Chapter 99: The Other Truth (Part 1)
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
“I’m the person in the photograph.”
When Takamatsu Reiko said that, Kimura Kazuki’s heart skipped a beat. He frowned slightly, “Although the person in the photo looks a lot like you, there are still a lot of differences.”
Takamatsu Reiko smiled. The enchanting aura that surrounded her was replaced by a pair of gentle eyes, immediately making her much more appealing than before.
Kimura Kazuki was dumbfounded, for the air, she gave off at the juncture was similar to that in the photo.
“People change over time. It’s been a while since I’ve taught, I still miss the times I’ve spent teaching in the school, it was an exciting experience. It’s been five years since this photo was taken. Regarding my looks, if you’re rich enough, you can even change everything about you.”
Plastic surgery? Kimura Kazuki finally understood.
According to the information he obtained, Nishiyama Chiyoko was in her early thirties. In contrast, the lady sitting across him only looked like she was in her mid-twenties – with her youthful skin and vibrant appearance. It seemed that her surgery went well.
No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity that he could not quite place when he saw her at the Akihabara Square. The changes in her appearance and aura were undoubtedly confusing.
He had not thought of plastic surgery before this and thought that Takamatsu Reiko and Nishiyama Chiyoko were sisters. Of course, they could also be strangers who looked alike yet emitted different aura.
It was only now that he knew they were the same person. Takamatsu – No, Nishiyama Chiyoko looked at Kimura Kazuki and took out a lighter and a packet of ladies’ cigarettes. After lighting one and inhaling a puff, she looked contented as she puffed on her cigarette.
“Do you want one?” she offered. Kimura Kazuki shook his head as he continued saying, “I have a few questions to ask you.”
As soon as she heard his words, Nishiyama Chiyoko understood his meaning, “Since you were able to find me, you must have a really important matter to talk to me. The most serious issue that happened when I was teaching should be the fire.”
“Yes. I’m here for this,” Kimura Kazuki nodded.
Yet, Nishiyama Chiyoko started laughing. She said, “Let me guess, you’re not Takashima Izumi’s family, are you? His mother died early, and his father is the director of the school; I’ve seen him before. Aside from him, there’s no one else from the Takashima family. But oh well, it’s hard to say – Takashima Izumi will die sooner or later. If his father finds out about the situation, he’ll get another child soon enough.”
“Or perhaps, you’re Ito Shunji’s family? No, that shouldn’t be it. When Ito Shunji’s family made a fuss in school, they disappeared after receiving compensation. The same happened for the families of the other students.” As she was saying, Nishiyama Chiyoko seemed to recall something, “or perhaps, you’re Reika’s family?”
Kimura Kazuki remained silent, for he had no idea who Reika was. Yet, as he compiled the pieces of information provided by Ito Shunji and Aoki Hidehiro, it was not tough to guess the identity of Reika. It should be the girl who was assaulted by Takashima Izumi.
Yet, when Nishiyama Chiyoko saw Kimura Kazuki kept silent, her eyes expressed a sense of yearning, “Is Reika doing well?”
“She’s fine.”
“Is it? Well, too bad.” Nishiyama Chiyoko crossed her legs, blew out a puff of smoke, as she looked regretfully. “If Ito Shunji hadn’t informed in time, Reika might have been diagnosed with AIDS.”
Kimura Kazuki was stunned, as he wondered if he was hallucinating. Nishiyama Chiyoko was full of regret that Reika had not contracted AIDS?
However, from Nishiyama Chiyoko’s words, he realized that Ito Shunji might have a relationship with Reika. Ito Shunji must have read up on AIDS and understood that if a proper medication was taken in time, they could save themselves, in which he conveyed the situation to Reika after that and persuaded her to transfer to other schools.
Nishiyama Chiyoko smiled as she looked at Kimura Kazuki’s expressions, “You did not investigate well enough before you come looking for me, did you? I thought you should have found out about a lot of things before you came to me.”
“What exactly has happened?” Kimura Kazuki’s deep voice resonated, as the look in his eyes gradually turned cold. Could it be that the actual arsonist was Nishiyama Chiyoko?
“You’re so gullible,” Nishiyama Chiyoko snickered, looking at Kimura Kazuki’s tone of voice and expressions, “Calm down, I wasn’t the arsonist.”
“You know who did it?” Kimura Kazuki’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the arsonist wasn’t Takashima Izumi? Could it be someone else?
“Of course.” Looking at Kimura Kazuki’s expressions, Nishiyama Chiyoko gradually became spirited, “You don’t even know who the arsonist is. Then how did you find me when you know so little about the situation?”
Kimura Kazuki retold the story of which he saw her at Akihabara Square.
“Oh, I see,” Nishiyama Chiyoko nodded her head, before switching the topic, “Then you’re not Reika’s family, are you? So who exactly are you?” Seeing that Kimura Kazuki wanted to lie again, she continued sarcastically, “Don’t try to lie to me. You’re obviously more concerned about the arson than you are about Reika.”
Kimura Kazuki kept quiet. Just as he was about to look for another identity, Nishiyama Chiyoko said, “You’re such a mundane. What do you have to hide from me at this point? I’m curious about why you want to know about the story of Akichi High School. If you don’t even want to tell me who you are, I’d feel that I shouldn’t be telling you this story.”
Upon hearing her words, Kimura Kazuki heaved a sigh, “I’m a young author. I’m looking forward to using Akichi High School as the blueprint of my next Mystery and Crime novel.”
Although it was still a lie, Kimura Kazuki knew that sometimes, exaggerated lies are much more believable. Besides, it was a lie that he had repeated so many times that even he believed it himself.
The moment she heard his answer, Nishiyama Chiyoko revealed a look of understanding. “No wonder everything you know barely scratched the surface,” she mocked, “How professional of you!” She suddenly asked, “What are the books you’ve written before this, then?”
“The Record Book of Matsuzawa Hospital,” Kimura Kazuki responded, “Try and search for it online.”
“It isn’t necessary.” Nishiyama Chiyoko waved it off. “I believe you.”
As a cosplayer, Nishiyama Chiyoko understood the ACG field well. She knew that some novelists would go on trips to gain resources – especially novelists writing supernatural stories. They would even go to rumored haunting hot spots to gain inspiration; it was viral in the Line groups she was in.
Akichi High School was currently the hot spot for haunted stories, as a lot of supernatural happenings had been sighted in the school she once served. Besides, all of it happened, all because of that fire.
The reality was an interesting thing, as long as there were rumors regarding an incident, object or even a building, it would attract crowds.
I really don’t want to die, I want to live longer, but it’s such a pity now.
“Then, can you tell me now, who was the arsonist of the fire?”
historical
Nishiyama Chiyoko distinguished her cigarette butt in the ashtray. She lit another, and as she heaved and puffed, she said, “Who else could it be other than Ito Shunji?”