opened that lock
when he
still
used a key to a lock
had given to him to protect what was important
that people
was
He
to
to them.
It
shouldn't have.
"Before you become an adult, you'll have to continue to suffer for
what your
father did.
won't be
It
But
easy.
that's
not what I'm worried
about. Your father wasn't a bad man; he was weak. Everyone has that
weakness inside themselves. Even you. And once you your
you'll understand
father.
assuming that you'll take
Mamoru "As
looked at Gramps'
far as
I
can
tell,
is
better.
What's bad
two types of if
it is
they can.
other people
people.
One
type doesn't
The other type
they want.
when you make up
is
is
there,
word.
face, but didn't say a
to even
whatever
until they achieve
I'm worried about
it's
him."
there are
do what they don't want up
after
What
realize
I
can't
tell
doesn't give
you which type
excuses to explain what you
have or haven't done.
"Mamoru, never for excuses.
use your father as an excuse. Don't ever go looking
Someday
was so sad about
weakness and what
father's
that."
Gramps took Mamoru's hand showed him how
your
you'll understand
—
just the
to hold the tools. His
way
he had
when he
first
hand was dry and smooth, and
surprisingly strong.
Which should in front of
I
usef This
was
the
first
question
Yoko Sugano's apartment. He
fluorescent
lamp
in the corridor
was
Mamoru
didn't need
sufficient.
You
asked himself
any more
light; the
couldn't see inside
locks anyway.
And
this
was
a pitiful sort of lock.
apartments on either
72
side.
MIYUKIMIYABE
They were
He looked all
at the
the same.
It
doors of the
was
a
common
deadbolt that was even
less effective
was
housing. The deadbolt part defense, but
Mamoru knew
than the type used
the only thing
it
pubHc
in
had to say
own
in its
and the door aged,
that as the lock
it
was
only a matter of time until a credit card slipped into an expanding gap
and
a
good push would open
woman
living alone
it
would want
up.
just
Mamoru saw that only two rivets had
young
the sort of lock a
to entrust her safety to.
owner
the intentions of a building's
was not
It
by looking
You could read
at the locks
on
it.
been used to attach the lock to the
door, although there were holes for three.
Pin tumbler cylinder locks are
varying lengths;
when
made by combining
the right key
is
several pins of
inserted into the cylindrical hole,
them and
the pins are manipulated to the exact height required to align
turn the plug that opens the lock.
Mamoru
hadn't brought the ring of
now
keys that he used to coax open locks, and his heart sank realized
it
was
all
he had really needed.
make
Well then, he would just have to ever needed to
as he
come back
one.
It
would be handy
here to return something.
He
if
he
wouldn't have to
pick the lock a second time.
Mamoru dropped the
same
a single
to
one knee and took out
size as a pencil case.
groove
in
it.
He opened
it
it
into a lock, but
it
new key with
to sprinkle
an uncut key
Mamoru had
decided to use
baking soda he had borrowed from Maki's baking supplies. easier to see
He
It
would be
where he needed to make notches.
covered the key with the white powder and carefully inserted
The
the lock.
biggest
problem
The more nervous he was, his
was about
a
and took out
Gramps had taught him
with soot before inserting
his toolbox;
body and made
He removed would be
his
the
more
it;
saw
line,
his
own
heartbeat.
his heartbeat reverberated
you had
a fine line in the powder.
to
through
know what
Not everyone
to look for.
The
line re-
Mamoru
took out a
file
and then began to sculpt out the
silhouette.
The important
presented the silhouette of the lock.
out the
was
in
hand shake.
the key and
able to see
at a time like this
it
and etched
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
73
thing
was
you got
it
to take your time, trying right.
things right
if
A
lock
was hke
you wanted
He dropped lock.
He was
wanted
to
a lady
now and
then, to
make
sure
with principles; you had to do
tried out the
fitting into the lock,
heard the deadbolt move.
out
to get close to her.
The fourth time Mamoru notches
it
It
new
key, he could feel the five
and he slowly turned
it.
As he did
so,
he
had taken him twelve minutes.
the key into his pocket, and then blew gently into the
sure no one
remove any
would go
to the trouble to check, but he
traces of baking powder.
Then he stood up and
opened the door.
As
Mamoru walked
sort of darkness.
into the apartment, he
beamed adjusted
stood
light it
still
empty
in.
woman had
left
was
it
behind the scent of her cologne.
and pulled out a penlight.
he had found in Akihabara.
It
He
was
a strong,
switched
it
narrow-
on and then
to the strongest setting so that he could get his bearings.
apartment had the shoes
in a different
There was a smell of something sweet, but
very faint. The dead
Mamoru
found himself
To
vase.
tiniest of
his right
hallways, just large enough to remove one's
was a cupboard
On the wall
The
behind
it,
for shoes,
there
was
on top of which was an
a reproduction of a picture
by Marie Laurencin.
Mamoru was unnerved to see the pale face of the girl in the painting looking down at him. His cousin liked the same artist and had all her books. The tones were romantic, but they were not the sort of pictures to look at in a dark place.
Now Mamoru was
sure that he
would always
hate them.
Next, shining the
light
on
his feet,
he was glad that he hadn't moved.
Right by his right foot was a metal umbrella stand; it
would
carefully
74
surely have
around
it
woken up
the neighbors
and into the room.
MIYUKIMIYABE
on
if
he'd kicked
either side.
He
it
over,
stepped
He was now
the drainboard next to the sink. a white table
enough
to
and two
bump
erator; both
Two
in the tiny kitchen.
chairs.
An oven
into.
were white,
was another door with
Mamoru opened
A
a sticker
the door
They were completely ceiling
lamp with
the
on
dry.
There was
shade was low
a red
on top of
on
set
one-person
refrig-
cupboard beside them. Next
to this
toaster sat
was
as
cups and saucers were
it
a
that said "Bathroom."
and walked
in.
After using his penlight to
confirm that there was no window, he flipped the light switch. The fluo-
on
rescent light blinked
reluctantly.
Yoko Sugano was obviously very and pink.
Toiletries
and
long It
hair, realized
It
bath and
hair, or
toilet.
A
were arranged neatly
single long hair
was on
the
must have been Yoko's and she must have had
Mamoru.
occurred to him that he didn't
wore her
and she liked the colors white
slippers, all in pastel pink,
in the off-white single-unit
edge of the bathtub.
neat,
how
even
tall
know what
she was.
and the newspapers had not printed her
He
she looked like,
how
she
hadn't gone to her funeral,
picture.
He was
almost certain
that even his uncle hadn't clearly seen her face in the split-second before
he
hit her. It
was
What
a realization that could destroy your courage at a single swipe.
did he think he
was doing here? Mamoru slunk out
room, leaving the door from outside and
ble
it
was another room on
room had a simple
a
and the
light on.
The
light
wouldn't be
helped him see the entire apartment
the other side of the kitchen,
floor
better.
and that was
and was about four meters square.
In
visi-
There it.
The
it
was
bed and a low chest of drawers. Next to the window was the
sort of desk
the
wooden
ajar
of the bath-
and chair that
room matched
a do-it-yourself
a student
might
use.
The rug
in the center of
the plastic-sided portable closet, the type
shop and assemble
at
you buy
in
home. The zippered opening was
half undone.
Mamoru
imagined Yoko's mother must have gone through her
things, looking for
something to dress her
in
when
she
was
laid in the
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
75
casket.
Mamoru drew
closer
and noticed
a pleasant scent.
Where should he begin? He had considered had planned a
to look for a diary, but
photo album.
research her
He had
he decided what he needed was
further.
was
full
of photos, mainly of
were from
a trip,
showmg
and making peace
a
looked
He found one on
any
It
that
now
know what Yoko
life
bookcase.
era
to
the center of her back
the
like before
bottom
he could
shelf of a tall
women. Some looked
like
they
group dressed for hiking posing for the cam-
signs, a waterfall in the
Yoko Sugano must be
ahead of time and
this
the
tall,
background.
He
pale girl with straight hair
who showed up most
There were pictures of her with another
girl
down
to
frequently in the photos.
who
resembled
them wearing kimonos. This must be her younger ably been photographed during the last
decided
New
sister.
her,
both of
They had prob-
Year's holiday
when
she
went back home.
As he moved inside of the
to replace the album, a card
back cover.
It
fell
out of a pocket on the
was an old student ID card
for a
This was Mamoru's proof that he had picked out the right
cram
school.
girl as
Yoko.
She was very pretty, he thought. Xot the type you might walk up to on the street
and ask
showroom
fancy
for directions.
You'd expect
to see her
in a
for office equipment, or something like that.
Nice to meet you, and sorry to he here prying into your
Looking back
working
at the
bookcase,
Mamoru saw
that
it
life.
was
full.
There
were some mysteries and romance novels, but what stood out were the language books. Judging from the dictionaries, Yoko must have been studying English and French. There were books aimed at taking specific tests,
guides for would-be interpreters, and others about studying abroad.
He
couldn't find a diary.
Nor was purse
Maybe
there any appointment
when
she wasn't in the habit of keeping one.
book or address book. Were they
in her
she died?
How about letters? Mamoru
noticed a bulletin board at the head of her bed and a letter
holder next to
Id
it.
There were not many
MIYUKI MIYABE
letters in
it.
Everyone makes
tele-
phone
calls these days,
himself had written a
he thought, unable to remember the
last
time he
letter.
There was a postcard from a beauty salon and a picture postcard from
who had
a friend
great time
.
.
.
The only
letter
was from
had small flowers scattered over writing of a young fine,
that
How
written from overseas.
woman.
It
it
having a
in the
rounded hand-
short, saying that everyone
and that
job,
Fm
Yukiko Sugano. The stationary
a
and was written
was very
Yukiko had got a new
are youf
if
Yoko
visited during the
September holiday weekend she'd be able to see Ayako's baby. The lines
were taken up with asking
well the last time they
after
was
final
Yoko's health. She hadn't sounded
had spoken on the phone, was everything
all
right?
Mamoru felt something heavy in the pit of his stomach. He had been sure that he'd learn something by coming here. He never should have paid attention to that telephone call. Had he imagined he'd find a confession of
some kind?
What would someone
my room^
in
criminal.
He
He
he wondered.
Then he'd be
mentally compared
The
TV
He might
my
lock-picking equipment
be suspected of being a career
in trouble.
down on
sighed, sat
simple.
think if they found
it
the floor,
and looked around the room again.
was
painfully
a generation before.
Yoko had
to his cousin Maki's
and radio w6re
old,
from
room.
It
probably got them secondhand. There was no video deck and even the
lampshade was awkward and old-fashioned. The curtains were the cheapest sort available.
The
entire building
had leaked through the
was
wall.
fashioned, and the floor the rent
was
here.
old.
Mamoru
found two spots where water
The kitchen and bathroom
was covered with
scratches.
faucets
were old-
He wondered what
Yoko probably got some money from
her parents that
she supplemented with a part-time job. Life couldn't have been easy. all
female college students lived the rich
life
and wore designer
Not
clothes.
What about money?
Mamoru was
not pleased with the extent of his
own
prying, but he
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
77
went ahead and thought some more about
it.
What had
Yoko's finances
been Hke?
He might
as well find out everything he could while he
was
here, he
reasoned, as he began opening up drawers. In the second drawer of her
wad
desk he found a
of receipts and a simple record of her housekeeping
accounts along with two bankbooks.
He opened
use.
the
newer one. She
One had been stamped
as out of
lived a frugal lifestyle, with the bal-
ance dropping to a few hundred yen each month. Once a month there
was
a deposit of
Within
a
80,000 yen. This must have come from her parents.
day or so of
this there
was
a
bank
transfer labeled "salary."
The previous month she had earned 103,541 back over the preceding months. The August, July
.
.
.
figures
yen.
Mamoru
were the same
in
searched
September,
but there was an enormous change the previous April.
She had been making
much more.
There were deposits for 250,000 yen and even 600,000 yen, and they were cash deposits with no indication as to where they came from.
There was
little
difference in the regular small
every time the balance reached 500,000 yen,
Mamoru were
it
had
long-term savings. She had
made
been withdrawn.
seven long-term deposits of
500,000 yen each. One had been withdrawn
in April,
but three million
left.
Mamoru
looked around once again.
Had Yoko
million yen while living such a modest lifestyle? savings
all
kept flipping back the pages until he came to the one on which
listed
yen were
payments she made, but
book and discovered
really
saved up three
He opened up
the old
had begun
Febru-
that the large deposits
in
ary of the preceding year. During the fifteen months between then and April of this year,
saved
Yoko Sugano had been extremely
had
it all.
Why had
she saved so much, and
He opened up "cost of
what had she done
to earn
it.^
her housekeeping accounts. All of her expenses for
each month had been duly recorded.
78
well off, and she
On
April 12, there
moving" and "deposit and key money." This
MIYUKIMIYABE
was an entry is
for
what she had
used the one long-term savings deposit on.
months For
since she
fifteen
she had
had moved
six
here.
months she had been earning
moved
had only been about
It
amounts of money, and
large
here at the same time as she stopped doing so. That point
ran through Mamoru's brain over and over, just
like a
needle on a bro-
ken record.
Thanks for
But what was
Mamoru thought a else. It
it
it
coming.
she had done?
put the bankbooks back, folded his arms across his chest, and
He
longer.
little
Then he noticed
was
She had
killing her.
considered whether he should look for anything
a small red light shining in the
The red
the telephone answering machine.
set to take
Mamoru
messages.
dimly light
lit
room.
meant
fumbled around with the phone
it
was
until he
located the tiny cassette tape in the machine.
There might be something on Using his penlight to
it.
he rewound the tape and began playing
see,
it
from the beginning. "This row. Let
Morimoto. I'm going on
is
me
see
your notes when
I
a trip
and
get back
—
I
won't be
I'll
in class
tomor-
be sure to bring some-
thing back for you."
There was a high-pitched tone, and then the next voice began speaking. "Hi, this
is
Yukiko.
The next voice was "This
coming
would
is
a
back again.
call
Why are you out all the time?"
man.
Sakamoto from
in for
like
I'll
the
Hashida Prep School. Thank you for
an interview the other day. We've decided to hire you and
you
to start
work next week.
The next voice was another man, and
Please call his voice
"Did you change your phone number?"
man who had called Mamoru's killing her.
She had
it
coming.
house.
It
was
when you
was animated. the raspy voice of the
The one who had
Mamoru
listened
get this."
more
said
Thanks for
closely as the voice
continued. "It
took some time. But
it
wasn't too hard to get your
new number
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
79
Oh
and address.
well.
wanted
I
to
tell
you
Information Channel at a used bookstore.
you It
It
you
can't escape. Talk to
was
I
I
found another copy of you,
feel for
I
really do, but
later!"
the last call on the tape.
was him,
The voice Mamoru kept hearing
all right.
same man who had
When had
called his house
he called her?
had
also called
How long before
in his head.
The
Yoko Sugano.
she died?
You cant escape. She had
moved and changed
mation Channel} Did
it
her phone number, too.
have anything to do with
all
What was
that
money
Infor-
she had
made?
The questions kept running around and around
He to
decided that he was done for the night.
work
had
with. There
to be
some kind of meaning
left
the apartment
in
in circles.
had some clues
what
and headed back toward the
where the accident had taken
there,
and knelt down
place.
to tie his shoelace.
He
that
man
ground on the other
Mamoru
side.
intersec-
stopped for a few moments
Looking up again, he saw
ver gray car pass slowly through the intersection.
out.
head
finally
said.
Mamoru tion
had
He
his
It
a
sil-
stopped by the play-
The car door opened and someone stepped
decided he'd better play
it
safe, so
he withdrew to the side
of the road and watched. It
was
was to
a
man
Mamoru,
in a suit.
but
He was
Mamoru
tall,
could
with broad shoulders. His back
tell
he wasn't young. Purple smoke
spread out over his head from the cigarette he was smoking. he doing here so Just as
late at night?
Mamoru had
done, he stood in the middle of the quiet
intersection, looking
up
Mamoru's
Mamoru
direction.
shadows. The
man had
at the traffic light.
M
I
Y U K
I
M
I
YA B E
Then he turned around
in
hurriedly stepped back further into the
a square
silver at the temples.
80
What was
jaw and neatly combed hair that was
man went back
After about five minutes the aw^ay.
smoke
Mamoru
''Information
Mamoru
he passed through the intersection.
in the air as
Channels
began w^ork on Sunday by sorting the magazines that had
passed their three-week shelf ers.
The Books
section
noisy and bustling.
was
Sato wrinkled his
never heard of
a book.
it
was
was
I
it.
it's
'copy
was
Sato were bent over in uncomfortable task.
as he mulled over the unfamiliar
Are you sure
sure you'd
to be returned to the publish-
of customers, and the atmosphere
full
monotonous
brow
listed as a
The voice on
and were
life
Mamoru and
positions, busy with their
"Yes,
and drove
headed for home. The scent of cigarette
set off at a run,
hung
still
to his car
name
the
of,'
so
it's
name.
"I've
of a magazine?"
got to be either a magazine or
know."
machine had said he'd found another
the answering
copy of Information Channel at a used bookstore.
"A suspicious-sounding name
like that
wouldn't be
a
book." Sato
seemed to be enjoying the puzzle.
"And "It
it
probably wouldn't
sell
well either,"
Mamoru
added.
probably went out of publication after a few months.
of just about every magazine that's lasted at least a year.
I've
Do you
heard
have a
copy yourself?"
"No,
I
just
know
the name.
It's
probably been
in print during the last
year or so." "I guess
we could look
it
up, but
I
wonder
if it
would be
listed. It
might be some kind of underground publication and probably has weird
a
subtitle attached to it."
Underground publication^ Sugano was
Why
a beautiful girl; she
hadn't he thought of that?
might have been a model. And
Yoko
all
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
that
81
money
bankbook
her
in
.
.
.
she'd never have earned that
much
in a typi-
cal part-time job!
As he and Sato removed the covers from the outdated magazines, Sato sighed, "All the beautiful
You've got to
feel
on these are
girls
off to the pulp factory.
many magazines
sorry for them. But just think of how^
there are around! You're looking for a needle in a haystack!"
"Yeah,
I
young men! Working
"Hail,
man
guess you're right."
Books
section,
Today he was wearing a
and
rity
dressed
what suit,
robe
for the
—
it
suit
Makino, the plainclothes
hard.^"
ambled over from the
Mamoru
tie.
much
wasn't what he wore so
the outfit, he looked comfortable in
he looked full
like
an executive
of beautiful clothes.
who had
When
was
a two-bit
service stairway.
always admired the
way he
how he wore it. No matter When he had on an English
room with an enormous ward-
a
he wore a thin jacket with a pair of
worn-out jeans and stuffed a racing form ever doubt he
as it.
secu-
gambler on
in his
his
back pocket, no one would
way home from
the track.
"Stay on your toes today, young men. Your youthful clientele are face-to-face with final exams,
"Hey,
that's
"And I'm
me
glad
you're talking about,"
and
still
"This
this
in
Mamoru
spoke up.
to let
him
away with
get
from someone who took
patter, but
it.
eight years to get through college,
doesn't have a decent job?" IS
"Right. sional
fidgety."
you and not me." Sato kept up the
it's
Makino wasn't about
"And
and they are
a job."
How long
worker
in a
are
you going
to continue your career as
an occa-
bookstore? You'll never earn enough to get a pension
your old age and
lie
around
all
day bothering your wife." Makino
sniffed.
"You know what they say about reading too much, don't you?
Women
miss their chance to marry, and
"Come
on,
nobody
believes that
Just then Sato broke
in.
that Information Channel
82
MIYUKI MIYABE
men
lose their balls."
anymore,"
"Mamoru!
I
think
Mamoru I
laughed.
figured out
you were talking about."
how
to find
"How?" "Our Madame Anzai.
She'll
be able to
with that boyfriend of hers, that
"Hasn't broke up? That's a
Masako
x\nzai's career in
rell
us
—
if
she hasn't broke up
is."
tine
way
of putting
it,"
clucked Makino.
Books had been even longer than
had an imposing presence that resulted
She
Sato's.
in ever\^one calling her
Madame,
and she would not be pleased to learn that Sato had thought of her when
someone mentioned women missing
their
chance to marry.
wouldn't do anything for that Sato, but
"I
was her response when
"Have you "Give
me
ever heard of it?"
a little time,
a freelance writer
and I'm sure
I'll
come up with something. He's
who
One
you more than
a
to sort the magazines,
What
could someone have been using
She had been
a college student.
into an unfortunate situation, led
money.
reported about
database that will
tell
It
was
Mamoru wondered what
was an underground publica-
If it
it
to blackmail her?
She might have unwittingly slipped
on by
a glib
just the sort of thing
tongue and the promise of
T\' programs and magazines
modern young women.
She might have met her blackmailer She might have tried to escape
Or
"Someday he
did Information Channel possess that could have
caused such misery for Yoko Sugano?
a lot of
a
was
newspaper could."
As he continued up.
of her boyfriends
collected magazines as a hobby.
wants to open a library for magazines. He's got
tion,
Kusaka,"
asked about the mysterious publication.
not someone who's easy to get a hold of."
would come
can't ignore
I
when he
at that intersection that night.
refused to
let
her go.
— and a new thought occurred to Mamoru — she might have com-
mitted suicide, leaping into the path of a car because she was unable to deal with the situation any longer. She might have been describing
had happened
to her
when
she groaned,
It^s
awful, awful!
How
what could
hef before she died.
While they waited
for
word from Madame's
boyfriend,
Mamoru was
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
83
"
able to get a look at
One
Makino
work
at
as he deftly caught several shoplifters.
two high school
case involved
girls
who
tried to hide a
book of
photos of a popular rock band under a loose-fitting sweatshirt. Makino
had tapped them on the shoulder the instant they put
way
leading to the next floor.
The
girls
had frozen
screen, just then displaying a scene of a cool
"What
idiots!" noted
watched the
them
girls
Madame
a foot
on the
stair-
in front of the giant
Canadian
lake.
as she stood at the cash register
being hauled off to the
office.
and
"Their school will expel
for sure."
Neither of the culprits looked too concerned.
"Do you
think they'll be that hard on them? Those
girls
don't act like
they think they've committed a crime."
"No, they
we
call
don't.
And
the police don't always take
them, but schools are different." The
form of one of the top private
girls'
girls
it
seriously
when
were wearing the uni-
schools in Tokyo.
"Makino
told
me
schools like that call in the parents as soon as they find out any-
strict
thing,
and make them stand
teachers decide
how
in the hall
to punish them.
with their daughters while the
Sometimes
it
takes hours; you'd
almost think that was punishment enough."
"So they get expelled?" "That's
what
I
hear."
"Just for something they did
on
a
whim?"
Now Mamoru had
begun
to feel sorry for them.
"Hmm, on sliding
down
a
whim
..."
whim'
fixed the glasses that
had begun
her nose, and cocked her head. "I might be old-fashioned,
and you might be speaking 'on a
Madame
is
for the next generation, but
I
believe the term
obsolete. Kids these days set out to steal; there's nothing
impulsive about
it.
They think they can apologize
tary temptation. But that doesn't
make up
for giving into
momen-
for losses of 4.5 million yen a
year.
"Is that
how much
shoplifting, but he'd
84
M
I
Y U K
I
M
I
Mamoru knew there was a just how much it amounted to.
gets stolen?"
had no idea
YA B E
lot of
Madame
Anzai nodded.
"We make 20
million yen a
month
for a
space of 300 square meters, and that's not good to start out with."
"Twenty miUion yen "Well,
a
it's
little
isn't
Mamoru was dumbfounded. that now that Takano is m charge. The
good?"
more than
pay the employees and other
store has to
costs, right
.^
So the actual profit
only amounts to 4.4 million a month. That means that
amounts
to 4.5 million a year,
just to cover
"And
it's
we work
for nothing for a
if
shoplifting
whole month
it.
same
the
in all the sales areas.
It's
even worse with
CDs and
videos. Stores that are any smaller than this get run out of business." All those tiny thefts "I
added up
to a lot.
hear some of the kids get together to trade things they've
They're
all
Makino
lifted.
fencing stolen goods!"
returned just as
Madame
finished her lecture.
"So what happened?" she asked.
"They begged Takano not
way
here, so
I
unhappy about were
just
to call the school. Their parents are
guess they get a lecture and go home." it.
"I'm sure that wasn't the
slow today, and
that's
why
I
first
I've
their
Makino looked
time they've done
caught them.
on
it.
They
probably missed
them before."
Madame touch when
spoke it
comes
The other case of girls.
purposely loud voice. "That Takano's a soft
in a
to girls!"
shoplifting
A young man who
was
in direct contrast to the high school
claimed to be a
member
no one had ever heard of was discovered and
a special issue of a
The
total for the
The
before he had
left
for the elevator.
book of plays
was not
clear-cut.
Makino caught
the sales area, although he
He made no
Makino with
art.
yen.
had
the culprit
clearly been heading
attempt to escape, instead claiming that he
intended to pay, opening his wallet to threatened
to have a large
magazine featuring photographs of onstage
two was 12,000
case, however,
of a theater group that
show
that he
had 30,000 yen. He
suing the store for defamation of character.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
85
Mamoru watched the scene anxiously from behind the shelf of recent publications. He knew that Laurel had had similar threats before, and had even made the papers. He also knew that
that they
employees had been disciplined
number
a
of
connection with the incidents.
in
This time, however, luck was on Makino's side, as the guy also had
two
videogame software from the second
pieces of
and
called in,
it
floor.
The
police
were
turned out that they had caught a shoplifter with eight
previous convictions.
my
had
"I've
"It
for a long time;
I
knew
him even-
I'd get
Makino. "But you know, he was sloppy today.
tually," said
way he
him
eye on
It's
not the
usually operates."
was your powers of perception!" Mamoru
when he was
Later
"Makino
discussing the arrest with Sato, Sato told him,
hot this week, he's already caught four shoplifters.
is
some
he's got
Mamoru
Maybe
sixth sense going."
finally got
word from Madame Anzai during
break. She walked into the storage
memo
coffee, a
smiled.
in her
hand.
"My
his
room where Mamoru was
lunch
drinking
boyfriend says there definitely was a
magazine called Information Channel.'' "Really?"
Mamoru
Madame moved "Come
stood up in his excitement and spilled his coffee.
quickly aside to avoid
on, can
it
really be that
it.
important?"
"It really is."
"It
has suspicious origins, you know. The
end of
last year,
and there were only four
through the usual channels, but
it
first
issue
came out
issues all told.
was put out by
It
at the
was
sold
a publisher that
no
one's ever heard of."
"What kind
"My
of magazine
was
it?
I
really don't
know, but he said
zine you'd put out for the kids to
86
the publisher?"
boyfriend only has a record of having seen
copies, so
handed
Who's
Mamoru
the
memo.
MIYUKI MIYABE
it's
it.
There aren't any
not the sort of
girlie
maga-
thumb through. Here you go." She
"
"This
the person in charge.
Mamoru trip
name and
the pubHsher's
is
I
doubt
and
here's the information
on
you'll be able to get hold of them, though."
memo
handled the
address,
as
though
it
was
won
a ticket he'd
for a
around the world.
"I'm sure you'd
like to
know how busy we
Mamoru knew
be on your way," frowned
Madame, "but you
are today.
that they were shorthanded;
afternoon and one of the other
girls
it
was
busy weekend
a
had already gone home with
a
Now she whipped
it
headache.
"But—"
Madame had
kept her
left
hand behind her back.
out and flashed something in Mamoru's face. "Here's your permission to leave early.
Takano
told
me
to let
you do whatever you needed
Mamoru headed off to the locker room, Madame Anzai, her boyfriend, and Takano.
The phone was answered by "Hello! This
Mamoru
IS
Love
looked
his heart full of
a cheerful-sounding
to."
thanks for
woman.
Love."'
down
at the
memo Madame
had handed him. There
was no mistaking Madame's neat handwriting: "company
president,
Yoshiyuki Mizuno."
"Excuse me, "Yes, this
is
I
was given
this
number
for the
Mizunos."
Mizuno."
"I'm looking for a Yoshiyuki Mizuno."
my husband." Mamoru breathed a sigh "That's
of
relief. "I'd like to talk to
magazine he used to publish. Information There was a brief pause before the a laugh in her voice.
a
Channel
woman
"What do you want
him about
to
spoke again,
know about
this
time with
it?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
87
"I'm afraid
can't discuss
I
Kusaka. I'm a student
.
.
it
over the phone.
Do you
name
is
We
have the address?
I'll
give
run a coffee shop called
you
directions."
There hadn't been any need for directions. Love Love was location in front of a train station.
windows and awnings.
style
The shop was
of the
full
Mamoru
I'm not out to cause any trouble."
.
"Well then, you might as well come by.
Love Love.
My
It
was painted
in a
prime
white, and had Western-
Inside, a large ceiling fan turned slowly.
Sunday afternoon crowd; most of the
tomers looked young. Music was playing
in the
background.
cus-
Mamoru
noticed a laser disc jukebox.
"My, what
a sweet-looking boy!"
greeted him. She
wore
a loose-fitting sweater, tight jeans,
a scent of cologne.
had a
Her black
hair
single streak of light
came down
to her shoulders,
I
to
was
know about Information
the one
who
financed
it,
noticed
and one
brown.
"I'm Akemi Mizuno, Yoshiyuki's wife. You're
want
and leather san-
Mamoru
She didn't appear to be wearing any makeup, but
dals.
side
A tall, thin woman in her mid-thirties
Mamoru,
Channel^ I'm sure
and
I
I
right? If
you
can help you out.
got stuck with cleaning up after
it
failed." "Is
Mr. Mizuno here?"
Akemi laughed.
"I've got
no idea where he
is.
Once he goes
out, he's
gone for a while."
Akemi stood behind of her. She fixed
man
like
him
a
the counter,
cup of
you have with
coffee.
a filthy
get your hands
Mamoru
"What
magazine
have to have your fun, but there are
you could
and
a seat in front
business does a nice
like that?
lots of other
on much more
took
I
young
know you boys
magazines and videos
easily."
"So Information Channel was a porn magazine?"
"That was the category
enough
to
sell.
Good
was
in,
but
it
apparently wasn't dirty
intentions, but nothing to back
Yoshiyuki for you."
88
it
MIYUKI MIYABE
them up. That's
"Do you have any
copies left?"
Why do
Akemi's smile disappeared. "You're serious, aren't you? a feeling that
don't know^ w^hat you're up to,
if I
it's
I
have
me
going to cause
trouble later?"
Mamoru
explained everything to
he had thought up on his
found a copy in
it
of a
"So
who
girl
why
in a
He
over.
looked a
told her that a friend of his
had
lot like his long-lost sister.
didn't your friend it
buy
it
show you?"
to
much
was
really her.
own
coffee cup in a neatly manicured
So
for friends helping
you
huh?"
Akemi picked up thought hard.
her
Mamoru
my hands
left
over?
could just get
If I
on one ..."
Akemi looked
at
months ago looking
Mamoru. "There was someone for copies of that magazine.
you, but he was doing the same thing. time, but he
was
just as serious
and he bought them
about
was
daughter,
a
He was
as you.
it
We
few
a lot older than it
at the
had some copies
left,
all.
model
and keep them out of I
else in here a
didn't think anything of
I
"I'm pretty sure that someone he was close
him
hand and
pressed on.
"Are you sure you don't have any copies
told
he gave her the story
is,
used book store, and told him that there was a picture
"He never thought out,
way
That
her.
didn't care
in
one of the
issues.
daughter or a grand-
He wanted
circulation. Yoshiyuki
how much
to, a
and
he paid those
I
had
girls,
to
buy them
a fight over
all
it. I
what was wrong
was wrong." "So you don't have any copies his
left?"
Mamoru
felt his
heart sink into
stomach.
"We've got one copy of each
you want
to see
issue.
them? Aren't there any other ways of finding your
You're going to get a terrible shock "I don't
Yoshiyuki insisted. Are you sure
if
sister?
your friend was right."
mind. Please show them to me."
Akemi took Mamoru around
the back
and through an
office of sorts.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
89
The desk was
lined with
files,
and there was
a
monthly calendar on the
wall.
Akemi Mizuno was
a
businesswoman. Her husband seemed to be the
type who, financed by his wife,
put his mind
was
free to
dabble in any
new
venture he
to.
"Here they the magazines
are.
We
closed up shop after the fourth one."
on the desk and
left
Mamoru
Akemi put
alone to look through them.
Information Channel was the sort of magazine you'd go to a convenience store late at night to look through, keeping your back to the cash
Mamoru looked at each page carefully, before turning next. He was glad there was no one else there to see him.
register.
the
Then he found
back into the shop, Akemi was chatting with
Someone had put money
he knew. Well
we
over to
it.
When Mamoru went customer.
it
all
in the
jukebox;
it
was playing
a
a
song
have a face that we hide away forever, and we take
them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone
.
.
.
what you were looking for?" Akemi turned
to look at
Mamoru nodded. "Do you know who wrote this article?" He spread out a copy of the second issue of Information
Channel.
"Did you
find
him.
There was a photo of the upper bodies of four women. All of them beautiful.
Their skin and hair shone even through the grainy photos. They
were laughing and chatting together.
The second woman from
the
left
was Yoko Sugano; Mamoru recognized
her from the photos he had found in her apartment. Below the picture was a large headline: "These high-earners use every sexy trick in the
what they want.
Below
modern
90
book
to get
Lovers-for-hire talk about their real feelings."
that were quotes
prostitutes:
from the women. The
you pay us
MIYUKI MIYABE
first
one read, "We're
to fall in love with you."
The address Akemi gave Mamoru was another half-hour away, outside the
city.
was
The
had one
station only
was
estabhshed neighborhood, there
with newly paved
Mamoru middle-aged
man
kindly drew a
and
it
led to a small
with
a
that
an
old,
brand-new housing development
trees.
in a knitted vest sat at a desk,
ask for directions.
reading the paper.
A
He
the back of an old listing.
slow
at a
town
lived. Instead of
in at a real estate office to
map on
"Ten minutes
Mamoru
streets lined
stopped
exit,
where the Asanos
utterly unlike the district
stroll,"
he stated.
arrived at a green house. Despite the
edges of the roof and the
and the gate had come
modern
window frames were showing
off
design, the
signs of wear,
hinges and was leaning against the wall.
its
Instead of curtains in the windows, battered Venetian blinds had been pulled
down. The windows looked
as
if it
had been
at least a year since
they were last cleaned.
Mamoru walked up on which
a nameplate
three steps
at the front
Mamoru pushed the
the
name Akemi had
dust}^ doorbell just as
to see a
man
given him.
someone
said, "It's
It
broken."
with unshaved stubble around his jaw
leaning out of a small window. "The electrician won't
Can you
door
announced "Nobuhiko and Masami Hashimoto."
Nobuhiko Hashimoto was
He wheeled around
and found himself
come
to fix
it.
believe that?"
was already evening, but
he had just
woken
up.
the
man
squinting in the light looked as
"The door's not locked. Come on
to sign for something, don't
you?" As soon as the
man
in.
if
You need me
finished speaking,
he pulled his head back inside.
Mamoru opened cupboard, with as
its
the door
mahogany
though someone
in a
bad
and stood veneer,
in the tiny hallway.
had been badly damaged.
mood had
hurled something at
one of the liquor bottles which were strewn
though a number of people had
"Where
is
it?" the
man
just
had
in the hallway. It
The shoe It
looked
it,
maybe
looked as
a party there.
asked.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
91
"Are you Nobuhiko Hashimoto?" countered Mamoru, trying to maintain his composure.
Where do
"That's right.
"I'm not
Mamoru eyelids there's
a
I
sign?"
deliveryman.
came
I
you about
to ask
this article."
pulled out a copy of Information Journal, and one of the man's
began to twitch. "I'm sorry to show up here something
I
of a sudden, but
all
need to know."
"Who gave you my name?" When Mamoru told him that Akemi Mizuno had sent him, the man grimaced and gave Mamoru a hard look. "Aren't you a little too young for this sort of thing?" He laughed mirthlessly. "She told me that you're the one who wrote this interview." Hashimoto closed
his eyes
and put
his
hand
got a hangover. You'll understand one day. think
I
feel
good enough
Mamoru
to talk to
to his temple. "Look, I've
My head
is
pounding.
I
don't
anyone about work."
implored, "Just listen to what I've got to
I'm not here
say.
out of curiosity."
The man looked back
at the
come
in."
at
Mamoru
through narrowed
magazine, and back at
The kitchen was
Mamoru.
eyes.
"All right. You'd better
narrow hallway.
to the right of the
the ruins of a kitchen buried in piles of dirty dishes
food. Here, too, flies
empty liquor
patrolled overhead.
bottles
Then he looked
It
was more
and rotten
long
it
leftover
A number
of
would take
to
were scattered about.
Mamoru wondered how
like
excavate the kitchen from the mess.
The man
led
the living room.
Mamoru
Now
it
into
was
what had
a
home
certainly been intended to be
office in
shambles. The
room was
divided in half by a large desk, on top of which were more bottles and a
computer with
a printer.
A
a gray cover.
Next
to
bookcase reached up to the
that could be slid to the side to reveal stuffed full of books. There
92
MIYUKI MIYABE
it
was
a smaller
ceiling,
more
desk holding
equipped with shelves
shelves in the back.
were so many that
it
reminded
It
was
Mamoru
of
the
book
stacks at Laurel.
Father, by
had picked
Gay
Talese.
It
The only
he recognized was
had been popular the year
what
up, curious to see
it
title
it
before,
recommended
Honor Thy
and
Mamoru
for people without
fathers to respect.
Everything in the
The only
room looked
was covered with
neglected and
things without a layer of dust were the bottles that
something
still
had
them.
in
Mamoru
dust.
sat
down on
poked
the sofa opposite the desk. Stuffing
through numerous holes, and indecipherable stains were scattered over it
like so
many
islands.
he ask to use the "So,
and
lit
what up
Mamoru
decided that under no condition would
toilet.
are
you here for?" Hashimoto
He looked
a cigarette.
sat across
hand through
Mamoru
to be in his mid-thirties, but his
expression gave the impression that he had lost didn't even run a
from
all
purpose
his disheveled hair in
in life.
He
an attempt to be
presentable.
Mamoru
decided to
tell
him
the truth.
He
and told Hashimoto about the anonymous
Yoko Sugano
before she died
it
was about
to burn
caller, the
words spoken by
— everything.
Hashimoto chain-smoked short
started at the beginning,
his'
When
as he listened. fingers,
he used
it
a cigarette
was
so
to quickly light the next
one before dropping the butt into an empty can. "I see," "It
was
he
finally said.
"So Yoko Sugano
is
dead."
Mamoru didn't mean to be rude, but his tone someone who made their living writing articles ought to be
in the paper."
implied that
reading newspapers.
Hashimoto flashed him reading the papers is
so bad,
I
lately.
as
I
haven't been
Nothing exciting ever happens and the writing
know who Yoko Sugano
The names of the women them
"Yeah, well,
hate reading them."
"But you
to
a greasy grin.
in the article
is.
This
is
her in the photo, right?"
were not given; the
article referred
Miss A, Miss B, and so on.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
93
Hashimoto was looking out
Mamoru was spoke
"Yeah,
there.
quietly. " Yoko
ing to her.
the
window, almost
He
that's her."
if
he had forgotten
turned back to his guest and
Sugano was pan of the
interview.
remember her because, even though
I
as
I
was
made
she
there talk-
less
money
than the others, she was the prettiest."
Mamoru was women
"So are these other
felt dizzy.
people you know, too?"
"No, I
so relieved that he
I
had
go looking for
to
women who would
agree to talk to me.
paid them well, of course. They each got 100,000 yen for the rsvo-hour
and
interview, plus dinner
"Why so "So
much?''
could use their photos." Hashimoto laughed at Mamoru's con-
I
fusion. "I didn't in the article.
that
I
tell
told
I
used to making
known
them
that.
I'd
They were supposed
Now
for doing almost nothing, but they should have like that
himself.
was published. Yoko Sugano
"They
all
com-
called, too."
did she say?"
"'How could you? You've 'Don't worry, your friends
ruined
who
my
life!'
Things
like that.
