Poisonous Nurturing Episode 10: The Abandoned Building
After hearing about that day from Natsuko Saito, Mitsuki and Shota headed to their usual park. Sitting on a bench, they pulled up a photo of the three of them on a smartphone. The three of them organized the information they had gathered so far.
Saturday, June 2nd
●11:30 Meeting Rin-chan at the usual spot
●12:00–15:00 Participating in the church's children's cafeteria
●15:30 Returning home
●16:00 Argument with mother
●18:00–18:30 Visit from Kohei Semba
●18:45 Conversation with Shota at the entrance (Did she seem to be in a hurry to go somewhere?)
●20:00 Fall from the building
“Is this right?”
“Yeah, probably. It feels like the images in my memory are hazy, but after hearing you talk, I'm starting to remember more and more.”
“Do you remember arguing with your aunt, talking to me, and that guy Semba coming over?”
“Yeah. My fragmented memories are starting to connect.”
“Um, Yuna... wasn't it a shock about your father, after all?”
“Ah, that guy. He really looked like a piece of trash. But I kind of expected my father was a good-for-nothing, and I had a feeling my mother was pretending he was dead, so while I was surprised, it wasn't like it was such a shock I couldn't handle it. So, I don't think it was suicide because of him. I feel like I'm forgetting something really important...”
“The biggest mystery is, why did you go to that abandoned building that day? Can't you remember that?”
“Hmm. The street where that building is is a shortcut to my house, so even if I pass by on my bike during the day, it's pitch black and deserted at night, so I try not to go that way. I have no business at an abandoned building like that.”
“True. I rarely go by there either because it's creepy. But well, for now, shall we go to that building?”
“Yes. I haven't been there yet...”
“Mitsuki, you don't have to go if you're scared. Either way, it's going to get dark soon, so let's call it a day. Shota, make sure you walk Mitsuki home.”
“I know that without you telling me!”
“Ah, if only I were alive. We could all go to McDonald's like this. What a shame.”
“You, don't say things that are hard to respond to. Both Mitsuki and I are going to be troubled!”
“Yes, yes. See you later!”
***
The next day. Since school ended at noon, after having lunch at home, Mitsuki bought a small bouquet of flowers and headed to the abandoned building. Perhaps because of Yuna's death, the emergency stairs and the building itself were tightly locked, and it didn't look like she could get inside. While talking to Yuna on her smartphone, Mitsuki offered the flowers at the entrance of the building.
“Thanks, Mitsuki. Those flowers are cute.”
“It feels strange to be thanked directly by you, Yuna.”
“Indeed.”
The two of them laughed.
“I guess I really can't get inside. By the way, aren't you scared, Mitsuki? A place where someone died is usually scary, right?”
“Yeah. Usually, yes. But it's Yuna, so I'm not scared.”
“I see, thank you.”
“That aside, Yuna, don't you remember anything coming here?”
“Hmm... It's like there's a haze over my head... Did I meet someone...?”
“I see... So nothing gained... —Huh? This building is called the Kujo Building, right?”
Huh—— ???
At that moment, the images of that day came vividly back to Yuna's mind.
“Ah—”
“Oh? Ms. Tajima, what are you doing in a place like this?”
Mitsuki hurriedly hung up the phone and put it in her pocket.
“Mr. Kujo? Are you here to pay your respects to Ms. Saito?”
“Yes. I still haven't come to terms with it... I just can't believe Yuna committed suicide, so I'm looking into various things right now.”
“Is that so... I've kept the information hidden from anyone not involved, but actually, this building is my property.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Until recently, it was off-limits for the crime scene investigation, but I was contacted a few days ago that the investigation was over, so I took the day off today to come and tidy up. Actually, I sometimes use one of the rooms in this building as an atelier.”
“Is that so?! If the investigation is over, that means there was nothing suspicious, right?”
“It seems so. I heard it was accepted as a suicide.”
“I don't believe Yuna committed suicide. Um, if it's alright with you, could you let me inside?”
“Yes. Of course. But I don't think you'll find anything... Oh, but if you'd like, please take a look at my atelier too. It's my favorite place.”
Mitsuki felt a sense of discomfort with Kujo, who seemed strangely cheerful.
“How can he still feel like painting in a place where one of his own students might have committed suicide? And to call it his favorite place...”
Mitsuki suddenly felt creeped out. She became afraid of Kujo, whom she had liked so much.
“Um... Mr. Kujo. Actually, I think I'll pass on going inside.”
“Eh? Why? Ms. Tajima, you have an artistic sense, so I'd really like you to see my work as well.”
Kujo half-forced Mitsuki to come inside.
The teacher's atelier inside the dirty, abandoned building was decorated in an ancient Roman style, making this one room feel like an otherworldly space.
“Wow! It's wonderful!”
Because of its sheer beauty, she forgot her earlier discomfort and became intoxicated by the artistic space.
“I'm happy to hear you say that. I'll prepare some tea, so please wait while you look at my work.”
Perhaps because he was so happy to be complimented, Kujo's innocent smile made him seem more childish than usual. Watching Kujo enter the back room, Mitsuki walked around the room while looking at the works displayed.
“So the teacher paints like this. Still, the teacher's paintings are...”
“What do you think? I've never shown my work to anyone. It's embarrassing.”
Perhaps because she was concentrating on looking at them, she was startled by Kujo's voice.
“Yes. They are all wonderful. It's a waste not to show them to anyone. ...Oh, but the police saw them, didn't they?”
Encouraged to sit on a retro leather sofa, Mitsuki continued the conversation while sipping from a cute teacup placed on an antique table.
“No, I put away my prized collection beforehand. These are works for my own enjoyment. It would be a waste to expose them to other people's eyes.”
“Did he have time to tidy up beforehand?”
“This tea is delicious. It's sweet and somehow, I feel sleepy...”
The teacup fell from Mitsuki's hand with a clatter.
⇒⇒⇒ Episode 11: Naoya Kujo ⇒⇒⇒
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