Within a few weeks of their return to Japan from Los Angeles visits were already being made. One from Yamaguchi to the outskirts of Tokyo, the other from Osaka to the city of Sendai. Both guests were greeted warmly and accepted into the houses of their respective hosts. Inquiries were made upon the fairings of each. Only in one instance was there a faltering of a reply. A subtle, yet obvious, slip before a response ensuring good health was made. Yet it wasn't noticed as friends conversed with the family of friends.
In Sendai conversation was strict and proper, as always. The master of the household, Grandfather Date, made sure that manners were enforced around the table, even from the visitor from Osaka. Although the youth was a common sight at their table considering his relation to the heir of the family he was still expected to act as any member of the Date family, proper.
Near Tokyo a casual friendly meal was exchanged between two friends. Dinner was prepared on a whim by the visiting resident of Yamaguchi. Despite a lack of proper ingredients he still managed to make a delicacy. The hostess did not seem to mind much at his meticulous care to her well being and the state of the house. Once cleaning was done green tea was brewed and more conversation was exchanged between the pair. Laughs echoed through the large house as smiles shone upon their faces.
Only after the pair in Sendai had retreated into one of the house's bedrooms. Even then the conversation never attained the same feel of happiness that was present outside Tokyo. Most of it was inquiries from the Osaka visitor. The Date heir responded with short, emotionless words. This only brought more concern from his visitor as the questioning only continued. Finally the sun moved low in the western bosom of the land, giving the heir a reason to end the conversation. Complaining of needing sleep due to a good amount of activity in the recent days the two moved to bedrooms and soon only the resident of Osaka remained awake, reading.
A similar fate befell the two staying at Tokyo. After a good amount of conversation, activity, and tea both were feeling the effects of sleep wearing down on them. Once a few subtle yawns were noticed the hostess led her guest into a room and bid him goodnight. She was soon fast asleep herself.
By the time the clock had struck eleven the reader who remained awake in Sendai allowed his eyelids to fall closed. Within moments he was sleeping soundly with his head buried within the book that had once been the center of his attention.
Silence fell over both households for the space of an hour. Then, at midnight, someone moved. Cautious steps were taken so as not to wake anyone by the midnight walker. Slowly but surely the figure made its way to the kitchen. That was where the item it needed was. After slipping a pair of gloves on a knife was pulled from one of the drawers. Appraising its worth in the moonlight a sinister grin crept across the face. It would do. The steps resumed as it walked towards one of the bedrooms in the house. There was someone in this house who was doing wrong. That person would have to be killed, to be taught a lesson for what they had done. Stepping into the bedroom eyes observed the sleeping form of the victim in the moonlight. This would be the one who had to die. With catlike motions the body moved to the side of the bed. Waiting only a moment for the time to be right the knife was brought down onto the pale exposed flesh of the victim's neck.
The next morning reports were made about a mysterious murder occurring the past night.
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