So
I
said,
aren't involved in this sort of thing
wouldn't come within a mile of a magazine
— she obviously
know.' She started cr\'ing in that
without expecting some-
Hashimoto was enjoying
article
anonymous
to be
take pictures but not use them. They were
wouldn't make an outlay
when the
"What
them
money
thing in return."
plained
taxi fare."
like this.
didn't have
No what
one it
will ever
took to be
hne of work."
Mamoru knew
that
Yoko had been
frightened. She had
moved and
changed her phone number. He recalled the message on her answering machine: Yow can't escape.
women know each other before this interview?" "I don't think so. I don't know if they became friends afterward. If it was me, wouldn't want to have any friends from that side of my life." "So did the four
I
Hashimoto stood up with an bottles lying nearby,
94
M
I
YUK
I
M
I
air of
and dug around
YA BE
purpose.
He grabbed one
in the piles
on the desk
of the
until he
found a right?
dirty glass
So
I
under a
pile of
he would want a drink out of that bottle no
Hashimoto simultaneously plumped back down
He
Mamoru
filled the glass
in his seat, spilling
some of
from the bottle and
the
amber
liquid in the
"The king of whiskeys!"
indicated the bottle.
pondered the notion that Hashimoto had forsaken most of
his life to serve this king,
way
a minor,
won't offer you a drink."
Mamoru didn't think matter how old he was.
process.
books on economics. "You're
although there was no hint of regret
in the
he sniffed at his glass. Mamoru's heart was getting heavier by the
moment.
"Do you know what
Mamoru
nodded.
those
He had
girls
did?
What
'lovers for hire'
surreptitiously read the article
and was pretty sure he understood the basic
means?"
on the
train
idea.
wrote those 'quotes' under the photos. They never said those
"I
things. But
I
was wrong
—
it
wasn't
fair to
women who do make
living as prostitutes. Real prostitutes give their
their
customers something in
return for their money."
A
single fly
He
away.
buzzed through the room. Hashimoto
pointed at
Imagine you work driver, or a
work
Mamoru
shifts at ^
Then, one day, you get a
how about
with his glass. "OK,
computer company, or you're
You go days without even
call
phone
ringing. "Is this
receiver to his ear,
seeing a
and made
Mamoru Kusaka? A
me your number. Do you
don't already have a girlfriend,
Hashimoto spoke In
this?
a truck
woman.
think
a
in
why
don't
we could meet?
we
sound
mutual friend of I
know
shouldn't be calling boys, but your friend said you were so nice.
lids.
it
from one."
Hashimoto put an imaginary
ours gave
brush
high school teacher. Anyway, you're always busy and you
long, irregular hours.
like a
tried to
If
girls
you
get together?"
an absurdly high-pitched voice and batted
his eye-
situation, it would have made Mamoru laugh out loud. careful at first, and you'd ask who had given her your
any other
"You'd be
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
95
number. She'd laugh and say she'd been sworn to secrecy. Then she'd
you over and over; when you were
One day you'd
cold dinners alone.
was
the
harm? You had
to spend
it
little bit
from
his eyes fixed
give in
and agree to meet
girl
on Hashimoto's
who shows
who'd
some kind of
He'd had
face.
girl
and knows how
him
survey.
up," continued Hashimoto, "is beautiful.
to talk. She's delighted to
makes you happy,
a sim-
started out by asking
Before long, you're chatting together like old friends. She's
that
Where
her.
of time to spare and you'd have a
a girl with a cheery voice
to answer a few questions for
"The
and lonely and fed up eating
tired
with."
Marnoru nodded, ilar call
a
call
too.
You
meet someone
start seeing
full
of smiles
like
you, and
each other. You
start
out
by going to the movies and taking walks. Or you might pick up something for lunch and go for a drive together. You, of course, are paying for everything because she
is
a lady.
You
start liking her.
How could you
not? She's beautiful, she's smart, and she acts like she's head over heels in love with you.
"One day want
she shows up for a date with
to go with
Or maybe
her. It's a special
show
hke you. They're
Your
expensivel it
is full
The salesman
Hashimoto was works
for a
is
you
She puts her arm
of couples
who
look just
it's all
so
if
you wouldn't mind signing
it all
for her. She's
not finished.
it all.
worth
Or maybe you it,
loans as she ought to be.
just
after all."
"And then one day
consumer finance company. She
many
for her because
she
talks
tells
about
Not only
you
how
that, but
holding a campaign and she's far behind the others in
the office. She asks
96
still
not making as
company
if
suggests that she use her credit card. She thinks
decide to go ahead and buy
the
fair.
girlfriend finds all kinds of things she wants, but oh,
she doesn't have quite enough credit to cover
she's
and asks
looking at the showcases and chatting with the sales
all
over and then asks you
that she
tickets,
a special discount ticket for a jewelry
through yours, and off you go. The show
staff.
two
of leather coats or kimonos.
you
if
MIYUKI MIYABE
she could
borrow your name
to
make
it
look
"
like she's
drumming up more
business than she really
company and
way
chance to make some money. There's no the a
money
to go
membership
someone
"You
else
on a
her. She's grateful,
"And
You
lots of
money
are seeing romantic dreams,
Hashimoto
finished his
try calling her,
whiskey
He
payment warning
You can
you
get
sell it
to
and you hand over your savings to
tossed out the
"She stops calling you.
line.
down your
her.
invitations.
in
If
Some
she
other
be a guy with the kind of voice that'd
It'll
her. That's
feel
even lonelier than
about when you'll find the
first late-
your mailbox."
We're modern prostitutes: you pay us to
"The jewelry you bought
for her.
membership you bought your
you she can
right away.
your pants. You'll worry. You'll
you did before you met
least half
tell
—and we can use
and get her answering machine every time.
guy might even answer for
resort
fail
in a single gulp.
answers, she acts bored and turns
piss
can
so grateful. She might even kiss you, she says."
that's the end."
make you
it
to a luxury resort for a bargain price.
and make
investment?
there's a once-in-a-lifetime
somewhere. She might
trip
She swears she
how about making an
won't do anything to bother you. Or She's got a friend in a securities
is.
salary. That's
The
fall in
love with you.
fur coat.
The payment on
to help her out. Altogether,
when
it
home: she was
hits
it
comes
just using
the
to at
you
to
make money. Hashimoto
And
you how to
much. But what about to all
arms
in a
show
of resignation. "But
pay the money. Or you'll run to some consumer
you'll
they'll tell
fifted his
file
a complaint so
that time
all
it's
too
late.
center,
and
you might not have to pay so
you spent with
her.^
What happened
your dreams?"
Hashimoto's voice grew louder, and
his
punchy drunkard's fagade
was replaced by something much harder and unforgiving. "You were a fool.
You were
a defenseless, innocent fool.
And you
you weren't the only one. She was seeing more than one time.
Guys
just like you.
But no matter
how
paid for
it.
fool at the
stupid and ignorant a
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
But
same
man
97
is,
he
has the right to dream. Dreams aren't things you buy with
still
money. You don't
The
who
girl
sell
them,
either.
Do you
understand what I'm saying?
snuggled up to you broke the one rule that should never be
broken. She was after you because you were a lonely, soft-hearted
And
she
knew
make good money
she could
off of you."
He opened
Hashimoto's breathing was ragged.
himself another shot of whiskey, and drank
wanted
title.
The
zine than a
baby
in diapers."
knew
idiot editor
words or any
— every
slutty turns of phrase.
single bit of
"Those beautiful
less
He looked
anything to what those bitches said in
it
it
at
it. I
They
didn't give
about how
to run a
Mamoru. "But didn't have to
said
it all
I
it
that
maga-
didn't
add any
add
dirty
themselves. All of
expensive clothes. You'd think they
girls in their fly.
They were
raised by
homes. They went to decent schools and they
good parents
proud of how they made
Do you
their livings.
to
good
charities!
They were
hear me? Proud! They
bragged about the way they aimed for lonely men.
empty apartments, had nowhere
in
had boyfriends. You
all
know, they even contributed to the end-of-the-year
late at night for
I
"I really hadn't
it.
couldn't even swat a
to
the bottle, poured
down.
to sell that interview to Information Channel.
sensational
idiot.
Men who came home
go on Sundays, and shopped
ready-made meals for one. They enjoyed taking those
guys for everything they had. They laughed about the awful over-priced scarves the
men bought
for them,
and how they threw them away
in the
station trash cans."
Hashimoto was angry now. Reeking of and pointed scum.
I
a finger in
Mamoru's
face.
alcohol, he leaned forward
"Young man, those women were
don't have an ounce of sympathy for any of them.
died, she got
Before he
one of them
what she deserved."
left,
Mamoru
gave Hashimoto his aunt and uncle's address
and telephone number. "Would you be willing to lawyer or to the police?" he asked.
98
If
MIYUKI MIYABE
tell
that story to our
Hashimoto shrugged.
suppose
"I
I'll
have
Someone might have
to.
been after Yoko Sugano, or she could have killed herself out of shame.
And you need me
to prove it?"
"That's right."
Hashimoto rooted around he tossed over to view^, girls
and
all
in the cabinet
Mamoru. "Here
of the photos."
The
and pulled out a
are the transcripts
pictures
were
clear.
fat file that
from that
inter-
The names of
the
were written on the back. Yoko Sugano, Fumie Kato, Atsuko Mita,
and Kazuko Takagi. "You can use
it all if it'll
help."
"That would be great." "There was someone here before.
who had
me
him copy
phantly. "I don't in a while,
this file."
know how
Looking
at the
Mizuno had around. "Was
told this
file
wanted
that's right.
"He came looking
details.
He rewarded
lifted his bottle
going, but he calls
trium-
me up
every
more whiskey."
"Do whatever you
think
is
right."
Mamoru remembered what Akemi someone else who had come snooping
table,
him about
man
to sue the girl
for you."
slurred,
on the
is
forgets to send
what we can
Hashimoto laughed and
Hashimoto
the lawsuit
and he never
"Well, we'll do
"Yeah,
said he
swindled him, and he needed some more
for letting
once
He
older .^"
He was an for
old guy.
How'd you know?"
you the same way
leftover copies of Information
I
did.
He bought
all
of the
Channel from the publisher. Did he
tell
you which one he wanted to sue?"
Hashimoto tapped the
picture of
Kazuko Takagi. "This one."
Mamoru stood up. "You hold onto this file for now," he said. "I'll let you know when we need it. Call this number if you're leaving town on a job." Mamoru indicated the memo he had written. Still
holding his copy of the magazine in his hand,
Hashimoto remained seated and waved rounding him. "You sure talk big for a
kid.
his
Do
arms I
at the
mess
sur-
look to you like I'm
heading out of town?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
99
what
"Well,
Hashimoto
you writing about now?"
are
tilted the
whiskey bottle
at
an angle. "What do you think
I'm writing about?"
"Hard
to say."
"Same
here.
My wife left me, you know."
Hashimoto's drunken laugh followed
"Just sign here
.
The two young had
.
.
and
here.
girls sitting
a sickly pale
Do you
Mamoru
out of the house.
have your name
seals
with you?"
before her shook their heads in unison.
complexion and
One
straight, greasy hair that she kept
brushing off of her face. The other had a terrible case of acne.
Wondering how effect,
Kazuko waited wipe
complete.
It
out,
it
then,
blemish-free skin to
may
costs
best
have to ask you both to give
I'll
until they
were finished and then handed them
look expensive, but
it
covers an entire year.
If
is
now
you work
no more than the cosmetics you usually buy. The auto-
month
only ten thousand yen a
is
— you won't even
it!
"I've got
something special for you, too." Kazuko pulled two
green tickets from her purse and gave one to each invitation to our Esthetique beauty salon. There's
go whenever you
like.
You can
get a facial
a special beauty cream. But don't
tell
and
anyone
said, giving the girls a just-between-us smile.
Kazuko knew salon, they
full
well that
would stop
if
these girls
I
date, so
massage using
this to
them out
light
"It's a special
no expiration
gave
They
you
just for
for free," she
giggled in response.
showed up
giggling in short order.
MIYUKI MIYABE
girl.
a full-body
signing the contract. I'm not supposed to give
100
its
their fingers with. "All right then, the contract
matic bank transfer notice
own
off her
thumbprints. Sorry about the ink." The two did as they were
tissues to
it
show
Kazuko continued, "Well
me your asked.
to
The
at the Esthetique
tickets she
had given
them covered only the soda they
the rental bathrobes they
would be served
in the waiting
carefully avoided saying that the facial
She had come across the
department store
filled
would be given
to
wear and
room. Kazuko had very
and massage would be
free.
cosmetics section of a fancy
girls in the
with individual counters manned by beauty con-
sultants for each of the
many
the section watching the
young
Kazuko had stood
brands. girls
just outside
browsing through on
their
way
to
another sales area.
She settled on them as her targets and struck up a conversation in a soft, professional voice, letting
After that sales area
was
it
them think
a matter of taking
that she too
them gently by
was
the
a consultant.
arm out
and into an elegant coffee shop where the deal was
of the
closed.
"You're lucky, you both have lovely faces," Kazuko began as soon as they had settled themselves at a table, making out that she was study-
"Bone structure
ing their faces carefully.
thing about; even plastic surgery has ers
with such heavy jaws
Kazuko looked up
girls
"I'm always at a loss only thing
I
can suggest
woman with you
will be
is
and
.
the balance
the only thing
limits. I've is
just
amazed
at
credit
The "It's
girls
a
point
couldn't help laughing.
when women
like that
trying to hide the
ask
me
The
for help.
problem with makeup. The
And you two?
Well,
can look."
the completed application forms, pamphlets,
payment papers back
shook
this
holding up her hands in a gesture of
how good you
to see.
a
got other custom-
reached for the
in her bag, she
check, but then stopped to add, "I've got to be going now.
some customers
do
can't
I
not there." At
the jaw? She's quite nice looking now.
Once Kazuko had put ink,
.
at the ceiling,
The two
utter defeat.
.
its
is
Do you know
a
company
called
I still
have
HeartLux?"
their heads, their eyes full of curiosity.
company based
in
Hollywood. Their makeup
artists
contract
with actresses and models. Brooke Shields' and Phoebe Gates' careers
began to take off when they started using HeartLux about to open an
office in
Japan, and
artists.
They're
I'm ..."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
101
"You're going to work for them?" the
girls
Kazuko shrugged modestly, always
careful to avoid any libelous
what they have
claims. "I'm waiting to hear
more emphasis on better.
I'm not sure what
"You must "I
skin care than I'll
One
to offer.
makeup;
I
My company puts
think our products are
do."
love your work!"
have to admit that
Once more
were breathless.
it's
more fun than
sitting at a
desk
all
day."
she reached out for the check.
of the girls hesitated a second and then spoke quickly.
don't you leave
we
We're going to have some dessert before
it?
showcase next to the cash
had
register
"Why
go."
The
a display of colorful French-style
cakes. "I can't let
you do
that,"
Kazuko
protested, "at least
let
me pay
for
my own." "Oh
no, you gave us those tickets."
Kazuko favored then, thank
the girls with a dazzling smile. "Are
you very much! You won't have
to give
you sure? Well,
up sweets when you
use our products, so go ahead and enjoy yourselves!"
Kazuko pushed open
the glass door
the street, she turned around to
One gave
her a quick
HeartLux was morning.
a
bow and
name on
wave
and walked at the girls
the other
out. Before crossing
through the window.
waved back.
a sign she
had seen from the
Who knew what it was? Nor was
she on her
way
train this
to see other
customers.
The cosmetics
the
two
girls
had contracted
to
pay for over the next
twelve months were no different from the contents of jars and bottles lining
any supermarket
between them over the
worked
for.
shelf.
Of
year, half
the 240,000 yen the girls
went
to
would pay
Kazuko. The company she
East Cosmetics Inc., had the ability to suck up
money
like a
high-powered vacuum cleaner. While female employees posed as beauty consultants,
men
sold a sideline of
extinguishers.
102
MIYUKI MIYABE
"premium"
feather beds
and
fire
Kazuko was working
had got
for East Cosmetics because she
of her previous job. She just didn't have the determination It
had taken
a lot of
energy to seduce
it
tired
required.
men who were overwhelmed with
jobs and had few opportunities to meet women, and to keep the
their
relationship going until they date, she
came through with
would think of nothing but how long
it
the goods. After every
was taking and whether
the money she'd be able to wring out of her "chents" would be worth it.
While she was with them, though, she had to act
fun. She'd It
was
had to force
herself to believe she
face, she
to
her what cards she
tell
No
matter
would be yours
poker
Kazuko was very good
how
well a
what she
did,
it
was having
fun.
like
gamblers with
woman
for the having as long as
was holding. And at
was having
women. Women were
a lot easier to swindle
decks of transparent cards.
like she
maintained a
you were able
never took long.
and she had
also
had the dra-
matic talent required of a "lover for hire." To whit, she had been able to
delude herself. She'd
made
a lot of
For a while, she had traveled passport was
full
impression on
And
all
money and had
over,
spent
it
as she liked.
going overseas twice a month. Her
of visas, but no place she visited had
made
a lasting
her.
after every trip, she'd returned to
Tokyo
to
make even more
money.
At ness.
first
she had
What
really
wanted
to save
she hadn't realized
wanted
was
up so she could that
if
there
start her
own
busi-
had been something she
to do, she wouldn't have needed so
much money
to
do
it.
She wouldn't have needed any more than she could have earned with honest labor, but she couldn't bear the thought of a regular job. She had
long ago decided that the tedious jobs pretty
much
the
women were
same no matter who you worked
The women she had met
at the interview for
assigned were
for.
Information Channel
had had the same motivation. Money and escape from boring
jobs. All
four of them had been beautiful, but they didn't have quite what to live
by
their
all
it
took
beauty alone.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
103
Yoko Sugano had wanted
money from
to study overseas without having to rely
on
her parents. Fumie Kato had quit a job in a boutique that
had kept her on her
feet all
day and required her to make a certain num-
ber of sales. Atsuko Mita had been looking for something to replace the
constant competition she faced from the other female sales staff at her insurance company. They had the second they
all
claimed they would quit
this
con game
had the money they needed.
The four of them had talked and laughed over
drinks,
and told each
other everything. They'd never admit as much, but they weren't proud of
what they
openly
if
and they wouldn't have been able
did,
they hadn't
Those two
girls
themselves laugh about
let
And
it
was
it
it
so
it.
could afford 240,000 yen, thought Kazuko. At
they'd had the illusion that they could pay
with them.
to talk about
least
during the hour she was
the illusion that enabled
Kazuko
what she
to get
wanted out of them.
had been the same
It
temporary lover who'd the illusion
who
could
for the
left
them with
clients for
whom
she had been a
a pile of debts. They'd been under
that they'd found someone they got along well with, and
make them happy. That was why Kazuko had been
cheat them out of their money. act the
male
moment any
of
Kazuko was always ready
them had an inkling of doubt
wonderful could come to them so
easily.
able to
to stop the
that something so
That had happened more than
once.
But most of Kazuko's clients had been like children
their
who
baby teeth
still
for
irritatingly naive.
believed that the Tooth Fairy
They were
would exchange
money. And that was why she didn't mind using
them; she was sure they wouldn't be too badly hurt. She hated them It
was nearly evening, and Kazuko decided
to call
it
a day.
The two
girls
had been a jackpot, and she didn't want to push her luck any
ther.
She stopped by a row of public phones
in front of the station.
been thinking about calling her parents, and had been putting
had
104
felt
shaken ever since she noticed
MIYUKI MIYABE
jthere
all.
it
fur-
She'd
off.
She
had been a couple of blank
hours between the time she
on the
train
left
Yoko Sugano's
funeral
and found
back to Tokyo. She was almost ready to leave the
herself
city
and
go home.
Kazuko had been born and by
train.
Her brother and
his wife lived
home. Her mother never came to than making the
trip. It
was
all
town
raised in a
come
visit.
see her, sending her
in the family
packages rather
part of her sister-in-law's strategy to keep bitterly.
called, her sister-in-law never failed to invite her to
You ought
to
come
Come
mother more. Her
see your
been hurting, and she can't make the misses you.
than an hour away
with her mother
mother and daughter apart, Kazuko thought
Whenever she
less
trip to
go see you.
have
know how
I
stay for a while, she'd say, and then she
up. But in that instant before the receiver hit the cradle,
legs
she
would hang
Kazuko would
hear a deep sigh. That sigh communicated more to her than any com-
about sick children or endless household
plaints
She decided not to
make
the call. She
duties.
was deep
thought as she
in
walked through the crowds, heading back to her apartment. She made a wish that
looked
was even more earnest than
at her
prayer: / wish
the eyes of the girls
with awe, hanging on her every word.
HeartLux were
real.
Wouldn't
it
It
who had
was almost
be wonderful
a
if it really
did existf
It
was dark by the time Mamoru got home. His head
his temples ached.
would at
all.
He had come home
felt
heavy and
with valuable information that
certainly help his Uncle Taizo, but he wasn't pleased with himself
Yoko Sugano had been running away from someone car.
She might even have been trying to escape from
Mamoru had
discovered that she had reasons to be running
had been herself.
the night she
hit
by a
outside late at night, plenty of them.
But she had died. Nothing could save her other than rewinding the
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
105
clock back to that time.
might have the
If
what he had learned today came
effect of killing her twice.
to help his uncle without doing that.
about
how
down
it
to be able
The whole way home he thought
he could manage things.
"I'm home!" As soon as ning
Mamoru wanted
to light,
the hall.
and she flung
It
Mamoru
stepped mside, someone came run-
was Maki, back from her "W-w-wait
herself at him.
brief stint as a
What
a second!
runaway,
happened.^" he
asked, startled.
Maki had grabbed
his collar
and couldn't stop crying. Eventually
Yoriko appeared, with half her face covered
in a
bandage and the other
half smiling.
"We ing.
got a call from Mr. Sayama not long after
A witness
body witnessed that Miss
was
there.
106
M
I
her face on
Mamoru's
the accident.
Sugano ran out
arm and shook
it
I
He
shirt,
said the signal
as she repeated herself.
M
I
YA B E
and
in front of his taxi."
Someone who saw
Y U K
got
home
this
morn-
come forward."
has
Maki wiped
I
the
whole
finally spoke.
was green
for
"Some-
Dad, and
Maki grabbed Mamoru's
"Are you listening? Someone
thing.
We
have a witness!"
CHAPTER 4
On
a
Chain
Over and over and over again.
The
went on and on. He
police interrogation just
rate actor forced to repeat a scene until
felt like a
somebody gave him
the
second-
okay
to
stop.
"I'm going to ask you again," said a detective. fifth
or sixth time. But he
from before, but
was compliant.
this one, too,
It
was
It
must have been the
a different detective
began with the now-familiar "Let's go
over this again."
Humans were had
talent
not equal: some were poor and others were rich; some
and others did not; some people were
The court of law was
the only place
man remembered
same. The
sick, others healthy.
where everyone was treated the
hearing something like that
when he was
a
student.
And too.
he added to
it
now: humans were equal
at the police station,
Nothing he was familiar with was of any value
who had
here. His friends,
helped him out in the past, were useless. All the detectives
were impeccably
polite,
and they
let
him smoke whenever he wanted
But the questions continued mercilessly. they brought
him up
short.
Any
to.
variation in response and
Wait a minute, didn't you say
it
differently a
while agof
He
thought of himself as a piece of
stale cheese,
and the detectives
107
were
all
mice running around taking tiny bites out of him. This time
over here, the next time over on the other side.
him by
surprise
and
some unexpected
bite in
what they had suspected
along
all
If
they could only take
spot, they
would
—that he wasn't cheese
find out
the
all
way
through to the core.
rd never he able
to
keep
this
up
if the truth
weren't such a simple things
he thought. The part of him that was always able to maintain an objective eye on his
own
had
actions
to admire the persistence of the detectives.
"Where were you when you saw
"Maybe
the accident?"
ten meters away. She just kept running, heading toward the
intersection. Farther
and farther away from me."
"What were you doing
there?"
"Just walking."
"Whattime was
it?"
"Just after midnight."
"And where
exactly were
you heading
"A
mine
an apartment near
friend of
lives in
at that time of night?"
there.
I
was going
to see
her."
"How close
is
'near'?"
"That same neighborhood.
"Would
it
take that long? So
you got out of the
taxi
Why? Why
from
there.
your
friend's place?"
"It's
then
I
the
was about
didn't
it
a ten-minute walk."
why were you
on the same road
way I always do
get out
It
you
as
walking? You said that
Yoko Sugano and walked
just stay in the
when I go
there.
I
cab
until
you reached
take a taxi partway, and
and walk."
"That's an unusual habit.
Why do
you do
it?"
"I'm a successful businessman."
"Very successful." "Right.
Thank you.
So,
when
I
go places people recognize me. In
other words ..."
"Let
108
me
finish that
up
MIYUKI MIYABE
for you. In other words,
when you,
the vice-
"
president of Shin
Nippon
Enterprises, decide to visit a lady friend in the
middle of the night, you don't want anyone to see you. scandal, and things wouldn't be very pleasant that
if
It
would
create a
your wife found out.
Is
what you mean?"
"Um,yes." "This 'friend' you've been talking about.
It's
Hiromi
Ida, age twenty-
five."
"Yes."
"You pay
the rent
on her apartment, and
visit
her there.
You go
late
you won't be seen."
at night, so
The man looked down. "So you admit that Hiromi Ida "I
suppose
that's
"Well, then,
your mistress?"
is
what you would
call her."
her that. Hiromi Ida
let's call
is
your mistress. You were
on your way to her apartment when you saw the
accident.
Am
I
right?"
"Yes."
"Does your wife know about her?" "She might.
"What "It
color
don't know. She'll certainly
was
I
know about
her before long."
you saw?"
the taxi that
looked dark green, but
"Were "It
I
can't say for sure.
It
was
a dark color."
there any passengers in the car?"
looked empty to me."
"Were you able
to see the traffic signal
"Yes, clearly. There
"Did you
is
just the
from where you were standing?"
one road."
see the signal?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Do you it,
and
I
really
need a reason?
was planning
I
was walking down
to cross the road myself.
I
the road
just
toward
looked up
at
it
instinctively.
"Do you remember "Which
the license
number
of the taxi?"
taxi?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
109
"The one "No,
you say was
that
in the accident."
sorry."
"Did you notice the sign on the roof that said whether
from a
private taxi or "I don't
"I see.
remember.
What
was
it
a
company?" happened so quickly."
It all
did you do after
kept going
"I
taxi
it
—to Hiromi
it
happened?"
Ida's place."
"But why? You didn't think about stopping to help?" "I didn't
want
had happened.
I
to get involved. People
began coming out to see what
figured there were plenty of people
"What do you mean
'get involved'? It didn't
who would
help."
have anything to do with
you." "I didn't
want anyone
to
know
that
I
had been
"So you're saying that you ran away from
there."
it?"
"Well... yes."
"What time "I
did you arrive at Hiromi Ida's apartment?"
took a sort of detour and got there
just after twelve-thirty."
"That means you must have got home very
late that night.
Didn't
your wife ask you where you'd been?"
"No,
she's
"I see.
that
But
used to
it."
imagine the reason you ran away from the accident was
I
you were
terrified that
someone would
where you had no business being "I'm not sure
terrified
"Pardon me, then. standing.
Your
I
wife, after
"Yes, but she
you say
is
so.
just trying to
all, is
its
"I didn't
110
M
I
Y
UK
I
just didn't
seem advisable."
be considerate of your social
Nippon
not involved in running the company.
Did you
to
worry
M YA BE I
Enterprises,
founder."
tell
I
am."
Hiromi Ida about the accident?"
that?"
want
It
the president of Shin
"No."
"Why was
you were some-
at a very late hour."
the right word.
was
and the only daughter of
"If
is
find out
her."
"It
would have put you
in a tight spot
if
she were to get involved in
any way and your relationship became public.
want her
Is
that
what you
didn't
worry about?"
to
"Exactly."
Now, you were standing
"I see.
intersection.
"Was
The victim ran
green. There
that
far.
in a spot
The
was no mistaking
where you could
see the
traffic signal for the taxi ..."
it."
"Are you saying that the signal for Yoko Sugano was red?" "Yes, but she didn't even stop to check for cars."
"Why do you think "It
a
was
late.
I
that
was? What did you think when you saw her?"
thought she was trying to get home
in a hurry.
She was
young woman. They're building an apartment building on the
the street the taxi taxi until
happens
was too
it
all
was on, and late.
imagined
I
Even
I
didn't see the
had been the same
for her.
It
the victim wearing?"
"I couldn't really see.
and was rather
Maybe
a dark-colored suit. She
had long hair
pretty."
"You saw her
face even
though you were walking behind her?"
spoke to her beforehand."
"You spoke
"When
I
to her?
What's
this
got out of the taxi,
I
about?"
saw her on
the street where the intersection was. little
it
to see.
the time."
"What was
"I
was hard
it
side of
I
the road before
asked her the time.
it
turns onto
My watch
is
a
fast."
"Why
did you ask her the time?"
"I figured
I
ought to
know
the time before
I
went to
see
Hiromi
Ida.
She might have been asleep."
"Do you always show up
at her
apartment without calling ahead
first?"
"That's right."
"What
did the victim do
when you asked
"She looked surprised to have a strange nicely,
the time?"
man
speak to
her.
But
I
asked
and she answered."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
111
"What
time was it?"
"Five after twelve. That's
"And then
"No
what she
she started running?"
she kept walking on a
cious, but
it
ways.
little
don't think
I
must have frightened her to have
She began to walk faster and
that.
said."
faster,
I
looked suspi-
man come up
a
and then she
to her like
started running."
"Didn't that seem unnatural to you?"
"No,
I
thought
bad about
"Yes, and
I
felt
the taxi hit her?" feel partly
I
"We'll be here
all
responsible for
night
if
we
interested in the fact that
what happened."
start talking
you
about
responsibility.
We're
the scene."
left
understand that."
"I
"By the way, nobody we talked you
young woman.
for a
it."
"And then
more
was probably very natural
it
remembered seeing
to at the scene
leave."
"That's understandable.
happened, but
didn't leave right away.
I
was standing
I
in the
I
was
there
when
it
shadows."
"Pardon?" thought
"I
some of Then
I
it
would
the locals turned up,
left after
did you decide to
"As you know, "Yes,
and then
right away.
if I left I
joined
them
I
waited until
at the intersection.
few minutes when everyone's attention was elsewhere."
a
"So, after going to
why
attract attention
we know
I
all
that trouble to
make
sure
nobody noticed you,
come forward?"
have friends on the police force. Very close friends."
that."
"They told me about the
incident,
and
it
began to bother me.
I
heard
there were
no other witnesses and that the driver might be convicted
negligence.
I
was
surprised to hear that because
"So you're saying the taxi driver was "Yes.
He had
the green light. Miss
ran out in front of the taxi.
112
M YU 1
K
I
M YA BE I
I
saw
it
it
for
wasn't what happened."
telling the truth?"
Sugano ignored the red
clearly,
and
I
light
and
deeply regret leaving
the scene.
If
I
had stayed and spoken up
for him, the driver
would not
have been taken into custody."
The man hfted tives. "I
why
That's
and looked
my
have a mistress, and
my own
with
his face
problems, but
I
directly into the eyes of the detec-
wife and
do not
I
could never
let
get along. I'm a
an mnocent
man
man
suffer.
I'm here."
"You've done the right thing."
After another sleepless night, the three
looked
at
home today
said Yoriko calmly as she
made
waiting for a
coffee.
to stay in control for the sake of the
come forward
"I think
"Me
I'll
stay
doesn't
home
too," added
"There's the
Asano household
of the
each other over the breakfast table.
"I'm going to be at
ness has
members
mean
call
from Mr. Sayama,"
She sounded as
if
she w^as trying
younger two. "Just because a witeverything
is
over and done with."
too," said Maki.
Mamoru.
no reason why you two should
two youngsters burst out
in unison,
—
"
Yoriko began to protest, but
"Nobody asked your
opinion!"
Yoriko sent the two of them upstairs so she could clean, and gave
Maki dries
hang out on the rooftop. "Make sure
a basket of laundry to
it
without wrinkles!"
Maki grumbled
obligingly, but smiled as she
opened the door on the
second floor that led to the stairway up to the roof. "A beautiful day! Something
good
Mamoru was more complex
is
just as
reasons.
bound
Yoko Sugano's
it
happen!"
anxious as Maki for things to go well, but for
What
police be able to trust him.^
Mamoru wanted
to
fall
sort of person
How would the
to solve the entire case.
was
the witness?
Would
testimony affect his
He wanted
sordid past brought into the picture.
the
uncle.^
to avoid having
Mamoru had
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
not
113
told his aunt or his cousin anything about
what he had learned
yester-
Channel was hidden, crammed behind the
day. His issue of Information
other books on his bookshelf.
More than sister.
He
anything, he
was concerned about Yukiko, Yoko's younger
What would happen
to her
involved in a scam that had
made
that her sister
had been
her lots of money, and that she had
spent her last days on the run, terrified of
Yukiko was about of society.
kimonos.
became known
if it
Would
to start a
new
some kind of
job and
become
she be able to survive the tidal
would cause? The very
glad
Yoko's hidden past could remain hidden
idea depressed
threat.^
working member
a
wave
that such a reve-
Mamoru. He would
lation if
and Yoko
in
recalled her smile in the picture of her
— and he
strongly about that as he did about getting his uncle out of
"Mamoru, have you there any calls while
I
got a sec?"
Maki peeked
into his
be
almost as
felt jail.
room. "Were
was away?"
"Nope, nothing."
Maki looked down
disappointment.
in
"You mean from your boyfriend?"
Maki nodded. Mamoru decided day yesterday, too.
He might have
I'm sure he's worried about you. "That's a
good
Her
idea."
and ran down the
stairs.
rag in one hand, but "Hello! This
"Kusaka,
Mamoru
is
is
I
there
was nobody
was back.
"I'll call
a
here.
office?"
little later."
Maki and Mamoru looked
got there
at
each other
first.
the Asanos!"
that you?"
It
was Mr. Nozaki from Mamoru's
school.
stuck out his tongue in disappointment and motioned to
forgot to
this
call.
was not
the call they'd been waiting
Today, we're ..."
"Get to school immediately!"
"What?"
114
when
all
Yoriko was heading for the phone with a dust
Mamoru
Yoriko and Maki that "Yes,
called
was out
Why don't you call him at the
smile
Downstairs, the phone rang.
to offer a ray of hope. "I
MIYUKI MIYABE
for.
"Get down here talk to
you when you
"Was
Mamoru
finally replaced
Nozaki told me "Did you
it.
looked
m the staff room.
Fll
The Hne went dead.
to go see
better
at the receiver a
few seconds longer and
Mr. Incompetent was upset about something. "Mr.
him
go then.
I'll
Maki
shrugged.
right away."
Yoriko gave him a playful rap on the head.
forget to call?"
you
Mamoru to
get here."
me
see
that your school?"
"Yeah."
"I guess
you can. Come
as fast as
call the
school
we
if
hear anything."
smiled as she picked up the phone to
call
m
work.
Unfortunately, there
Mamoru and
was nothing
laid into
him
to laugh about.
Xozaki was waiting
for
right away.
"There was a robbery on Saturday night."
Mamoru knew
what was coming. "What was
instantly
"The monthly dues
for the basketball club
stolen?"
and the money
for their
New Year's camp was taken from the clubroom." "How much was it?" "About 500,000 a
week
at
Most
they
boys' sports teams in Japanese schools have girls with the
title
much money
the head of the
who
this
are
more
it
happening^
like volunteer
PE department and coach
"You're not pros, so
you? Doing
Why was
there?"
moto, had decreed that
it,
for t\venty-two boys to spend
"Why would
closed his eyes.
of "manager," but
for
was enough
camp."
Mamoru leave so
yen. There
this
why
yourself
maids. Five years ago,
for the basketball team, Iwa-
school would discontinue such a tradition.
should you have someone to do your laundry is
part of being on the team.
If
you don't
like
then get out!"
The boys
own
therefore
had
to clean
up
after themselves
dues. Sasaki, a freshman on the basketball team,
this job.
And
Sasaki
was one
and
collect their
had been given
of Miura's pals.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
115
Nozaki continued, "Sasaki put the money
The clubroom was locked,
too.
When
in a locker
and locked
team showed up
the
on Sunday morning, both of the locks had been cut with Kusaka, the robbery took place sometime between night after practice
was over and
seven-thirty
it.
to practice
bolt cutters.
six-thirty
Saturday
Sunday morning. Where
were you during that time?" "At home."
"Was
there
someone with you?"
A
"There was nobody home. after that
more
with the whole situation.
I
"Saturday afternoon
Mamoru's
there.
in the
for their
a suspect?"
Tsunamoto were
New
Year's
I
his
"They
no one
no-good
knew about
else
Miura and
me
the thief?" Leave
tell
alibi for
of the basketball team?
"No,
it
"How
it
I
the money."
didn't hear anything. You'll believe
Anego
that
no one would be
That was why she and her brother had come to
wouldn't have an
They
clubroom."
me?" Mamoru knew they had
Sasaki, but not
Miura had heard him
there was, too.
friends.
know about any money.
"I don't
in the
heard them, and that makes
Miura and said
it
discussing
camp, and they say you were
They say they talked about how much money
"They told you
night.
I
classroom," Nozaki went on, ignoring
were trying to decide whether to leave
to
"Am
question, "Miura, Sasaki, and
accommodations
the
until nine Satur-
was alone." Mamoru was becoming more and
day night, but irritated
was with me
friend
visit.
at
set
him up.
home
that
They knew he
Saturday night. "What about other members
They must have
all
known about
the money."
wasn't any of them."
do you know that?"
Nozaki was
silent.
Mamoru
could see the veins
in his
temples pop-
ping out.
"How
can you blame
me
for
it?
Why?" Mamoru
same question, but he knew the answer
A
thief begets a thief.
116
just
The apple never falls
MIYUKI MIYABE
kept repeating the
looking at his teacher's face.
far
from the
tree.
Of and
Nozaki knew about Mamoru's
course,
all
Once Miura had found out
the students knew.
must have spread
quickly.
If
rumors were infectious
would have closed long ago. Mamoru through
his heart.
father. All the teachers
felt
a dull
diseases, the school
sword of despair cutting
I
did
it,
too?"
"He's suspending practice until this gets sorted out.
money back
the camp, whether they get the
whole team
for mishandling the
to say, but he's looking into
Mamoru
felt a
a matter half done.
down
it
strict
himself to look tell
"Then
me
it's
money. He's heard what Miura has
called
him "Demon Iwa-
and stubborn, but he wasn't one
Mamoru was
sure he
would turn
to leave
the entire school
looking for the stolen money.
Nozaki refused
to
has cancelled
or not, and he's punishing
The students
Mamoru looked at Nozaki's think? Do you think I did it?"
you
He
himself."
trace of relief.
moto" because he was
upside
word
Nothing had changed.
"Does Mr. Iwamoto think
the
his secret,
pale face and asked,
"What do you
few seconds. He couldn't even bring
to speak for a
Mamoru in the face.
Finally he
mumbled,
"I
—
I
just
want
the truth."
simple.
I
didn't
do
That's all."
it.
"That's all?" Nozaki sputtered. "Are you sure that's all?"
Mamoru must be truth!
thought of his uncle
feeling right
Now
in jail.
He
finally
understood
now. Won't someone believe mef I'm
he was angry, and
second. You're afraid of me!
knew he
He wanted
how
he
telling the
couldn't stay there another
to scream at the
man
before him, with his pursed lips and eyes that refused to meet
standing his.
Just
the thought of one of his students having done something improper
was
enough to send "I
this teacher into a hysterical tizzy.
won't be coming to school for
headed for the door. "I'm sure that
will
a while,"
make
it
Mamoru
spoke as he
easier to investigate."
"Are you suspending yourself?"
"No, I'm
just staying
home."
Mamoru
couldn't hold
it
back anymore.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
117
"Don't worry. I
I
my human
won't be suing you for infringing on
rights.
won't be reporting you to the Department of Education."
"What on
the hell
do you mean by that?" Nozaki's pale
face
had taken
a tinge of green.
"Just
me one
tell
Mamoru
thing,"
"What kind
asked.
of lock did the
clubroom locker have?"
"A
padlock. Mr.
Even
Iwamoto has
cut a padlock with bolt cutters.
Mamoru
Mamoru's feet first
feet
down
was an expert had
to
ing as
He came
the stairs.
as he left school.
