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“Then you pretended to be one of the kidnapped victims so that we wouldn’t even doubt you. It was also how you initiated contact with the detective agency. You were the only one the taxi driver didn’t kidnap. Everything seemed to make sense, so we didn’t press you for answers at the time, but there was absolutely no reason for the kidnapper to go out of his way to abduct a woman who fainted at the train station, especially when there were many witnesses. He already had a low-risk plan that worked, which was to kidnap people on their way to their hotel. Also, if he claimed he didn’t know you, then he’d basically be confessing that he knew the other victims, and that’s why he couldn’t say anything. And just like that, you played on everyone’s emotions until you brilliantly sneaked into the detective agency.”
There is a deep crevice now between Dazai’s eyebrows.
“Miss Sasaki, I just don’t understand. Someone as smart as you could have accomplished so much in criminal psychology. Or you could’ve even gotten involved in the government’s criminal investigation system and created a more advanced crime-fighting organization. I’m not saying it would’ve been perfect, but the world would’ve at least been a better place because of it. And yet…”
“I…have no ambitions of my own. I just didn’t want to see him in pain anymore.”
Why?
One question continues to spin in the back of my head.
Just why
?
Who is wrong? Who betrayed their ideals?
“Miss Sasaki, it’s over. Despite working so hard not to dirty your hands—to be invisible—you won’t be able to cover up killing Rokuzo. We’re witnesses, and you’ll be tried under the full extent of the existing laws.”
“I am afraid not.”
She points the muzzle at Dazai.
Absurd… Does she really think she can threaten us with that after all that’s happened?
“There will not be any witnesses, and you will not be able to testify. Because if you tell anyone what happened here, I will resume my attack against the detective agency.”
A slight smile rises to Miss Sasaki’s eyes as she threatens us. Did she calculate even this outcome beforehand—?
“Stop.”
The hoarse word rises out of my dry throat.
“Stop. It’s over. I will not allow you to attack the detective agency ever again.”
“Please, Detective Kunikida, don’t move.”
“Stop! Why?! Why are you doing this?! We’re not the ones you should be aiming your gun at!”
“Then tell me. Who should I be pointing it at? Who should I despise?”
“That’s—”
Is there anyone who fits the bill? The cause of all this? There has to be an ideal world where everyone can be saved, and there has to be something sinister blocking that path. There must be something… I’m sure of it…
Perhaps taking my hesitation as the absence of an answer, she frowns and looks away.
“As in the past, I will continue to be the one who fights for his ideals—the Azure King’s ideals. And you, the detective agency, will not be able to stop that. That’s why…”
Miss Sasaki slowly lowers the gun.
“Let’s make a deal. You promise to leave me alone, and I promise I won’t attack the agency. I will go somewhere else, use another organization, and do the same thing. And after that, I will do it again…and again after that. I will not allow you to get in my way.”
“That’s it?”
Dazai turns a piercing gaze on Miss Sasaki.
“You of all people should understand, Detective Dazai. You always think ahead, doing whatever produces optimal results without being swayed by your emotions. Meaning you should know there is only one option here.”
