Chapter 40: Preparations
After leaving the Hasebe residence, Kagehara Tetsuya returned to his car, listlessly keeping watch. Having secured a few days’ leave, he knew the best surveillance was close proximity. If Hasebe Koichi appeared, he could react immediately.
Unfortunately, Koichi remained unseen until half past midnight.
With a sigh, Kagehara began the walk home. “Having an accomplice would be useful, especially at times like this.”
After a quick shower, he sat at his computer, gazing at the Hasebe mansion in the night. Confirming the surveillance was still active, he went to bed. Even if Koichi appeared during the night and left the bargaining chip for his negotiation with Yomikawa, the computer’s screen recording software would capture it. He only needed to review the recording in the morning.
The morning of June 13th dawned.
Kagehara started by extending his leave. While eating breakfast, he fast-forwarded through the previous night’s surveillance footage of the Hasebe house at eight times speed.
Koichi still hadn’t shown.
“That guy’s really dragging his feet,” Kagehara muttered. “Doesn’t he worry Senpai might find him first?”
Just as he finished dressing to leave for his on-site surveillance, his phone rang. It was Hasebe’s father.
“Mr. Hasebe, this is Yomikawa. Good morning,” Kagehara answered.
“Ah, good morning. I apologize for calling so early. Is there any progress on Koichi’s situation?”
The old man seemed deeply concerned. Since you’re so invested, Kagehara thought, I might as well give you some good news. “There’s been significant progress. However, it’s difficult to explain the details over the phone. In short, there will definitely be a resolution within three days. Until then, please be patient.”
“Th-three days? Is that true? Just three days to rescue Koichi?” Mr. Hasebe voice trembled with emotion.
“Of course. Do you doubt me?” Kagehara pressed.
As expected, Hasebe’s father quickly apologized. “N-no, I absolutely don’t mean that. I’m just…overjoyed at the possibility of Koichi being saved.”
“Very well. Please adhere to our agreement. I have other matters to attend to. I’ll contact you if anything arises.” Kagehara smirked inwardly. If doing a good deed was a side effect, then strengthening Hasebe’s father’s trust in him was the main objective. It would be advantageous, at least until Koichi’s demise.
He was about to leave for the surveillance site when the phone rang again.
“It’s Kishida.”
“What is it, Officer?” Kagehara feigned a weak voice.
“I’m meeting some of Koichi’s friends this afternoon. Would you like to join me?” Kishida Masayoshi’s intention was simple: having the high school girl involved in the investigation would help him discern her true motives. It wasn’t a particularly important or formal interrogation, so having an outsider present wouldn’t be a problem.
“I’ll pass,” Kagehara replied. He suspected Kishida would continue investigating along the lines of “Koichi possessing clues related to the Makeup Hunter case” and didn’t want to waste time on that.
“Hmm? What’s wrong with your voice? Are you ill?” Kishida finally noticed.
“I’m a bit under the weather. I think I’ve caught a cold. I’ve taken some time off to rest. I’ll talk to you later if anything comes up.”
“Alright,” Kishida said, not giving it much thought. After a few polite words, he hung up.
…
For Kagehara, surveillance was no different from attending school—utterly dull and tedious. But it wasn’t unbearable. When boredom and monotony repeated day after day, year after year, anyone would eventually grow accustomed to it.
“Ah…finally, someone else. This one’s a man…messy hair…seems young from the build…casual clothes…and at this hour…hmm—an otaku?”
“That old man must be retired. Walking so slowly…is he taking a stroll? He keeps turning to look at the cars parked on the side of the road. Is he a car enthusiast, or is it related to his previous job?”
“Huh? Why did that woman suddenly take off her ring? Looking around nervously…is she uncomfortable in such a short skirt, or is she afraid of running into someone she knows? She’s hurrying along with her head down…quite a sight.”
Observing the occasional passerby was one of Kagehara’s few diversions. Unfortunately, the foot traffic was minimal, often requiring him to wait for several minutes to see a single person.
By four in the afternoon, some people had already passed by multiple times. The young man he suspected was an otaku returned, carrying game discs. Has he completely lost any sense of shame? He is carrying them in a transparent bag, the H-rated covers clearly visible.
The scantily clad woman returned in a taxi, her steps unsteady as she exited the vehicle. Although she tried to hide it, the taxi driver must have noticed.
And so it continued until nine in the evening. Koichi still hadn’t appeared.
“I’ll have to go back for today,” Kagehara muttered. Ensuring no one was around, he left the car. Today was the fifth day since he and Yomikawa had switched faces, and the day Hanako’s third wish was to be granted.
Two nights prior, on the night Hanako’s previous wish had been fulfilled, something inexplicable had occurred. He intended to be thoroughly prepared tonight to see what would happen.
At half past nine, Kagehara arrived home.
The previous method of staying awake until midnight wouldn’t work. If the sticky scent was something the…thing carried, he would likely be incapacitated again.
He needed a different approach.
First, he checked that all doors and windows were closed and locked.
Then, he cleared sufficient memory on his phone and secured it to a stand at the head of his bed. From that angle, the recording would capture not only the bed but also the floor to the left and the bedroom door.
Of course, this wasn’t enough. He brought a computer from the study downstairs and set it up, adjusting the camera to record the bedroom window.
Now, any activity at either entrance to the bedroom wouldn’t go unnoticed.
“Let’s see what you do now.”
“The only pity is, there’s no way to record smells.”
Kagehara was satisfied with his preparations. He intended to witness the skin exchange between himself and Yomikawa firsthand and confirm the true nature of the thing that had appeared two nights ago.
“Ten o’clock. I should eat something and then rest.”
Checking the time, he went to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Perhaps it was his imagination, but despite the absence of rain and no temperature drop in the forecast, the air in his apartment felt colder than it had on the rainy night two days prior.
While cooking, Kagehara shivered more than once. Could it be…? he thought. Did I jinx myself by lying about being sick?
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