He
didn't
at reading the
felt, it
Mr. Sayama had called and
"We
just
add
his
take a couple of
more
As he hung up,
"Kusaka!"
It
breath. "Finally!
"Thanks,"
happened
his
Aunt Yoriko
Mamoru
to
still
and dropped
in a coin.
Maybe
first ring,
the only
news he
got.
Yoriko
and the pitch of her voice had
investigating the matter
and that
let
them
would
it
days.
Mamoru
heard someone calling him.
was Yoichi Miyashita catching up with him, out of Anego and
Mamoru
I
have been looking
all
over for you."
turned around and breathed in sharply.
"What
you?"
another around his it
always
went home look-
a talent. If he
was
Yoichi was covered in bandages, one left foot.
He
all
was swollen.
MIYUKIMIYABE
the
way down
his right
couldn't even get his shoe on, so he
along hooked on his toes. His
his right eyelid
118
—
soon as she heard Mamoru's voice. Mr. Sayama had
that the police were
dragging
home
he was falling
aunt was trying to get hold of him.
haven't heard anything new,"
fallen as
to go
felt like
to her problems.
in the hall,
had picked up the phone on the
know
want
He
minds of young people.
would
pay phone
to a
would never
thought to himself.
were heavy
as he
I
Only an amateur would do something
wonder where she had honed such glum
it."
was some kind of pathological sleepwalker,
if I
like that,
the key to
lips
arm,
was
were cut and scabbed, and
"I fell off
my
"All that from a
"No,
it's
just
"How did
no big
"It's
was
it
"Can you
bike," he said quickly. fall?
some
Did you break your arm?"
cuts."
happen?"
deal.
The doctor overdid
it
v^ith these
made him look
trying hard to smile, but that
"How are you going to get your picture "I'll
"They're lying,
Miura
"Yeah,
set
all
What
of them!" Yoichi
was
way
it
made Mamoru
I
let
down
"My Dad
Mamoru muttered.
was more
like graffiti
Trains or flowers or somethirig.
than
art,
become
"Don't you think
Mamoru,
but pulled himself
really
to
draw something
sent
me
bad
at
to a
drawing
is,
Taizo didn't come bers of the
every time
home
I
it, it
that the doubts
and
looks like
my
the next day, or the next.
Asano household waited irritation they felt
was
else, too.
class
tsurusan.'" Yoichi finally grinned.
do
I
my
"When
signature.
Dad's face!"
The
three other
as patiently as they could,
were
with
drawing; he could never
a real artist, I'm going to use that tsurusan as
The only thing
when
something he called tsurusan.
me
Then he
my neighbors. My Dad was
do anything besides that stupid I
Yoichi's
his guard.
used to draw a funny picture
used to copy him, and he finally told
one of
no
Mendel's law of heredity."
together and said, It
know."
furious. "They've got
looks."
Yoichi blinked back tears as he looked at
small.
you going to do?"
Mr. Nozaki believe them and not you?"
sympathetic face It's
are
tried to laugh, too. "I don't
"I'm the one with a criminal for a father,"
so, too?
the worse.
you up."
that's the
"How can
all
bandages." Yoichi
finished for that exhibition?"
be fine in no time. Forget about me.
"What should I do?" Mamoru
proof.
believe it?"
memaware
reflected in their faces.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
119
Mamoru
got up each morning, put on his school uniform and set off
headed to Laurel instead of school. He had gone to
as usual, but
Takano and explained him spend
let
"Do you
and Takano had promised to
the situation to him,
days at work for the time being.
his
plan to quit school and work?" he had asked.
Mamoru had
"No,"
see
replied.
"Not
unless
I
get expelled, that is."
"Don't worry. They'll get the culprit."
Takano had
also rejoiced with
Mamoru
uncle's accident. "Everything will
may
"It
work out
fine,"
a witness to his
he had assured him.
take a while, but don't give up."
The other employees there
about finding
on
Books had been surprised
in
to see
Mamoru
a w^eekday.
"Shouldn't you be
in
school?"
Madame
Anzai registered her obvious
disapproval.
"Uh
..."
your school closed because of an outbreak of somethmg bad.
"I hear
"It's
came over and clapped Mamoru on
Sato
Isn't that right?"
m
too early
the
flu
the shoulder.
Madame was
season for that."
not con-
vinced.
"Mumps,
isn't
it,
Mamoru?"
Sato refused to give up.
"Mumps?" "That's right, Miss Anzai. Did you have
"No,
I
better
watch
your boyfriend, too. You "Is that true?"
pulled
as a child?"
don't think so."
"Then you'd
"Sure
it
is
—
he'll
Mamoru
out.
It's
going around.
And you
know what happens when men
Now she
get
better
tell
mumps!"
looked worried.
be firing blanks.
You
off to the side, out of
don't
want
Madame's
that to happen!" Sato
sight.
"Thanks," said Mamoru. "Forget
it,
I'm glad to have you around.
I
know
with you, but you don't have to worry about kill
120
you."
M
I
Y U K
I
M
I
Y
ABE
it.
something's going on
Missing school won't
There was a
lot of
work
to do.
It
was almost December, and
new
the
calendars and schedule books were arriving and had to be sorted out
and displayed. As long his uncle
as he
was
Mamoru was
busy,
able to forget both
and the half million yen.
Thursday afternoon, while he was taking
Makino, the
him
security officer, paid
"Young man! Are you skipping
a
a
break
in the storage
room,
visit.
classes to pursue honest labor?"
Sato climbed on top of a pile of cardboard boxes and began singing
some old labor union anthem, swinging "That'll do,"
Makino
"Thank you,
sir!"
"Is
it
intoned.
"Have
laughed out loud. "And
"Full of energy,
arms to the rhythm.
a seat."
Sato was having fun.
true that you're twenty-six?
Mamoru
his
and operating
I
pity
how
your poor parents." are you, Mr.
Makino?"
one-hundred-twenty percent.
at
can't
I
deal with the free time."
"Free time? With a store
Makino
full
of customers?"
himself looked mystified.
"Go ahead and
ask the other
offi-
cers in the store."
"The economy "Don't be a beries that
in
good shape,
I
guess," said Sato nonchalantly.
fool. Shoplifting increases as the
economy grows.
It's
rob-
go up during rough times. And besides, the economy has been
like this for years
"A
is
now."
better class of
"I don't think so.
customer?" guessed Mamoru. I
haven't heard about any
new
courses on morals
and manners." Just then,
Takano stuck
rushed out. Just as Sato and
back
his
head
Mamoru
in
and called
Makino, who
exchanged a glance, Makino ran
in.
"Call the police! Someone's threatening to fire
for
department, too! But
tell
them not
jump
off the roof! Call the
to run their sirens or
I'll
shoot
Mamoru followed Makino. He
ran
down
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
121
them!" Then he disappeared again. Sato grabbed the phone and
the hallway and time.
saw Takano and Makino climbing
The music being played on
how
pops. This was
When
two
the stairs
from
the speakers changed
at a
classical to
employees were notified of an emergency.
they got up to the roof, the miniature garden and amusement
park area was
of onlookers.
full
Mamoru
grabbed the arm of another
employee.
"Where?" "Over by the water tank.
Mamoru
I
think
it's
a girl."
spun around and ran down to the floor below and headed
He had memorized
for the opposite side of the roof.
the store so he could give directions
way guarded with
a
No
when
needed, and
Entry sign. Turning at the
was
a fireproof steel door.
row
flight
Mamoru
the floor plan of
pulled
it
made
first
for a hall-
corner, there
open and rushed up
a nar-
of stairs that generally provided repairmen and cleaners with
access to the roof.
At the top of the
the sunlight through. shine
was
stairs It
a
door with
was kept shut with
and glamour of the
a simple padlock.
store's interior, the building
rity
alarms and electronic locks had been added
hke
this that
down from
Feeling like the cat
name
his If
He must
tag:
the roof
who'd got
still
ment.
on
had
For
all
let
the
quite old. Secu-
in recent years,
their original
the cream,
but doors
Mamoru
hardware.
began searching
have something he could use. Then he remembered
on the back was
a stretch of
was
a labyrinth, a padlock
farmland that had
Mamoru dropped
about three centimeters long.
a safety pin
the cylinder of a pin tumbler lock
the road
was
that
could only be reached from outside by climbing up the outer
wall and then
his pockets.
window
a wired-glass
to his knees,
satisfying click of the lock opening.
just
like
been cleared for develop-
and within
He
was
a
carefully
looked out onto the roof. The sun was so bright
it
minute he heard the
opened the door and
made him
blink. But
he was right on target.
The concrete wall of him, and the tank
122
M
I
Y UK
I
M
I
partially surrounding the water tank itself
YA B E
was
just
beyond.
was
in front
The
question sat on top of the tank with her back to
girl in
Mamoru
She was wearing a red sweater.
Mamoru.
could only see a part of the red
sweater and the back of her head. As he watched, she inched toward the fence at the edge of the roof.
on top of the tank. but
it
would
The
girl
still
He wondered how
was over two meters
It
she'd
high. There
have been hard work for a young
was now
at the
Mamoru and showed no down
six stories.
The crowd was
was
five
until
sign of having noticed him.
Her eyes
who were
trying to
he could see through the legs of the
or six meters away, and to his right. In front
a female security guard.
with both arms outstretched
almost directly across from
Next
was
to her
— probably the
tank and try to overpower the
why
is
girl
going to hurt you.
don't you just
middle-aged
a
girl's
and
down.
you're doing
come on down now?"
stood behind him.
decided he had to climb the
pull her
What
woman
mother. Takano stood
Mamoru, and Makino
Mamoru could hear the buzz of the crowd. Mamoru thought for a few moments, and "Nobody
She had her
off the tank.
Mamoru moved around tank.
were footholds,
girl.
appeared to be locked on the crowd of onlookers persuade her to come
to climb
edge of the tank, up against the fence. All she
had to do was lean over and she'd plunge down back to
managed
is
very dangerous;
was
the gentle voice of a
tried to get
Takano's attention.
It
female guard.
The
girl
howled, "Don't come any closer!"
Mamoru poked When Takano open.
his
finally
head out and
saw him,
his eyes
Mamoru motioned him
opened wide and
to silence.
his
jaw dropped
Takano nodded almost im-
perceptibly, glancing at the girl out of the corner of his eye.
He
gestured as
if
to ask
Mamoru what
the girl shrieked again. "Don't
Mamoru motioned the
girl.
He
that he
come near me!
I'll
jump!"
would cHmb up and move around behind
also indicated that he
to keep her occupied.
he was going to do. Just then
wanted Takano
Takano blinked
to talk to her
and
try
rapidly to indicate he understood.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
123
He
looked as
he wanted to leap to Mamoru's aid, but was doing his
if
Mamoru went
best to stay put. see him.
He would
climb the wall and
jumped and managed of
move toward
girl
wouldn't
her from behind.
He
to touch the top of the wall, but couldn't get hold
it.
"Young
lady,"
Takano
you stay up there
let is
back behind the tank so the
Takano and
I
if
work
called out. "There's
you
here.
like.
is
down! Misuzu,
Misuzu!" the
please
Mamoru jumped
we
don't
Hajime Takano.
character for 'one.' What's your
"Her name
Why
no need
I
chat a
write
name? Won't you
come down!"
bit.^
My name
my name
with the
me?"
tell
mother cried out
girl's
to worry. We'll
"Come
in anguish.
she pleaded with her daughter.
again. This time he grabbed hold of the wall,
got a purchase on a foothold.
and
Now he just needed to pull himself up. He
heard Takano continue in a soothing tone of voice, "You came shopping
What
with your mother today, didn't you?
Mamoru
did you buy?"
pulled himself up and suddenly had a view of both the
back and the store employees on the other
side.
girl's
Takano had moved
to
the front.
"Keep away!" the
ward
slowly, trying to stay as
sweater buffeted by the wind.
low
where
I
work.
Do you
Mamoru was "I hate
to talk. like
girl
felt
queasy
just the
just
two meters from
moan.
"I hate
the
girl.
whispered. that?"
ready to pounce.
"I'm scared," she said a
same.
books?"
"You hate them?" repeated Takano. "Why's
Mamoru was
toward the
careful not to look
"Did you come to the Book section? That's
almost at the tank,
them," the
as he could.
He was
fence at the edge of the roof, but he
Takano continued
Mamoru moved forHe could see the red
screamed out to Takano.
girl
in a small voice that
them. I'm scared
.
.
.
scared
.
.
began to sound more .
like
I'm so scared."
By now some of the other onlookers had noticed Mamoru. A look of surprise passed over the female security officer's face.
124
MIYUKI MIYABE
The
girl
noticed
and turned around. Seeing Mamoru, she screamed so loudly and
this
shrilly that
he almost shrank back. Instead, he leaped blindly toward the
red sweater, grabbing the fell
girl
and pulling her away from the
He
fence.
over backward and had to use his feet to keep himself from falling
off the tank.
The
continued to scream. As the onlookers rushed toward
girl
the tank,
Takano climbed up and threw
Mamoru, keeping them from "It's
okay,
it's
Takano chanted onto
her,
and
dissolved into tears.
was
left
it
longer
Takano heaved
it
down, calm down,"
stopped struggling and
down and
and
it
load her onto a stretcher.
sat
on the top of the water
the sweat off their foreheads.
"One
false
move and you
the side with her."
didn't happen, did it?"
"Hey, young man! You've been watching too
Makino bellowed up with his hands on his "I'll
and
magical charm as he held
girl
a sigh, shaking his head.
would have gone over "But
like a
Mamoru and Takano
mopping
girl
a ladder to get her off the tank,
to the firemen to bring her
little
Just calm
began to work. The
They needed
"That was close!" tank a
all right.
words over and over
finally
arms around the
the edge.
okay. You're
the
his
many
police shows!"
Mamoru from where he stood below the tank hips. Mamoru gave a quick nod of mock remorse. at
have to talk to the manager about getting a higher fence around
this
tank."
"How did
she get up here?"
"Just hke
you did," Takano
replied. "Apparently, she
was looking
musical instruments and went into some kind of trance. She was
animal fleeing a mountain
fire;
like
at
an
she just kept going higher and higher, and
ended up here."
"What happened "They
to her?"
said she looked like she
and then looked back "I
came up
at
was being chased." Takano shrugged
Mamoru. "How
did you get out here?"
the service stairs."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
125
—
"Isn't that
door locked?"
"Not today climb down.
wasn't."
it
A fireman
Mamoru
looked up
at
him and frowned.
"Sorry for the fuss," Takano spoke
"We
stopped shaking enough to
finally
first,
bowing.
can't have people doing things like this!"
Mamoru had
to
answer questions from both the police and the
department. Not to mention the work he
still
had
left
to do.
fire
He ended
up working an hour of overtime before he headed home, exhausted.
He
rode his bike along the riverbank almost
the
all
way home, and
as
he descended onto the road, someone called his name. Looking back, he
saw Maki running
to catch
up with him, her open
jacket flapping behind
her.
They arrived home and
together, pulled the old-style sliding
called out in unison, "I'm
"Welcome back!"
It
was
door open,
home!"
a familiar voice, but
one that they hadn't
heard in a while. As they looked at each other in surprise, Taizo opened the living
room
door.
"I'm home, too!" he said with a smile.
That night Yoriko prepared so much food that they couldn't
fit it all
on
the table.
"Dad
said he
dreamed of drinking beer!" Maki scowled. "Imagine
wanting beer more than your Taizo looked thinner and
was
just the
same
"I don't care
as
it
own
tired.
daughter!"
But
his smile after a large glass of beer
had always been.
what he dreamed about
as long as he's
home,"
said
Yoriko as she picked up the bottle to pour him some more. Taizo sat up straight in a formal position. ogize to
126
all
"I don't
know how
of you for what happened. All the worry
MIYUKI MIYABE
I
to apol-
caused you. You
even got hurt, Yoriko. Well anyway, I'm thankful for you said this, Taizo bowled
"Aw, come
"Come
on,
off
let's
it
down low on
Having
the tatami mats.
Dad, you're embarrassing us!" Maki protested.
eat!"
Maki and Mamoru
After they had eaten,
had
all."
got the
full
story about
what
led to Taizo's release.
"What police
sort of person
was
the witness?
Was
that
what convinced
the
you were innocent?"
"Maki, have you ever heard of Shin Nippon Enterprises?" asked Taizo.
"Of course! Our salesmen
Maki worked
are always out trying to get their account."
company. "Shin Nippon used to deal
for an air cargo
exclusively in expensive imported furniture
years ago they expanded into
and antiques, but about
condominiums and
five
resort hotels. All their
buildings are built with the best materials and furnished with the finest interiors.
They've had a
lot of success
with them, and the company
is
doing well. They were behind that retro fad a few years ago."
"What about Shin Nippon?" asked Mamoru. "The witness was the "I've
umn
vice-president, Koichi Yoshitake."
heard of him," Maki said excitedly. "He had a magazine col-
called 'Fly
on the
Wall.'
A
collection of
them were published
as a
book."
"Hey!
I've seen that,"
broke
in
Mamoru.
"It's
a big
book
full
of
pictures."
"That's right. Photos and
comments on
the workplaces of journalists,
authors, architects, and other famous people." "It sold pretty well."
"So
him
to
he's
famous," murmured Yoriko. "That's
why
it
took so long for
come forward."
"Why's that?" asked Mamoru. Yoriko looked over at Taizo,
was on
his
way
who coughed and
to see his mistress
when he saw
said,
"Mr. Yoshitake
the accident."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
127
Maki and Mamoru were
speechless.
Yoriko took over the explanation. "The police were suspicious because he didn't turn up until several days
He had spoken
his story carefully.
to
home
I
feel
when
everyone?
"Not
way and
like
agreement. "That's the
Mr. Yoshitake wouldn't have any reason to
feeling.
president.
It's
thanks to him that I'm
"He married
One
into his wife's family.
been arrested
if
have needed to think about
Now Maki was man had
that
go through
me
of the detectives told
she
after this."
He must
"Wait a minute!"
to
way
they always have to doubt
must have been hard," Yoriko added. "He went
spite of all that.
had
in
he about what he saw.
company
the
might seek a divorce "It
trying
would have you!" countered Yoriko.
back home," said Taizo with is
was probably
never marry a policeman."
I'd
"Anyway, someone
His wife
right before the acci-
says she
my way home. Why do
I'm on
his
Maki nodding
sense," said
that any
go out of
He
to check out
as fast as she could."
makes
"It
They had
Miss Sugano
dent, w^hen he asked her for the time ...
to get
later.
all
it
to the police in
first."
"Dad would
indignant.
never have
stayed at the scene. Don't forget that
we
of this because he ran away!"
"Maki, you're a hard one to please!" said Taizo with a wry
must have been rough
for you.
And
you, too,
Mamoru.
I
grin. "It
heard about
school." big deal,"
Mamoru
responded.
going to happen now.^"
Mamoru
continued, changing the subject.
"It
was no
"Your uncle
Sayama
is
is still
Maki was
silent.
"So what's
charged with negligence," picked up Yoriko. "Mr.
doing his best to see that
all
he gets
is
a fine.
He
says that he's
close to an out-of-court settlement."
Mamoru knew that
would
just to
M
Yoko Sugano's
I
Y U K
I
M
still
might lose
more problems. But
lead to
have him back home.
bring up
128
that his uncle
I
He was
secret.
YA B E
for
his driver's license,
now, they were
all
and
relieved
also glad that he wouldn't have to
Mamoru
decided to focus on the posi-
tive. It
looked
they were going to be able to take care of the whole
like
incident with the minimal
"Some if
you
things
she could read
of damage.
just can't take
back
Mamoru
summed up
quickly
his cooperation,
.
.
,"
muttered Maki.
Nobuhiko Hashimoto
called
that he wouldn't have to testify,
Mamoru
.
It
was
as
Mamoru's mind and was arguing back.
At nine that evening
know
amount
and got
his
answering machine.
the situation, thanked
and hung up. He was
just as glad
him
to let
Hashimoto
for
not to speak to him
directly.
Later he got a call from Anego. She for
him
in class,
let
him know she had taken notes
and updated him on what was happening with Mr.
Incompetent, Mr. Iwamoto, and Miura. She was delighted to hear that
Mamoru's Uncle Taizo was home and
Mamoru went
things were looking up.
out running at ten o'clock on the dot.
skip his usual route, and
went back
to the intersection
He
decided to
where the
acci-
dent had taken place. The same stars were in the sky as on the night he
had broken into Yoko Sugano's apartment, and the half moon looked close
enough
to cut
your hand on. The intersection was quiet. There
were no other people around; the only movement was from the signal as
it
Forgive
Rest
changed
me
colors.
for poking around. I
in peace.
Mamoru's
heart
wont
was
anyone what
I
found
out.
he ran back home. As he
sitting
on the riverbank.
It
was
Uncle Taizo.
"Can't sleep?"
good
Mamoru
after his run.
had knitted It
tell
light as
neared his house, he saw a white figure his
traffic
made
Over
sat
his
for his birthday.
a brief red arc
down
next to him. The cold concrete
felt
pajamas Taizo was wearing a sweater Maki
He
flicked his cigarette butt into the water.
and then disappeared.
"You'll catch cold in that outfit," Taizo gently scolded his nephew.
"I'm fine."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
129
Taizo asked
Mamoru
to wait a minute,
He came back
vending machine.
and went over to
a
nearby
with two cans of coffee and handed one
to him.
"Be
careful,
hot."
it's
The two drank
"Fm
sorry for
"I'm
the coffee in silence.
murmured
the trouble,"
all
was nothing
just sorry there
Taizo.
could do for you," replied
I
Mamoru. They were feet. "I
Taizo finished his drink, and put the can at his
silent again.
hear you've been skipping school."
Mamoru spat out a
mouthful of coffee
in surprise
and began choking.
Taizo clapped him on the back.
"How
did you
"After
I
got
know?" Mamoru
home and your aunt went
from your school.
Mamoru It
finally
It
was about
broke out
got out.
out shopping, there was a
call
Who
was
three."
in a cold sweat.
"I'm glad you took
it!
from?"
"A Mr. Iwamoto. He asked me wants to
see
you
Mamoru was was he going
as
make
to
sure
you went tomorrow. He
soon as you get there."
perplexed. Did
it
mean
they had found the culprit, or
to be punished?
"Uncle Taizo,
I
want you
to
know
I'm not skipping school because
of your accident." Taizo just looked at the
He went on
pletely unrelated."
river. "It's
the truth.
It's
to explain the entire situation.
Taizo listened quietly. "So, what's going to happen?" he asked
Mamoru was "I don't
when
through.
know.
I
think
I
can trust Mr. Iwamoto to do things
go to school tomorrow and
The two sank
find out
what he has
right.
I'll
to say."
into silence once more, gazing at the huge sign for the
bus company on the other side of the pulled into the garage.
river.
They watched
Mamoru wondered what
the road at this time of night.
130
com-
MIYUKI MIYABE
as a large bus
sort of tour bus
was on
"Things have been rough on you, Mamoru." Taizo said after a while. "Kids have experiences that are tough too, don't they?"
Mamoru
looked
at his uncle
and
finally figured
out what was on his
mind. "Maki's growing up," he offered. "That's right," Taizo chuckled to himself.
Mamoru remembered how had been any
there
you
And
calls for her.
the
way
she had said,
Some
if
things
just can't take back.
"I
won't be able to drive anymore," Taizo mumbled as
"They might suspend your "That's not
what
look in his eyes. I
nervous Maki had looked when asking
"I
I
mean." Taizo
drove for
but
license,
all
lit
it
if
to himself.
won't be for long."
another cigarette with a faraway
those years without a single accident.
was proud of my record."
"Not many people can say "I
was responsible
whole
ahead of
life
Well,
maybe
now I'm
for someone's death.
until
Mamoru
now, but
being punished for
that night." Taizo told
it.
I
had her
to himself.
didn't realize
That's
what
Mamoru how
had decided to stop work sign,
A young woman who
her."
not, thought
was lucky
"I
that."
It
was
a
became proud, and
feels like.
he had
early. Just as
he was flagged down.
it
it. I
felt
I
was
a cold
feeling
good
coming on, and
he had put up his Out of Service
woman
in her forties
headed for the
Narita airport, a long, expensive taxi ride from Tokyo. Her husband,
who was
stationed overseas by his company, had fallen
on her way
to be with him. She
had
ill,
called for a taxi, but
and she was
had been told
there'd be a long wait, so she'd gone outside to look for one.
"That was lucky for you." "It
was
that
new housing development out
find taxis in that area!
The woman
said
it
in
was
Mitomo.
You'll never
a miracle that I'd
come
along just then."
Taizo had removed the Out of Service sign and taken the Narita. At the taxi stand at the airport, he'd picked up a
woman
to
young man.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
131
His wife had
had
just
overseas business
and he had flown home from an
their first baby,
Taizo had dropped the
trip.
man
few blocks away
off a
from the intersection where the accident occurred. good.
"I felt
And
people. the to
way
was pleased with
I
then
hit that girl.
I
She looked as
but
her,
I
couldn't.
flew up in the air and bounced off the shield." Taizo ing. "It
made
to hear
it
head
rubbed
again. But
—
I
I
she
it
meant
to
was being chased,
sound
... a
hear
The bumper
hood of
hit her,
cell
tried to
in
it
I'd
my
imagine what
What
jumped out of the
was
and she
the car, hitting the wind-
never heard before.
dreams. Sometimes
I
I
never want
hear
inside
it
when
I
was
by myself."
the red sweater?
back. She
But
if
what
like while the police were interrogating me, and
Mamoru "I
did and
with his hands, and sighed before continu-
his face
sound
a
locked up in a
girl in
I
she dashed out in front of me." Taizo spoke evenly. "I tried
swerve away from
my
work
the
if
had sounded
she had
I
remember
and she kept repeating something and
the
fallen.^
telling her to stay
don't think she heard. That astonished look
My head was pounding
What about
like.
and she was lying on the ground on her
car,
breathing.
still
it
I
was
still
with me.
on her
in a small voice. It's awful,
didn't
know what was
face,
awful!
happening. There
wasn't anybody around until a police officer came running." It's
awful, awful!
How
could he^
Mamoru
could almost hear her
gasping out the words. "I I
was
don't
agitated,
and the police
remember what happened.
officer I
think
was probably worked I
yelled at
lance and said something about her being chased.
him
to find out
"When
who
it
him I
up, too.
to call an
ambu-
probably yelled
at
was."
did you find out she had died?"
"At the police
station.
I
was
sure they'd never
let
me go home
again."
Neither of them spoke for a while. They listened to the sound of the water.
The
tide
was going
"I can't drive
132
out.
anymore," Taizo repeated. "As long as
MIYUKIMIYABE
I
live,
I'll
never
sit
behind a steering wheel again."
looking out over the
Mamoru watched
it
He
sat
with his head
hands,
in his
river.
caught sight of a for a while.
bobbing up and down, and
raft gently
He thought about
the water receding after a
flood.
"There's no
way Miyashita room
In a corner of a feet
did
it!"
off the
gym, Iwamoto
sat
on one chair with
his
braced against another.
Mamoru
took
a step forward. "After all this time, this
you've
is all
come up with?" Iwamoto was not one gravity of the matter
outburst. "That's
"When was
to take such disrespect
must have somehow
what
I
him
a student, but the
to overlook
Mamoru's
thought when he showed up to confess to me."
that?"
"Yesterday during the noon break.
me any
couldn't give
led
from
asked him about
I
straightforward answers.
I
him home
sent
but he
it,
calm
to
down." Iwamoto frowned and went on. "He went home and hung himroom."
self in his
Mamoru went "He
white as a sheet, and Iwamoto hurriedly continued.
tried to kill himself, but the rope
floor.
His parents were home, and they took care of him. He's
that look off your face! trying to
"So out.
came undone and he
.
kill .
."
Mamoru is
go
in here, they'd think
was
I
see
swallowed a few times and
today. He's asking to see you.
such a ridiculous confession.
him
"No, you go
finally
got a few words
he now?"
home
why he made "I'll
anybody came
Wipe
fine.
you!"
"Where
"He's at
If
on the
fell
He
He wants
refuses to
tell
me
to talk to you."
right away."
to your classes
and
visit
him
after school. That'll be
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
soon
133
enough.
told
I
him you'd be
there this evening.
any more school." Iw^amoto gave
Mamoru's
swam
vision
for a
fevv^
Mamoru
much
you missing
on the head, and
a rap
moments. "That one
approval' for the four days you've missed so
harder next time. You're
can't have
I
far. If it
is
my
'seal of
hurt, think a
little
too stubborn for your ow^n good."
"Just like you!"
"Touche." Iwamoto kept an exasperated expression on his eyes
"So,
his face, but
were laughing.
what happened
to be accused of taking
Iwamoto
to the stolen
money? Does
this
mean I'm going
it.^"
stared at him. "Don't be an idiot.
I
never believed that was
possible."
"But—" "Miura and
his cohorts
understanding that. But
I
planned the whole thing. Give
it
happened, and
and Sasaki coming out of an adult movie
it
took a long time to
"Even
if
theater.
I
And
his head.
ball club.
coals.
I
got
Iwamoto glared
all
When you
The
the club
it
Iwamoto explosively.
at
Mamoru
134
I
they stole
think there are
again, and
it." still
Mamoru
to
members together and raked them over like that
it
is
on
make back
the
leads to
The older boys should have been paying
atten-
toilet-cleaning duty until winter vacation.
the
money
they lost."
pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, and blew his nose
"And
that
is
how
I'm handUng the
theft. It's
having supervised them more closely to begin with. the brunt of
mean
doesn't
have freshmen breaking the rules
basketball club
They can work
they were drunk."
"But they broke the rules of the school and of the basket-
things like lost money. tion.
caught Miura
just get this far."
"That's right. All you kids have jobs these days.
hung
finally
disgusted. "I got the police to lend a hand, but
they were out spending money,
rules against that."
credit for
don't have any proof. I've been wandering
around town every night since
Iwamoto was obviously
me
it,
Kusaka.
I
apologize."
MIYUKI MIYABE
my
fault for
And you had
not
to take
Iwamoto stood up and bowed
for-
Mamoru. "The punishment might seem
mally to to keep
Miura and
beg to be
let
go.
It's
the others
on the basketball team.
who
thugs Hke that
going
lenient, but I'm I
don't care
need the training.
if
Do you
they
under-
stand what I'm saying?"
Mamoru nodded. "Now get to class. and apologize "Okay."
for
But before you go,
Mamoru
don't believe
Mamoru
we
want you
your absences. He's serious about
to see Mr.
Nozaki
his job."
turned to leave.
Iwamoto suddenly spoke I
I
as
if
remembering something. "Kusaka,
inherit our characters."
stopped in his tracks.
"If frogs only
where making a
produced
frogs,
we'd have nothing but frogs every-
racket. I'm not too bright myself, but the reason
age to stick with this job
is
that
it's
I
man-
so interesting to watch the polliwogs
turn into dogs and horses and other types of animals."
Mamoru good
to feel
felt it
some of
the tension leave his face,
rumble through
"But there are
lots of idiots
his
body on
cow and
tips of their
do your
make
way
it's
out.
a snake.
are sure they've got a rhinoceros.
own
It felt
out there with bad eyes. They see the
of an elephant and start screaming that of a
its
and he laughed.
noses. They'll drive
They grab
They
you nuts every
tail
the horns
can't see past the
time. You've got to
best to avoid them. They're not going to go out of their
way
to
things easier for you."
Yoichi Miyashita lived in a three-story building. His parents were
both notary publics and used the
first
floor as their office. Yoichi
had
painted the sign announcing "All Registration Procedures. Real Estate
Appraisals" over a landscape of the local scenery. Yoichi took after his mother,
Miyashita led Yoichi's
Mamoru up
works was
in a
who was
to her son's
short and fine-featured. Mrs.
room on
the third floor.
One
of
frame on the wall next to the door.
Mamoru knocked and
a small voice answered,
"Who
is
it?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
135
"A
friend of tsurusan.^
The door opened and
'Tm
hopeless.
I
Yoichi's face
poked
out.
can't even tie a knot." Yoichi couldn't bring himself to
Mamoru in the eye. Mamoru looked up at
look
had
the ceiling at the grating from which Yoichi
hang himself:
tried to
was glad about
it
was strong enough
the clumsy knot.
Still
looked smaller than
injuries, Yoichi
to hold his weight. He-
bandaged up from
his
prcvujus
ever.
"Why'dyoudoit?" '^V)]chi
"\
was
silent.
heard about
trouble for
it
from Mr. Iwamoto. Were you afraid
I'd get into
and be expelled? Were you trying to help me out by lying
it
about stealing the money.'"
was awfully
It
that Yoichi's parents were trying to avoid
son recuperated. "Well,
\'ou
quiet.
were wrong. What
would have
Finally, in a voice
me
left
got the feeling
making any noise while
Did you ever think about how we would ha\e responsibility that
Mamoru
if
felt
\'ou really
about
their
had died?
Think of the
it?
with!"
no louder than that of
a
mosquito, Yoichi answered.
"I did it."
"Of course you
didn't."
But Yoichi continued,
me
you'd never talk to
'i
did
it.
I
did
it
all. If
you knew what Vd done,
again."
"What do you mean?"
Now
he had Mamc^ru worried.
'*
What
exactly
did you do?"
Tears had begun to "I
fall
on Yoichi's cheeks.
"I did
it
all,"
put that article about your uncle on the bulletin board,
stuff
on the blackboard, and
your house.
I
did
Mamoru was
136
.M
I
Y U K
wrote 'Murderer'
speechless. his tears,
He
.M
wrote that
blood on the wall of
stared at Yoichi's head as he turned
and then
at his
when you broke our window?"
I
in
I
all."
it
away, trying to hide cut your hand
I
he repeated.
I
YA B E
bandaged hand. "Did you
"
Yoichi nodded.
Suddenly doing
it
said
it,"
was
"Miura and
all clear.
Mamoru
low
in a
the others threatened
you into
voice.
Yoichi nodded again.
"They used you so that they wouldn't be caught." bered the time Yoichi had showed up at Laurel.
Mamoru remem-
He had
started to say
was about.
something, but then stopped. This must have been what
it
"You
One
didn't get injured falling off your bike, did you?
found out you showed up where
work and
I
of
them
me what
tried to tell
they
were doing. They beat you up." Yoichi wiped his face with his
"They must have threatened
Mamoru
able to paint again."
not a great student, and the
lost that,
paint. I
It
my
if
me
behind.
I
wanted
"Make up I
for
I
told
I
me
feeling
at sports, I'm
the time of day. But
can do better than other people.
eyes out.
out
went
in,
I
all
kill
Then
my
It
can If I
would
me, but they threatened I
might as well be dead.
insides
and leaving
just the
couldn't go against them."
to
Mamoru. "But
make up
I
for
it
Kusaka. You
felt like dirt,
who
ever took
me
somehow."
it.^"
came out and took
off the hook. But
before
me
in his ears.
no good
understand me. You were the only person
seriously.
"If
my
like pulling
Yoichi finally looked at tried to
saying. "I'm
won't give I
blood rushing
feel the
they had threatened to
hands and put
would have been
shell of
girls
you so badly that you'd never be
wouldn't have anything. Those bastards scared me.
have been different to cut off
could
the only thing
It's
hand.
to hurt
do anything," Yoichi was
"I can't
draw and
left
I
couldn't even pull that off.
but
to stick to
worse than
I
my
would
responsibility for the theft, that
couldn't
manage
I
thought about
to convince Mr.
wasn't worth
living.
But
I
all
you
night
Iwamoto. He
painting and not worry about you.
ever. Life just
it
get
I
went home
couldn't even
hang myself!
Mamoru
took a deep breath. "Thank heaven for that!"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
137
Mamoru
left
six thirty
when he
the Miyashita arrived.
home and headed back
He
and
Mamoru went up
It
work
the
up Miura's
It
was
took out a penlight,
end of the
at the
fifth
row
equipped with a brand new bright-red combination padlock.
right,
was
was
long ago, and the grounds
set
to the second floor,
started looking for Miura's locker.
on the
It
climbed over the closed gate and slipped
through the night entrance. The sun had
were empty.
to school.
locker,
of a few seconds to
and
set
pop
it
open.
Mamoru opened
about putting the entire crumpled contents
were dirty towels, books, papers, notebooks
into perfect order. There
with bent covers, smelly T-shirts, and a half-finished box of cigarettes.
Mamoru
tore a page out of one of the notebooks
"Kunihiko Miura believes
Mamoru
placed
it,
in heredity."
on top of the
it
and wrote on
entire pile, closed the door,
and
replaced the lock.
As soon
had
as he
left
the school grounds, he found a pay
phone and
called Miura's house.
"Hello?" Miura sounded unnaturally pleasant; he must have been waiting for a "Is this
his girlfriend.
Miura?"
"Yeah, but
Mamoru throbbed.
from
call
.
.
.
wait a minute!
could
He
feel his
tried to
Is
that you,
blood pressure
And why you
boondocks, and I'm Isn't that right?
And
did
it. It's
I
Mamoru was listening? This
138
a
a parasite
you
is
his temples
this,
I
town, I'm from the
a father
who was But
door you should've
Miura began
and shouted
your only chance.
MIYUKI MIYABE
a
in
everything you've
like to pick on.
of silence before
prepared for
new
orphan with
that's the type
moment
know about
because I'm
and you know why? You've opened up
There was
and
rising,
speak as clearly and deliberately as possible. "I'm
only going to say this once, Miura. done.
Kusaka?"
I
a thief.
pity you,
left
shut."
to yell, but
right over him.
"Are you
won't be there to have another chat
the next time
you
feel like
one! All right? I'm an ungrateful sponge with
a thief for a father. But there's
money,
Mamoru
ever found out about that."
true! I'm the
It's
Miura was
silent again.
"You were
right,
That's the
it is.
way
.
.
now,
.
.
"Shut up! Think back now.
it
you were
right.
wasn't the key.
I'm the son of a things
I
I
I
Remember
was behind
A
bike lock
the
more
blasted out with the last thing he
you
family,
many
I
a thief. That's the
why
bike?
took the lock off her bike,
things like that.
no big
Her
liked?
home without you?
she went
all that. I
is
you
that girl
deal.
And
I
can do
it
because
more
there are lots
ever,
his
had
anger flowed. Finally,
locks as
EVER, do anything
I'll
you
like
to
me, any of
or you can try to run
be on your
trail.
Mamoru
to say.
my
friends, or
won't hold anything back. You can close yourself
any good. Is it
believe
can break than bike locks."
The more he spoke,
"If
A thief begets
And you
wait a minute," Miura sputtered.
.
was born doing
killer.
you put on
my veins."
She said she found her key and that's Well,
his
things are. So you'd better be careful. I've got
wait
just
mother.
—he held
graffiti
Miura! I'm the son of a murderer.
the blood of a killer flowing through
"Now.
"That
my
son of a murderer!"
things like that are inherited, don't you?
way
killed
wasn't lying
father responsible for his mother's early death.
my house?
My father swindled
He
but he was also a murderer.
that's for sure,
Nobody
more you don't know.
How
away
— but
it
in
with as
won't do you
about that motorcycle of yours?
locked up nice and tight in a safe place? You'd better check
before you ride
it
next time.
my
You could be
driving
full throttle
it
over
when
the
brakes go out."
Mamoru together.
could almost hear the sound of Miura's knees knocking
"Got
it?
Don't forget,
it's all
in the genes.
Now you watch
out
for yourself."
Mamoru slammed down weight
in the pit of his
the receiver for
good measure. The heavy
own
knees
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
139
stomach dissolved. He realized
his
were shaking.
Mamoru
heaved a deep
sigh.
