[Creative Awards 2024] Memento Mori Episode 8: A Bold Decision

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The magnificent Tokyo Station, with its domed roof and red-brick facade welcoming people, exudes a classic European atmosphere. However, the scenery spreading out from its exterior is contrastingly modern, with skyscrapers standing side by side as if competing. Filling the gaps between them is an office district, and in one corner of it lies the Yokoyama Law Office.
Ten days after Ichiro Yamamoto's funeral, on June 21st, it was decided that the opening of Ichiro Yamamoto's will would be carried out with Attorney Yokoyama as the executor.
At the table in the spacious, calmly colored conference room, Saori, the heir, and her lawyer sat, with Secretary Goto and Attorney Yokoyama sitting opposite them. Watanabe and Naoto sat a little further away to observe as "witnesses," an arrangement made by Yamamoto's secretary, Goto. While Watanabe alone would have been sufficient as a witness for the opening of the will, when he requested to have his subordinate join the meeting, Saori readily agreed. To Saori, Watanabe and Kanzaki were her saviors. Saori did not even ask why the two had approached her pretending to be insurance company employees.
That night, Yasuhiro Arima admitted to the crime with a slumped posture and was taken away without resistance. The reason Watanabe and Naoto were able to reach Saori before the police that night was because Yukie, who was at the office, had discovered that Yasuhiro Arima was in Karuizawa. Before the lawyer, who had been listening to the conversation between Saori and Arima over the phone, could report it to the police, the two had already headed to the Yamamoto residence.
Afterward, the police conducted a re-investigation into the cause of Ichiro Yamamoto's death, but they obtained testimony from a doctor that Yamamoto was a regular user of sleeping pills. Even if some amount was detected in Yamamoto's body that night, it was only an indirect cause; compared to that, Yasuhiro Arima's act of intentionally tampering with the wood stove's exhaust vent was premeditated and, despite his attempts to cause confusion, malicious.
"Thank you all for coming."
Attorney Yokoyama, the executor, spoke quietly.
"I will now open the notarial deed will of the late Mr. Ichiro Yamamoto."
Feeling everyone in the room focusing their attention on her, Saori nodded silently.
Attorney Yokoyama carefully opened the envelope, took out the will, and began to read it slowly.

"It ended without any trouble, didn't it?"
Walking along the beautiful tree-lined street, Naoto felt a sense of accomplishment.
"He was a man who built his fortune from scratch. There was no room for conflict."
Watanabe sounded bored, but since the contract with their client, Goto, had ended, he could not get involved in this matter any further. It would affect his credibility. Even if something interesting had happened.
The contents of the will were not particularly special; besides Saori, Ichiro Yamamoto's older sister and his secretary, Goto, were also included, but there was one part that left a deep impression. When it was read aloud, everyone in that room must have shared the same feeling.
"Still, that was an amazing decision. I'm deeply moved."
"Yeah, he was a good man. The madam has lost a great person, too."
It was a bold decision by Ichiro Yamamoto, who must have agonized over it.
"I hereby acknowledge the child my wife is currently carrying as my own biological child..."
When Attorney Yokoyama read that sentence included in the will, the conference room fell deathly silent. And when Saori's face twisted in astonishment, she broke down in tears, forgetting herself.
Afterward, Saori's lawyer sitting next to her, Secretary Goto, and Attorney Yokoyama were all cooperative with Saori throughout.
"It seems like it will be tough gathering various documents and such, but surrounded by reliable people, the madam should be able to give birth safely."
The child to be born is innocent—adults must firmly protect them, Naoto muttered to himself.
"Yeah, because it was clearly stated in the notarial deed will."
Watanabe replied while following the passing people with his gaze.
However, there was one point that bothered Naoto. But it was a detail he would not have noticed without his special ability. Recognizing facts he didn't need to know was the price for defiling the dignity of the dead.
Naoto looked at Watanabe and said as if he had just remembered.
"President Watanabe, please keep your promise."
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"
"You said you'd give me time off once this case was resolved successfully."
"Hmm—did I?"
Watanabe stroked his chin, feigning ignorance.
"You seem quite forgetful. Is it old age? Please take responsibility for what you say. Next time, I'll make you put it in writing."
"Alright, alright, don't be so angry."
Watanabe jokingly appeased Naoto and decided to reward his hardworking subordinate.
"Then, I'll take a few days off, starting now."
"Eh, starting now?"
Many people are strolling along the tree-lined street in the early afternoon. The weather is nice, and perhaps because it is Friday afternoon, there is a sense of openness, and the street has become a place of relaxation for people.
When Watanabe faced Naoto, he noticed from his mother-like eyes that today was the anniversary of Keiko's death. Keiko Kanzaki was the wife of Watanabe's friend, Ryuichi Kanzaki, and the younger sister of Soichiro Tachibana, with whom he still maintains a relationship.
"Has it already been four years since then..."
Watanabe recalled the time when Naoto first awakened to his special ability.
Four years ago, when Naoto touched the brow of the deceased Keiko, the resonance opened another Paradigmspace. This was his first experience. However, even though Naoto could glimpse Keiko's lingering shadow, he could not understand her feelings. That is why Naoto does not know what Keiko thought at the time of her death.
"Then, I'll go with you to visit Keiko's grave."
Saying that, the two did not return to the office and walked down the tree-lined street in the afternoon.