I. Habanera (Love is a Wild Bird) 6

"How were the test results?"
Tetsuto Mando asked that without even bothering with pleasantries.
"They were very helpful. Thank you for your cooperation."
Mando did not show any particular reaction.

"So, what are we doing starting today?"
"Well, let's start with some small talk. You wouldn't feel like talking to a psychiatrist you've never met, would you?"
He gave neither a denial nor an affirmation. I continued without minding.

"What's your type?"
"Haha, your sexual harassment index is pretty high, isn't it?"
"I don't want to hear that from you."
Feeling a slight response, I peered into Mando's eyes.

"For example, in terms of hairstyles, do you prefer long or short?"
"Hey, how is that small talk?"
Mando deliberately tucked his chin in to look up at me, smiling only with his lips. Not a bad reaction. I decided to push a little further.

"I think girls with short hair are cute. Especially young ones."
"I don't have the courage to tell a woman with long hair right in front of me that I like short hair, you know?"
"Oh. Thanks for your consideration."

I felt he was playing along more than I expected. I thought he might stay silent the whole time, but this man seems to be the talkative type. He speaks well, and above all, his reactions are faster than the average person's. He must be smart. Yet, despite that, his education is only high school. He says he didn't go to university.

Was it family circumstances? Or perhaps bullying? Coming from the suburbs of Tokyo, it's a minority in this generation not to pursue higher education. I'll look into that later and ask him then. Now is not the time.
Either way, it's much easier to work with him than if he didn't talk at all. Even if he isn't saying a single word of truth.

"What about personality? Active women, or quiet and reserved ones? Sports types or artistic types, what kind of girls do you like?"
"From a man's perspective, we can't tell a woman's personality at all. You think a girl looks quiet, but she's doing compensated dating behind your back, or a girl with flashy makeup who's dancing turns out to be a virgin, so I really don't know what's what."

"Hmm. Do you like virgins?"
"Ahaha, what is it, Doc? Did you come here to sexually harass me by abusing your authority?"

"I'm recording the entire interview, so if you want to sue me for human rights violations, I'll lend it to you anytime. So? Do you like virgins? Or do you prefer experienced women?"
"As far as I know, there isn't a man who dislikes virgins. And I am a man."
Beside the recorder, Hori-kun was nervously taking shorthand of our conversation.

"Do all men also like it when a quiet, serious woman is targeted and assaulted on her way home from working late overtime?"
Tetsuto Mando's thin lips drew a gentle arc, and he remained silent.
I kept chattering on. Small talk. Yes, this is small talk.
What matters isn't the content, but his reaction. I won't let it slip by.

"Young girls with long black hair. They all have similar types. I wonder if the culprit prefers women like that. They say they are all kind girls. The kind who would carry luggage to a stranger's car."
"A stranger? That sounds careless, doesn't it? I'm worried."

"What if that man was injured? They say he would ostentatiously wear a cast and call out in a gentlemanly, apologetic way. Saying, 'It's just right over there, but since I'm on crutches, I can't carry it well.'"
"Oh, crutches, huh?"

He laughs cheerfully, saying, "He thinks of everything, doesn't he?"
Sunlight from the skylight cuts into the white wall of the interview room, piercing it diagonally. Even though the heat should be blocked, that spot looks as if it's floating and hot. Just like how dust sparkles when illuminated by a spotlight.

"On top of that, they say the man had a beautiful face, just like you."
The smile vanished from Mando's face, but he showed no surprise.
"Yeah. And? So what?"
The quality of his inflection didn't change. The pressure of his voice didn't modulate at all.

What thick skin he has. I'm starting to feel like I'm playing chess.
Across a colorless, transparent chessboard. Who is pressing whom now? It's my turn.

"I think he's a total piece of shit."
"I agree with that. But that has nothing to do with me. And furthermore, it has even less to do with you."
"Why did you do such a thing?"
When I asked in a deliberately light tone, an immediate answer came back.

"Why? Investigating that is your job, isn't it, Doc? It's not your job to investigate whether I did it or not. But..."
He cut his sentence there and stared back at me.
"I really didn't do it, you know. Which means your job is a waste of time."

"Believing that you didn't do it isn't my job. Tell that to a lawyer."
"Thanks for the advice. But I already turned down my lawyer."
Hearing that, I widened my eyes.

"What, why?"
"Because I can't stand the idea of failing because I was defended by someone less intelligent than me. So, the moment I decide you're less intelligent than me, I'll reject you too, so keep that in mind."

"I'll be sure to be careful."
"Hahaha, so far, you don't seem that stupid. I've taken a liking to you. Besides, you like me too, don't you, Doc? I can tell, you know. It's not just one or two women who fall for me the moment they see me."

The tip of his tongue, which he licked again, looked forked to me. Unlike a snake's, it was a man's tongue—bright red and thick.
“I’ve already analyzed one thing. You’re quite the narcissist, aren’t you? Let’s call it a day here. Good work.”

“Doc? Thanks for complimenting my face today. Rather than narcissism, I think of it as an objective fact—I think this face is beautiful, too. I think you’re honest. Besides, you’re getting on in years, but you’re not ugly, are you? Women these days work hard to stay pretty even when they get old, which is admirable. You’re actually quite pretty for someone in your forties, and if I put in the effort, I might be able to bed you. If you want me to put in the effort, try wearing something a bit more alluring. Like a miniskirt and garter belt. Oh, or you could go commando—I’m game!”

With a forced, cackling laugh, Mando twisted his prized, beautiful face into a grotesque expression.
I finally stood there with my mouth agape, unable to come up with a witty retort.
Hori-kun was busy watching the back of Mando’s head as he was escorted out of the room by the staff, his lips moving silently, and that day, I returned to the lab having forgotten to turn off the recording device before putting it in my bag.

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