From
leaned against the glass of the phone booth and
the weekly tabloid Spider,
November
30:
A Good Heart or a Sweetheart? The witness who followed his conscience Do any
of our readers
have an annual income of ten
married to a beautiful heiress and have a mistress
geous? The photo
to the left
is
billion
who
is
yen? Are any
even more
gor-
Koichi Yoshitake, vice-president of Shin
Nippon Enterprises and the possessor of
such rare good fortune. Not
just
only that, but he also has a rare sense of justice and fairness. It all
student
began
was
between the
late at night
by a
hit
driver,
on November
The
that the victim
tress.
who
Miss
and the dying words
was
far
,
I
businessman
is
who
lives in
forty-five
who
is
Thanks
his
to his tesis
time of night. The reason he
way
to the
an apartment near the
home
raised himself from the position of lowly
owned by
where he
of his mis-
site.
years old and a native of Hirakawa.
current status. Shin Nippon Enterprises,
founded and
of the victim,
from Yoshitake 's home, and he had
for being there at that
have was that he had been on
Yoshitake
conflict
running into the street
had been detained during the investigation,
location of the accident
fact
in
light,
came
man.
a free
no respectable motive did
twenty-one-year-old college
to contradict him. Enter Mr. Yoshitake.
timony, the taxi driver,
once again
A
Without any witnesses, there was a direct
taxi.
who swore
despite the fact that she had a red
which appeared
13.
is
He
is
a
shrewd
salesman
to his
vice-president,
was
the father of Yoshitake's wife. Naturally, he
is
required to exercise a certain discretion with regard to paramours.
Yoshitake the
taxi driver
showed up was being
behalf. His testimony
at the
Joto Police Station
held because no
matched
one was
that of the driver.
when he
learned that
available to testify
He remembered
on
his
that just
before the accident he had stopped the victim and asked her the time. Her
response was "Five past twelve." This convinced the police of the bility
140
of his testimony,
and
MIYUKI MIYABE
led
them
to conclude that the accident had
credi-
been
caused by the
victim.
It
also proved that Yoshitake had the courage to put
justice over his family, although
some
say
it
only a matter of time before
is
wife has him served with divorce papers.
his
And one must
ing,
pity
the unfortunate Miss
became
with Yoshitake
public,
she
and has reportedly gone to stay with
And
Yoshitake and his wife are settled.
among
our readership,
I
At
first
hold.
any other such fortunate
to
glance, everything
traffic
accidents on the
Maki wasn't
off to school,
Nowadays, he
Mamoru
Wanted
out of bed,
new
a
made
routine. Previously he'd
released, but he
his lunch
and packed
had washed
late at night,
left
the house.
He
off.
When
to
left it
Company had for
work he could do
him
him
spent
they noticed
knew he was reading
once and then
it
come back and work lots of
worked
Mamoru
was returned
Mr. Satomi from the Tokai Taxi
was
work each
to reading the newspaper.
ads. His dark green taxi
back. There
to
window and saw them
especially closely, they
invited Taizo to
went
and then started her housework.
sat next to the
it
Asano house-
as cheerful as usual, but she
more time than he used him studying
in the
seemed back to normal
and had been sound asleep when Maki and
ing,
men
to your secret rendezvous.
Only Taizo had
was
matters between
order to avoid the wrath of your wife and keep
in
morning. Yoriko roused
him
relationship
where she was work-
a friend until
your lover from tears, please take care to avoid any
way
Once her
.
quit the nightclub
the Help
the day after he
untouched.
visited the
house and
until he got his license
besides driving, such as clean-
paperwork, and personnel management. Taizo turned the offer
down without business
a
second thought. His determination to avoid the taxi
was holding
fast.
"He's a stubborn one!" Mr. Satomi had said in exasperation as he "We'll get by somehow," Yoriko had forced a smile as she
Things had also settled
down
for
Mamoru
seemed to have worked on Miura and
at school.
his gang; they
saw him
left.
off.
His strategy
had completely
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
141
stopped bothering him. Yoichi Miyashita's injuries had healed and he,
was back
too,
in class.
One evening
Asano household
as the
six o'clock
news on
screen and
saw footage of
in the
"At three o'clock
K
this
background,
sat
down
Mamoru
to dinner with the
looked over at the
TV
a familiar building.
afternoon at the Laurel department store
ward," said the announcer, "a middle-aged
man
in
suddenly became
violent."
Mamoru put down his rice bowl and listened intently. "The man took a knife from Housewares and stabbed two The
ees.
culprit
was
later identified as
employ-
Kazunobu Kakiyama,
a local
resident."
"Mamoru, reached
isn't
down
that
to pick
where you work?" Maki asked excitedly
up the chopsticks
as she
Mamoru had dropped on
the
floor.
"The two injured employees were Goro Makino, aged
fifty-seven,
in the
thirty.
guard
Takano was stabbed
shoulder and seriously wounded. Although there were approxi-
mately
were
and Hajime Takano, aged
a security
fifteen
hundred customers
hurt. Police
in the store at the time,
none of them
apprehended Kakiyama and took him to the Joto pre-
cinct for questioning.
Due
to
Kakiyama's
state of agitation
immediately
following the attack and his history of substance abuse, police believe he
was under
By
the influence of drugs at the time."
the time
over.
Mamoru
Takano was
arrived at the hospital, visiting hours were almost
lying
on the hospital bed with bandages around
neck and shoulder and an IV attached to did his best to "Well,
lift
come
his
his uninjured right
his
arm, but he
Mamoru peeked into the room. Mamoru with a smile. "It must have
been
You should have
seen
head when
in!" he greeted
a shock to hear about this." "I
me
142
saw
it
on the news while
choking."
MIYUKI MIYABE
I
was
eating dinner.
Takano
him
told
would be back
that they
had been there
that the pohce
awful what happened. Does
"It's
not as bad as
looks.
it
hurt
cut.
Any
higher and he
would have had
his back.
avoid
it.
"I'm not as fast as
Well, at least
I
his throat
his heart.
thought.
I
was
keep
like this to
his chin to indicate
and the knife would have gone through
down
much?" asked Mamoru.
They wrapped me up
from getting any worse." Takano used been
and
for a formal interview the next day.
"It's
it
to talk to him,
where he had
slit.
Mamoru sure
I
it
Any lower felt
shivers
could duck and
no customers were injured."
"How about Mr. Makino?" "He tests
hurt his back
were
when he was holding home with
He's probably at
clear.
"Who would
have thought something
the attacker
down, but
his
his feet up."
like this
could happen at our
Laurel?"
Books and Housewares were on opposite ends of the fourth
When Kakiyama
floor.
broke the glass showcase with his bare hand and took
out the knife, a female employee had pressed the emergency bell and
Takano and Makino had come running. Otherwise, customers would certainly have been involved.
"They ought
now
to give
this attack,
"Didn't you roll for
what would
Mamoru
one that pulled
As they
it
could
when tell
a
girl
on the roof and
do without you?"
few of us incompetents on the pay-
they need a
that
it
hurt.
little
"And
brute force." besides,
Takano
you were the
off last time!"
talked, the
appeared to be taking just
the store
know? They keep
emergencies like this
laughed, but
was
you a medal. What with that
IV solution dripped effect, as
Takano
drawing quietly away from
his
steadily into Takano's arm.
started to look drowsy.
It
Mamoru
bed when Takano began talking
again.
"... But
"What
it's
a
good opportunity, you know."
is?"
"Do you remember
that girl?
The one
in the red
sweater?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
143
"Of course
I
do."
"She's a top student at her school. She wasn't the type to
remember why
thing hke that. Apparently she can't even
began slurring
his
words and, seeing
his eyes
do some-
Takano
..."
were drooping,
Mamoru
tiptoed out of the room.
On
his
into Takano's
When moru dered
if
work had had
men always went
his
a silver lining to this
appendix out, he had told Ma-
crazy over the nurses.
Takano's time had come and,
would be
a clipboard
turned around to admire her, and watched her
room.
Sato from
that single
young nurse with
the hall, he passed a
Mamoru
hands.
in her
walk
way down
whole
if
so,
maybe
Mamoru won-
that
meant there
incident.
But what had Takano meant by a good opportunity? That wasn't
something you'd expect to hear from someone
As he went out the emergency
death.
lights pulled
exit,
who had
just
escaped
an ambulance with flashing
up and medics hurriedly carried out someone wrapped
in
yellow blankets on a stretcher.
How
come
that girl
even remember
The end of even
if
why
the year
who had
she had done
was
a time
almost jumped off the roof couldn't it?
when customers would come
to
shop
the store's blinds were drawn. Sales targets were set high,
and
employees were harried.
On the ing
Sunday of the month, Sato and
first
away from
foyer
on the
to the
the
Books section running the
first floor.
amount
Customers got
a
Mamoru
spent the morn-
lottery set
number
of purchases they had made. This
up
in the large
of chances according
was another
special
feature of the year-end season.
The
144
lottery
machine was computer-run and resembled a
MIYUKI MIYABE
slot
machine.
An employee screen.
pulled a lever, and numbers rotated rapidly across the
The customer pushed
button to stop
a
stopped at showed what prize they'd won. too noisy
— and the kids loved
it.
and the number
it
looked good and wasn't
There were two such machines, and a
employee operated each. Pulling the
single
It
it,
lever
and pushing
it
back into
place for one customer after another in a line that never got any shorter
two
quickly wore the
"Hey,
out.
Mamoru, have you
gling to keep a smile
on
ever heard of Shurado?" asked Sato, strug-
his face.
"Shurado? What's that? Some kind of martial art?"
"No, no, those
who
one of the
it's
hell.
that got to do with this lottery?"
handing a customer
tomer gave
The place where
and walked
Sea,
Sato continued. "They
grand
prize, a
asked,
The
cus-
seven-day cruise on
off.
fall
into Shurado, full of the hatred of bat-
brimming with
their hearts
Mamoru
a packet of tissues as a consolation prize.
a lingering last look at the
Aegean
tle,
Buddhist
are killed in battle go."
"And what has
the
six levels of
bitterness
and
spite.
And what should
await them there but yet another battlefield! The morning sun comes up
and the enemy
They
again.
arrives with their
are
their swords.
wounded and
By evening
moan and groan and
their
tal.
Which
fall,
fight
but they stand up again and wave
arms
fall
off
and then
their legs.
They
cry in pain."
"You've been reading too
"I'm not done
swords drawn, and they have to
yet.
much
again."
Even then they don't
die;
they become immor-
natural, of course, because they've already died once.
is
No
matter
how
mortal their wounds, as soon as the sun comes up, they're
healed.
And
then off they go again to fight their enemy. All they can do
fight.
And
so
is
"It
sounds
it
goes on, over and over again. Sounds terrible, huh?"
like the
Japanese national rugby team having to play the
All Blacks."
"We
stand here hour after hour, pulling this lever," continued Sato.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
145
"But
all
we're doing here
"Why do you "That's
what
say that? I
is
fooling the customers."
They enjoy
mean. They
it."
grand prize
really believe that
is
in there.
never seen anything higher than third prize, that stereo video deck."
I've
"Is that true.^"
The woman who had moved
to the front of the line
broke into their conversation, her eyebrows wrinkled
"Of course not!" there's a
said Sato with a fake smile
He took
grand prize!"
the
woman's
on
ticket
in consternation.
his face.
"Of course
and pulled the
lever.
She got a fourth prize.
"You
way
talk
too much,"
back to the woman. "Fourth or
Mamoru warned
prize.
Would you
him, and then turned
like a roll of plastic
wrap
some cough drops?" Sato refused to stop talking, but at least he lowered his voice.
"Customers show up with
their tickets in their
fist
and
their heart.
They end up buying things they don't need
extra ticket.
When we
The
die,
we're going to Shurado for our
lottery hell. We'll be pulling this lever
our arms drop line of
we'll
customers waiting for
do
it
sins,
have handfuls of
an
Mamoru.
until night
there'll
in
till
be another tickets,
and
over and over and over."
"What nonsense Anzai,
us. They'll all
dream
just to get
from morning
Every morning we'll wake up and
off.
a
who was
are
you
filling this
boy's
mind with?"
It
covering for Takano while he was out.
now, so go have lunch. Then
I
want you
was Madame
"I'll
take over
to spend the afternoon checking
stock in the storage room."
"Merciful Lord Buddha,
During lunch self
in the
and went
with
Madame
to
I
employee
thank you!" exclaimed Sato.
cafeteria with Sato,
phone Hashimoto. Yoriko had
left this
to call
What could Nobuhiko Hashimoto have
I
Y U K
I
M
I
YA B E
excused him-
message for him
lottery.
morning, you got
someone named Hashimoto. He wants you
M
left a
Anzai while he'd been working at the
"She said that right after you
146
Mamoru
a call
from
him back."
to say to
him?
When
he
was
called, the line
busy.
He
tried three
more times
at intervals of
two
minutes, but the line remained engaged, so he hung up. Sato was grin-
ning at him
"Was
it
when he
returned.
your girlfriend calling to break up?"
"Yeah, but I'm not worried. We've broken up
we
times and
lots of
always kiss and make up." Sato
bowed
in
mock
"You win! And here
defeat.
one place to the next. Don't
try to stop
"So where are you going
at
New
I
am
traveling
from
me, love!"
Year's?"
Mamoru
neatly changed
the subject.
"I'm going to see the Paris-Dakar Rally."
"Wow!
It'll
"Yeah,
I
cost
you though."
suppose, but that's what I'm working and saving
counting on you to look after things while I'm gone.
And
if I
for. I'll
don't
back, stand looking toward the Eurasian continent and pray that
be
come I
rest
in peace."
This
Mamoru
reminded
of
previous
their
conversation
about
Shurado, and he decided to run by Sato something that had been weighing
on
his
mind about Yoko Sugano.
getting a better job to
make money
"Sato, have
so
you ever thought about
you could travel?"
"Better job?"
"You know, something
easier that
Sato looked confused. "What's
"Nothing,
I
just
would bring
all this
about
money."
in lots of
all
of a sudden?"
wondered."
Sato scratched his nose and thought. "Lots of
be nice, but that sort of thing
is
usually trouble.
money
.
You have
.
.
That would
to
one, or they're trying to scam you. Nope, I'm not interested.
bookshop and
Back
it
suits
me.
at the storage
I
work
for
in
was
airing a fashion
and out watching
I
I
enjoy the
earn."
room, they found goods to be inspected and
mountain of books and magazines display
what
scam some-
show
to return.
On
a
top of that, the video
of next year's bathing suits. Sato
was
it.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
147
"You should naked!
Go
see the high legs
on those
more naked than
suits! It's
take a look!"
Mamoru wore
Within an hour, the T-shirt
under
his
uniform was
soaking wet with sweat, and the mountain of work hadn't shrunk a
Mamoru
decided this was more of a Shurado than the
at the piles of
magazines they had
lottery.
He
bit.
looked
tied in bundles to be returned,
and
thought about Information Channel.
How many copies had He was
How many people had read that article?
sold?
it
most of the copies had gone
pretty sure that
this route, getting
sent back to the publisher with their covers cut off.
We had some copies left, and he bought them all. That man had apparently talked of suing, but could you someone
to court for pretending to be your girlfriend
out of money? Lost in thought,
Mamoru
of another sort of publication, the type
The
editors cut out articles
re-edited them,
technology. There
was
and swindling you
roam over
the cover
as a "cutout magazine."
from newspapers, magazines, and
Mamoru knew
tabloids,
of a couple
book reviews and another on new computer
demand
a
eyes
known
and printed them by genre.
of such magazines, one of
for both of them,
The magazine he was looking full
let his
really take
at
now was
and they sold
a little different.
well. It
was
of "page three" news, such as crimes, accidents, and scandals.
wasn't the sort of thing
many people would
work-related needs
Anyone
their
own
for.
be interested in or have
that curious
would probably make
scrapbook. Very few people would go the route of buying
magazine, especially since
it
was expensive
together by hand. This one had
come
It
this
— cutout magazines are put
directly
from the publisher rather
than through the normal distribution channels. Takano had carefully explained to the
man who
delivered
them that he would have
to
come
pick up any unsold copies after three weeks.
Mamoru
noticed the
title,
"Accidents and Suicides,
and October," and he picked up an
148
article
M
I
about
Y
a copy.
his uncle's accident.
UKI M YA I
B E
etc., in
He wondered
if
September
he would find
There was one short mention. There were chppings from the three
and the Tokyo Daily News, which the
largest papers, the business paper,
Asanos took.
Mamoru
took up only half as
It
how
thought about
too, that hadn't
made
space as a kidnapping case.
many
there were probably
Any
the papers.
for the people involved in
much
other things,
was equally earthshaking
incident
it.
As he flipped through the magazine, he noticed another heading:
"Woman Jumps line to /
to
Death from Tozai Line Platform." Maki took that
work, and he remembered her mentioning
heard at the station that the head of the
found on the coupling between two His attention caught,
woman who
Mamoru
sat
Atsuko Mita! Wasn't she one of the Channel}
Mamoru
article again.
woman who jumped was
not kidding!
down on
was Atsuko Mita
died
Fm
cars.
(20), a
women
it.
the floor to read
company employee
Atsuko Mita.
Suicide.
No
November: Yoko Sugano died
Mamoru
Hashimoto
He
suicide note,
an accident
in
no
will.
again, but the line
was
a while longer
still
— but
Still
ran to the pay phone on the same
thought for
..."
looked up, blinked a few times, and then read the
to a suicide since she'd run out in front of a car. zine,
"The
interviewed for Information
October: Atsuko Mita committed suicide by jumping train.
it.
in front of a it
was
similar
holding the maga-
floor.
He
tried calling
busy.
and decided to
call the
publisher of the
cutout magazine to ask about something that might have appeared in a previous issue.
Mamoru
on hold. He tapped
called, explained
what he wanted, and was put
his foot in impatience as
melody. Finally someone came on the
he listened to the music box
line.
"Hello? Sorry to keep you waiting. Yes, there Kato.
It
was
in
an
article
on September
2.
is
something on Fumie
She jumped off the roof of her
apartment building."
"Does
it
"They
didn't find a will.
say whether she
left It
a will?"
says they were searching for a motive."
So Fumie Kato had also committed suicide without leaving a
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
will.
149
"Are there any
about Kazuko Takagi?"
articles
There was silence for
a
few moments.
Mamoru
heard the sound of
pages being turned.
"No,
I
don't see that
That made the four
three.
women
Mamoru
name
was
It
here."
still
only three. There were already three.
Information Channel
in the
article, three
had
Of
died.
suddenly realized that Sato had come up and was standing
beside him.
"Hey, what's the matter? You look liters
you
donated
a
couple
came up." Mamoru sprinted
for the
like
just
of blood."
"Ah, look stairs.
He had
talk about.
.
.
.
to
something
just
go see Hashimoto. This had to be what he wanted to
Three of the four
women
...
it
couldn't be a coincidence.
Nobuhiko Hashimoto was gone. And
it
wasn't just him. Everything
owned was gone.
he
All that
green house. The walls
left
was
left
the burned-out shell of that
standing were cracked and covered in soot.
In other places only the steel frame
The whole
was
remained poking up toward the
sky.
place resembled a blackened skeleton.
Mamoru walked up to the rope labeled with a sign that said "Danger! No Entry!" He felt something crunching under his feet. Pieces of sharp window and rounded
bottle glass floated in puddles of water along with
the ash.
Everything had burned. The
nothing was
left
filing
cabinet
was
partially melted,
and
of the desk but the steel rim. There were a few springs
from the couch that
Mamoru had
sat on.
What had happened? What had happened
to
Hashimoto?
"Did you know Hashimoto?"
Mamoru
150
M
I
spun around to see who, was speaking.
Y U K
1
M
I
Y A
BE
It
was
a
woman
wearing a red apron and holding a broom
in
one hand. "Uh
.
.
.
yes."
"Are you a relative?"
"No,
I
barely
know
him.
What happened
here?"
"Hashimoto's dead."
Mamoru
"Dead?" "It
was
a
stood there with his mouth open.
propane gas explosion," the
awful. All the houses on the street had their a mess."
You
The woman took
a closer look at
answered.
windows blown
out.
Mamoru. "Are you
was
"It
all
What right?
don't look too good."
"Did Mr. Hashimoto
die in the explosion?"
"That's right. Burned to a crisp, or so to
woman
Mamoru
I
hear."
The women motioned
with the hand that wasn't holding the broom. "Now, you
get out of there.
It's
dangerous. The police said to stay away."
Mamoru moved away from the house, giving it one more long backward look. On the mountain of black rubble he noticed the clock he'd seen before on the wall.
The
glass
was broken and
had stopped
the hands
at ten past two.
Everything was gone; blown to smithereens. That was
why
he hadn't
got through on the phone. He'd heard that phone lines temporarily retained the appearance of being connected after lines were cut in an accident or a disaster.
"Do you know what caused
the explosion?"
"Who knows whether it was the alcohol or the fact that his wife had left him. He was a strange one. Nobody knew what he was thinking." Mamoru wasn't sure what she was talking about. "What do you mean?" "It
was
"The gas
suicide."
lines
everything.
department
you
my
I
The woman dangled
broom from
were open, and he had poured
guess he
is
the
lit
a
a
her fingers.
tank of gasoline over
match and that took care of the
doing an investigation. Are you sure you're
rest.
all
The
right?
fire
Can
get in touch with his family? Someone's got to take responsibility for
broken windows and the water
all
over everything."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
151
Mamoru
didn't hear the rest of
what she
said.
He
couldn't hear any-
thing.
Nobuhiko Hashimoto was dead. Mamoru leaned
against the fence of
the house across the street. Another suicide.
wasn't three out of
four. It
was now four out of
who were
the five people
Information Channel interview.
It
just
It
wasn't possible.
involved in the It
couldn't be a
coincidence.
had
It
as cold
was
to be murder.
and calculated
Someone had
plotted to
these four.
kill
as slitting their throats with a knife.
the only connection to the four
women. He was
connect the three corpses to each other. The
filing
It
was
Hashimoto
the link that could
cabinet had contained
records of the interview and photographs which must have been in the
way
of whoever had planned the murders.
If
Hashimoto had put
the three deaths together
why
put them together. That was
The only question was
suicides.
what about
die.
—Mamoru looked up into the sky— how had
the murders been carried out?
of sorts, but
he had had to
—no, he must have
Yoko Sugano's death had an explanation
the others.^
Each of them was witnessed.
off a roof or in front of a train, but
From
all
was
It
how
appearances they were
possible to push
someone
could you make someone
kill
himself?
A
burned smell mixed with the stench of gasoline floated on the wind.
Gasoline! That to finish off
was
it.
The propane gas alone would have been enough
Hashimoto. Gasoline and a flame had been added to make
sure the contents of the filing cabinet were destroyed, too.
But how? hurt.
So
If
the murderer
had been
That was why the police had judged
how had
it
phone
152
call that
Or had
it
would have been
to be suicide.
been done?
What had Hashimoto wanted
died?
there, he or she
to tell
morning. Did he want
he figured out
MIYUKI MIYABE
how
me^ Mamoru remembered
me
to
know
the three
they'd been killed?
the
women had
"
The clock had stopped
place?
When had
ruins of the house were cold.
The
now.
"
It
must have happened
at ten past
two.
two
at ten past
It
the explosion taken
was
in the
morning.
That meant Hashimoto couldn't have called him
name. All of a sudden
called using his
it
became
He had
four
The magazine a
found
memo
it
and
is
article.
the
That made him
in a cold sweat.
home! He remembered
at
him
called
blocks until he
that he
had given Hashi-
phone and
to find a
came across
He might
it
was had
—to warn him that he was next!
own phone number. He
call his aunt.
He
ran for several
one. In a panic, he struggled to
remember
his
gripped the receiver and heard the metallic dial
What
be too late already.
Asano speaking," answered
"Hello,
had
Mamoru had
with his phone number and address. Whoever
Mamoru had
tone.
else
the only remaining proof of the connection between the
women. Mamoru broke out
moto
—somebody
clear.
only remaining copy of the Information Channel a link.
just past four thirty
if all
his
he got was a busy
signal.^
Aunt Yoriko.
"Auntie, you've got to get out of the house!"
Who
"What?
Mamoru.
"It's
this?"
is
I
don't have time to explain. Just do
get out of the house. Don't take anything with you.
Taizo and
Maki
"Just
do what
"I don't
you were "I
out. This that's
"He gave me
his
Mamoru went to read It
said he it
is,
but someone called again while
—
number. Shall
silent.
He
sure Uncle
with you?"
Hashimoto wants you
why
say. Just
you!"
know what your problem
know,
"He
earth's the matter
say! I'm begging
I
Make
I
Now!"
are with you, too.
"Mamoru, what on
what
I
give
it
to call
to
him
—
you?"
gave a number?
had something important to
talk to
you about. I'm going
out."
wasn't Hashimoto's
Mamoru's head began
to
home phone number. pound.
He
felt like
It
had
a
midtown
prefix.
he was playing dodgeball
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
153
with the Invisible Man. Where would the next didn't
He
want
to
phone so
A
flying
from?
He
to run away.
number Yoriko had given him. The phone rang
was answered. Mamoru
didn't
know what
to say.
He
held
tightly his knuckles turned white.
you, young man.
went on
want
work
154
it
wanted
come
calm, husky voice spoke to him.
"It's
I
the call, he just
finally dialed the
twice before the
make
ball
in a cheerful tone.
to talk to you.
is
I
Y U K
I
M
I
know
it's
you." The voice paused and then
"I'm afraid
I've given
you
a bit of a shock.
Without Nobuhiko Hashimoto, of course. His
done ..."
M
I
YA B E
CHAPTER 5
The Invisible Light
Mamoru had him
a flash of deja vu.
for kilUng
It
was
the
same voice that had thanked
Yoko Sugano.
"You're a smart boy," the raspy voice v^ent on.
whoever
it
was was
too. I'm looking
either very
ill
Mamoru
or a chain smoker.
forward to meeting you
in
decided that
"And quick
person."
Mamoru finally forced the words out from between "Who are you? You're the one behind all of this."
"You!" teeth.
to act,
clenched
"All of this?"
"You know what
I
deaths of three of the "I see!"
mean! The explosion that
women
in the
all
was dead and
of that?
to explain about those
article."
surprised. "You've already
called today to
I
Hashimoto, the
Information Channel
The voice sounded genuinely
looked into
killed
tell
you that Hashimoto
women. I'm obviously too
late
though."
"But why?"
Mamoru was
voice.
"Why would you do
about
it?
"It's
all
What do you want
too early to
almost gentle tone. comes. Until then,
Hashimoto
all
tell
just
that
and then go to the trouble
to
tell
me
to accomplish?"
you
"I'll tell
unable to keep a hysterical edge out of his
that." Suddenly the voice switched to an
you what you want
remember
died following
my
to
that those three
know when
the time
women and Nobuhiko
orders."
155
"Orders? That's ridiculous. to
kill
What
would follow orders
sort of person
himself?"
The
voice laughed.
who
student
It
was
the mirthless laugh a teacher might have for a
said something funny in class,
and the voice continued
in the
condescending tone of a teacher dealing with a particularly poor student. "I
know you might
not be able to believe
of things you'll never understand. You're
it
still
But the world
yet.
is full
just a child."
Two women pushed their bicycles past the telephone booth. One of them looked at Mamoru with a concerned but condescending expression that seemed to say, What's the matter,
lem,
you should go
talk to
an adult about
Maybe whoever was on expression.
You poor
young man^ it.
the other end of the line
boy, the voice
you can handle, but do your
If you've got a prob-
best. It
seemed to
say. /
made Mamoru
wore the same
knotu angry,
more than
it's
and the anger
kept his fear in check.
The voice went
the only conclusion to be drawn.
It's it
on. "Every one of those
quite right
and that meant trouble
women committed
Even Yoko Sugano for you, but
own
certainty that she ran into that intersection of her
"But
it
was on your orders?" Mamoru
"That's right.
Got
rid off
"And
I
It
I
I
—
can
suicide.
didn't get
I
tell
you with
free will."
persisted
got rid of each of them."
sounded
as
though he had tossed them on the trash heap.
don't regret a single one.
I
intend to get rid of the last one the
same way."
The
last
one:
Mamoru
struggled to
remember
the
name
of the other
woman — Kazuko
Takagi. She had been seated on the far
photograph
magazine.
in the
A
beautiful
"I'm not afraid," the voice went on. I've
done. But
I
can't take
He was down on
his luck,
woman
"Nobody
with long
hair.
what
any chances. That's why Hashimoto had to go. but he wasn't a fool. After your
three of the four were dead, he certainly
MlYUKl MIYABE
of the
will ever discover
checking up on what had happened to the women.
156
left
If
visit,
he started
he had found out
would have suspected me."
"So you knew Hashimoto. Hashimoto knew "That's right. Let
me
you
give
one
show me
who
were."
one that went to the
a hint. I'm the
Information Channel pubhsher to buy up also the
who you
the copies they
all
had
I'm
left.
Hashimoto about suing them, and asked him
lied to
to
from the interview."
his notes
Mamoru remembered what Akemi Mizuno had told him about the man who had bought the magazines, and how she thought he had been trying to protect a daughter or granddaughter. "I
hear you're an old guy."
"Yes, I've lived at least half a century longer than you."
"But
why
are
you doing
this?"
"My convictions."
Now that was a
declaration!
"My convictions. Let's
you and
That's
make
I
Mamoru
all I've
Then
you'll
can do.
shred of
don't
I
was stopped by
it.
I
to
sit
Now
I
you know when
I'll
until
don't need to
prove
it all
you
then?"
Mamoru had
this
phone and running
to the near-
about to hang up there and then, but
the energy in the voice at the end of the line.
froze
all
right!"
It
was
full
of confidence. "Think about
to lose but his stingy pride, but
on the
spot.
I
did.
The voice waited
You
to
you have
are different."
make
sure he
and then continued. "You understand now, don't you?
what you know about me. There's nothing you can do.
people's will to
to
it's
know! There's nothing you
had no choice but to deal with him as
listening,
care
I
Mamoru was
can stop you
Mamoru
let
body moving.
he was just mad. "I don't care what you
hanging up
Hashimoto had nothing
plenty.
I'll
Kazuko Takagi.
around waiting
know.
me from
est police station."
"Oh,
to
fear.
want
can do to keep
to keep this old
understand what I'm capable of."
"And you expect me lost every
left
a promise to each other.
time to get rid of the fourth one, then.
got
almost laughed out loud.
my own. And
wouldn't be hard at Fear returned to
that includes your family
and
I
I
was
don't
can bend friends.
It
all."
Mamoru's
heart as quickly as
if it
had been attached
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
157
"
He
to a tracer bullet. it
could see the faces of everyone he loved in the
light
shed.
"You're a coward."
was
It
too hard for you to find
Mamoru
all
me and
kill
could get out.
know how
me. What's keeping you?"
to use. There are a lot of things the
— "There's nothing "How about a I'll
use
It
small demonstration?"
someone
people do what
me.
teasing tone, "That
late for is, if
we
I
want
him
"Tonight
off. I
can make
you
We
to.
The voice added
you
to take action."
still
feel like taking any action ..."
discuss that
I'm looking forward things
voice cut
your family to prove to you that
Do you know what you're
"You're crazy! don't
in
The
two of us share."
want. Then you can decide whether or not to believe
I
won't be too
"Why
shouldn't be
you, boy. You're brave and you've got intelligence that you
"I like
at nine.
"It
doing?"
when we meet
have
lots in
in a
in
person?
common and
to teach you. Until then, just forget all
It's
something
many
there are
about me.
I'll
be in
touch with you." "I'm going to look for Kazuko Takagi," sure
you
"Do
as
you please." The voice laughed. "Tokyo
do you plan
to find her?
won't answer
if
you go
He must mean four
Mamoru
make
that
I
is
a big place.
How
don't think she's anywhere you'll think of. She
calling her
name.
She's already scared to death."
Kazuko Takagi knew
she
was
the only one of the
left alive.
"I've got
one
last
thing to say to you. Don't waste your time look-
ing for me. All the clues are gone, You'll just have to wait until
I
and
I
won't be
from somewhere
come home
else,
again.
Not
at this
number
it
had been borrowed
before hanging up. "I won't answer, and until the time has
MIYUKI MIYABE
again.
contact you." The voice put an end to the
conversation with a line that sounded as though
158
"I'll
began.
can't hurt her."
come."
I
won't
Kazuko Takagi
also learned
about Nobuhiko Hashimoto's death when
she found herself in front of the burned-out shell of his house. She had
decided to
visit
him when she was unable
to bear
it
all
any longer. She
spent her days selling makeup, a smile pasted on her face, but inside
something was eating her
was
alive. It
like a stain
on a carpet, impos-
sible to hide or ignore.
She couldn't ignore the fact that she was the only one of the four of
them
Hashimoto might know something. Once she got
left alive.
the
notion into her head, she hadn't been able to wait. After meeting him
had sworn never
at the interview, she
Now he was
again.
four of them and
But
He was
her only key.
how
felt
the one person
who knew
all
dead.
Standing in front of what was
what she
have anything to do with him
to find them.
now Hashimoto was
ized that the fear she
to
had been
left
of the gate to his house, she real-
feeling thus far
was nothing compared
to
now.
"You! Excuse me." Kazuko realized she was being addressed by
woman
in a red
just
is
"Are you
an acquaintance."
The woman squinted her has
m displeasure.
Hashimoto's?"
a relative of
"No,
apron, her eyebrows furrowed
a
e'yes
and
lifted
her chin in disbelief. "All he
acquaintances, and they're showing up one after the other."
"Has someone
else
been here?" Kazuko couldn't imagine Hashimoto
having any friends concerned for his well-being.
"About an hour ago.
He
stood there just
like
"A boy?" That was
A
boy
you.
— looked
Looked
like
like
he was about to lose his lunch."
puzzling.
When Fumie Kato and Atusko Mita had it
he might be in high school.
died,
Yoko had been
certain
couldn't be a coincidence. Kazuko, however, had refused to take her
seriously. It
must be one of our
for revenge
and
clients,
he's killing us off one
None of those men have got the
Yoko had
declared. He's looking
by one.
nerve to do that, Kazuko had snorted.
THE DEVILS WHISPER
159
f
And why would any of them have same
the
need
to kill all
one of those jerks
clients. If
of usf None of us have had
looking for revenge, he'd only
is
one of us.
to kill
Maybe he saw
that magazine article
much chance any of them saw it! There was someone, Yoko had murmured. He There's not
Vm so scared.
won't stop bothering me. Is
why you movedf
that
Yoko nodded. But
was shaking
at the
do what we
Kazuko had
after
me.
tried to act offhand, but inside
thought that the same thing could happen to
man
There's nothing that
found me. He'll come
he^s already
Full yourself together!
she
read the article and he
He cant even
can do.
was any
did. If there
sort of scam,
sue us.
it
We were
was by
her.
hired to
the company.
It
wasn't our responsibility.
why
That's
was
he's killing us.
Kazuko could hardly hear Yoko's
no other way
so soft. There's
did
How many
suicide.
we do wrongf
It
it
to get to us.
Stop talking like an idiot! Atsuko and Fumie weren't
committed
voice,
times do
I
wasn't pretty, but
it
have to
tell
killed.
They both
your What exactly
was our job
— nothing worth
being killed over.
Yoko had been
What
silent.
didn't
really believe
do anything wrongf
nobody would want Because
it's
Kazuko, there
would do
for a while.
Kazuko's
is
How
That day,
someone,
this to us.
really say
can you say that nobody hates
us,
on usf
just before they parted, she
isn't there f
There's
You're just as scared as
right
who had in
what you're sayingi Can you
to get revenge
fooled.
Yoko had been
160
Kazuko
true!
Yoko wasn't
had died
just stared at
IS it'r
Kazuko, do you
we
She
I
had
said,
someone you know
am.
about someone knowing. But the only
seen the Information Channel article
client of
was dead; he
May, four months before Fumie Kato had jumped from
MIYUKI MIYABE
that
the
roof of her apartment building.
women
the
were the targets of a heartbroken
in the article
looked him up at the
When Kazuko had begun
last
number
to
worry that
client,
she had
she'd had for him, and the person
who
had answered the phone told her he had died of an overdose. Kazuko
remembered
that he
remember what
had worked
in a university laboratory.
was; some kind of medical research.
his field
Kazuko had mailed him
ics.
client
had been disgustingly
He took
had refused
her, jokingly calling
had had
to believe she
when he had
He had
naive.
everything at face value;
insinuations. She
Channel that
the one copy of Information
Nobuhiko Hashimoto had given The
She couldn't
lots of clients,
received notices that she
spent his
life
in
of Kazuko's tactics,
all
was capable
a "souvenir."
it
all
of her
but he was the only one
who
him
even
of swindling
was
academ-
defaulting
like that,
on the repayments
of loans he had guaranteed for her.
when
You're a fool! she had told him figured
it
out yetf
It
was
all
an
act!
But he had refused to believe
He
didn't hate her
him
— he
all
her,
loved
wanted
the magazine. She
about him and
still
You
to
re
nothing to me!
and had blindly chased
And
her.
make
the rest of them.
he kept calling. Haven't you
had done the
heard from him again. Kenichi Tazawa
—that was
no way she could have known that he would "Tell
me more about
the boy,"
was why she had
that
sure he understood
It
kill
after her.
trick.
his
how
she
sent felt
She'd never
name. There was
himself.
Kazuko asked
the
woman
in the red
apron.
"Hmm? He
looked
like
any other boy you'd
permed, there was nothing unusual about
see.
his clothes.
His hair wasn't
He
didn't look like
a delinquent."
"Did he look
"No, much
As
for
like
Hashimoto?"
better looking."
Mamoru, he was
already on the train home.
If
Kazuko had
arrived ten minutes earlier, he might have caught sight of her on the
opposite platform and
come running over
to talk to her.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
161
"So, do you think you can get in touch with Hashimoto's family?" the
woman
"Someone's got to pay for the damage to
persisted.
"You should be glad replied
and stalked
it's
off.
of the neighbors that she live.
something money can take care of," Kazuko
When
few things together and
my house."
she got back to her apartment, she got a
left at a
was
run. She didn't
leaving. She
tell
had to
her landlady or any
somewhere
find
She'd find an apartment that you could rent by the week.
would be
able to find her. At least for a while.
Mamoru
tried everything he
Miyashita.
He
came home
at
Nobody
could think of to forget about the time.
ran until he was ready to drop. his lock-picking tools,
else to
He
He
locked the door of his room, got out
and polished them. He
called the hospital to ask
called
Anego and Yoichi
how Takano was
doing.
Maki
about seven, and he listened as she talked about the movie
she had been to see. "I fell asleep," she confessed. "I said
I
wanted
to see
but the rest of them wanted to see this period drama.
"You
fell
I
an action movie, lost the vote."
asleep because you're out so late every night," Yoriko said
firmly.
Maki
stuck out her tongue.
"It's all
those year-end parties
I
have to go
to," she grumbled.
Mamoru
knew, though, that
at least half of the
time she was out
drinking to forget her troubles. She was out past midnight most nights,
and she always came home alone. Taizo's accident had over her relationship with her boyfriend, her crying on the phone late at night. to
tell
"I
know
I'm having a
M
I
YUK
I
I'd
M
I
little
too
much
could
tell
that she didn't
fun. Last night
been part of the time. That
YA B E
shadow
Maekawa. Mamoru had heard
her family about the breakup and put up with their
remember where
162
He
cast a
is
I
want
pity.
couldn't even
definitely too
drunk."
"Now you're
scaring me!
You might
on your back
as well put a sign
asking to be mugged."
"Don't worry, inflicted
Mom.
Ninety percent of
by someone the victim knows.
ing for a taxi, so
I
all
violent incidents are
was only walking around look-
I
wasn't in any danger."
"You can
talk all
Mamoru
absently looked at the clock as he listened to his aunt and
you
like."
cousin argue. His mind went blank and he
felt like a
soldier crawling
toward a landmine.
"Mamoru, why do you keep They had
staring at the clock?"
Sunday evening supper.
just finished their simple
It
was
almost eight.
"Ami?" "Yes,
you
"No,
I
Are you going out?"
are.
was
just
wondering whether
Taizo answered, "No,
I
just
it
was slow."
wound and
The Asanos had an old wind-up clock probably give
his eyeteeth to get
hold
reset
all it
wound
it
of. It
At
would
had been a wedding present it
had never stopped
once a week and oiled
took to keep that pleasant ticking sound
for the family.
today."
that an antique dealer
and had survived earthquakes and moves, but ing away. Taizo
it
it
tick-
occasionally. That's
in the house,
keeping time
Now even that clock looked like a landmine to Mamoru.
eight-thirty,
Mamoru went up
into his
room and
closed the door.
He
told himself nothing
He
turned off the light and sat in the dark staring at the digital clock
would happen
if
he stayed in there by himself.
next to his bed.
At eight-forty there was "It's
me.
Do you mind
peeked around
it,
knock on
if I
come
his door.
in?"
