Chapter IV – A Moment of Peace

"Here, take this."

The officer offered a wad of cash into my hands with a smile.

I stared at the large amount of money in surprise.

"Wh-what…?" I managed to feebly croak and push it back towards him.
"I c-can't accept this! Especially after you've helped me so much already!"

"Nah, it's fine." He said and tucked the notes into my shaking hand.
"You told me you were involved in a car crash, plus I don't see any pockets on that hospital gown of yours. You need money to get into that hotel, obviously. And I don't want to just drive and dump a helpless girl anywhere. It goes against Keitaro Ragii's policy."

"Th-thank you so much." I realised that I was holding stiffly onto his warm hand and hurriedly let go with a blush creeping onto my cheeks.

"No problem. I hope you find what you're looking for, Missy." He tipped his police hat in farewell and hopped back into his car.

I watched him drive off with a pounding heart and waved silently to the trunk of the vehicle.

Such a nice man… may the Shrine God bless him…

I flop onto my simple hotel bed and sighed wearily in relief.

Somehow, I had managed to drag my battered body up to the reception desk and told them what I needed.

I gazed at the still heavy wad of cash in my hands and realised just then how little the rental fee had costed compared to the amount Mr. Ragii had given me.

With this amount remaining, I would have enough money to buy food, supplies and better clothes.

"Thank goodness…" I exhaled and after making sure this generous gift was well hidden and that my door was locked, curled up into bed and fell asleep.

I wonder where everyone else is…?

"Oh, hey there Ragii, you're a bit later than usual today." Mamoru looked up from his files and greeted his colleague.

"Yeah…" The officer sat down in his usual seat behind the work desk and leaned into it, deliberately casual.
"Bumped into this poor lass today near the outskirts of Hinamizawa on my way back from the assigned investigation… little tyke was involved in a car crash and frankly had no idea what to do. I felt sorry for her, see? So I drove her to the nearby hotel."

"Oh?" Mamoru stiffened slightly at the mentioning of the town that he had been obsessed with since visiting the village.
"Is it alright for me to ask you what her name was?"

"Well, she didn't tell me. Looked all worn out and was on the verge of collapsing, so I didn't pry." Keitaro lit a cigarette and puffed on it.

"I see…"

Mamoru Akasaka sighed and looked back onto the files he had been given by the chief of police.

And didn't understand why he was suddenly so disappointed.

"Sonozaki? Hmm… I did hear about a Sonozaki the other week or so being sent to this city's hospital. But I can't say for sure that my memory is that reliable."

"Oh, it's fine really. I was just curious."

The reception lady gave me a small smile.

"What's the matter? Would you like to visit her? It's nice to know that a girl your age still cares about others. My son on the other hand…"

"Ah, yes. She's a close friend of mine." I cut her off in haste, not wanting to stay too long near the entrance where I could be easily seen.

I gripped the sides of the new dress that I had bought this morning with anxiety.

I knew then that it was possible that either Mii-chan or Shii-chan was still alive and was being treated at a hospital.

I had to find them somehow!

"C-Could you please give me the address to the hospital you referred to?" I asked and offered her a notepad and pen I had found in the hotel room.
"I want to see if I can find my friend."

"Of course, sweetie. I would be happy to help." She quickly jotted down the necessary information and handed the pen and pad back to me with a warm smile.

I bowed low in gratitude and walked briskly out of the hall after thanking her.

Only had I walked a couple of blocks away from the hotel did I realise that I had no way of finding this hospital if I had no knowledge of the street names in this huge city.

"Oh dear… I really didn't think this through…"

I sighed and stopped in my tracks, gazing around with a dull expression of hopelessness in my eyes.

"What am I going to do now…?"

"Excuse me, but might you be the girl whom Officer Ragii escorted to Shibuya Hotel?"

I stiffened at the unfamiliar voice and turned around to face the source of noise.

It was a man, in his twenties and with short black hair who walked slowly towards me, his hands in his pockets, and looking slightly menacing.

I backed away slightly but managed not to run off.

If I did, I would just add to his suspicions.

"Y-Yes sir…" I said feebly, taking a deep breath.
"A-And you are…?"

He fished out an identification card and held it up for me to see.

"Mamoru Akasaka of the Tokyo Police Force… If you don't mind… I would like a word with you."

Chapter IV - End