Maki opened
the door
and
then slipped in without waiting for an answer. "What's
the matter with you? Are
Mamoru couldn't kick "So,
a
you
feeling sick?"
her out.
what do you think?
It
He
smiled vaguely and shook his head.
sounds good to me."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
163
"What? What sounds good?"
"You know what I'm
talking about. Weren't you hstening just
now?
Mom was talking about Mr. Yoshitake's visit." Now Mamoru
remembered. Koichi Yoshitake from Shin Nippon
Maki were
Enterprises had been around while he and
brought one of
"Dad
his
employees with him, and had offered Taizo a job.
can't drive a taxi
anymore, so
work somewhere. Not too many
why would Mr.
Yoshitake
"You know, Dad got thrown
.
.
tion
it
to
pay
too,
if
get a chance.
Maki wouldn't was so
make amends.
tense he could hardly in his family
Okay? Promise?" So
was
the
know why
an answer. Shin Nippon
for
now
move and
Who .
don't
I
is
You should men-
be our joint project."
stop talking, and
".
.
because he ran away from the
in jail
It'll
We
his offer."
well. I'm going to try to convince them.
you
his age.
.
and Dad are making him wait
bound
men
?"
scene of the accident. He's trying to
Mom
have to find some other
he'll
places are looking for
might as well take Mr. Yoshitake up on "But
He had
out.
man on
his
the
saying,
was almost
it
mouth was
phone
Maki
nine.
Mamoru
dry.
afterf
got up and
Mamoru
left.
exhaled slowly and stared at the clock. It
was
eight-fifty.
"Mamoru, come downstairs. Eight
fold the laundry!" Yoriko
"Mamoru? Can you
fifty-five
and
was
calling loudly
hear me?"
thirty seconds.
Mamoru
sighed.
There was another loud knock on the door and Yoriko came both arms
full
in
with
for
your
of dried laundry.
"Your uncle
is
taking his bath.
Do
this for
turn." Yoriko stood for a second looking at
Mamoru
from
just
shook
me
until
I
call
you
Mamoru. "Are you
sick?"
his head. Eight fifty-nine.
"Really? You're pale as a ghost. Oh, that reminds
me
—what were
you talking about when you called home today?" When
Mamoru
refused to look up and answer her, Yoriko turned to leave the room. She
164
MIYUKI MIYABE
frowned and looked
back over her shoulder
briefly
Mamoru's
the door behind her. At that instant
wmd-up
nine o'clock, and the
Mamoru
sat there
The clock chimed over and .
.
him before
closing
digital clock flashed
on
clock downstairs began to chime the hour.
with his arms around
seconds. One. t\vo
at
his knees.
and the
over,
digital clock
showed
the
.
The clock stopped chiming.
It
was nine o'clock and
ten seconds.
Fifteen seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Mamoru's door slowly opened Her eyes were pointed
again, and
Mamoru's
in
Maki poked
me, boy.
called
I
in.
direction, but they didn't see him.
She was looking off into the distance as she spoke ""Listen to
her head
m
measured tones.
Xobuyuki Hashimoto.
That's
when
he
died."
The door closed
as she
Mamoru jumped door. She
""Hey
I
was
left.
up and ran into the
m
sitting
a
CD
He threw open Maki's
front of her stereo.
What do you mean running
jumping up with
hall.
still
"Maki, what did you
.
"You mean about Mr.
.
m .
in here like that!" she screeched,
her hands. ""What's the matter with you?**
just
come
in
and say
to
me?"
Yoshitake.'**
She didn't remember.
"Mamoru,
you're acting weird."
Mamoru made up the bed with his
head
an excuse and
m
his
left
the
room. He
sat
on the edge of
hands.
"Maki, telephone!" called Aunt Yoriko from downstairs.
""Who
IS
It?"
Mamoru
the stairs. Just the
Mamoru was
same
left
heard Maki trotting quickly and lightly
down
as usual.
feelms alone and frightened out of his wits.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
165
Mamoru's days began
away from everyone he was
stayed
pen to them
had
do
to
It
it
if
He
to feel like a series of recurring nightmares.
they got involved.
what would hap-
close to, fearful of
He had
to put a stop to
And
it all.
he
alone.
was mid-December, and
decorated for Christmas and pet could be heard.
the streets were full of activity. Shops were
New Year's,
The community
and the Salvation Army trum-
association began
making
night patrols warning residents to be on the alert for long, sleepless nights,
Mamoru
fires.
annual
its
During
his
could hear the members greeting each
other as they passed each other on their rounds.
"There are three Days of the Cock be lots of
fires," said
this year, so there are
to
Yoriko. She put up stickers throughout the house
admonishing everyone to "Watch Out For
Mamoru's room. The
bound
sticker
Nobuhiko Hashimoto had
Mamoru
reminded
died.
He
one
Fire," including
uncomfortably of
in
how and
recalled the melted filing cabinet
the horrible charred smell.
For the past few days, in
Mamoru had
been having a recurring dream
which he heard the sound of gas leaking.
sound, but
it
was happening
in
Hashimoto
sleeping.
Mamoru
three times.
was not such an unusual
Mamoru's house, which
son was also Hashimoto's house. ette of
It
Mamoru
for
some
could see the black silhou-
The telephone was
ringing. Once, twice,
kept screaming, warning him not to answer
Hashimoto woke up and answered
rea-
the phone.
Then
there
was
But
it.
a muffled
explosion. Flames blew out the windows.
Mamoru covered
in
if
at this point in the
sweat and curled tight into a
tect himself
What
awoke, as he always did
he told someone.^
him he needed
fetal position, as if trying to
would
a vacation.
What
if
pro-
he came clean about the whole
believe him. They'd laugh
He might
jumping off a roof or running
MIYUKI MIYABE
him
off,
and
tell
even end up laughing at himself.
But he was sure that anyone he told would be dead
166
He was
from the impact of the explosion.
thing? But no one
after
dream.
in front of a
in a
matter of days
speeding
car.
Then
the
phone would
ring for
No, he couldn't stopped saying asking him to
him
Mamoru:
much
why
anyone.
tell
Boy, you broke our promise
And
since he couldn't talk
Maki was not
of anything.
one look
who had
wouldn't even talk to Takano,
after his first visit, Koichi
just plain
annoyed.
difficulties
the
Mamoru
discharged himself from the
Books
at Laurel.
and Yoriko had talked the mat-
over endlessly between themselves, and on occasion with
They discussed
off again.
Yoshitake came back, this time by
himself, to hear Taizo's decision. Taizo
too.
he
it,
pleased, and she kept
hospital so he could take care of year-end business in
Mamoru,
.
about
and then move
at his face,
Anego had stopped being worried and was
ter
.
he was so cranky. Yoichi Miyashita would sidle up
for a chat, take
A week
.
money
they needed to
live
Maki and on and the
Taizo would have finding another job at his age. Shin Nippon
had recently gone into the take had for Taizo
rental furniture business,
and the job Yoshi-
would have him loading trucks according
forms he was handed. They had
finally
to the order
decided to accept the
offer.
Yoshitake was delighted with the decision.
When
they heard his car pull up,
what kind of car he had come "Is
it
"No,
in.
Maki
tiptoed to the
She whistled
in
window
to see
admiration.
an import?" he's definitely
not a snob.
I
read an article he wrote about cars.
Japanese cars are second to none, he said,
and
that's
why he
always drives
domestic models."
Mamoru's
first
impression was that Yoshitake looked
and healthier than he did set off perfectly
in
photographs. His skin was deeply tanned,
by the color of
The Asano family was
much younger
his shirt.
painfully
aware of the
put himself in by testifying about Taizo's accident. They
had had to endure
ridicule.
he had
difficult position
knew
that he
Mamoru and Maki were unsure what
sort of
an expression they should present when Taizo introduced them to Yoshitake as his son and daughter.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
167
Yoshitake, however, appeared to have no qualms at
meal Yoriko had decision;
fretted over
making
all.
He
praised the
for him; he expressed joy at Taizo's
and he answered Maki's questions with
details of business trips
he had taken overseas, trends in interior decoration, and information on the latest fashions.
Maki was spellbound
as he described his first visit to Sotheby's,
where
he submitted the winning bid for a beautiful long pipe the Dowager
Empress had used
Maki
Forbidden City during the
in the
late
Qing Dynasty.
hadn't looked so relaxed and happy since her father's accident.
"The Dowager Empress loved her "That's
what they
say.
luxuries, didn't she?"
She was probably one of the reasons
why
the
Qing Dynasty was overthrown. She supposedly had two thousand robes to wear.
"Yes,
Have you it
had
been to see
slept
it
with Maki, and he distinctly remembered
through half of
The whole time Yoshitake was sense that he had
gray car
it,
but he decided not to mention that.
in the house,
met him somewhere
Before Yoshitake silver
The Last Emperor?''
was wonderful!"
Mamoru had that she
ever seen the movie
left,
Mamoru
Mamoru had
before. But
the nagging
where?
sneaked a look out the window. That
— now he remembered. The night he had gone to Yoko
Sugano's apartment, Yoshitake had been standing at the intersection
where she had
died.
After the family said their farewell at the front door and Yoshitake left
the house,
Mamoru
pocket searching for
Even
rich
men
slipped outside. Yoshitake
had
his
hand
in his
his key.
lose track
of their keys, thought
Mamoru.
Yoshitake noticed him standing there and called out, "Sorry for staying so long.
Did
I
leave something behind?"
He
favored
Mamoru
with a
well-rehearsed make-the-sale smile.
"Do you mind
if I
ask you a strange question?"
Mamoru
began.
"What's on your mind?"
"Mr. Yoshitake,
168
I
saw you
MI YUKI MI YABE
at the intersection
where Miss Sugano
got
hit. It
was
Sunday
the
after the accident, at
two or two-thirty
in the
morning." Yoshitake gave
Mamoru
hard look. His eyes
a long,
finally softened
and he smiled.
"I
saw you.
How did you know?"
been found out.
"I guess I've
I
go running, and that night
I
ran out to see where
it
had
happened." Yoshitake reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a pack of
"I see."
cigarettes, "I
and
lit
remember
up.
the smell of your cigarettes, too. They're unusual."
Yoshitake laughed.
"I'll
be more careful the next time
go out on
I
covert activities."
The purple smoke was "I
want
and you
thank you," said Mamoru. "A
to
private
life.
family doesn't
mean
I
sister
I
was adopted
need to be more upfront about the role
I
smiled in
I
won't lose
I
my wife's my lesson.
into
play in the com-
just' that."
relief,
need to apologize
other witness
I
and
can't take care of myself. I've learned
pany, and I'm ready to do
Mamoru
at stake for you,
My wife won't divorce me,
position in the company. Just because
decided
was
on by the mass media. You don't have to
a big fuss put
my
worry about
I've
lot
came forward."
still
"That was
my
lovely.
and Yoshitake went on.
to.
I
the scene
left
would come forward. I'm sorry
"It's
and waited
you and your to see
for the grief that
if
some
must have
caused you."
"But you went to the police
"Of course to
I
did.
It
in the end."
was only
one of concern. "Haven't you
"Me?" Mamoru was "That's right.
Now
right." Yoshitake's expression lost
what
some weight?"
surprised.
it's
my turn to catch you off guard! I came
here even before the police did. before deciding
changed
to do. In the
I
around
thought of talking to your family
end
I
didn't, but
I
did see you."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
169
Mamoru
tried to think
when
that could have been.
"Were you
in this
car?" "That's right."
Now he remembered.
"You were parked by
the riverbank."
Yoshitake nodded. "You were running. Your cheeks weren't quite so
sunken
in."
Mamoru
"Is that so?"
reaHzed Yoshitake could well be
He
right.
hadn't had a moment's rest since that mysterious phone conversation.
"Look," Yoshitake began slowly. "This was an unfortunate But I'm glad that wife and
He
I
I
got a chance to get to
smiled gently.
I
hope
best to help
It
was
said
As
Mamoru
your
father.
the days
went
by,
once
see
me.
Mamoru. "Thanks
to
it
come
sister. If
in a while,
I'll let
death of anyone
Mamoru
Maybe
it
was
all
over and there was nothing to be
this
was
it's
Takagi.
to find her.
wasn't an unusual name.
170
in the
had
He had looked
MIYUKI MIYABE
live in
been looking for a
said, there
it
of them, but none were the
She might not even
newspapers about the
Mamoru had
him
all
the caller
the reality of the situation.
named Kazuko
started calling
remembered what
time to get rid of the fourth one,
to contact her. But just as the caller
for.
my
began to forget where things stood. Every
way
looking
do
I'm only doing what's right."
There were no reports on the news or
and
I'll
straight in the eye as he spoke again.
you know when
and he knew that
It
my power,
for everything."
afraid of. But then, in the next instant, he said:
If it's in
he began to think that the mysterious caller would never
contact him again.
had
you ever have any prob-
you out."
Yoshitake looked
owe
My
the sort of smile that could touch your heart.
you'll feel free to
"Thank you,"
"I
family.
don't have any children of our own."
"I'm glad to have met you and your lems,
know you and your
situation.
up
was no way
in the
for
phone book
Kazuko Takagi he was
Tokyo, and Kazuko Takagi might
not even be her real name. got out of
it
was
He would the murder.
Mamoru
lots in
He would
not
Kazuko Takagi
let
time came. For now,
all
teeth in an effort to keep
night
when he
die,
he told himself.
the mysterious caller
What had
in the first place.
common} He had
One
talking.
have to wait. But when the time came, he would stop
The only question was why
Mamoru
gave up on that idea. All he'd
from so much
a sore throat
just
finally
he meant
when
Mamoru that he'd explain it all when Mamoru could do was wait. He clenched up
and
started to
walk away without a backward glance.
was
the man's
hand
Mamoru was off
she ran into the house and
past the man,
talking to her, but
walked around to the other
cept her, and grabbed her arm.
Then
who was
his
The passenger door opened and Maki stepped
in the driver's seat
Maki shook
the
his courage.
The man
but
we have
told
out.
out,
he said
got back from running, there was an unfamiliar
car in front of the house.
The man got
had contacted
got out
side of the car to inter-
ready to run to her
and slapped him
slammed
Maki
side,
in the face.
the door.
Mamoru walked
standing there in shock, and followed his cousin
inside.
On the contrary, she looked almost cheerful. that was impressive," Mamoru said, and Maki started laugh-
Maki wasn't "Well, ing.
crying.
"So that was Maekawa?"
"That w^as him. He started acting strange as soon accident. I'm sure he thought that
be bothered with a
girl
whose
anyone
father
was
as
Dad had
that
as elite as himself could never
in prison."
"But he didn't go to prison." Thanks to the efforts of the lawyer Sayama, Taizo's own unblemished record, and the settlement with Yoko Sugano's family, the final sentence would most likely be a claim, the bare
minimum
only have to pay a "I
was lucky
for a driver hitting a pedestrian.
summary
He would
fine.
to find out
what he was
while to finally give up on him.
I
really like, but
don't like
it
took
him anymore, but
me
a
I
didn't
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
171
want people
to think I'd been jilted.
other girls liked him.
I
guess
I
was proud because so many of
I
wasn't any
the
of a snob than he was."
less
"You'll find a better guy."
"Yup. The next one won't be so concerned with appearances." "I
know someone who would
"You'll have to introduce
Mamoru was
never pay attention to what people think."
me
to him."
was not
referring to Takano, but he
in a position to
introduce his boss to his cousin at the moment, since their relationship
was
And Mamoru knew
strained.
could be targeted because ried that he
might end up
was keeping
his distance
In the end,
it
it
was
his fault,
Mamoru depended on Takano about
telling
from him to avoid
was Takano who came
but he believed Takano
him.
He was
also wor-
the mysterious caller.
He
just that.
to see
Mamoru, on December
thirtieth.
"I
know
it's
a busy time of the year," said
He looked much
turbing you."
better,
Takano.
"I
hope I'm not
and you couldn't even
dis-
see his ban-
dages under the large sweater he was wearing.
"You're
all better! I
guess
that'll
put your fan club at ease."
"Myfanclub.^"
Maki came
discreetly into the
room with
a tray of refreshments. She
gracefully set the coffee cups in front of the the subtle yet enticing smile that quietly left the
was
young men, gave Takano
the hallmark of an ace hostess, and
room.
"That was probably the newest member," you'd better watch out,
The two chatted
Mamoru
still
didn't
she's
Mamoru
laughed. "But
not nearly as meek as she looks."
for a while longer
about nothing
in particular.
know why Takano had come. Or maybe
he was pre-
tending not to know. "I
172
came today
MI
Y
UK
I
for a reason,"
MIYABE
Takano
said finally, setting
down
his
empty coffee cup. "You've been acting see
how
rude
We
you were doing.
when
talk to
I
"I'm sorry." as worried
It
strangely,
Mamoru.
came
I
to
can't really talk at the store. You're almost
you on the phone."
was
painful to see that
Takano was not so much upset
about him.
"Nothing bothering you?"
"No, and I'm sorry whether the
lie
was
I
gave you that impression."
"Well then, I'm relieved to hear
me
Mamoru wondered
written across his face. it.
As long
as that's taken care of, let
ask you for your opinion on something."
"My
opinion?"
me
"First let
explain.
roof. I've thought
about
It's
it
about that
girl
long and hard, but
who I
tried to
just can't
jump
off the
come up with
a
satisfactory explanation."
Mamoru remembered Takano the hospital.
"You
said she
was
talking about the girl while he
was an honor
student,
in
and not the type to
cause trouble, right?" "Yes, and that's
when
it
All of a
happened;
what bothers me. Also
the
way
out. Let
me
explain a
can't figure
I
it
her mother acted little
more."
sudden Takano got very serious. "Have you ever heard of
kleptomania?"
"What's that?" "It
who
means someone who has
has an
irresistible
them, and even shoplift.
It's
Since he
a
if
a pathological
need to
impulse to take things even
they have the
money
to
when
steal.
A
person
they don't need
pay for them. They
steal
and
form of obsessive behavior."
was
at a public
high school,
Mamoru had
not had the benefit
of taking classes in psychology, and could only answer, "So are you saying that this girl
had
.
.
.
that?"
"Yes, both she and her parents are at a loss as to
how
to deal with
it.
She's seeing a speciaHst."
"That must be tough."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
173
So when she kept saying afraid of her
"And
own
frightened she was, she must have been
lack of control.
then there's that Kaki\ ama guy
"I haven't heard
Takano shook clean
how
when
any more about him.
"Wow! But you know I drugs, you can
Is it
attacked true he
Makino and me."
was high on drugs?"
his head. **He's enr a record of using drugs, but he
happened.
it all
who
still
H-
.
rest
was
afterward was negative."
read somewhere that once you're hooked on
see things
and
lose control even after
you stop taking
them." "Flashbacks. Yes, the police said that, too."
"Something
tells
Takano had a
me
you're not convinced.^
distinctly skeptical
look on his
face.
He
tinally
answered,
"These two incidents happened within ten days of each other, but noth-
them had ever happened
ing like
at Laurel before.
Don't you think
that's
strange?" "It's just
"Do you
a coincidence. They're completely unrelated." really think so? All of this started after
tract with the
we
started that con-
Ad Academy."
"Ad Academy?" "That video
display,
remember? They're the company that runs
Mamoru remembered the he had seen
"The
it
somewhere
official
known
large retail clients
He was
sure
before.
name has
generally just
it's
logo he had seen on the screen.
it."
as
'marketing' or some
Ad Academy.
word hke
that in
it.
but
They're getting more and more
—family restaurants and other chains."
"Are they an advertising agenc>^?" "I don't think so.
It's
not that straightforward. They consult on sales
promotions, training personnel, marketing research want. I've read their brochure. They sound
me. But
why
a fact that their clients are
oil
salesmen to
showing increased
sales. That's
like
snake
Laurel signed up with them.'*
"So
174
it's
—whatever you
is
there something like intimidation or bribes involved?"
MI Y UK
I
MIYABE
Takano laughed. "No,
that's
not
It
it.
would be
turned out that the bad rumors about
It
a lot easier
were."
if it
Ad Academy were
more
of a
technical nature.
"One
my
of
and he now works
me
that
air
at
Ad Academy had
department
had
store.
used a new, very subtle stimulant drug at a
swallowed or
didn't have to be
It
do was inhale
to
— he was a few years ahead of me, the research center of a major corporation — told from college
friends
it.
They spread
it
person
injected; all a
throughout the store through the
conditioning system. There's no actual proof that this happened, but
the information
I
got
was
"What good would
reliable."
do?
a stimulant
Make
the customers
come
run-
ning or something?" "Stimulate their desire to buy things."
Mamoru
listened
open-mouthed.
"You've heard of impulse purchasing, haven't you? People buy things they don't need and that cost regret
would have "So
it's
to
like
do
is sit
back and watch their stock
when customers
get
"Exactly! Laurel always plays
soothing music
want
is
all
an impulse, fly
when
excited
Afterward they all
they
off the shelves."
things go
uptempo music during
on
sale?"
the sales.
played in the furniture and jewelry sections
More
—we don't
the customers walking quickly past them. We're controlling their
impulses to a certain degree. "It
Ad Academy takes
it all
several steps further."
sounds creepy."
"And
it's
different again at restaurants.
you you're hungry, trols appetite. It
stop
afford.
a store could artificially induce such
If
it.
more than they can
when
it's
your brain. There's
commands you
it's full.
It's
Would you
brain could be tricked into
to eat
believe
not your stomach that
a part of the brain that con-
when your stomach
me
tells
if I
commanding you
told
is
empty and
you that part of your
to eat
when
you're
full
by
using drugs, music, or low-frequency sound waves?"
"You mean you'd want "Right!
And
sales
to eat even
though you were stuffed
would skyrocket. For
a while,
it
full?"
was popular
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
to
175
lose weight using hypnosis.
using the same principles to induce the
It's
opposite."
Mamoru Academy
tried to put
doing something
is
"I'm sure of
how
"But
"So what you're saying
together.
it all
like that at
that
is
Ad
Laurel?"
it."
two accidents prove that?"
did the
"Side effects," Takano said without a hint of doubt. "The victims suffered side effects. penicillin
—
detergent because
developed by
"The
shock
I'd die of
girl
it
if I
was given
irritates their skin.
Ad Academy
who
same with any medicine. I'm
the
It's
tried to
are
bound
commit
a shot.
The
Some people
sales
common. Both used
can't use
promotion methods
to be unsuitable for
suicide
allergic to
some
people.
and the man who attacked me
had something
in
out that the
took tranquilizers for chronic depression. Kakiyama had
girl
or had used medication.
I
found
been on drugs. Flashbacks can be caused by something as innocuous as a glass of beer or a dose of flu medicine." It all
sounded alarming.
"So you believe that
Ad Academy
lant to get people to spend
is
using something like a stimu-
more money, and
that stimulant reacted with
two took and made them
the medicine those
lose control? Is that
what
you're saying?" "That's "I
what
asked the
was no
sign of
there.
for drugs,
thought at
staff in
large, invasive
and
I
but then
I
got stuck." Takano sighed.
charge of building management, but they said there
any tampering. To disperse drugs into the equipment.
And and
first,
that I
It's
Kakiyama
don't think
air
would take
not just a matter of tossing drugs out here
—he was clean when the police
Ad Academy
is
tested
him
capable of producing chemi-
cals that can't be detected."
"So you're back "That's
what
I
at square
want —
There was a knock lot to talk
176
about.
one?"
at the door,
Would you
MIYUKI MIYABE
like
and Maki peeked
in.
"You two have
some more coffee?" She walked
in
a
with
and
a pot of coffee
slices
of cheesecake. "I just
whipped
this up.
I
hope
you Uke sweets?"
Maki had completely watched
ized as he
his
recovered from her broken heart,
Mamoru
real-
cousin cheerfully pouring them coffee.
"What were you saymg about Ad Academy?" asked Maki,
as she
discreetly settled onto a chair.
"Hmm?" ''Isn't I
had
that
a really
what you were
I
I
couldn't help but overhear.
bad experience with them."
Now Takano was "Oh,
talking about?
interested.
"What happened?"
remember!" interrupted Mamoru. He hadn't meant
to,
but he
suddenly recalled what she was talking about. "That sneak preview!"
Maki gave Mamoru
and turned back
of her way,
"That's right. There
Academy and ward
left.
I
their
bought
got home, but
'T
to
a
look that clearly warned him to stay out
Takano.
sneak preview of a movie sponsored by
company. The movie was cosmetics
in the hall outside the theater, the
as they I
was
a cosmetics
huge display of
as
a subtle
I
new products and was a pile of things
I
selling
them
but after-
company had
didn't need.
couldn't just throw
all right,
them I
Ad
set
up
a
to the audience
regretted
it
as
soon
out, right?''
suppose not."
Takano's brief response encouraged Maki on. "So
broke out
in a horrible rash.
They
still
send
me
I
used them and
invitations to movies,
but I've never been since."
"Yeah, but you gave
me
a ticket once."
That was where
Mamoru had
seen the logo before.
"But you didn't go, did you?" "I can't
remember. Anyway, you were the one
who
spent
all
that
money. You should be blaming yourself and not them." "I just got that.
caught up
m the moment.
I'm careful about the
All of a
makeup
I
I
never usually buy things like
use."
sudden Takano whistled. "That's
it!"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
177
"What do you mean?" "Maki, you didn't get caught up
in the
moment. They used subHminal
on you."
advertising
Maki and Mamoru looked
at
each other blankly. "Submarine adver-
tising?"
"No! Subliminal Subliminal
advertising."
.
Takano thought
and then asked Mamoru. "Do you have
a second
a
dictionary?"
Maki stood up and the size of a
phone book.
While Takano
"What
was
"It I
are
it
w^as looking the w^ord up,
you doing with such
a
Mamoru whispered
it all
the
I
went
to. It
was awful
way home."
Takano showed them
is!"
the page.
It
was under
"advertising."
Subliminal advertising: Advertising that appeals to the unconscious.
image flashed on to
a
screen or
a
sound
aired over the radio that
sage to the viewer to use or go out and buy
Vicary and a
the
name
when commercials
second long were spliced
would not be conscious
of
unconscious. The result
of
in
was
a
mes-
method
1957 by the American
J.
Precon Process and Equipment. They
one-three-thousandth to one-twentieth of
into films at five-second intervals, the
them
An
too quick
a certain product. This
was presented simultaneously
company by
claimed that a
is
be registered consciously, but has sufficient stimulus to convey
of advertising
Maki,
to
huge dictionary?"
a bingo prize at one of the parties
had to lug "Here
ran to her room. She came back with a dictionary
audience
but the impressions would remain
a fifty-percent
sales and a thirty-percent increase
in
increase
in
in
theater popcorn
sales of Coca-Cola. Such ads
subsequently banned by the Federal Trade Commission
their
were
for ethical reasons.
"That means that while you were watching the movie, Maki, you were watching ads for cosmetics without being aware of
Mamoru was finally beginning to understand.
it,"
said
Takano.
"There was a Columbo
epi-
sode called 'Double Exposure,' and that was the trick behind the murder." "Right, that's what I'm talking about!"
178
MI
Y
UK
I
MIYABE
"It's
not right!"
Maki was fuming.
"Japan has yet to outlaw subUminal advertising because there are doubts about whether if
it
really
Ad Academy would
works. I'm sure
they could. Anyway, this was what
I
came up with when
I
use
realized
it
no
stimulants were involved."
"You mean
the video display!" shouted
Ad Academy wanted
"Yes.
to us with their latest system
The
Mamoru.
to score with a
major
client, so
they
came
—that video display."
three were quiet for a few seconds until
Maki spoke
in
an unchar-
acteristically serious tone.
"But didn't you say they weren't sure whether "Yes,
it
work
in
figured out
ways nobody
really
mean
hasn't been proven, but that doesn't
And Ad Academy might have actually
it
how to make
it
worked?" doesn't work.
subliminal effects
has even thought of yet. They might
else
be using sounds and colors, not just the visuals themselves."
Mamoru
shifted
m his
seat.
"We've got to stop them!
We
can't have
any more accidents."
Takano slowly shook cles
his head. "I
looked
it
up, and there are no arti-
about subliminal ads causing psychotic episodes. Theoretically
not possible.
So
that's
"Have
No
matter
how
why Takano had
sales
they're doing said he
was
it, it's
it's
only advertising."
stuck.
suddenly gone up for no apparent reason?"
Maki
tried to
help out.
"No.
Sales are always high at the
the curve "It's
we
end of the
year.
We're seeing exactly
predicted."
been forty days since they installed that display. The worst might
be yet to come."
"But the problem
make,
who wants
is still
the same.
No
matter
how much money we
advertising that causes dangerous behavior in the cus-
tomers? Even the guys in charge can't be that greedy."
Takano took
a sip of his coffee,
which had now gone
cold.
Mamoru
crossed his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
179
"Have
there been any other changes?"
she could to help
Takano
out.
"Have
Maki was doing
everything
there been any customers
who
have
been overly pleasant?"
"Customers? Or employees?" "Customers. Have any of them praised the products excessively?
Some
other kind of brain short-circuit that could have been caused by
stimulants?"
"People get excited about different things. Some people adore money,
while others like our Sato get turned on by photos of mountains and deserts."
"What do you him on
get excited about,
the head with the tray she
Mamoru?" Maki
had
in her
playfully tapped
hand. Takano laughed.
Mamoru as he ducked another knock on the was someone who was overly excited recently. Makino."
"Wait a minute," said head. "There
Takano
raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
Defense Forces. He'd
hum
"Him? He's from
to himself while he
watched
a
the Self-
coup
d'etat
being carried out before his very eyes.
"And
then pick up pieces of the grenades to take
home
as souvenirs.
But he was high that one time when he caught that shoplifter
had eight
arrests
before that. it
later,
He
on
his record.
He was on
a roll.
he said he was bored.
said that shoplifting
He
thinking out loud. "Shoplifting
"We
never
just
now
is
"Shoplifting!
security guards.
as
if
that data, Takano."
that
you mention
Ad Academy
MIYUKI MIYABE
from shoplifting
lost it
until
we do
the
." .
.
in concern.
began to brighten. "That's
his expression
it!"
he exclaimed.
developed the ads not to increase sales but to
cut losses from shoplifting!"
180
him but the other
down?"
Mamoru and Maki watched him Gradually
when I asked him about
Takano repeated himself almost
know how much we've
inventory. But
that, but
had dropped dramatically."
"In other sales areas, too?"
"You must have
already
caught two high-school students right
Not only
Not
who
The Books
Madame
section alone lost over four million yen a year.
Anzai had grumbled about
how
they were working for free one
month
out of the year.
"But would they go to the trouble of installing an enormous piece of equipment just for that?
has to be cheaper to hire more security
It
guards."
Takano
"Listen for a minute," said of
all,
as he turned to
that display has a decorative effect in the store.
about different products, so
it's
right,
Mamoru.
never be enough to cover costs
from stolen goods. But what
if
—
would be
—two birds with would
easier to take the losses
subliminal effects were an extra benefit
added to something used mainly for advertising?
It
would be
than depending on security guards with varying
effective
splice in
Shoplifting prevention alone it
"First
information
Now,
used for advertising, too.
some shots that would keep customers from shoplifting one stone! You're
Mamoru.
It airs
a lot
more
abilities."
But you know, he was sloppy today. That's what Makino had said about one of the shoplifters he had caught. operates.
Mamoru
had been
to catch him.
distinctly recalled
"They must show scenes of
It's
not the way he usually
Makino's surprise
at
how
easy
it
shoplifters being caught or security guards
running after them that send a'subliminal message. Thefts
fall
and
thieves
are easier to catch. While they're slipping things into their bags, the video
convinces them they will almost certainly be caught for doing
"The thing in rotic
and the man who had those psychotic episodes had some-
girl
common. They both had mental
about her inclination to
addict with a criminal record. that they are
on landmines "It's
/
vulnerabilities.
steal things,
Now
One was
and the other was
a
neu-
drug
send messages to their unconscious
on the verge of being caught by the
police.
It's
like stepping
in their brains."
awful," shivered Maki.
on our own
it.
"We humans
we
are acting
Mamoru
heard the
like to believe
free will."
can bend people's will to
my
own. Once again
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
181
voice of the mysterious yet.
But
I
can do
"Let's check
it
caller. /
know you might
it
it.
out,"
Mamoru
said with decision.
the Laurel security control room.
Takano slapped and nobody can
not be able to believe
his knee.
"The tape must be
We should see what we can find
"You're
but
right,
how? The
get in unless they have business there.
locked away in a cabinet inside.
And
on
in
it."
door's locked
The tapes
I'm sorry to say that
I
are
don't have
either of those keys."
Here we go again^ thought Mamoru. He wondered what he ought do at times like
Maki seemed up
to give the
to
this.
to sense that
two some
Mamoru had
something to
say, so she
stood
privacy. "I've got to get these dishes washed.
You
two take your time." After she
left,
He had
a loss.
He had
Takano turned
believe
it
to himself, but he
still
at
was wondering whether
him otherwise.
"You know, Takano," he began.
room and
Mamoru. Mamoru was
never told anyone what he had learned from Gramps.
planned to keep
Takano would
to face
"I think
I
can probably get into that
get the tapes out."
"You?" "It's
hard to explain, and
my word
to just take
Takano thought roof to save the
ous look on his
really don't
—you said the door was unlocked ..." He had a
face.
"But when
I
182
M
I
then,
Y
checked .
.
.
later,
like that,
there
was
a lock
again?"
nodded.
Takano thought
"Okay
to try, so I'm asking
for a
good two minutes.
how do we do
UKI M YA BE I
you
few moments. "That time you got out onto the
Are you planning to do something
Mamoru
want
for it."
for a
girl
I
it?"
Finally he spoke.
seri-
on
it.
They decided
to go into action the next evening,
the store closed that night,
would have some
they
brief party in
endar year.
New Year's
time. After closing, employees
was
it
Once
wouldn't open again until January third, so
it
were treated to
which they formally celebrated the end of work
When
Eve.
over,
Mamoru
a
for the cal-
pretended to leave, but instead
hid himself in the restroom. After a half hour or so, the halls went silent
and
all
the lights were turned off except for the emergency lights
room
those in the
for the security guards.
Mamoru
and
took a penlight out
of his pocket, and stepped out into the darkened store.
He had checked
out his route during the day, so he had no trouble
He
avoided security cameras by staying low and close
finding his way. to the walls.
and sprayed particles of
From time it
to time he pulled out a small can of deodorant
make out
so he could
deodorant that
Mamoru had
filled
the
the infrared security rays in the tiny air.
spent the afternoon talking to the security guards and
walking around the
store.
He
even read the brochure of the security firm
contracted by Laurel. As far as he could
One
bit suspicious.
interest in his
how
it all
nobody had been
of the guards had been so pleased at the
show
of
worked. that
him cooperative and
how
wear
to
most of the people he worked with considered
diligent.
Opening the
He
also
knew
that he
had learned from
a look of blank innocence, and,
the store halls that night, he
was
security control
room door was a
buttons with the numbers one to twelve and the
Mamoru knelt down and
shone
fifteen, five reflected slightly less
his
walking through
grateful for both.
moments. The lock was operated by inputting
from
the least
occupation that he had gone to great lengths to explain
Mamoru knew mother
tell,
his penlight
the
work
password on letters
of a few a panel of
A, B, and C.
onto the buttons. Of the
of a shine than the others due to the
oil
fingers pressing them.
Out came Mamoru's baking powder. He the five buttons.
Of
carefully brushed
it
onto
the five, four bore the perfect fingerprints of the
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
183
person
been here
Mamoru
A.
letter
to
who had
last.
The numbers were
tions of these. This
—
it
and
9,
and the
pulled out a pocket computer on which he planned
implement a program that would work out
developed
3, 7,
was something
was advertised
all
the possible combina-
Mamoru
neither
nor Gramps had
you pleased
as boldly as
computer
in a
magazine.
So store
far so
good. Then
Mamoru
was number 379 of
out where the
A came
in,
had
the Laurel chain. All he
and
The Joto
realized something.
that
to
district
do was
figure
meant there were only four possible
combinations. The winner was 3A79. That hadn't been too hard.
Once Mamoru was
inside he
had
to
open the locked cabinet that con-
tained the tapes for the video display. like the right
word.
It
was more
This alone seemed to prove that
like a safe
If
in charge here
find a
Mamoru
the combination to the door lock
memo
was not
something to hide.
looked around the tiny
was any
particularly cautious.
"cabinet" didn't seem
with a combination lock.
Ad Academy had
Before he got started on the lock,
room.
Somehow
indication, the person
Mamoru
thought he might
with the combination in a drawer, under the telephone,
in a
flower vase, or under the carpet.
Nothing.
Mamoru
Maybe
the security guard carried the
gave up and got
First of all he
down
to
memo
with him.
work.
put one end of a thin pencil lead into the center rotating
part of the dial, and attached a piece of white paper to the other end.
looked
like the needle
and
roll
It
of paper used to record the strength of an
earthquake.
Mamoru
then put his
began turning the lining
up and the
dial.
left
ear against the cold wall of the cabinet
At certain points, there was
entire lock responding.
that the pencil lead
a faint
and
sound of pins
These were the movements
would pick up and record on
the paper.
Mamoru
then examined the record and counted the peaks, then turned the dial according to his calculations.
184MIYUKIMIYABE
It
took about
Covered
thirty minutes.
in sweat,
Mamoru
and exited the
three tapes, retraced his steps back through the hallways,
building through the restroom window. activated
if
the
The
window was opened from
Takano was waiting of his car and motioned us at his editing studio.
for
him
in the
in-store alarms
Kamoshida, and he was
parking
lot.
He opened of mine
a college friend of Takano's.
a large
were only
the outside.
Mamoru into it. "A friend Come on, let's go!"
The studio engineer was
grabbed the
man who
looked
like a
is
the door
waiting for
His name was gentle-natured
bear in a children's cartoon.
The studio was
still
new, with sparkling white linoleum floors and
clean,
soundproofed walls. The
and
was equipped with
it
entire operation
a keyboard
was computer-operated,
and footage counter. fed the first video
Mamoru had
"borrowed" into the computer by inputting the address
signal of each
Kamoshida got
frame to get frames, so
it
it
to
was
right to
work.
show up on a
the screen. Each second of tape
had
time-consuming process. The tape revealed
secret in the twenty-fifth frame: a
arms of a male customer
had a look of abject
He
still
in a store that
disbelief
on
thirty
its first
of a security guard grabbing the
looked
like Laurel.
The customer
his face.
The next imbedded shot showed
three policemen with their hands
the nightsticks attached to their belts, running
toward the camera so
on
fast
that their sleeves billowed out.
A man being held down by two officers, his arm twisted behind him. A woman being chased by a security guard, her head turned to look behind her and her mouth open in a
Shot after shot buried fall leaves,
like
silent
scream.
ugly stains
among
the south sea paradise,
the scenes of the red
and the fashion show featured on the
video display.
Kamoshida gave
a
low
whistle.
"So
this
is
the prescription for shop-
lifting .. ."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
185
Takano groaned. "Nobody knows why people This
is
are driven to shoplift.
no more than intimidation."
"And
it's
what
triggered those psychotic episodes," said
Mamoru,
peering at the screen.
"What
must do
this
to people with mental
bombs
inside
them!"
Takano added.
Kamoshida swiveled Takano. "The
his chair
around and looked
effects of subliminal advertising are
at
Mamoru and
not widely acknowl-
edged, are they? Could you really use this to prove cause and effect?" "Well, they were using this tape
"That's true, you
saw
when
those incidents occurred."
the footage of the leaves. There's
there.
But you can't prove that these shots were
saw
or
it
when
the incidents took place."
you what.
I'll
tapes. But
Ad Academy
spend the night removing is
sure to
no problem
in the video
when you
Kamoshida shrugged.
all
of those shots from
come back with new
ones.
"I'll tell
all
three
You
can't
stop them indefinitely.
Takano
sat for a while staring at the
"Could you copy these
tually he spoke.
empty screen and thinking. Evenfor
me?"
In the silence of the studio, they heard the
Mamoru
clicking on.
shivered.
Kazuko Takagi spent Cerberus
town
in a
sound of the thermostat
the last days of the year in a coffee shop called
far
away from both
her apartment and her parent's
home. Cerberus was a tiny place that would be packed with ten customers. It
was run by
About
a
a
week
man named Mitamura who was after she
rented by the week, she
approached
186
MI
Y
had
was
her.
UKI MI YA BE
left
the
same age
as
Kazuko.
her apartment and found a place that
sitting
on
a park
bench when Mitamura
"What
are
you doing here every day?"
Kazuko looked up, but did not answer. She was would say
met you somewhere before^ Or,
next. Haven't I
doing anything,
why
don't
we go do something
Just as she'd thought, he'd said place over there?" "I
He
can guarantee that
He
"How
it's
good because
together^
about a cup of coffee
it's
my
at that street.
shop."
sign.
laughed. "I murdered the owner and took
one of the columns must
"Why
If you re not
She looked at him and then at the
in surprise.
body under the floorboards. Come on, least
what he
pointed to Cerberus on the other side of the
Kazuko blinked slowly Cerberus
pretty sure
are
"Some
of
be.
The
it's
rest
it
over. There's a
just a joke. still
me?" Kazuko asked
It's
dead
At
really mine.
belongs to the bank."
you
inviting
my
regular customers are mothers of children
shortly.
who go
to
that kindergarten over there. There seems to be a misunderstanding
between them and you."
Kazuko glanced over
at the kindergarten that
was next
to the park.
Children wearing navy blue uniforms played happily on the tiny grounds.
"The mothers are worried because
I sit
here every day looking in that
direction?"
"That's right. There have been a lot of crimes against children
They're
all
lately.
nervous."
Now Kazuko had to
laugh. She hadn't been staring at the kindergar-
ten on purpose. Here she
was
feeling that she
was
she sat alone with a desperate look on her face.
the one in danger as
No wonder
they were
afraid she'd kidnap one of their kids!
"Now like that
there's a smile!"
must be
The man grinned. "Anyone who can laugh
all right. I'll
talk to the mothers. So
how
about that
coffee to apologize for being rude?"
That was
name but
it
how Kazuko had found was
herself in Cerberus.
a comfortable place to be.
The
coffee
It
had a strange
was strong and
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
187
Mitamura had introduced himself and
hot.
in getting the
ing at
shop on
The one thing he
all.
"Who named "I
named
"Yes,
it
it
He
its feet.
told her
talked about
all
as
it
about
if it
do was ask her name.
didn't
your shop?" she asked as she perched on
myself.
sounds
different, don't
It's
like a
his travails
had been noth-
a stool.
you think?"
monster or something."
"That's exactly what
the
it is. It's
name
of the dog that guards the
gates of Hell in Greek mythology."
"Why
name
did you
"This shop
is
that?"
it
When
the gate to Hell.
they will be leaving Hell behind them.
No
matter
how bad
things get,
never get any worse than this."
they'll
Kazuko smiled and
gratefully accepted
she went to Cerberus every day.
when
customers go back out the door
Mitamura's
After that
offer.
Mitamura was always too busy
there were other customers, but
Kazuko enjoyed
to talk
watching
just
him.
"What
New
are your plans for
Mitamura broached
the subject
Kazuko shook her head.
on the afternoon of New
"I've got
no
plans.
it
any
Pursuer. "I'll
Kazuko
clearly
New
open up?
It'll
Kazuko but
it
saw
herself as
Year's Eve.
home
alone."
She didn't want to
someone who was being chased.
and then open up
Year's Day.
visiting the local shrine. I
her.
a trip?"
easier for her pursuer to follow her.
close this evening
changes to
be at
I'll
She had already told her parents not to expect
make
you taking
Year's? Are
Customers stop
in
midnight when the date
on
How about coming to the
be cold so late at night, but
agreed. She realized she
wasn't so bad
after
it
their
way back from
shrine with
me
before
good."
feels
was scared when she was alone,
when someone was with
her.
"Can
I
ask you to do
something for me?" she asked.
"What's that?"
"Would you go with me something
188
I
want
to
to pick up."
MI YUKI MI YA
B E
my
apartment?
It's
kind of
far,
and
there's
Mitamura looked
was wondering what
eyes that he
moment. She could
at her seriously for a
sort of
life
she
was
living.
see in his
He
finally
answered, "Sure, no problem."
Mitamura drove her gizing for the state
on
my "A
it
to her apartment in his old
was
in. "I
shop, so there's nothing car
is
fine as
There were
five
long as
it
spend left
all
for a
Mini Cooper, apolo-
my money paying new
back the loan
car."
runs, I'd say."
or six envelopes in her mailbox.
They were ads
catalogs and credit cards, nothing that concerned her. There
though, that had nothing written on
it.
Kazuko opened
for
was one,
There was
it.
a
brief note.
I
think
I
can help you, the last one left. Come to Ginza
Mullion at
3
p.m. on January 7. I'll talk to you. Don't
say a thing to anyone, and be careful. You're in danger.
Kazuko stood stock up
still
with the
letter in
her hand.
Mitamura walked
to her.
"What's the matter?
Is
someone
after
you because you haven't paid
your rent?" Then he noticed that she'd gone pale right tips.
"What's the matter?" he ^sked again, and
Kazuko handed him "What
is
the letter.
this
down
to her finger-
time he meant
Mitamura read
it
it.
and looked up.
it?"
Kazuko began
to shake
and couldn't
stop. She stood there for a long
time gripping Mitamura's arm. Finally, she spoke. "Will you believe that
I'm not crazy?
them.
If I tell
I've
been
telling
the truth now,
I
nothing but
lies,
and everyone has beheved
don't think anyone
would
believe
me."
She began talking, and told him everything.
Mitamura suggested
that she follow the instructions in the
with you. There will be
lots of
letter. "I'll
go
all right.
We've
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
189
people there.
It
should be
got to find out what this person has to say."
"I'll
be murdered."
"Of course you won't. You're not alone anymore." That night, Kazuko paid up what she owed on the apartment, took her things, and
moved
That was when she
into Cerberus.
finally
allowed
herself to cry.
way back from
Later on the
the shrine, there
was
a
young
girl pass-
ing out leaflets by the road. She stood in front of a sign that said
Teachings of the Lord. She was singing hymns with another
The
woman who
appeared to be her mother. The two had beautiful, clear voices. "It's a
The
mini
girl
New Year's
came up
verse. Please read
Kazuko took able
and
it.
the
fell
Kazuko and handed her
to
God
on
a leaflet. "This
leaflet.
a verse
She suddenly it
felt
that
"What
did
"I didn't
leaflet
was something in
it
car,
Startled by the
the leaflet
and threw
it
say?" asked Mitamura.
understand
over.
It
it,"
she muttered.
outside. Before long the sun
was
was engraved
was Death and
190
valu-
Mitamura's
from the Book of Revelations.
a
new
year in a
indelibly
on her
would
new town. But
rise
and the night
a phrase
from that
heart.
There, as I looked, was another horse, sickly pale;
If
a Bible
on the dashboard.
Kazuko looked would be
it
up when she was back
ominous tone of the words, she quickly balled up in the ashtray
is
bless you."
opened
holy. She
and her gaze
mass," Mitamura smiled.
its
rider's
name
the darkness obeyed him.
Mamoru Kusaka
didn't hurry,
MIYUKI MIYABE
Kazuko was
fated to die in a week.
CHAPTER 6
The Sorcerer
When
only ones not in the holiday
"They acted asked
how
like
fist
know what was
Mamoru had
going on."
with the management had gone, and Takano he spoke. "I showed them the copy of
in frustration as
the tape, and they didn't even flinch.
When
I
pressed them, they asked
could prove that the two incidents had been caused by
they told
people
me
that
if I
were the
spirit.
they didn't
his discussion
clenched his
if I
Mamoru and Takano
Laurel reopened on January third,
continued to snoop around,
it
it
— and then
would be bad
for the
who worked under me."
"You mean me and
the others?"
"They're smart. They
knew
wouldn't risk hurting any of the over at the video display.
I'd
put
rest of
find a
"I'll
my own
you."
way
job on the line, but
Mamoru and Takano
I
looked
to get that thing out of here,"
Takano vowed. There were other reasons ting excited in
about the
New
touch with him, and the
why Mamoru was
Year.
having problems get-
The anonymous
stress of
caller
still
hadn't got
waiting was stretching him to the
breaking point.
The Books money.
section
Mamoru
was
full
of children clutching their
helped out at the cash
ringing up games, books, and
manga
register,
for them.
New Year's gift
and had
his
Mamoru
hands
full
envied Sato,
191
away from Japan, probably covered
far
in the
dust of some desert.
who had
Standing at the cash register was a child
obviously been
strong-armed by his mother into purchasing a collection of ture.
As he held out
of the section for the kid,
filled
his
money,
his eyes
turned wistfully in the direction
with colorful manga characters.
and handed him
classic litera-
a sheet of stickers of
Mamoru
felt
sorry
one of the characters
along with his change. The boy's eyes shone at the unexpected
gift.
"Thanks!"
Mamoru motioned him someone
is
Mamoru
in his
it
pocket. Just then he heard
calling him.
"Kusaka!"
"This
to put
It
was Yoshitake, standing out from
the best
we can do
at Laurel, sorry."
to have lunch with him,
nese restaurant in the
fifth floor
take had probably eaten in
Yoshitake had invited
Mamoru had suggested the Chicourt. Mamoru knew that Yoshi-
and
food
much
the smaller clientele.
better restaurants
around the world,
but this was about as far as he could go on his break.
Yoshitake wiped his hands with the hot towel the waitress held out to him,
and smiled. "Don't worry about
have for lunch most days.
It's
it. I
wish you could see what
I
usually fast food."
"Really?" "Yes, really.
think
of. It
Hot
rice
was what
I
and miso soup
dreamed of when
is
the
most
I
was
living in flophouses."
Yoshitake ordered some of the pricier for dessert.
The waiter cocked
his
into the kitchen with their order.
menu
delicious food
I
can
items, with lychee fruit
head doubtfully as he headed back
Mamoru was
suddenly worried that
they might not actually have lychee in stock. "I
stopped by your house and found out you were working here dur-
ing the vacation." Taizo and Yoriko were having a
Taizo especially was not used to the
had hurt
his back.
Mamoru
lifting
MIYUKI MIYABE
Year's in bed."
involved in his
new
job and
could just imagine them rushing around
when Yoshitake appeared unexpectedly on
192
"New
their doorstep.
When
food came, the older
their
ion to dig
in.
"You'd better
eat. It
man encouraged
his
young compan-
looks like you'll have your hands
full
again this afternoon."
"My
family's going to be jealous of
me
eating so well so early in the
day!"
"Next time,
go out together. At home
let's all
it's
just
me and my wife,
and we never have noisy meals together." "Are you working today, Mr. Yoshitake?" that
company
more
executives took longer and
Mamoru had
leisurely vacations.
"I've got lots of things to sort out. I'd rather be
back to Hawaii,
it'd
ning into someone
I
want
Now Mamoru
"Hawaii.^"
working.
only be crawling with Japanese and didn't
imagined
I'd
If
I
went
end up run-
to see."
noticed that Yoshitake was even more
deeply tanned than before. "All
I
did
was play
"Sounds good
to
"You'll have to
golf.
still
there
and
she's
probably bored."
me."
come
a view of Waikiki Beach. a hotel."
My wife's
visit I'll
me
feed
there.
you
bought
I
a
condominium with
better than anything you'd get at
Yoshitake pulled out a box of chocolates, a typical souvenir
from an overseas
trip.
"Share
this
with your friends in the Books section.
They'll be needing the sugar to help with the fatigue."
He was definitely what Maki would call an "American uncle." Mamoru remembered a story that she'd told him, about a man from a poor family who'd gone to make his fortune in the States. He got rich and the money he sent back to
his family
but he was alone and craved their love. loved.
Mamoru
enabled them to
It
was
live happily,
the sort of story
Maki
smiled in spite of himself and Yoshitake asked him what
he was thinking about.
"Whoops,
sorry.
It's
really nothing.
I
was
just thinking
about an
uncle."
"An
uncle?"
Mamoru had
to think fast. "I
mean my
uncle! He's getting used to his
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
193
new
and he looks pretty cheerful these days.
job,
Mamoru
It's all
suddenly remembered that Yoshitake didn't
background, and he grimaced
thanks to you."
know about
his
embarrassment.
in
Yoshitake laughed at his expression.
"The Asanos have adopted me. name. Maki and
I
It's
not
official;
have a different
I
are cousins."
"What about your
parents?" Yoshitake asked slowly.
"My
As
mother
you could say
died.
for
he's dead; he's
when he
Right
my
father
"
Mamoru
hesitated. "I guess
Nippon
Enterprises, Taizo
long gone."
working
started
—
for Shin
Mamoru
had heard that Yoshitake was from Hirakawa.
might have known about Toshio Kusaka and waited for there
Mamoru
a reaction, but
decided that
maybe he could
until their dessert arrived.
talk to Yoshitake
bothering him. "Mr. Yoshitake, do you think that
someone do something against
it's
about what was
possible to
make
their will?"
Yoshitake stopped peeling the lychee
"I
thought he
was none.
There followed a few awkward moments
him.
sur-
had been
fruit that
set before
"What do you mean?" mean,
if
someone gave another person
orders, they
would follow
those orders whether or not they wanted to."
Yoshitake laughed. "If you figure out
know.
I'd like to try
control.
Sometimes
I
it
on
my
feel like
I
how
to
do
secretary. I'm the
that, please let
one
she's got
can't even visit the men's
me
under
room without
getting her permission."
Even seen
it
I
can't believe
with
my own
it's
possible^ thought
eyes.
He
Mamoru, even though
I've
wasn't surprised that Yoshitake hadn't
taken him seriously.
"Have you
ever heard of a
company
called
Ad Academy?" Mamoru
tried again.
"Hmm,
no, can't say
I
have.
Is it
an advertising agency?"
The waiter arrived with jasmine
194
MIYUKI MIYABE
teja.
They had
finished off
all
the
was nothing
food, and there
and some melted "That was
ice cubes.
delicious.
Mamoru and
of the lychee fruit but skin and seeds
left
I'll
be sleepy
all
afternoon."
Yoshitake parted at the restaurant entrance. Yoshitake
headed for the escalator saying he had some shopping to do and that the
crowd would
add to the fun of
just
Thirty minutes later Takano
back
it.
came rushing over
"Mamoru,
at the cash register.
to
Mamoru, who was
man who came
that
to see you,
do
you know him?" "Yeah, he took
"He way.
me
to lunch."
collapsed in the
He was
first
floor foyer just
behaving weirdly, almost
He was hadn't
known
He's a
He was wrapped
happy.
good
is
on the
Mamoru
didn't
like that other guy."
"You mean Kakiyama? You've got wait for an answer, but went running
now; an ambulance
to be joking!"
down
the stairs.
happiness the likes of which he
in
for twelve years.
boy.
m.e to thank me. I
When
I
went
to see his family,
would never have imagined
he came running after
me
that he'd seen
at that
intersection.
A good boy
.
.
.
he's
grown up
sure he has a rosy future.
It's
to be
my duty.
port him and get him into college. After that he can inherit the
company
work
I'll
no, that won't do. I need
He was
for me.
I've built. I
thing he wants to do,
I'll
make
honest and open. I've got to I've
it
right so I can sup-
send him overseas
I'll
mean
got to do
groom him
if
he wants.
to be a leader. He'll
if he's interested in
what
I do.
sure he has the connections to do
him beside me.
That's the
almost drunk with pleasure, so
much
make
way
it
will
Any-
it.
have to
No, be.
so that he hadn't noticed
the queasiness right away.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
195
has to be the crowd. There's not enough fresh
It
How
ventilate these places^
Mamoru spend
can
air.
so
There's no reason to wait,
him up
set
I'll
to
often. Everything's
had
a
going
well.
There
—
He saw was it
nothing to worry about.
is
it. It
reverberated throughout his
the bright video screen. .
.
Now
.
it
was
He'd noticed bright,
it
much
when he walked
too bright.
It
in;
it
hurt his eyes
so bright.
A female He
sales clerk
came up
to him.
Are you
him.
A
all right, sirf
nothing
tried to answer, I'm all right. It's
wasn't a sales clerk and he wasn't in a store. rified
over.
out at the swarms of customers as his eyes clouded over.
a nice display
was
can see him
I
phone on mornings when he was hung
just like the
He looked
way
for me.
headache and couldn't breathe. His heart was beating
out of control; he could almost hear
body
time here^
work part-time
They're looking for an assistant in Accounts. That
Now he
much
don't they
be a better job for him —
There's got to
more
Why
— then he realized.
He was
place he'd only seen in nightmares.
It
in a place that ter-
The kind of place you
could never leave once you'd been shut up inside. the voice called.
Sir,
voice of Sir!
it
A
persistent
He had
pretending to be kind.
just
hand reached
out.
It
was
He had
to escape, but his legs wouldn't
to get outside.
It's
It
was
move. Everyone was staring It
was
his
worst night-
He had
not
to escape.
make up
for
There was
what
I did,
why
still
time.
does
this
He
have
fair!
wasn't conscious of losing his footing. First his knees bent, and then
the upper half of his
body followed. He was
to his chest, but there
thing precious that he
196
the
true.
happen nowf
hand
was
him and drag him back.
could get away. I'm trying to
He
It
trying to touch him.
him now. They were pointing and whispering.
mare come
to
was
someone pursuing him.
trying to catch
at
No,
was nothing
was carrying on
MIYUKI MIYABE
there.
l)im.
He
tried to press his
He had
to protect some-
falling.
He
fell
on top of
his
arm.
The soles. ting.
was
floor
The
cold.
thing he
last
The blood
He felt
smelled something like the rubber of shoe before he lost consciousness
was
his lip split-
mouth.
tasted like copper in his
Yoshitake regained consciousness about an hour later in a bed in a gen-
Mamoru was
eral hospital.
sitting in a chair
he'd pulled up to the foot of
the bed.
Yoshitake had turned blue and had been clutching the chest as he collapsed, so the doctors
Mamoru
heart attack. his eyes
had
initially
left side
of his
thought he'd had a
feared the worst, and waited in the hallway with
on the door of the room where Yoshitake was being
treated.
Within a half hour, though, Yoshitake's pulse and blood pressure had stabilized
and
and decided
his breathing
to keep
was even
him overnight
"What happened?" These were "That was
my
reaching for the button to
Mamoru
The doctor was puzzled,
for observation.
Yoshitake's
How are you
line!
again.
feeling?"
first
words.
Mamoru
call the nurse, just as
responded while
he had been instructed.
mulled things over while he listened to the conversation
between Yoshitake and
his doctor.
He was
behaving weirdly, almost
that other guy. That's
what Takano had
might have become
because of those subliminal videos.
"When
ill
said.
like
That meant that Yoshitake
did you have your last check-up?" asked the doctor.
"Last spring.
answered. "Did
I
I
"No, nothing normal, but
it
week
spent a
getting tests for everything," Yoshitake
have a heart attack?" doctor responded. "Everything was
like that," the
doesn't
sit
right.
Has anything
like this ever
happened
before?"
"Never.
I
can't believe
"I'd like to
run some
it
myself.
tests,
Did
I
really faint?"
so you'll need to stay here for a few days."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
197
"But
I
Yoshitake tried to argue with him, but the doctor
feel fine."
and nurse both
the room.
left
"You've got to put your health
first,"
Mamoru
smiled and tried to
mollify him.
"He's overdoing
it,"
Yoshitake sighed.
happens. Especially since December.
always remember what
much. Did you
who was
Mamoru some
ride in the
wearing
still
I
nodded.
I
"It
wake up
was
just a little stress.
in the
did the night before.
I
morning and
It
can't
must be drinking too
ambulance with me?" He looked
at
Mamoru,
his Laurel uniform.
your house. The maid said she'd bring
"I called
things for you."
"Well, thanks,
The
appreciate
room was
hospital
a white bed.
I
Other than
it."
clean but stark. Medicinally scented air and
was
that, there
just a chair
and
a small chest of
drawers. Yoshitake's clothes were on a wire hanger hung on a hook at the side of the bed.
The maid "I
about
won't need anything. Leave
be
I'll
finally arrived at
home
back to
its
six.
my
clothes there for me.
It's
nothing,
soon." Yoshitake spoke brusquely, and his complexion was
normal
color.
"But the doctor said you'd be staying for a few days," objected the maid,
me
who
then added with obvious reluctance, "Will you be needing
to stay the night here?"
Mamoru had he suddenly
felt
"There'll be
been planning to leave as soon as the maid arrived, but sorry for Yoshitake.
no need
The maid smiled
"No
in relief. "Shall
need for that
Mamoru
either.
spoke up
Yoshitake sat up.
"But what
if
after the
I
"You can go now."
notify your wife?"
be out of here by the time she gets home."
maid
left.
"What
ask you to
if I
stay tonight?"
— do that
you have another attack?" sleep?
M YUKI MI YABE I
I'll
"I couldn't
"Where would you
198
for that," Yoshitake answered.
I
can't hav^
you on the
floor."
"They'll lend
home
me
a fold-up cot. There's
enough space
—they won't mind. There's not much
"That's not true. Well,
I
just
I
can do,
I
for that.
know
I'll
call
..."
might take you up on that."
Before lights out, the nurse came by once to take Yoshitake's tempera-
She asked him
ture.
so
Mamoru
pride,
if
stepped
Mamoru was
his son.
in. "Illegitimate,
Yoshitake looked perplexed,
of course," he replied with
mock
and the nurse laughed.
"You're funny, but you're a good kid."
The nurse
left
but was back again in a few minutes. "Here, you can
have these until we turn the
handing him
lights out," she said
a
few
magazines. "You'll be bored before long."
was
It
a long night, but
about. For the
first
Mamoru
wasn't bored.
lots to think
time he had doubts about Takano's theory. Could
the effects of the video display be proved? different
He had
from Kakiyama or that
girl.
He was
sure Yoshitake
He might have had some
was
residual
unease from having had to deal with the police about Taizo's accident.
But
Mamoru
couldn't believe he had any reason to be tortured by a sub-
liminal message of We'll get you!
He hoped
that Shin
and with that
in
Nippon
mind, he
fell
asleep.
In the middle of the night he
He
heard a soft sound, too.
Enterprises hadn't been evading taxes,
felt
He
something
light falling
on
his covers.
hadn't been in a deep sleep.
He
could
hear Yoshitake's quiet, measured breathing.
Mamoru and
jacket
He
looked around the dark room and saw that Yoshitake's
had
didn't
fallen
want
trip to the toilet shirt,
something
By the
Mamoru the
from
their
while he was at out.
tried to feel
managed it.
When
to rouse himself
moon
that
hit the
came through
around for whatever
and make
a
he picked up the jacket and
Something small and hard
faint light of the
shadow
hanger into a wrinkled heap.
to get up, but
fell
shirt
it
was.
He
linoleum
floor.
the curtains,
finally
found
it
in
of one of the legs of the bed.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
199
was
It
platinum
a
ring.
was
It
so simple that he realized
Why would he have a wedding ring in his pocket?
wedding
ring.
really be
what had dropped? Mamoru took
look.
A date
And
it
and some
the date
—
it
initials
was
Keiko's wedding ring.
the
it
window
to the
must be Could
as that engraved
The one he had kept
on
this
for a closer
were engraved on the underside.
same date
a
K
his
to T.
mother
after she died.
K to T. From Keiko to Toshio. Mamoru
recalled a time
riding his bicycle.
that
He had
came spurting
when
he was small and had cut himself while
got off and looked at
That was how he
out.
holding his father's wedding ring. This
had never met him, and he looked
Mamoru had
shocked by the blood
it,
when he
felt
man must
realized he
was
be his father. His aunt
been too young to remember what
like.
No wonder had come back
he had reacted to the subliminal shots. Toshio Kusaka as Koichi Yoshitake. His father
was back!
When Yoshitake woke up early the next morning, Mamoru was gone. He had gone to see Anego. Nobody else was awake at that hour. There was a hint of a sunrise in the east, but the sky was still full of stars. A newspaper delivery boy passed by on There was a
worked put
it,
light
on
in the kitchen of
Anego got
up, as she
"frighteningly early" instead of them.
stood in front of her house, his cold hands
Anego opened She noticed
the front door
Mamoru
Mamoru came over
startled.
couldn't speak.
He
to check for the newspaper.
go back
"What
are
in his pockets.
inside.
you doing here so early?"
could barely shrug his shoulders. Anego
to him.
"You're freezing cold. still
and came out
as she turned to
"Kusaka?" She was
How long have you
couldn't speak.
What
My father really was close by.
200
Anego's house. Both her parents
until late at night at a publishing house, so
Mamoru
He
a bicycle.
MIYUKI MIYABE
It's
been here?"
he wanted to say was. You were incre4ible, isn't itf
right.
"What happened?"
Mamoru didn't
put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him.
want
to hold her so
needed someone to cling
much
as he
wanted her
He
to.
"What's the matter?" Anego continued to ask just as
to hold him.
He
quietly, instinctively
doing
he had hoped, wrapping her arms around him to keep him warm.
"Hello, boy."
Mamoru finally heard the
raspy voice again on the morning
of January seventh. "Glad you've been well.
Mamoru had
How were your hohdays?"
not recovered, nor had he tried
to. It
was
he had sud-
if
denly been handed something infinitely fragile and he was too frightened to
make
a
move.
Toshio Kusaka's wedding ring had fallen out of the pocket of Yoshitake's clothing.
burden for didn't
That was
Mamoru
know how
In the end, he that
was
all.
exactly the
it
had been, but
He
to even speak of.
it
was too heavy
to.
had told Anego that he had
just
wanted
to see her,
She hadn't questioned him further and she continued to act
had
to see
me
anytime
if that'll
do
it
said with a laugh.
morning of January seventh, Mamoru's head was
The voice wiped away
the fog
and had him
sitting
up
still
in a fog.
straight.
"This afternoon at three. At the Sukiyabashi intersection. it,
a
hadn't told anyone, and he
he was ever going to be able
same with him. "Come over
for you," she
On the
really all
You know
don't you?" "I
know
it."
"Feel free to come. there.
I'll
Mamoru
It
will be the
end of Kazuko Takagi.
I'll
see
you
be waiting."
got off the train at Yurakucho at
noon on
the dot,
the short distance to the Ginza Sukiyabashi intersection.
and walked
The weather
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
201
was
There was nothing he could do bur wait.
clear.
of Information Channel and tried to
He
gripped his copy
commit Kazuko Takagi's
face to
memory.
He knew women
could alter their appearance by changing their hair-
wearing different clothes. Maki had once told him that
styles or
took was
a
new
Mamoru
boyfriend, but
all it
didn't w^ant to even consider
the possibility he wouldn't recognize her.
The area was crowded with people.
Tokyo had showed up families, too. In the
as
though everyone
this peaceful scene,
explorer lost in the jungle or a mountaineer on a
He
Mamoru
snowy
felt like
himself.
women, followed them from
behind, and then got tired and stood
moments
and went chasing
section
He
peered into the faces of young still
before he spotted another face in the inter-
after
it.
remember Maki's
tried to
an
plain without a
map. He wandered around by
again for a few
in
Shopping, dares, movies. There were
at once.
middle of
was
It
face
onstration oi the voice's powers.
had been nothing strange about
Up
her,
when
she had been used as a dem-
until the
but
when
minute
it
happened there
she said Listen to me, boy,
her eyes had been out of focus.
The
was looking
face he
for in the
ing and talking and shining just like
all
crowd would probably be laughthe others. She might not even be
here before three.
What
should he do?
Go around
and restaurants
theaters,
in
to all the
department
Ginza and have her paged.^
stores,
movie
Mamoru
con-
tinued his fruitless search. It
was two
thirty.
Mitamura's arm as they walked up the
Kazuko clung
to
subway
Yurakucho MuUion
"The
at the
me
letter told
to
come by
exit. It
was two
myself.
I
202
M
I'll
I
lose
Y UK
I
you
M
I
in this
YA BE
crowd
if
from the
fort)-.
might not find him
together."
"But
stairs
we're separated."
if
we're
Just then
Mitamura spotted
way
balloon. That
He
I'll
a
vendor
know where you
selling balloons. "I'll
buy you
a
are."
paid the vendor and handed Kazuko a red balloon.
"I feel like a child!"
"Think of It
was two
Mamoru
as an amulet to protect you."
forty-five.
on the edge of
sat
and rested
it
for a
flowerbed looking out at the intersection
a
few minutes.
He would who
ready to leap out and stop anyone
just
have to wait here and be
suddenly started to act strangely
at three o'clock. It fic
was
a
major pedestrian intersection. At regular
and allowed people on
signals stopped the traffic in all directions
four corners to cross at once.
helped direct
traffic,
blowing
A
intervals, the traf-
police officer with a white
all
armband
his whistle at cars that stayed in the inter-
section too long or pedestrians
who
insisted
on crossing
after the lights
changed.
Why had this particular spot Two
fifty-three
been chosen?
and twenty seconds.
Someone tapped Mamoru's shoulder from behind. He whipped around to see a
young
"That was
woman with
fast!
ah eager smile and a clipboard.
Are you alone?" she asked with an
air
of familiarity.
Salespeople were lurking around every day of the year, guessed.
He
Mamoru
glared at her and stood up menacingly.
"What's up with you, you creepy kid!" said the
woman
as she
backed
off.
Two
fifty-six.
Kazuko Takagi stood the Seibu It
in the
covered Mullion walkway that separated
and Hankyu department
seemed to get crowded
all
stores
and
led to
Yurakucho
Station.
of a sudden and she lost sight of Mitamura.
She gripped the string of the balloon tightly and tried to maneuver into
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
203
spots with fewer people,
moving forward
of humanit)- around her.
Kazuko was
bit
by
irritated.
bit,
but there was a wall
Why didn't they just keep
??ioi'ingf
''Excuse me,
need to get through."
I
A young
couple that were look-
ing up at something opened up a path.
me
"Excuse
Two
.
.
.
pardon me
...
I
need to get through!"
tifty-nme.
Someone came up behind Kazuko and grabbed her pered
in
wrist.
Then whis-
her ear, "Excuse me, do you have the time.'"
Kazuko
let
go of the balloon.
Three o'clock on the nose.
Mamoru
heard the sound of a music box.
He
chiming the hour. corner began to
move
It
was
turned around to look at
it.
the Mullion clock
The crowd on
the
as the signal at the intersection turned green for
pedestrians.
The music box continued playing times, colorful mechanical figurines
wall,
moving along with
its
familiar tune. Every day at cenain
would come out of the opening
the music.
It
was three
times. Everyone stopped to watch. So that
Was it
that
why
this place
would be impossible
sure
Mamoru
couldn't find
"Look, a balloon!"
A
at
was why
someone out
it
was so crowded!
in the
crowd.
was
It
to
faces,
make
Kazuko Takagi.
little girl
passing by called out and pointed to
the red balloon floating over the crowd.
up
o'clock, one of the set
had been chosen? There'd be so many
to pick
in the
Mamoru
automatically looked
it.
The pedestrian
signal turned red. Cars started
up and began
to roar
past.
Just at that
moment, someone came running out of
the clock and flew past him.
no
sign of stopping
the traffic
204
M
I
It
I
M
I
a
woman
in a
crowd under
black coat. She showed
and was heading over the guardrail and
on Harumi Avenue.
Y U K
was
the
YA B E
directly into
Mamoru
sprang up and yelled, "Stop! Someone stop her!"
Time came the
hem
ro a halt.
As Mamoru rushed through what
repelled by the impact of
hundreds of
felt like
the
fists.
stumbled back.
Someone
else
dashed out of the crowd.
made
startled as he desperately
his
to the guardrail just as the other
A
her whire calf as she lifted her leg and
of her black coat flipped up.
crowd he was
He
He saw
few people
with
all
in the
crowd and
their might,
The woman, deathly
man grabbed
three of
pale,
was
way toward
finally noticed
all
It
young man.
a
the
woman. Mamoru
opened her
eyes.
It
ever
felt
gave a
silent
prayer of thanks, the
two pulled
into a pile.
was Kazuko Takagi. magazine.
in the
time in his
first
got
of her coat.
as the
backward
fell
There was no mistaking the resemblance to the photo
Mamoru
hem
onto the
and screamed
them
his face
life
he had
lucky enough to do so.
"What
happened?" The other young man looked from Kazuko to
just
Mamoru and
back again. His face was as pale as
The music box stopped and ple looked at
the
them with obvious
crowd began
hers.
to disperse.
distaste as they sat
m
a
A
few peo-
heap on the
side
Kazuko and
she
of the road, but most just kept on moving.
The voice began to
"You his teeth
stir,
of the
young man seemed
then blinked and looked up at him.
just tried to still
to have roused
run out into the middle of the
street." the
man
said,
clenched.
^Me?" "You're Kazuko Takagi, right?" his breath
and
Mamoru
finally
managed
to catch
ask.
She turned her head to look at
Mamoru and
nodded. "What hap-
pened to me?" "You're safe now. You
man
said.
"But
I
heard
let
this
the balloon
guy
yell
go and
I
couldn't find you," the
and we both ran
after you."
"You saved me?" she asked Mamoru.
"And him
too. So
you know each other?"
THE DE\ILS WHISPER
205
The other man nodded.
"A boy
.
.
are
.
Kazuko asked was
you the one who went to
as she reached out to grab
You were
killed in that explosion.
"Yes, "I
I
went
wanted
there,
"A
me
to
come
letter?"
I've
Mamoru's
sleeve. "After he
the one, weren't you.'*"
been trying to find you ever since."
meet you, too.
to
have to Hashimoto? telling
and
Nobuhiko Hashimoto?"
see
Who
Do you know
are you?
What
connection do you
something? Did you write the
letter
here today?"
Mamoru
quickly asked. "Did someone
tell
you
to
come
here?"
"That's right," the
would help
man
said.
"Whoever wrote
the letter said they
her."
Mamoru
stood up, and pulled Kazuko to her
man. "Take Miss Takagi and where you can go?
How will
The man held Kazuko
I
get out of here
feet.
He
looked
at the
now! Do you have some-
be able to contact you later?"
closely
and answered, "Come
to
my
shop."
He
Mamoru instructions on how to get to Cerberus. "We can talk later. You've got to get her away from here now." When they had left, Mamoru looked around. Whoever it was, he had be close by. He had to have seen it all. Mamoru felt someone's hand on his right arm.
gave
to
He was
sick. It
was
strange, but that
person that had kept him
we
"Boy, It
was
finally
that
in
same hoarse
his illness.
his hair.
206
The
first
impression.
The
such constant fear was a sick old man.
meet." voice.
head seemed too large for from
was Mamoru's
The baggy
He was about Mamoru's
his body, but his
silver
body might have shrunk
gray suit he wore was the same color as
skin under his eyes sagged.
MIYUKI MIYABE
height. His
He had
the wrinkles of age,
and
someone wasting away with
the unhealthy pallor of eyes that were pinned
"Boy, you
on
Mamoru had
know who I am,
Mamoru nodded
any
life
disease.
Only the
them.
in
don't you?"
"You
guardedly.
didn't succeed with
number
four,
didyou.^"
The man smiled care
"You did your
faintly.
anymore about Kazuko Takagi.
"Go? Go where
Mamoru
I
like
you, and
knew you would.
Shall
we
have
lots of things
don't
I
go.^"
I
I
want
to talk to
along with me."
man
followed the old
thirty minutes.
I
.^"
"Don't be afraid.
you about. Come
job,
They got out
in
into a taxi,
and they rode
for
about
an area that was a mix of office and
apartment buildings, with the Tokyo expressway rumbling overhead.
The winter sunset painted
the walls of the buildings an almost sinfully
beautiful shade of reddish pink.
As the
The
taxi
man
led
Mamoru's
taxi drove away,
seemed to take with
him
heart once again clenched in
the last piece of the sane world.
it
to a white-walled apartment building that
main road. Mamoru took a good look around him,
On the opposite
appearance of the location.
was
trying to
fear.
The old
set off the
memorize the
side of the street, he caught a
glimpse of a canal from behind some buildings. Directly ahead of him was a multistory parking
lot.
There was a
utility
pole with an address on
it.
No
matter what happened, he wanted to have an idea of where he was.
They went up
to the fifth floor,
apartment 503. "This
The
sign over the
and the old man stopped
in front of
is it."
door said Shinjiro Harasawa.
astonished that the mystery
man would
Mamoru was somehow
have such an ordinary name.
"Harasawa?" he mumbled.
The old man answered, "That's my name.
It
was rude of me not
to
have introduced myself before."
They entered might
live in.
the apartment
Then
the old
and walked through
man pushed open
a
room
that
anyone
room
in the
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
207
the door to the
back.
He
Mamoru
let
in first,
and turned on the
light before closing the
door behind himself.
Mamoru was overwhelmed One ment.
by what he saw.
was completely covered
wall
Mamoru was
what looked
either side.
Was
that an oscillometer?
A
He
that looked like an amplifier. There were other machines
that looked like the ones used to record his mother's pulse
when
audio equip-
like
able to identify the three tape decks in the center,
and the speakers and tuners on
saw something
in
and heartbeat
she had been in the hospital intensive care unit.
heavy curtain covered the window and kept
The opposite wall was covered by
a built-in
light
out of the room.
bookcase packed
full
of
books. The short-weave carpet on the floor absorbed the sound of
Mamoru's "So,
his voice
sounded
"What do you do The old man took
"No thank down. You're "Is that
you."
room was
terribly
a single easy chair.
In the quiet of the closed-
human.
here?"
off his jacket sit
Mamoru
and
laid
it
on
a nearby machine. "It's
down?" leaned against the window. "You can
sit
the sick one."
what you think?"
"Anybody could "I see.
in
Why don't you
a long story.
He
in the center of the
what do you think?" Harasawa asked.
room,
off
and
footsteps,
So
it
tell."
means
I
don't have
much
time.
Where should
I
begin?"
put his hands on his hips and walked slowly in front of the wall of
equipment, stopping
you
a
He
in front of the tape decks. "First of all, let
give
name." turned on the tape deck and a red light went on. The sound of a
tape running
sawa reading
came out
of the speakers, followed by the sound of Hara-
off the date
and the time. "The subject
is
Maki Asano.
Female aged twenty-one."
Mamoru
jerked himself upright,
"What
your name?"
208
me
is
MIYUKI MIYABE
away from
the
window.
"MakiAsano." She sounded sleepy and calm, but
Maki answered
She's flexible
.
.
actually your cousin,
sister,
and cooperative
.
is
highly susceptible to suggestion.
—the perfect subject
Mamoru jumped up and "Did you hypnotize my sister?" "Hypnotism?"
for hypnotism."
grabbed the old man's
Harasawa remained calm. "Let go of me
"That's right, boy."
want
recognized Maki's voice.
the old man's questions clearly: date of birth, family,
occupation, current state of health
"Your
Mamoru
shirt.
you
if
to hear the rest."
Still
Mamoru
breathing hard,
let
Harasawa turned up
go.
the
volume
on the tape deck.
"Where do you "To the
sea.
"Where on
"Umm,
I
like to
go?"
love the blue sea."
A beach? Or out on a
the sea?
I'd like to
be on a sailboat.
Sit
boat?"
on the deck and
feel the salty
breeze."
The man's a sailboat,
voice continued. w^as a
it
I
told
Maki
that she
sunny day, and she was relaxed
what
"Listen carefully to "Yes,
He
can hear you
"Is there a clock in
I
say.
was on
the deck of
... so relaxed
.
.
.
Can you hear me?"
clearly."
your house?"
"Yes."
"Does "Yes,
it
it's
chime or make some other sound on the hour?" a big wall clock."
"Tom.orrow evening, when that clock to say this to
Mamoru
"Tomorrow
Mamoru
strikes nine o'clock,
I
want you
Kusaka."
evening,
when
the wall clock strikes nine,
I'll
tell
..."
"Listen to me, boy.
I
called
Nobuyuki Hashimoto.
That's
when
he
died."
Maki
repeated the words in a monotone.
THE
D
E \M L
•
S
WHISPER
209
Now I'm going to count to
"That's right.
wake up and
leave this building.
As soon
as
three
you
and you are going
get outside you'll forget
everything that happened here. You'll forget that you met
gave you a command. night. After "I'll
you
It
will
come back
to
you
to
me and
relay the message, you'll forget that
that
I
tomorrow
at nine o'clock
you did so."
forget..."
"Do you
understand.^ All right then, I'm going to count. One, two,
three."
The tape ended
"It's is
there.
called post-hypnotic
phenomenon," began Harasawa. "The
put into a hypnotic state and a
command
command
is
subject
planted in her brain. That
can be called up at any time using a keyword or a sound, or
even some sort of action. At the signal, the subject will carry out the
command.
After that the subject forgets both the signal and
done. The only thing that remains
Mamoru recalled
is
a small blank spot in her
that the night before
Maki had been drunk and
what she has
couldn't
memory."
Harasawa 's "demonstration,"
remember what she had done or
where she had been.
Harasawa motioned
to the
equipment against the wall.
"I use this
equipment to record the physical condition of subjects under hypnosis. If
you're interested
I
can show you
just
how
fascinating people are
when
they've been hypnotized."
Mamoru
shifted his eyes
"I'm sure this tapes.
It
was
is
away from Harasawa.
something you'd
the voice of another
like to hear."
woman. "This
remarkably unreserved. She explained to
how
she
managed
to earn her dirty
You can communicate with
me
MI YUK
I
mind wants never
the 'subconsciqus'.^"
M YABE I
of the tiniest details of herself.
the subconscious to find out the dark secrets
light of day."
210
Fumie Kato. She was
money. She was proud of
of people, even the thoughts their conscious
"What do you mean,
all
is
Harasawa switched
to see the
"
"It's
up here," said Harasawa tapping
every hour of the day. soul.
Some
The conscious mind
written on
blackboard
like a
is
more
and they don't get wiped
it,
guard
scholars consider the subconscious to be the
But the subconscious
it.
carved into
is
his temple. "It stands
breaking his front tooth at the age of
five
—you can erase anything an etching — things are
like
out. Imagine a
—the
fear
boy
and
falling
and pain of that event
will stay in his
subconscious until he dies at age eighty. Post-hypnotic
phenomenon
triggered by
is
making contact with the subconscious."
The old man turned down the tape
women.
"I've got tapes of all four of those
somebody
if
Harasawa
smiled.
ing
was an
I
keyword —
hypnotized them, and gave them a
"But what
so they could talk
made
else accidentally said the
"Kazuko Takagi was
easily.
contact with them,
keyword?"
the only one with
The other four had been hypnotized
issue.
more
less
whom tim-
than twelve
hours before they heard the keyword. Only three hours for Nobuhiko
Hashimoto."
A their
shrewd look suddenly appeared
movements.
three died, there
didn't
was
and disappear, so night of
I
I
want
a risk that
to
in
Harasawa's
make any
eyes. "I
monitored
mistakes. After the other to
me
was
the
Kazuko Takagi would catch on
approached her
at the first opportunity. It
Yoko Sugano's wake."
"But—" "And
I
her before
used a combination keyword to I
was
ready.
I
told her
I
would
make
sure
give her the
nobody
else
got to
keyword and grab
her right hand. Both would have to happen simultaneously for her to react."
"So you commanded her to die?"
"No," Harasawa shook
his head. "I
gave
all
four
women the command
to flee. Living beings have a natural instinct to protect themselves
you told them
to
cannot separate
commit
itself
suicide, they
from the person
wouldn't do it
it.
—
if
The subconscious
belongs to."
"Flee?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
211
"That's
Run away. Don't
Flee.
it.
get caught by the person chasing
you, or you'll be killed. Shake off any obstacles, run through doors,
break windows, jump out of them, run, run, runl Otherwise you'll
The subconscious then puts were
by
killed
Mamoru
own
command
Those
into action.
women
instinct to save themselves."
stood speechless.
The doubt "So you
their
that
die.
that
had been swirling around
them.
killed
mind
in his
finally cleared.
Why?"
"So they got what they deserved," Harasawa instantly replied, the
now wiped from
smile
a university.
his face. "Until a year
worked
I
ago
I
was doing research
there with five researchers I'd trained myself.
studied hypnotism, bio-feedback, and traditional Chinese qigong.
our efforts bore cially those
He
fruit,
was
I
sure
we would
at
We
When
be able to help people, espe-
with depression or relationship problems."
and then lowered them
raised both his arms,
that time that
research that
I
it
learned
was too
I
had
late
cancer.
was about
sadly. "It
in
my
got medical attention. But
we
had been so wrapped up
I
by the time
I
have to die sometime."
all
He
shrugged and went on.
"I
knew
would carry on my work. They had
knew
they
would do
as
I
joy."
at this.
On
A
five
and
my
time than
and took out
was
a
I
And
researchers I
did,
and
I
a scrapbook.
show Mamoru.
my
pride and
young man with heavy black-framed
his eyes sparkled
"His name was Kenichi Tazawa.
to
had, this one was
a smile full of straight, white teeth.
straight nose.
died,
and found something
researchers
the left-hand page
spectacles
head.
Of the
much more
to the bookshelf
flipped through the pages
"Look
if I
asked."
The old man went over
He
so
that even
He was
He had
from
a
broad fore-
behind the glasses.
a born scholar
and
full
of natu-
ral curiosity."
"You're talking about him
"He was
212
killed himself.
last
in the past tense."
He took
May."
MIYUKI MIYABE
the sleeping medicine
I
kept
in the lab. It
Mamoru looked up. The old man looked an unhappy
affair.
I
him and nodded. "He was
at
had hoped that the
he loved so
girl
But
in love.
was
it
much would
be
suitable for him."
who was
"So
it?"
Mamoru.
asked
"Kazuko Takagi." After tinued. "I thought
I
few moments of
a
would go mad when
young man who was supposed
"How
did you
"Tazawa
know that
me
left
ficient
a
mystery
Kazuko Takagi used had gotten
Mamoru "Even
It
how
she had hurt him."
is?
Why
his
head
at the idea. "Boy,
what do
do we love one person alone and not
— even we scholars
still
own
don't understand
profit."
it.
But
Harasawa's voice
someone out of
act of desecration."
couldn't respond.
after she
was through with him, Tazawa continued
to believe
So she sent him a copy of Information Channel.''
his savings.
Mamoru remembered what Hashimoto had didn't
I didn't
said
suf-
and refused to accept that she had intentionally tricked him out of
in her
cle. /
to bury the
a future."
that passion for her
was an
had
successor."
stronger. "Boy, she didn't merely swindle
money.
their
I
—he was much too naive? He didn't have
man shook
you think romantic love It's
He had
him.
con-
was Kazuko Takagi?"
his lover
die.
what you think
immunity?" The
everyone?
my
a letter, describing
"But he didn't have to "Is that
to be
lost
I
man
silence, the old
it
what those
to
him about
that arti-
bitches said in that interview.
have to add any dirty words or any slutty turns of phrase. They
all
"He
add anything
told
themselves. All of it
left
Over and
— every
single bit of it.
the magazine with the letter he wrote me.
over.
I
read
it
so
many
times
I
memorized
it.
I
read the
Then
I
article.
made my
decision."
"You decided
to
kill
them
all,"
Mamoru
said.
"But
why
all
four?
Why
not just Kazuko Takagi?" "It
was more than
just personal revenge.
I
used them as guinea pigs."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
213
''Guinea pigs}
Was
it
just
another experiment to you? But you mur-
dered them!" "Mean-spirited, yes. Just Uke those 'lovers for hire' were meanspirited.
I
women
wanted those four
to
pay the price for
their callous
actions. That's all."
Mamoru
"You're crazy."
you
say.
Murder
is
the material
his voice. "I don't care
I
don't have long;
have instructed the executor of
I
what
murder."
"That's for society to judge.
out the month.
found
finally
I
my
might not even
last
estate to send all of
my confession to the police." Mamoru to say. He wanted to get
have here along with
I
There was nothing
for
left
had
there as quickly as possible. All he
to
do was stand up and
out of
leave.
"You're proud of yourself, aren't you? You're nothing but an
evil
old sorcerer."
"Sorcerer?" the old
man
laughed. "Scholarship
nothing wasted or frivolous about the truth.
To prove
be interested
Mamoru
in.
give
it, I'll
You'll find
it
you
—
is
I'm searching for
scientist.
a piece of information
I
think you'll
stopped and turned back. "Useful?"
I'll tell
Mamoru
I'm a
sacred. There
useful."
"That's right. Yoshitake, that uncle
it.
is
you who he
stared at
man who
testified
on behalf of your
really is."
Harasawa without
blinking.
"What do you know
about him?" "He's lying to you. of that. the
It
He
wasn't there
has to do with the keyword."
phone with Fumie Kato.
form. lines
I
held up one finger. "I used
talked to Atsuko Mita on the train plat-
and spread gasoline throughout I
was
"How
his house.
sure the house
gave him the keyword that
214
I
He
died. I'm sure
hypnotized Nobuhiko Hashimoto at home, then opened the gas
ple of hours until
"I
when Yoko Sugano
made him
was
full
Then
I
waited for a cou-
of gas, called him up, and
light a cigarette."
about Yoko Sugano?"
used her watch as part of the keyv^ord. The alarm was
MIYUKI MIYABE
set to
go off
"
at twelve midnight. That's
path of your uncle's
was too
tired to
go
car.
I
why
was running
she
when
wasn't there
it
happened. By that time,
and
my
side,
almost as
after her myself,
speed right into the
full
oversight ended up
I
making
trouble for your uncle."
Harasawa about
it.
shifted his gaze to
"After she died,
one
read
I
all
dent and watched the news on TV.
come forward
the articles
When
to say he'd been there,
I
I
a
lie. It
he was really sorry
could find on the acci-
I
learned that Yoshitake had
knew
was
he
asked Yoko Sugano the time and she told him
That was
if
it
lying.
was
five
He
said he'd
past twelve.
was impossible."
"Why?" "She was already
away from whoever
in the it
hypnotic
was
state.
She would have been running
that she thought
was chasing
had commanded. She would never have responded
her, just as
I
to outside stimulus.
She wouldn't have been capable. "Yoshitake
is
a bald-faced
Yoko Sugano running
for her
liar. If
life,
he'd been there, he would have seen
chased by nobody. But
why
did he go
to the trouble of lying?"
Mamoru my father.
closed his eyes and leaned against the door. "Because he's
"You think
he's
know it.
"I
your father?"
He's the father that abandoned
he goes by the name of Koichi Yoshitake. accident to help
me and
the
Asano
He
me
lied
been caught by the subliminal shots
about witnessing the
and how Yoshitake had
in the video.
And
there
was some-
else, too.
"He
called
me by my name when
he came to see me.
known my name was Kusaka? The Asanos
have son.
Now
family."
"How did you figure that out?" Mamoru explained about the wedding ring, thing
twelve years ago.
I
don't
know why I
Harasawa
didn't notice
it
How could
introduced
me
he
as their
at the time."
stared at the floor for a few
moments. "Boy,
the police
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
215
looked into his past when he
testified.
They know who he
where he was born, where he has worked, and who 'T
me
thought of that, but he told
house. In a place like that, he
and family record. As long
wanted
to erase his past
that he
would have been able
I
suppose
who
do
died and
it.
my father who He could have
was
to rot."
left
man nodded. "But
possible," the old
it is
to
like
in a flop-
new name
able to buy a
had money, someone
taken on the identity of some poor slob "I see.
his family is."
had spent time
would have been
as he
They know
is.
The debt he owes
wrong, boy. He's not your
father.
mother
The old man stepped back toward
is
bigger than that."
recorder. "I
why. So
"You
I
was
intrigued
when
I
learned he had
lied.
to
I
you're
you and your
wanted
the tape to
know
hypnotized him. Here's what he told me."
—hypnotized him.^"
"That's right."
The old man
Mamoru
The long confession
started the tape.
back twelve years, to
home
Nomura was
full
fog.
of hope the spring he turned eighteen and
in
Hirakawa had run an inn
was well-known and respected
for several generations,
in the area.
However,
business had been burned to the ground during
of their assets
They had had
lost.
to
sell
stay alive in the aftermath of the war.
was nothing
An
left
off
World War
what
little
home and
II,
and most
remained
just to
By the time Koichi was eighteen,
unfortunate characteristic of old families
a flexible attitude
their
and
left.
accept change. This
216
been
to go to college in Tokyo.
His family
there
contained took
a point in time that had, for him,
surrounded by a deep, impenetrable
Koichi
it
was
especially true of the
and astute business sense
MIYUKI MIYABE
is
their reluctance to
Nomuras, and vital to
the lack of
running a family
business
was
affecting their ability to rebuild their livelihood.
Koichi was the only son, and the family's hopes were him. By that spring, the only thing
left
to
them was
all
pinned on
honor
their family
and the meager ground rents they earned. Umeko, Koichi's mother, was already a widow, and her son was her only remaining reason to
live.
She was determined to send him to college in Tokyo no matter what the
were to
financial repercussions
one what that meant. To
her.
Koichi understood better than any-
his mother,
he was
like a tiny
green sprout on
an already rotting stump.
He one
Tokyo and proved an
thrived in
else
excellent student.
He and
expected him to graduate and get a job worthy of the
every-
Nomura
name. Until he
It
was an
had
his first clash
accident.
A new
with misfortune, that
was going up
building
where Koichi was lodging. One day,
as he
is.
in the
neighborhood
was passing by
the site deep in
thought about a college assignment, construction workers were ing a
window on
the third floor, right over his head.
the workers holding Koichi's head. His
it
slipped,
install-
The hand of one of
and the window came crashing down on
wounds took two months
to heal.
Koichi received a generous insurance settlement, and recovered
He
quickly thanks to his youth. cence, determined not to
beginning to catch up
let
continued to read during his convales-
the time off impede his studies.
when
He was
just
month
he was sent back to the hospital a
after being released.
He had
been infected with hepatitis
B.
These days the risk of infection from blood transfusions
known. To Koichi, though,
it
was
transfusion he'd received to save
just
is
well
another stroke of bad luck. The
him from bleeding
to death resulted in
the loss of an entire school year.
Then,
had
just as
he was ready to go back to school, his mother
a mild stroke.
Her
life
was not
in danger, but the
added
Umeko
financial
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
217
burden
left
Koichi with no choice. In the spring of his twenty-first year,
he was forced to drop out of college and go to work.
Umeko was
superstitious, so she asked a friend to read her son's
fortune based on his name, as
is
often the custom in Japan.
"His indications are strong," the fortune
means he
have misfortune.
will continue to
"but his name
teller said,
He ought
to consider chang-
ing his name."
Koichi, however, did not feel inclined to listen to her advice.
His
real estate ichi
company
in central
Tokyo.
considered himself too good for
He had
cult to deal with.
ended up affecting
He went from
his
wasn't bad as jobs go, but Ko-
It
it,
He made
and he became
the places he
was
He
diffi-
with company names
filled
couldn't even
had worked, so he
He
resume the next time he had to write one. as he
and
work.
followed by "quit for personal reasons."
and ended up,
bitter
enemies and avoided people, and
job to job. His resume
names of some of
a job with a middle-sized
trouble with customers and took an arrogant
attitude with his coworkers. it
was
foray into the working world
first
had told Mamoru,
remember
just left
them
off the
eventually got sick of
essentially
the
it all,
homeless and living
in
flophouses.
The summer he was pany.
male
He worked clerical
com-
in the office taking care of general affairs, the
only
worker
at the small
panying the company president on
was Shin Nippon
When
was
hired at a transport
thirty-two, Koichi
company. One of
his jobs
One
of these clients
Naomi
Yoshitake, she
his visits to clients.
Enterprises.
he met the
woman who became
was twenty-two and
a student.
still
young man who stood
To
his wife,
the
young woman,
fire,
was much more
her father guaranteed.
attractive than the
On
world she was oblivious
218
the cynical
firmly by his boss, sorting through papers to pres-
ent in business negotiations during which the questions rapid
was accom-
MIYUKIMIYABE
at
them
coddled lads whose futures
top of that, Koichi Nomura,
to,
came
who
lived in a
had the good looks he had inherited from
his mother.
was
It
the one thing his bad luck hadn't changed.
The president of Shin Nippon Enterprises gave
into the
demands of
daughter and began looking into Koichi's background as a
his
toward grooming him
as a son-in-law. His
for another reason. Koichi's past employers
many
fields,
Some
of
them
industries that
when he came
to them, but
now
were
for
was
had
so taken with definitely
handedly father
built Shin
knew
Nippon
list
intrigued
all
different
were small and insignificant
distinguished in their
couldn't be merely coincidence. This
It
were from
Hst
were beginning to show growth.
worked
of the companies he had
step
main concern was the long
of past employers on his resume. After a while, though, that
him
first
young man who
foresight.
fields.
his
daughter
As the man who had
single-
Enterprises from the ground up, Naomi's
that this kind of prescience
was not something
that could be
taught or learned.
Naomi
Koichi and ichi
Yoshitake were engaged that December, and Ko-
was hired by Shin Nippon
rebuild the
Nomura
Enterprises.
to
family business agreed to be adopted into his wife's
family without a second thought.
Naomi graduated from It
The boy who had planned
They planned
to be married as
soon as
college.
was one week before he became Koichi Yoshitake
that the greatest
misfortune to date befell Koichi Nomura.
In that
March
of twelve years ago, Koichi had
driven straight to Hirakawa.
he drove into the city
town was enveloped
He had come the wedding.
The clock on
left
Tokyo
at night
and
the dashboard said 05:15 as
Rain beat on the windshield, and the whole
limits.
in cold.
to pick
He had
up
his
mother and drive her back to Tokyo
taken a long detour, but was
path he was destined for in
life.
finally
for
back on the
For once he had something to show his
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
219
He
mother.
planned to stay one night, then head back to Tokyo with her
the next day.
Rather than taking the highway straight through town, he decided
narrow roads past the
to savor his triumphant return, taking the
and then out
From
where he could
the car
belong to
and the
to
window
A
his family.
was
lit
had been cleared and
leveled,
under construction stood black
dawn. A huge
sign
announcing "Opening
with footlights.
too soon for Shin Nippon Enterprises to open a hotel,
still
thought Koichi, but
it
wasn't an impossible dream.
time in the not too distant future Until then he
city.
he saw on his right a mountain that used to
steel girders ot a resort hotel
September 1!" was It
mountains surrounding the
plot near the top
the purple light of
in
see the
station
would
when he was
He would do
it
some-
president of the company.
learn everything he could.
He was
already thinking
about expanding the company's operating policy to target the greater
mass market. He was sure the day would come when "the masses" was no longer such
a dirty
word.
He drove halfway around
the city, and
was nearing an
where the road crossed the railroad tracks leading town. The rain was coming
down
ro the
intersection
west side oi
harder, and the windshield wipers
slapping over the glass blurred his view.
He
hadn't
come
across a single car during his early morning drive,
and there were no pedestrians accelerated smoothly. collect his
heat
when
mother
she had pressed
hrst,
a gift
from Naomi so he could go and
The key had it
halt.
he got out of the
I
still
warm
been
with her body
into his hand.
was
a dull impact, the car
the
man
or had
Y U K
I
car.
M
I
bounded sharply and
Koichi tlew forward against the steering wheel.
sound stopped. Koichi heard only
M
picked up speed, and the car
but the dark shape that appeared in the mist disappeared
then came to a
220
He
remember whether he had seen
the next instant. There
All
had been
in style.
Later he couldn't
braked
It
either.
A
pile of rags
Y A B E
his heart beating in his ears as
was heaped by
the side of the road.
The
had
pile
feet,
come
shoe had
but only one of them was wearing a shoe. The other
to rest
where Koichi
now stood.
Koichi edged closer, one hesitant step at a time.
The
pile didn't
couldn't
feel
move. Koichi knelt down and touched
The man looked
a pulse.
ma
He had
puddle, and blood trickled out of his
with shaking hands to
the man's head,
lift
away from
Koichi pulled his hands
and over on
his pants.
fallen
the
it
with his face half
Koichi reached
left ear.
and
neck: he
same age as him. He had
to be the
a tiny mole beneath his right eyebrow.
its
was
down
limp.
body and rubbed them over
His back was cold from the rain running
down
his neck.
The dead man's umbrella had was beginning
to pool inside
from the grove of trees to
He
it,
handle
its
Ram
in the air.
too. Koichi heard the shrill call of a bird
his right.
looked around.
He was
out of town. The gentle cur\'e of the railroad tracks disap-
peared on the other side of the
mto
with
fallen
was
a timnel. There
cur\e.
It
where
it
would eventually be drawn
a dlted traffic signal at the fullest part of the
was an unmanned
doned warehouse that
trees,
still
crossing.
To
Koichi's
left
bore the words "Hirakawa
was an old aban-
DWng Works.''
No one was there. If
he wanted to escape, he would have to do
wiping
his
Come
hands on
on, if you
his pants as the rain
want
to get
now. He continued
soaked him through.
jwjy from
would wash away the skid marks of the
it
tires
this,
Jo
it
now! The
rain
and the dead man s blood.
A voice from deep inside him began to speak to the man who was looking up at the
you were
sk\' in
there."
a position impossible for a living human.
He wanted
to speak
up
for himself.
**!
**I
didn't
know
didn't see you."
You've got to run away! You*U lose everything!
From behind him came surprise.
The
down. A
train
the
sound of a warning
signal at the railroad crossing
was
bell.
Koichi jumped in
flashing.
The bars came
would be passing by any minute now.
THE DEVIL
S
WHISPER
221
Koichi stood scaring at the signal as the warning
two
red lights, one
on top of the
other, flashed
bell
on and
The
clanged.
off alternately.
Top. bottom, top, bottom.
Would Would
Would he
the engineer notice him?
see this car
and the body?
the passengers see?
Clang, clang, clang.
His blood ran cold. Koichi ran to the body and dragged
He opened
of the car.
back
and put
It
and began to shove the body into the
in the car
It
getting thinner
with the body. The blood
the upside-down umbrella in the
puddles on the road
and thinnet There would soon be nothing
into the driver's seat, he tripped over a shoe.
had come off the dead mans
in the back. Just as
Koichi didn't
about as he did into the garage visible
He grabbed
back to look at the road.
As he got that
to the side
seat.
He ran was
the door
it
foot.
He
It
hurriedly grabbed
left.
was it
he shut the door, the train came speeding past.
know how he managed to drive or what he thought so. When he arrived at his mother s home, he pulled
where the bent fender and scratched paint would not be
from the road.
really
no more than a
had withdrawn what for Koichi so
her
one
and threw
His mother, Umeko, came out when she heard the noise. The
was
the
more
it
plastic sheet
little
money
on a frame
in their tiny yard.
she had in her savings and set
would be available now
frequently. Koichi
**garage"*
that he
had promised
his
would be coming
She
it
up
to see
mother that he didn't need
much; he'd soon be building her a much grander house anyway. **
Welcome
ho— oh! What happened?"'
Koichi broke
down
in tears the
she asked looking at his face.
insunt he saw hen
He
bit
on
his fist to
muffle the sound.
Umeko
listened to the entire btury. Instead of
was matter of
ation, she
fact in her
the body."
222
M
I
Y
I' It
;
\«
i
'k
A BE
blaming him for the
approach. "WeMI have to get
situ-
rid
of
room, they
In the back
laid
out on a piece of the plastic sheet
it
Umeko was calm and
over from the makeshift garage. right
hand was limp from her
left
thorough. Her
stroke, but her voice did not
waver
as she
gave Koichi instructions.
He
took off the dead man's clothes and stuffed them into a paper bag.
There was a wallet identification.
Umeko and put
it
in the jacket
pocket with a driver's license and other
"Toshio Kusaka. Have you ever heard of him.
said nothing, but
with the clothes
grabbed the wallet out of her son's hands
in the
paper bag. She tied
tied
up the body
"What about "It's
in the plastic
and hid
it
up and
it
answered, "He's assistant to the financial section chief at
They
Mom?" finally
city hall."
from view.
the car?" Koichi asked.
been scratched, hasn't
it?"
That night on the seven o'clock
local
assistant to the financial section chief at
news
it
was reported
that the
Hirakawa City Hall had gone
missing. After seeing that, Koichi got his car out.
He bashed
it
into the
rock wall surrounding the neighbor's house, pretending that he had
made
a botched turn.
He
called a
tow truck and had
arrived fifteen minutes "I
taken off for repairs. The loaner car
later.
never liked that rock wall,"
They waited
it
until after
Umeko
said to her son.
midnight before they put the body
in the
trunk of the loaner along with a shovel. Their trip out of Hirakawa went smoothly. They drove for about an hour after they
stopped
in a forest that
formed part of a nature
left
the city limits
reserve. Koichi
and
took the
shovel and flashlight and hiked a short distance until he found a suitable spot
on a
slope. All he
body, and drag
it
there.
He
had to do was go back did
it all
himself.
to the car, retrieve the
Umeko
waited
the dark, with neither a light nor the radio on to keep her sat
still,
looking straight
As Koichi was tents, the
in the car in
company. She
in front of her.
piling dirt
on the
plastic sheet to
rope came loose and the oddly bent
left
bury
hand
it
and
its
con-
spilled out.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
He
223
was almost
afraid
would reach out and grab
it
more dismayed when he saw and he knew
before,
it
the ring
here, but he wasn't taking
replaced
all
returning to the
When
was
little
He'd missed
finger.
it
chance the body would be found
had dug up and pounded
it
down
before
His arms shook with fear and fatigue.
he was finally able to drive,
wasn't your
"It
even
any chances.
the dirt he
car.
on the third
He was
could be used to identify the body. Koichi wiped
the sweat off his brow. There
He
his ankle.
you
fault, so
just
Umeko
have to forget
declared in a low voice, it
all."
Koichi listened and nodded, but didn't imagine that he would ever be able to forget.
The wedding went from the
their
off without a hitch.
honeymoon,
the
first
was open
sent to him. Toshio Kusaka's
Yoshitake could
in large letters.
the couple returned
thing Koichi Yoshitake did
Hirakawa newspaper he had had
was printed
When
feel the
name
blood drain from
his head.
The tant
however, only described
article,
was
still
at large,
how
the financial section assis-
and that he was now the prime suspect
in a case of
missing public funds.
Life in
Tokyo was
mystery, and there
fine.
The
incident in
was no reason
for
Hirakawa remained shrouded
any suspicion to
His safety was assured. The only guilt he his feet,
had
to
funds: that
He
was
a
a
on Yoshitake.
the extra weight he
do with the family Toshio Kusaka had
The family had had lic
felt,
fall
left
in
felt in
behind.
husband and father who had embezzled pub-
known
fact.
But he hadn't disappeared voluntarily.
hadn't run away. Yoshitake alone was responsible for the fact that
Kusaka had not had
the opportunity to explain his actions or offer any
extenuating circumstances, nor had he been allowed to pay for his crime.
Kusaka's wife and son had been
left
to fend for themselves,
and Yoshi-
take was tortured by the guilt this caused him.
He
224
picked up a
bit
of
new
MIYUKI MIYABE
informatipn on the matter on his infrequent
trips
and
hack to Hirakawa. He made were
child
He
it
know how
his husiness to
the wife
taring.
learned that Kusaka's wife Keiko and young son
the subsidized housing provided for
went
tiny apartment. Yoshitake
it. It
was one of
and he wondered how much of
ings in the city
paying to keep
employees and were
cir\'
to see
it
As he stood
Mamoru had
left
living in a
the oldest build-
a bribe the
owner was
from being condemned. in the alley outside, the
young boy and
his
mother
appeared. Both of them were carrying paper shopping bags bearing the
name
were not welcome
The
in the local shops.
child looked
them laughed
up
something to
to say
slammed
his
window
a
The Kusaka family climbed
Why
the stairs oi the dilapidated building.
refuse to go.
Keiko and matter
how
for even a
so.
Why
you stjynigf You know how things
are
will he
own
lived
Tokyo changed, he had never forgotten them
life in
moment.
established family in
Hirakawa
him down when he
ferent agencies to find out
prepared to make sure
a
to find
said that
they really ought to be pitied.
He
how
it
Keiko
a job.
Xaomi thought knew
Kusaka
it
the truth.
family.
When
the family lent
she
Nobody was
able
dif-
was doing, and he was always
m their times of greatest need.
was unable
Xaomi went
sour.
to conceive a child, but
he wasn't working, he was consumed by the
There was no space
Five years after Toshio
of an old.
continued making inquiries using
hand was
was because
member
wasn't the family's fault and that
In direct contrast. Yoshitake's relationship with
he
and yet you
m Yoshitake's heart ever since then. Xo
Yoshitake had discreetly used his connections as a
to turn
don't you leave
Whyf
Mamoru had
his
resi-
shut.
Yoshitake called out silently to them as they did
townf
mother, and the two of
At the same time, one of the other
quietly together.
dents in the building
still
two
of a store on the outskirts of town. Yoshitake imagined the
left in his
heart for anyone
Kusaka disappeared, Keiko and
else.
Mamoru
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
still
225
showed no
sign of leaving
Hirakawa. Yoshitake had
tion of secretly taken photos of them.
When
growing
a
collec-
he was alone in his study
looking at the pictures he had a feeling of peace.
He was wrapped,
with the
He
own
his
guilt, in a
wife and
mysterious sense of oneness.
Mamoru
felt
as
if
his son.
Keiko had a gentle face and sad-looking
eyes.
Her
suffering
robbed her of her innate softness. The boy had been raised
The photos revealed
health.
a hint of
but he also had a bright smile that
wanted
to
along
Keiko was
had not in
good
understanding beyond his years,
made even Yoshitake
feel
happy.
He
meet the boy. This desire gave him new hope.
Eight years after the accident, the spring of the year he had been pro-
moted
back to Hirakawa. The annual
special trip lic
board of directors of Shin Nippon Enterprises, he made
to the
schools
was held
in April. It
was
field
day for
the city's pub-
a sort of festival to celebrate the end
of the long winter. Yoshitake wanted to see the boy,
from
all
now
twelve, even
if
a distance.
Yoshitake had stood behind the fence surrounding the schoolyard. forgot final
a
how
long he was there watching every
event was, as
graders.
it is
When
anchor sash across
had wings on
made
for his
boy made. The
among
the sixth
team and stood waiting
his
his chest.
the boy took the baton and began to run, Yoshitake stood
transfixed, his fingers holding his feet!
on
the final turn.
tight to the links in the fence.
He had begun
with an admirable calm.
strides
the
in every school, the relay race
The boy was running anchor
turn, the red
move
He
On
He
The boy
the lap in fifth place, but took his
easily passed
up three runners, and
the side of the track farthest from the fence
where Yoshitake stood, the boy broke the tape
at the finish line,
win-
ning by a nose. The students broke out in a cheer, and Yoshitake clapped
along with them, yelling out his approval.
A woman at him.
It
was
stood next to
226
standing on the edge of the crowd of parents turned to look the boy's mother, Keiko Kusaka.
her,
and he too was clapping.
MIYUKI MIYABE
A
thickset older
man
The cherry
trees
had been
on Yoshitake's shoulder.
was
a
warm
It
was not
The
spring day.
in full
Kusaka had seen him. She broke tion.
the cold, rainy day of the accident.
was
air
full
It
of cherry blossoms, and Keiko
and nodded
into a smile
man
She was acknowledging a
bloom, and petals fluttered down
in his direc-
who had
she had never seen before
applauded her son. Yoshitake visited his mother's startled look of accusation.
home
"What
are
that day,
and was greeted with
you doing here? Your home
is
a in
Tokyo." Later, sitting alone in the dark, Yoshitake realized that there
was
nothing he could do but admit to himself that he loved the Kusaka family. Their brave resolve
thing about the
way
they
and
their strength of will.
managed
to live.
He
loved every-
They had refused
to give
up
any of the things he himself had given up on the day of that accident, and he knew they never would. His mother died six months
later.
After the funeral and before he sold
the house, Yoshitake lifted the floorboards to pull out the paper bag hid-
den beneath, and burned mother's possessions.
He
it
in the fire he built to dispose of
didn't
know what
remained, and he eventually kept
He
tried
almost as It
if
it
on.
It
do with the one item that
—Toshio Kusaka's wedding
last trip
owner was objecting
Yoshitake ever
continued to monitor the Kusakas'
now
his
ring.
only went as far as the second joint of his ring finger;
the original
was the
it
to
some of
made
life
to his action.
to
Hirakawa, although he
from Tokyo. His wife, Naomi,
considered him nothing more than another corporate executive at
her father's company.
Keiko Kusaka died suddenly
late in the
year Yoshitake was promoted
to vice-president. Yoshitake locked himself in his
would never have
Mamoru was
the chance to pay her back for
sixteen,
and
relatives
a private detective to look into the
life
room and
cried.
He
what he had done.
had taken him
in.
Yoshitake hired
He was
briefly
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
227
of the
new
family.
relieved to discover that
it
was
a
happy one, but
that peace of
shattered by the accident resuhing in the death of
Yoshitake had a friend matter for him. left
He
in the
mind was
Yoko Sugano.
pohce department
who
looked into the
learned that the lack of a witness to the accident had
Taizo Asano, Mamoru's uncle, in a position of serious disadvantage.
At the time, Yoshitake had
a lover
named Hiromi
Ida.
The
relation-
ship had grown, like a flowerless plant, from his strained marriage. night, as he looked at Hiromi's face without
makeup
One
as she stepped out
of the shower, he discovered something. Hiromi Ida looked like Keiko
Kusaka. The apartment he had found for her had been not
neighborhoods of Azabu or Daikanyama, but trict cluttered
done
in
in the
luxury
an old shitamachi
dis-
with narrow roads and old buildings. The reason he had
he reahzed, despite Hiromi's obvious displeasure, was so that
this,
he could spend time closer to
Mamoru.
The time has come.
He had
actually been with
Hiromi on the night of the accident, but
he had not passed through the intersection where course, he had not witnessed anything.
accident until he read about
it
in the
He
it
happened. And, of
hadn't even
known about
the
newspaper the next morning.
But he knew he could say that he had been through the intersection
and that he had seen the accident. People were notoriously interested take
made good
knew
to ask
anything that happened there, and Yoshi-
use of the business card of a newspaper reporter he
around
for information
wearing, the color of the bilit}'
in
living in the shitamachi area
to his testimony.
car,
on the victim
and anything
He committed
—what she had been
else that
the details to
would add
credi-
memory, and thought
about the impression he needed to make when he talked to the
police.
His position at Shin Nippon Enterprises was not so tenuous as to be rocked by the existence of a
lover.
Naomi had been mistaken when for her,
and
since then she
Nor was he worried about
she had boldly decided that he
M
I
Y U K
I
M
I
^-
was
the
man
had stopped making bold decisions of any kind.
77/ testify, he decided. This will get
lis
a divorce.
A B E
me
closer to
Mamoru
Kusaka.
It
will give
me
the chance to insure his future. It will all be for his sake. If I
can repay him for even a fraction of the pain Vve caused, there's nothing I
won't endure; no
nothing but a
so
lie
lie I
would
refuse to
future ahead of him than he
I
still alive. It
I'll
"It's
would have had
would have made
felt
has been
my
only
joy,
embezzler,
too.
my
only hope
.
.
.
there.
a horrible story,"
Harasawa muttered. "Despicable."
Mamoru
didn't even hear him.
nauseous.
"Can you
believe it?" asked the old
tape rewinding. of,
life
if his father, the
mother happy,
his
Leaning against the door for support,
He
my
stand by him. He'll have a better
watched him grow up. He has been
The tape stopped
all,
far.
Everything will be for Mamoru.
were
After
tell.
"Of course you
whether you agree with
Mamoru "What "Take
nodded.
are it
it
to
believe
it!
You know what I'm capable
or not."
"I believe
you going
man. The only sound was of the
it.
Everything
fits."
do?"
—to the police."
"You?" "After you send your confession."
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
Mamoru "Why?
lifted his
Isn't that
head
why
in surprise.
you've done
all
"That's where you're wrong, boy." All of this
had apparently been
next. "Don't
you remember what
stand each other.
what
You and
I
a I
this?"
The old man took
a deep breath.
mere preface to what he had to say told you?
have something
I
told
in
you we would under-
common. Can you
guess
that is?"
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
229
Harasawa pushed
the eject button
toward the window with
and took out the
it
Mamoru
with surprising
He walked
agilit>-
to. It
window and threw
has no other value." So saying, he opened the tape out of
tape.
only recorded this for you to hsten
"I
it.
the
and speed.
He watched,
catapulted across the room.
appalled, as the
tape etched a slow curve and disappeared five stories below into the oily
water of the canal.
"What
did you do that for?"
"Forget
all
about
was
it. It
court would ever accept a severe tone,
it
a confession
by a
man under hypnosis. Xo
as evidence. Boy," the old
"exposing Kazuko Takagi has not
man
satisfied
continued
me.
I
in
wouldn't
be satisfied with just handing the evidence over to the authorities. You're
The courts of our
the same, aren't you?
"So what do you think
"He
You
fooled you.
Then Yoshitake
lied to
Not only
kill
did he
I
lived
him
too lenient."
help you, so
false pretenses for twelve years.
now you
have been fooled twice.
your father and escape from the crime, but he has
you and
twelve years ago, and
"It's
under
for
his
you
own
self-serving purposes.
to like him.
now
he's tr^'ing to
buy
He wanted
He wanted your
whole time he was deceiving you. He threw away
ness the
give
much
should do?"
been following you around for to get closer to
countr\' are
it
back.
forgive-
his conscience
Can you
really for-
for that?
your problem. Yours alone.
I
won't get involved; I'm leaving
my confession. There's only one solution left, Mamoru over with a cold eye. "You are the one
Yoshitake entirely out of boy."
who
Harasawa looked
have to deliver the verdict."
will
When Mamoru
finally left, his ears
were ringing and
overflowing with the instructions the old /
mind was
full
to
given him.
gave Yoshitake a keyword.
The were
230
man had
his
traffic signal
on the road blinked, and
bright.
M
I
YU K
I
M
I
YA BE
the taillights of the cars
—
It's
a simple phrase. Very simple. This
pushed
Mamoru from
at
all
yon
will
have to
say.
Wind
behind. Ifs foggy in Tokyo again tonight.
foggy in Tokyo again tonight."
"It's
is
Mamoru
repeated the words to
himself.
That's all
Mamoru hope
You can even
owe
make
the right choice.
been tricked from the very beginning.
it
to
your
Tm
father.
Yoshitake had wanted to
He went
gone to work
had risked
about
how
Hirakawa
all
lie.
that.
and
Yoriko had been thankful
his marriage,
and Taizo had
pity.
And
Are you going
was what had made
it
possible for
them
those years. They would have been better off
and
inside him. Yoshitake
he planned to continue doing
to just let
them
all
if
had acted out of
so.
keep on making excuses for them-
Harasawa had asked him.
No, Mamoru knew he
would mean
The moon
cutting
in the
couldn't. Because
away
shop when
at your soul, boy!
sky looked like a freshly sharpened blade.
Kazuko Takagi was waiting in the
been a
Yoshitake had also got his mother a job,
reflected bitterly that this
Anger welled up
It
of all
his position
left.
selves^
all
make amends.
they had guilt
had
for him.
Mamoru thought to stay in
It
only doing what's right.
to the police in spite
that Yoshitake
and he
home.
didn't feel like going
you'll
He had I
to say for Yoshitake to kill himself.
and watch.
stay
I
you have
at Cerberus.
Mamoru came
though she had aged ten years
There were no other customers
through the door. Kazuko looked as
in a single day.
As
Mamoru talked,
quietly without interrupting, gripping Mitamura's
hand the
she sat
entire time.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
231
Mamoru wanted
make
to
her everything that he
women. He spoke
four
By the time he had "I
was
—
Kazuko put
"
sense of everything he had heard, so he told
knew about why Harasawa had
tried to kill the
though he were on the old man's
as
finished, the
warm shop had gone "What
her hand to her cheek.
I
side.
cold.
did,
what we did
terrible.''
There was "I
mean,
had begun
silence.
was unforgivable, but
it
bad enough
crying. 'Tt wasn't
"That's enough now,"
— he didn't have to
Mitamura
believe
I
said soothingly.
should have
at
died.^
Mamoru. "So what do
Do you know what
pened to Atsuko Mita? She was decapitated! She was the track! At
Fumie Kato's
funeral, they couldn't
parents could say good-bye.
Her
jacket
Mamoru
us did
it
it
open her casket so her
under-
"I don't
Was what we
did so bad?
me! Was that the punishment we deserved?"
averted his eyes from Kazuko's tear-streaked face.
"What we started,
in pieces all over
and sobbed.
stand. \X'hy did he have to go that far? Tell me! tell
hap-
was gone."
face
Kazuko grabbed onto Mamoru's
I'm begging you to
Kazuko
us!"
to die for!"
Kazuko shook her head and looked up you think? Do you
kill
was wrong.
did
I
felt guilty,
but
wasn't up to us to decide to quit.
because
we
Are you going
had no choice. Once we'd
I
We
had
to continue.
None
of
liked it!"
to just let
them
all
keep on making excuses for them-
selves f
Mamoru
looked
down and
whispered, "He's not going to
kill
anyone
else."
Mitamura put
his
arm around Kazuko's
leave her alone? He's not going to
Mamoru
M
I
her? But
why?"
slipped off the counter stool and headed for the door.
"He's gotten
232
kill
shoulders. "He's going to
Y U K
I
all
M
the revenge he needs.
I
YA B E
What
he wants
now
is
a friend."
Epilogue
There was an unseasonable snowfall that day.
The Shin Nippon gi area. Just
A
on
my way
the avenue.
over the brightly ing a
Milky
Station.
city.
lit
Way on
Mamoru
The wet road
the flakes of
But
it
was
Mamotu
late.
tell
to
Even the customers who
lit
meet him
meant
"Bad weather
falling silently
was
an old-fashioned coffee
Mamoru
the sheer
felt like
was
still
time.
stepped inside. air
the shop
first.
He
Mamoru walked
that Yoshitake
at
to turn back. There
and the
filled
Yoshitake had arrived over.
him
Mamoru
The room was dimly
Mamoru
snow
earth.
trying to
was too
it.
reflected the car headlights, creat-
shop named Hafukan. The door was heavy. it
stopped in front of
entrance watching the cars going up and
at the
Mamoru watched
Yoshitake had told
weight of
Roppon-
murder someone.
to
policeman stood
down
in the upscale
around the corner from the subway entrance on Roppongi
Avenue was the Azabu Police
Fm
was
Enterprises headquarters
was
full
of the
aroma
had an amber hue
of coffee.
to them.
stood up in his booth and waved
over to him, knowing that each step
a step closer to death.
tonight.
You must be
cold."
Yoshitake
seemed
concerned.
But
all
Mamoru
could think of was
how
cold
it
must have been the
233
morning Yoshitake had "Yeah,
was
in
I
guess
good
waitress
it's
spirits.
came
over,
killed his father.
tame compared
to
"Fm snow
fine.
I
like the
snow."
Hirakawa." Yoshitake
in
There was an empty espresso cup on the
and Yoshitake ordered another espresso.
A Mamoru table.
asked for coffee.
"What's on your mind?" asked Yoshitake. he had something to talk about, and asked glad to meet him near his
"Are you
if
Mamoru had
called to say
he could see him; he'd be
office.
feeling better?"
Mamoru
asked.
"There was nothing wrong to begin with. The doctor couldn't figure it
out
either.
Mamoru was
having trouble talking.
smooth
Yoshitake's face and his
My father has drinking,
been dead the whole time you've been playing
some mountain. You were
in
happy
my
whole time
I
hated
golf,
at the police station testifying. He's
nothing but a pile of bones buried the
couldn't take his eyes off of
golf tan.
and even while you were
life
He
father, all those years
waited for him to come home. You're the only one
who
living a
my mother
has had any
happiness. "Is
something the matter?" Yoshitake's expression clouded.
you looking
at
me
"Like what?" the handle.
hand.
his
"Why
are
like that?"
Mamoru
The black
reached out for his coffee cup, and missed
liquid spilled out of the porcelain
Mamoru wondered
absently whether
it
cup and onto
resembled the color of
blood.
"Did you burn yourself?" Yoshitake put out Mamoru's, but
You
pitied
Mamoru yanked
and used
it
us. Pitied
.
his
hand
to touch
back. .
.
that's
what
I can't forgive.
Do you
understand what I'm saying^
"Are you
sick?
Your clothes
are soaking
you have an umbrella?" I'm not shaking from the cold.
234
MIYUKI MIYABE
and you're
pale, too. Didn't
We can talk
"You'd better go home.
another time." Yoshitake pulled
out his wallet. "Your family will be worried. Buy a shirt and a sweater
somewhere around here and change before you go home."
Mamoru Say
swept the ten-thousand yen
say
it,
The man
it! It's
at the
Neither
Mamoru
picked
finally
it
.
.
had
the lines he If
I
and the
floor
back on
faces
their table.
in
." .
.
if
offended you.
I've
Yoshitake stared inside his cup as
mind. "You
.
.
.
you seem
my own
like
I
can't ...
if it
I
contained
son sometimes.
end up doing something rude, forgive me." It's
not hard! Say
Looking cigarette
had
just
it! It's
foggy
in
Tokyo again
know what
he didn't
like
and played with
it
with his
else to do,
fingers.
how noisy it was in who would miss one?
noticed
people in the
city,
Thank you
for taking care of
Would my
father say the
Yoshitake took out a
He looked
like a child
the coffee shop.
who
same thing
to
wanted
shita said
to
when
wasn't worth teeth. Just
Mamoru
me,
wondered.
of a sudden, he
all
another face and heard a voice speaking to him. father as an excuse. Don't ever
With so many
Yoko Sugano.
Thanks for taking care of Yoshitake^ Then
I
tonight.
been scolded.
Mamoru
do
it
over with!
it
nor Yoshitake noticed.
hard to
it's
.
on the
bill
floor.
Get
up and put
Yoshitake finally spoke. "I'm sorry
mean
onto the
tonight.
next table looked at the
two men. He
of the
Tokyo again
in
foggy
bill
Mamoru, never
go looking for excuses.
It
saw
use your
was Gramps.
pay you back somehow. That was what Yoichi Miya-
commit
he'd tried to
living. I
suicide for
Mamoru's
couldn't even hang myself.
because you wanted to
make amends
Mamoru didn't
sake.
My
life
clenched his
mean you could
just anything.
"Come
on," said Yoshitake. "I think
and walked over to the cash
Mamoru went
outside.
we should
leave."
He
stood up
register.
It
was snowing.
It
had begun
ground. The city was growing colder, and so was
to stick to the
Mamoru. Yoshitake
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
235
came out
few moments
a
was white,
Whiter even than the snow.
too.
The two faced each other kan.
Mamoru wondered
thirty years
His breath was white. Mamoru's breath
later.
from now.
if
in the
warm
light that
came out
of Hafu-
he'd be able to have confidence in himself
Fifty years
from now. Would he be able
to die
without regrets?
"At
least get yourself
an umbrella," urged Yoshitake. "Go home and
take a hot bath."
I'm here to murder you. see you, then," Yoshitake turned to
"I'll
He
has a broad back. If my father were
go on
alive,
his
it's
way.
the sort of back he'd
have, too.
Yoshitake turned to add, "I hope
Mamoru One
step,
I
can expect to see you again."
didn't respond, so Yoshitake
two
steps.
He was
walked
off.
getting farther away.
You made a deal that wasn't
fair.
You used a
dirty trick to try to
back the conscience you threw away twelve years ago.
own
buy
And all for your
sake.
"Mr. Yoshitake!"
Mamoru
yelled out. Already well
down
the street,
Yoshitake turned around.
There was time. There was a distance of twelve years. The snow, detached way,
filled in
that distance through
in its
which no voice could be heard.
"Mr. Yoshitake."
"What?" "It's
foggy-"
"What?" he had Are you going
his
to just let
selves^ "It's
/
foggy
in
hand
Tokyo
to his ear.
them
all
keep on making excuses for them-
—
wanted
to
pay you back somehow.
foggy
in
Tokyo again
It's
tonight.
Yoshitake walked back to Mamoru's
236
MIYUKI MIYABE
side.
"What
did you say?"
Mamoru was tired
of trying to
make up
his
Yoshitake cocked his head, and
Mamoru
held his breath. For an instant
mind.
"It's
foggy in Tokyo
again tonight."
he thought the old
man had
taken him
Nothing was happening.
in.
But Yoshitake's eyes gradually began to lose their focus, and then they
opened wide, looking
all
Then he walked
ible pursuer.
and the frozen
the
Mom.
was It
left
wedding
his
a sign of
how
thisf
Mamoru was
trying to
Something inside
ring. That's
he really
why
She had
it
Mamoru, and
it
she had waited. She
knew
still
that
it
was
the right one.
fraction of the pain I've caused. neck.
A couple sharing an umbrella
then at each other, and hurried
for taking care of
Yoko Sugano. Thanks for
off.
killing her.
coming.
But she had been Tell
She believed in
felt.
The snow came down on Mamoru's
Thank you
in his father.
divorce papers for her to sign but had gone off
him for even a
If I can repay
at
of his invis-
Mamoru,
wasn't a smooth move, but
looked back
shadow
hastily away, leaving the snow,
His mother had believed
man who had
wearing
the
city behind.
Are you okay with reach him.
He found
around him.
terrified.
She had
felt
remorse.
mel Was what we did so badf
All I did
was give them what they had coming
to them.
No!
Mamoru
ran back the
pedestrian signal
way
was blinking
he had come. Yoshitake was gone. The as
Mamoru
dashed across the
street
and
headed for the Shin Nippon headquarters.
The
front doors were closed.
Mamoru
slipped and hit his knee, but
quickly stood back up and began to look for the night entrance. into a pedestrian
There was a
"Where
is
whose umbrella unloaded
light
on
its
in the security office.
He
ran
snow on him.
He tapped on
the
window.
the vice-president's office?"
A cautious voice replied.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
237
"Who are you?" "My name is Kusaka
—where
is
"What
business do you have?"
"What
floor
"The
Mamoru
on?"
is it
fifth floor,
it?"
but—"
ran for the elevator, the security guard close on his heels.
pushed the button, and saw that the elevator had stopped on the floor.
Now
it
was moving slowly downward. Mamoru decided
He
fifth
to take
the stairs.
The
fifth floor.
He found on the
a
left.
Doors were
map on He
lined
up along the hallway on both
the wall. Yoshitake's office
ran, leaving
under the weight of
his
wet
dow on
at the
end of the
hall
wet footprints on the carpet and struggling jacket.
By the time he'd dashed through the open the door to the inner
was
sides.
office,
secretary's office
and rammed
Yoshitake was leaning out of the win-
the other side of his desk.
"Mr. Yoshitake!" Yoshitake did not hear him. His knees were on the windowsill now.
Mamoru
didn't think he could
way and managed sound of the heap on the
Mamoru The
sat
A
button flew
off.
security guard finally arrived, panting
Mamoru knew
—
state
that
"Mamoru, what
when he looked
are
yes, but ..."
window
into
The two of them
fell in
a
and out of breath.
was broken. The keyword was no longer
valid.
into Yoshitake's eyes.
mouth and looked
at
Mamoru.
you doing here?"
"Do you know him?" asked "Ah
heard the
—what happened?" he asked.
..." Yoshitake opened his
I
He
up and leaned against the desk. Yoshitake blinked.
The hypnotic
238
but he leaped forward any-
Yoshitake's revolving chair slid across the room.
"Mr. Yoshitake, what
"I
it,
to grab the edge of Yoshitake's coat.
fabric ripping.
floor.
make
the security guard.
Yoshitake looked at
which the snow was blowing.
MIYUKI MIYABE
Mamoru and
then up at the
"You can go," he waved suspicious look and
left
The man gave Mamoru
a
the room.
The two of them were
Mamoru
the officer away.
left
alone.
looked at Yoshitake's
There were tiny wrinkles
face.
in the
corners of his eyes, and his face had gone so pale that he had almost lost
His open coat made him look as unkempt as a vagrant.
his tan.
"There was something
Mamoru went over and
it
grabbed onto the edge of the desk and pulled himself up.
to the
closed the
window and looked down. The sidewalk was window and locked
and faced Yoshitake.
time."
As he
on the
floor.
Mamoru
left
"I
jacket
and
it
shut.
Then he turned
room, he caught a glimpse of Yoshitake
the
He seemed hunched slowly walked
white,
his
is
back
the last
still
sitting
over in remorse.
down
the stairs. it
He had
to
down once and
sit
was snowing even
harder. Both his
were soon white. He thought he'd
his pants
He
it.
won't be seeing you again. This
By the time he got outside,
rest.
you."
tell
rainbow of umbrellas moved back and forth along
a
He on
forgot to
I
and
like to stop
stand there forever, like a mailbox.
He began was
walking, and he could see his footprints in the snow.
in a descent.
He found
He
"It's
made
to reach the
Mamoru like
's
let it ring.
Was
phone?
silence. It's
not foggy tonight,
chin began to shake. "Are you listening?
thought
you
did.
melt and run
I
I
could, but
I
failed.
Do you
down
It's
his face. "I couldn't kill
him.
I
it's
snowing."
snowing.
understand?
The snow on
didn't let Yoshitake die."
my father. What a joke!" Mamoru began to laugh as he beat
who
number and
me."
"Hello? Can you hear me?
it. I
to the top.
A hoarse voice finally answered.
There was a long
do
it
a public telephone, dialed a
Harasawa too weak "Hello?"
hadn't
He
his
I
I
couldn't
couldn't do
it
cheek began to
couldn't
kill
the
man
killed
the inside of the
phone booth
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
239
with
his
fist.
He
couldn't stop. "You're a fine man! Crazy, but you did
what you thought was want I
to
know any
of
right.
I
wanted
it. I
know
don't even
what's right.
to stay ignorant.
Son of
I
a bitch,
didn't I
wish
could have killed you!"
Outside, the
snow had turned
phone booth.
the
made
It
into a blizzard
a muffled sound.
and
Mamoru
it
beat against
rested the
phone
against his head and closed his eyes.
"Good-bye, boy," the voice
said.
And
then there was the sound of the
phone bemg gently hung up.
On the
long trip home,
waving a wand, trying
a crooked axis
no
Mamoru had
signs of appearing.
Mamoru made
it
It
was
the
a
hazy dream.
to conjure
dream of
home, collapsing
a
He was
standing on
up a rabbit that showed
mad, decrepit
the instant he
was
sorcerer.
inside.
His family
helped him into bed, where he stayed for ten whole days.
He had pneumonia, and
the doctor
recommended
high fever gave him only shallow sleep.
He
hospitalization. His
occasionally
mumbled some-
thing and turned over, but none of the Asanos could understand
was
saying.
He
wasn't completely unconscious; he
pening and could Yoriko, and
tell
Maki with
He
and
was
sure
her hand on his forehead. Sometimes he
didn't see his father's face.
When
couldn't.
"Why and
it
He
tried to
sit
up when that happened.
desperately tried to
remember
he was awake, he could hear Yoriko and
did he do something so stupid?
He
Maki
it,
but
talking.
didn't even take an umbrella
was snowing."
Maki
sat next to him, staring at his face.
"Have you
240
knew vaguely what was hap-
the different faces apart. There were Taizo
mother was next to him, and he
his
what he
\I
I
ever
Y U K
I
felt like he's
.\1
I
YA B E
"Mom?"
she asked quietly.
keeping something from us?"
Yoriko took a few moments to respond.
wondered why, but
"I've often
ine
what
neither."
"But
I
decided that
finally
something better
know, and
tell
he's
what
tecting us.
can never figure
it
mention
out.
I
it."
can't imag-
could be."
it
"Me
that's
I
"Now that you
left
if
he was hiding something,
unsaid. He's decided that
keeping
it
to himself.
makes me
was probably
better that
we
don't
but I'm sure
feel sad,
You know. Mom," Maki continued, "he might be
it is.
So promise
me you
won't ask him anything
us himself. That's the only thing "I promise,"
It
it's
it
we can do
until
pro-
he decides to
for him."
answered Yoriko.
Then Taizo came
room.
into the
"Where've you been. Dad?" "I
went
buy some
to
When Mamoru Anego was
ice."
began to recover he had some
in tears
when
visitors.
she peeked in at his door.
"What's the matter with you?"
Mamoru
asked weakly.
"It
must be
a
sign of something ominous," he teased.
"Idiot!" She didn't even bother to
got that smart
mouth back,
"Not me. I wouldn't be
I
wipe her
face.
"But since you've
guess you're not going to die."
able to live with myself
if I
died of pneumonia."
"You know..." "What?" "I felt like "I
you were somewhere
was here
the
"No, you were
far, far
away."
whole time." definitely gone."
"Well, I'm back now.
I'll
hear you
when you
call. I
mean, you do have
a loud voice."
When Yoichi
Miyashita came by,
"Can you
get
me
"Sure,
cut
it
I'll
a
copy of that
Mamoru had
picture.
a favor to ask him.
The Disquieting Muses?''
out of a book."
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
241
want
"I really
"Your wish "But
it."
why do you
"I don't
my command."
is
know
like if I
When Takano came
of a sudden?"
it all
like
Yoichi looked pleased but puzzled.
it,
but
I
to visit, the
think
I
finally
thing
first
understand
Mamoru
did
it."
was ask about
the video display.
"I'm battle.
war with those
at
still
And word
"Did you
"Yup,
power," Takano replied. "But
among
about the subliminal advertising?"
all
When I showed the
seats. Since
tell
you about
about the wind being a
in
He
Harasawa.
ing about anything at
I'm working on the
I
was
feet soon,
pretty convincing.
we're
waiting for you.
all
his latest trek in the desert.
like the
mid-swing.
either Yoshitake or
side.
Something
living thing."
Mamoru's mind was had stopped
my
union leaders the video, they jumped
almost killed me,
it
"You've got to get back on your Sato's dying to
a just
it's
the other employees."
got to get the numbers on
union right now. out of their
spreading
them
tell
I've
is
in
pendulum on
a grandfather clock that
couldn't bring himself to think about
He wanted
to spend
some time not
think-
all.
At the end of February, the Kanto area had another heavy snowfall.
That morning, Taizo saw wished he had
his license
Mamoru and Maki
off, telling
them he
back already so he could take them to work
and school.
Taizo quit Shin Nippon Enterprises and went back to work for Tokai Taxi.
He planned
instated. it
to start driving again as soon as his license
Yoko Sugano's death had had such
had taken something even stronger
A
single letter
The
letter
woman
242
had done the
was written
to send
him back
re-
on him that
to driving.
trick.
in beautiful
Taizo had had as a passenger
MIYUKI MIYABE
a strong impact
was
penmanship, and tfie
it
was from
night of the accident.
the
He had
already put up his
Out
of Service sign, but had decided to give her a hft
anyway.
Her husband had had
a stroke in another country
hurrying to the airport to catch a plane to get to his finally
done for her husband. The
thing that might bring
him back from
last
When
she had
hope, he said, the only
the brink of death w^as hearing her
name.
The woman had taken her husband's hand and all
side.
reached the hospital, the doctor told her there w^as nothing more
that could be
call his
and she had been
the feeling she could muster. She told
called his
him over and over
name with
that she
was
with him and waiting for him to regain consciousness. Her husband had heard her and responded.
If
I
He had
recovered.
hadn't gotten there when
picked me up, and
I
I
did— if you hadn't
had gotten to the airport later and
taken a later flight, my husband would never have come back to me I'm writing this letter to thank you. Please keep up
your good work, taking care of the passengers who need you. Mr. Asano, your taxi carried with it my husband's life.
This was the until
it
was
letter that raised the flag in Taizo's
heart from half mast
flying high again.
March came and
there
was
still
no
sign that Harasawa's confession
had
been received.
Mamoru took a He wanted to find
Despite the concern expressed by the Asano family, trip to
Hirakawa on the
first
weekend of
the month.
out what had happened to his father on that early morning twelve years ago.
The plum blossoms were
just
beginning to open in Hirakawa, and
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
243
the tops of the mountains were
still
out by visiting the city library, where he
from twelve years
Mamoru
still
what
snow
his father
way through town,
out where
had been trying
in the public
Keiko Kusaka and Gramps "I figured
snow.
in
before. Using his finger to trace his
figured out
There was
Mamoru started borrowed a map of the city
blanketed
to do.
cemetery on a
hill
where both
slept.
Dad was
going,"
Mamoru
reported to them.
Twelve years ago there had been a small building
at the foot of the
mountain. The road Toshio had been walking on had been straight to
He had
it.
left
so early in the
necessary confusion at work.
It
was
morning
a shortcut
to avoid causing un-
the police station.
The Hirakawa
prefectural police station.
He had been going
On the
express train back to Tokyo,
Gramps had Someday about
to turn himself in for taking the funds.
said to him.
Mamoru
finally
understood what
Your father wasn't a bad man; he was weak.
you'll understand
your
father's
weakness and what was so sad
that.
His father had been weak, but he wasn't a coward.
make amends it
back I
in the
for taking
something that wasn't
proper way. That was what
Mamoru
did what was right. Dad, do you believe
Yoshitake. I couldn't. That
was
created
tigate
was
He had
tried to
pay
felt.
was
it
tried to
right f I didn't kill
the right thing.
Harasawa's confession reached the police it
his.
He had
a surprise even to
late in
Mamoru. The
March. The sensation
police arrived to inves-
Harasawa's apartment, followed by the mass media and
all
of his
neighbors.
Photos of the four
women
were
in all the
newspapers and magazines,
and headlined the tabloid news shows on TV.
244
MIYUKI MIYABE
One day when Kazuko Yoriko pointed
at
wake! She helped There were
calls to
it
mowed down
"That
was shown on
woman was
at
the news,
Yoko Sugano's
injured."
outlaw fraudulent business practices, but
that
all this
off.
The storm was
fierce,
subsided. In the meantime, everything in
—Yoko Sugano's younger
sister,
but its
it
Harasawa had promised,
there
for example.
was no mention
fession of Yoshitake's testimony. Yoshitake a
was
still
good Samaritan, and the mass media was back
women were
the incidents involving the four eye.
Mamoru
turned off the radio and
tioned, so he never learned
how
Mamoru her.
in his con-
widely
at his
wouldn't
path would
thought about her often, but there was nothing he could do for Just as
Mamoru
was merely an emotional outpouring and
would quickly wear
be long before be
in surprise.
me when I was
was vaguely uneasy the urgency
it
Takagi's photo
known
door as
all
as
of
brought into the public
TV whenever his name was
men-
Yoshitake responded to questions.
Interest in hypnosis exploded. Everything
from the
works
off the shelves as fast as Lau-
to the
rel staff
most basic how-to books flew
Harasawa had been wrong.
He had that
Mamoru
could load them on carts and restock them.
one of the books. As he read through
it
driest of scholarly
picked up
he decided once and for
all
that
'
claimed that he could hypnotize anyone into doing something
would
result in self-destruction, but
able to manipulate
them
it
man was
into fleeing to their death simply because deep
in their hearts they felt that they
had
In other words, they regretted
to keep running.
what they had done and were
Results could not be pulled out of thin
had planted had borne the
had done was shake the
wasn't true. The old
air.
The
trees these
fruits of a guilty conscience. All
trees so violently that they
afraid.
women
Harasawa
were completely
uprooted.
Harasawa had only punished ishment.
criminals
Mamoru thought that there must
who were
susceptible to pun-
be lots of other criminals
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
who
245
better deserved to be punished.
made
cerer hved
it
Maybe
which the
the darkness in
impossible to distinguish between the two.
regretted that he hadn't sorted that out with
sor-
Mamoru
Harasawa while he had had
the chance.
Kazuko Takagi weathered
the storm sequestered
away
at Cerberus.
had thought about leaving when Harasawa's confession
hit the
She
media.
She didn't want to cause Mitamura any more trouble than she already had. "There's no need to run," he had told her. "You've paid for
what hap-
pened, and you understand what's going on better than anyone."
me
"Don't you blame
for this?"
Mitamura laughed. "You tripped and
fell,
and
I
held out a hand to
help you up. There's no need to stand here apologizing. Don't you think
time to
it's
move on?"
One day had news
when Kazuko
in April,
returned from shopping, Mitamura
for her.
"Mamoru Kusaka was "What was
it?"
here.
He had
a message for you."
Kazuko was prepared
to accept the worst
Mamoru. "He hoped you
pulled through
all this,
and
from
—
"And what?"
"He That's
you
said to thank
what he
for protecting his aunt at
Yoko Sugano's wake.
said."
Kazuko leaned
against the counter and covered her face.
"He's forgiven me," she finally said in a small voice.
How
can
est reserve
find
I
my
to look for.
246
It
was
all
Mamoru
could think
somewhere near Hirakawa. An hour's
would be impossible
more time
father^
How
sitting
for
him
to find
it
drive
from the
alone without some
could he get the police to help?
He
A
for-
city. It
kind of sign
spent more and
on the bank of the canal thinking about
MIYUKI MIYABE
of.
it.
One day he took
it
received an unexpected letter from Harasawa.
to the canal
made him
bank
to read.
The
letter
opened
in a
way
Mamoru
that almost
feel nostalgic.
Boy,
I'll bet you're surprised. I'll be long gone by the
time you get this. A strong will is a powerful thing.
I
can still write letters by myself. I'm taking twice as
many painkillers as
I
was when
saw you, but I'm still
I
alive
This letter will arrive a while after my confession is delivered to the police. It's what
I
have instructed
in my will. You can feel free to tear this up if it is no
longer of any use to you. Boy, you told me that you wanted to kill me. You said
you didn't want to know anything. And you didn't kill Yoshitake. But
I
still believe that you and
I
have something in
common. Of course, we have many differences, but there is something we share, and
what
I
did and what
I
I
believe that you understand
am going to do better than anyone
else. Better than the mass media who must be making a
huge outcry right about now, and better than all those social opinion experts. The methods we chose were not the same. I
I
believe what
did was right, and you probably do, too. I'm sure you
don't regret sparing Yoshitake'
s
life. But why did you
decide to do it? Was it only because you were incapable of murder?
I
don't think so. Anyone can commit murder if
the circumstances are right.
You must have realized, even if unconsciously, that in his own way Yoshitake loved you and your mother. You
understood him. Understood and pitied him. I've got something for you right before
days after you called me,
I
saw Yoshitake.
I
die. A few
I
hypnotized
THE DEVIL-S WHISPER
247
him and gave him another keyword. I'll write it here for you. Don't forget that it's a combination keyword.
You'll have to be holding his right hand when you say nice touch, don't you think?
a
it,
This is my final work, and
remember when
it. Do you
I
hope you decide to use
I
gave Nobuhiko Hashimoto that
whiskey? I'm someone who always gives people what they
need most. This keyword is just like whiskey was to Hashimoto, but it won't destroy you.
truly pity Yoshitake, give him the chance
If you
to turn himself in. Don't let the past influence you.
You've got a wonderful life ahead of you. Goodbye, boy. This will be the last time you'll hear from me. When you're finished, you must forget all about me. Are the cherry trees in your neighborhood in bloom?
My one regret is that
I
The keyword was written
didn't get to see them once more.
at the
end of the
he finally understood the old man.
it,
It
letter.
was too
When Mamoru late,
read
but at least he
understood.
The keyword was simple
The cherry
trees
were
to memorize.
in full
Mamoru
bloom. As
over on the other side of the canal, he ripped the
and
let
them
fly
meet him
the door of
laughed a
at seven o'clock.
lot;
summer
left
the coffee shop.
light.
M
I
Y U K
M
little
Mamoru
The whole
As Yoshitake
I
sitting in the
same booth
as
consequence. Yoshitake
again.
Mamoru
talked and
them mentioned Harasawa.
stopped him.
248
Yoshitake was
he was glad to see
talked. Neither of
They
letter into tiny pieces
Hafukan, where Yoshitake had promised
The two talked about matters of
last time.
at the trees
out into the water.
He pushed open to
looked
I
YA B E
lifted his
city
seemed to shine
hand
in the
to say good-bye,
warm
Mamoru
"I
have a favor to ask of you."
"What's that?"
Mamoru
held out his right hand. "Shake
my hand."
Yoshitake hesitated for a second and then held out his large right
hand and that
firmly gripped
Mamoru's. His hand was cold but strong. At
moment, Mamoru leaned
"The
into Yoshitake as
Yoshitake stopped the building,
in front of the
Under age.
Azabu
and then calmly walked
and then walked
own
to
tell
him
a secret.
sorcerer's illusion."
Yoshitake began to walk slowly, and
in,
if
a pink
followed behind him.
Police Station.
inside.
He
Mamoru watched him
neon sign by the subway he ran into two
They were both
their eyes
looked up at
go
off.
beautiful with long hair
excitement. The night has just begun!
When
Mamoru
It
all
met Mamoru's, both of them began it
about
his
and eyes shining with
was written
"Hi!" called out one of them. "Isn't
girls
over their faces. to giggle.
a great night?
Where you
going?'
Tm on my way home,"
answered Mamoru.
THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
249
Author's Acknowledgments
Kinko
yabiiri (published by Dojidai-sha)
reference
on techniques
by Akizo Sugiyama was used as
for safecracking.
The description of subUminal
advertising
was quoted irom Johochishiki
imidasu. Lyrics quoted All of the
The
names of people and organizations
in this
Billy Joel.
book
are fictitious.
translator gratefully acknowledges the invaluable assistance of
reader, tor,
on page are 90 from "The Stranger" by
Anna
Isozaki;
my research
assistant,
Manna
Iwabuchi; and
Ginny Tapley, who, along with Ikuo, Hikari, Rebecca,
Phil,
and Wally, put up with me and keep me going through thick and
my
my edi-
Bobbie,
thin.
The
If you enjoyed
you won't want
to
Devil's Whisper,
miss Miyuki Miyabe's earlier mystery
CROSSFIRE Now
in paperback
from Kodansha International
Junko checked her surroundings
quickly. She
heavy darkness acted as a natural screen for
"What
the hell are
"Shh! Keep
The
voices
to hide. Luckily the
her.
you doing?"
down, stupid!"
it
became
clearer.
The beams from two
and down,
crisscrossing each other. She could
the light.
looked
It
had
like there
trying to get in through the
were
three,
make out heads moving
maybe four
same unhinged
up
flashlights flew
steel
in
They were
of them.
door that Junko herself
had come through. She ducked her head
down
and, in a crouch, slipped in behind the
water tank, pressing herself against the wall. Junko's power, the
slammed on
just before release,
had
settled
down
her heart pounded at the sudden intrusion. guys?
What were
The door.
they doing here?
human
cluster of
It
looked
like
And
shapes was
at this
still
in a
Soon the black light cast
quietly inside her, but
Who
the heck were these
hour? confused knot around the
they were having some trouble getting
strained to see them. She could hear something silhouette of the
first
figure
lid
in.
Junko
thumping against the door.
became
fully visible. In the
by an unsteady flashlight beam she could make out that his
back was to
her,
and he seemed to be moving backwards.
It
looked
like
they were carrying something
251
Junko's breath caught in her throat.
They were lugging
human
in a
form.
arms, and another carried
its
heard must have been
its
its feet.
Dead The
stretched between them, hanging hmply.
or unconscious,
first
guy grasped
it
it
was
under
The thumping sound she'd
just
shoes hitting the door.
Behind them came another two figures carrying
flashfights
and
ner-
vously jerking their heads back and forth, checking the street outside,
and hurrying the others along. The to be
much
flashlights they
were holding seemed
and the beams were stronger.
larger than Junko's,
Still
crouching, she put her hands on the wall to guide herself as she inched along, retreating further into the
"Hey! Hurry up and shut
shadow of
it!"
the water tank.
someone ordered.
In response, the
unhinged door was closed with such a violent shove that to the side, opening a
narrow crack through which
outside poured in a thin diagonal
doned factory was from the two
Now One
flashlights held
from the
street
light in the
aban-
light
The only other
listed slightly
by the intruders.
was
that they'd gotten through the door, their progress
faster.
of the guys holding a flashlight led the way, coming in Junko's direc-
tion along the path she
As they got a
line.
it
little
more
had
cleared. His footsteps
to the center of the factory,
clearly.
She couldn't see their
were getting
Junko could make them out full
bodies in the capricious
but she could discern their builds.
light of the flashlights,
closer.
And
voices.
"About here okay?"
A young guy. "Let's put
Younger than Junko. Twenty? Were
of
all
them so young?
him down. He's heavy."
There was a thud as something heavy
hit the
ground. The
been carrying the body was rough, but the way they awful. Even so, there
was no grunt of pain
knocked out of him, no groan of
protest.
set
as he landed
He seemed
way
they'd
him down was
and the wind was
completely helpless.
Was he dead? Junko clenched her she looked at
252
it,
this
CROSSFIRE
fists.
was
Her palms were sweating. Whichever way
clearly
no friend of
theirs.
They
didn't look
like
troublemaking high school students who'd been on
were bringing in one of their friends who'd drunk too out, or a motorcycle gang
who'd come
in to lay
ber injured during a police chase. This had to
a spree
much and
low and hide
more of
a
and
passed
mem-
a grim, ugly
look
it.
Junko
observed the proceedings.
rigidly
four youths had noticed her at
yawned
all.
One
"What
of the
is
Up, down,
flashlights
this place? It stinks."
the
two
left, right.
Junko crouched
To avoid being caught
low
as
old
man
as she could,
"Hey,
I
"Yeah.
one of the
circles of light,
this place?"
used to work here a long time ago." three, their voices a mixture of
derision.
thought you said your old
He was
when
fired
man
didn't have a job."
this place closed
"But that must have been years ago, right? "W/7^^ei/^r.
Who cares?"
that they really were young.
youthful laughter.
bumps on Junko's
It
was so
He
hasn't
had a job since?"
their laughter
They had
confirmed for Junko
to be teenagers. Unrestrained,
totally out of place that
it
raised goose
skin.
"Whadda we do? Bury him it's
down."
^
They burst out laughing. Hearing
"Yeah,
in
factory.
and kept her head down.
"Oh, w-o-w," came from the other and
around the
flashlights started flicking
"Asaba, how'd you find out about
He was
two holding
beat."
The beams of
respect
seemed that none of the
loudly.
"Man, I'm
"My
It
just bare
here?" asked one of them.
ground, huh?" repHed another, flashlight in hand.
kicking at the ground with the toe of his shoe.
Buryf Then that guy was dead after
allf
They'd snuck
in here to
dispose of a bodyf
"But the ground's hard. You gonna make us dig a hole here?"
"Why
don't
we
just
dump him?"
CROSSFIRE
253
"Yeah, and what
"Asaba"
called
if
they find him?"
later,
was admonishing.
the voice of the one they'd
now. "We've got to hide him right."
just
"Then why not throw him "Sooner or
came
in the river like
said before?"
I
someone's gonna find him," said Asaba. His tone
It
sounded
he was the leader. "As long as they
like
don't find a body, no one runs around screaming. That's the
worked so "Shit.
take
It'll
Asaba
Just as long as
far.
all
we do
it
right, like
I
way
it's
said."
night."
silenced the discontented muttering with a terse, "You've got a
shovel, right?"
"Yeah, got
it."
"Then dig around
here. This
a
is
good
spot.
Nobody'U come poking
around behind these machines."
Junko thought that Asaba must be on the other from
her,
somewhere by the conveyor
belt.
One
of the flashlights
shining over there. But the second flashlight started interior of the factory again.
Worse,
it
side of the factory
was
moving around
wasn't aimed at the ceiling at
the all
anymore, but instead was carefully going over the area from about waist
down. Junko held her breath and shrank deeper
height
into the crevice
between the water tank and the factory wall. She heard the crunch of the shovel hitting the ground.
"What
the fuck
is
this?
"Just shut
up and do
The other
flashlight
It's
too hard for this shovel."
it."
was
still
shining here and there.
The beam landed
on the water tank Junko was hiding behind, the wall next the rim of the holding pool, flicked
back
went
to the
conveyor
"Hey," the guy called to the others. "Looks
just a
254
skimmed
— and suddenly
from the
like a
flashlight
pool or something."
was on
the holding pool,
few steps from where Junko was hiding. Sandwiched
the water tank fully
light
it,
*
in her direction.
The round beam of
belt
to
in
between
and the factory wall, Junko's ribcage was squeezed pain-
and breathing was
CROSSFIRE
difficult,
but she controlled herself, remaining
absolutely
still.
They might catch any inadvertent movement.
"What're you talking about?"
"Over here."
The sound
them leaned over the
pool, and one of
on the water's
reflected
The guys came
of the shovel ceased.
closer to the holding
Junko could
rim.
see his silhouette
surface.
"This v^ater's putrid!" "It's oil, isn't It?"
what
"That's
I
mean!
ever find him. Looks "It
It's
perfect. If
we
toss
him
in here,
no one
will
good and deep, too."
might work ..."
There was
sound, as
a splashing
if
someone had plunged
their
hand
into the water. "It'd be better
Asaba plunged his
than burying him,
hand
hand out of "Water
into the holding pool. After a
the water
this fihhy
The other
Asaba?"
Junko thought he was the one who'd
didn't reply right away.
his
right,
and answered.
could be okay."
three cheered.
Junko closed her
They'd come searching for a place to hide were
all
few moments, he pulled
a
dead body, and
excited to have found her holding pool.
Were they human
What was
eyes.
What were
now
this?
they
these guys?
beings?
Human. Junko opened her
eyes,
and shivered from a
different kind of tension
than she'd been feeling until now.
These
They
four. left
These four creeps
.
.
.
the side of the pool and headed back toward
where they'd
been digging. Moving with purpose. Were they seriously planning to
throw a dead body
Not
just
dead
in there?
Dead body? Dead person}
—these guys had
were planning to dispose of him
Asaba
saying, this
was not
the
killed him, she
here.
first
And
was
certain.
And
they
worse, from what she'd heard
time they'd done this sort of thing.
CROSSFIRE
255
That's the
must have
Could
way
it^s
worked so
far.
Yes, that's
what he'd
said.
They
killed before.
their type be called
far? Well, they
human? Or was
could be called anything
it
stretching the
— people were
word too
free to say
what
they wanted. They were human, they were wild and aimless youth, they
were victims of
society.
.
.
they could be called whatever people wanted.
But she, Junko Aoki, didn't think a group
And
like these
furthermore
She
woiildfi't fjiiiid getting rid of
them
.
.
.
«^i(i$^^< The
Devil's
Whisper
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¥112-8652 m.m 03-3944-6493
03-3944-6492
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www.kodansha-intl.com
1989
English translarion
© Deborah
Printed in Japan
ISBN 978^»-7700-3053-5
Sruhr Iwabuchi
2007
four were human.
MIYUKI MIYABE
is
a bestselling Japanese author
of over forty books and the recipient of
erary prizes, including Japan's top literature, the
Xaoki
Prize.
English include All She
and
Crossfire.
The
Other
numerous
award
titles
for
lit-
popular
translated into
Was Worth, Shadow Famiiy,
Devil's
Whisper
Mystery-Suspense Award. Miyabe
is
won
the Japan
also the author
of the fantasy novel Brave Story.
ALSO FROM KODAXSHA Crossfire bv
Mivuki Mivab
Shadow Famih All She
Mivuki Mival
Was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe
The Hunter bv Asa Xonami
ww.kodansha-
ACKET PHOTOS Hulton-Deutsch C Alto/Getrv
nted,inJag^.
SALT LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES
"Compulsively rea
ments 07954 1844 mystery with a coming-ot-age story to reveal a unique :^
of
view
of
Japanese
— Don
PRAISE FOR MIYABE s
"A
1181
society.
SHADOW FAMILY
into both a suspenseful
on the
parallel
Shadow Family blossoms murder mystery and an astute running commen-
police stories
.
.
.
,
cyberworld inside which millions of people
spend so much of their time."
''Shadow Family
fascinating ride."
Lee, author of Country of Origin
smartly observant police procedural
tary
A
starts like
and then
one of Ruth RendelTs Inspector Wexford kind of dark psycho-
slides gradually into the
— Chicago Tribune
logical mystery."
PRAISE FOR MIYABE'S
CROSSFIRE
"This provocative paranormal police procedural side of Japanese society
up
.
.
.
.
it
unfolds
in a brisk,
.
.
examines the dark
[and] keeps the reader turning pages right
— Publishers Weekly
to the breathtaking climax."
'\\%
now
— Washington Post Book World
straightforward style reminiscent of a graphic
novel or episodic video game, this supernatural Death Wish throws off lots of
fun sparks and even finds time for some pvrokinesis and a traeic
—
romance.
huuKii:>i
"Best described as a mystery-meets-supernatural novel, but definitely leaning
more toward
the mystery side. Crossfire will be a big hit with fans
— Hookpage
of Stephen King and John Connolly alike."
ISBN978-4-7700-3053-5
US $24.95
52495
9
784770"030535
>