Chapter 12
There's an Isonade under the Cherry Blossoms
"Are we lost?" Haibara deadpans. Seated behind him, the girl had her arms crossed. Shinichi studied the map they bought earlier. Keeping his hands firmly on the wheel, the professor furrowed his brows in concentration. The yellow beetle chugging along a windy road next to a churning sea.
"We're not," Shinichi snapped, and the girl shot him a skeptical look.
"Kudou, if you must know, we have passed that sign at least twice," she remarked. He dropped the map he was holding, whipping to the professor, who gave a nervous laugh.
"Hakase, are you certain the place even exists? Did you even get the right address?"
"How rude," the old man muttered, "Yamato-san is a long-time friend. His assistant would not have led us to the wrong place."
"The assistant was deaf, Hakase," Haibara informed the man, who winced.
"Ok, hold up a minute," the old man snapped, "just because we've lost doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We simply need to locate it."
"Or we could just head home," Haibara folded her arms as the beetle went over another bump. "Before Kudou-kun leads us off the cliff."
"I'm considering it, Haibara."
"You'll be doing us a favor."
"Why are you so- "
"Enough!" the professor snapped. Shinichi winced as the vehicle halted abruptly. The professor whipped around, glaring at them both.
"We're not lost. No one is leading us off the cliff, and we'll make it!" he declared as he started the engine. The usually docile old man could be surprisingly stubborn at times. Shinichi sighed, looking back at the map. It would be nice if the GPS was working, but without a signal, they couldn't do anything.
What am I doing here?
Shinichi glanced at the box beside the auburn-haired scientist with irritation.
"An ancient vase crafted for the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty!" the professor exclaimed a few hours ago. He pulled out a rotted wooden box, which was falling apart. Eyes wide, twinkling slightly in delight. "According to the internet, if this is genuine, I would be earning at least half a million dollars."
"Qing Dynasty," was Haibara's sole statement. The shrunken scientist who helped him with the old stores expressed skepticism. The professor, insistent on the vase's authenticity, sought Shinichi's assistance.
"Hakase," Shinichi groaned, looking at the object in question. The white porcelain measured at least 60 centimeters in length and was decorated with intricate blue ink designs depicting dragons and flowers. Shinichi turned the vase over, searching for an artist's stamp.
"There is no mark," Shinichi, despite spending hours pouring over various articles and research on Chinese porcelain, was unable to find any conclusive evidence.
"What do you mean by mark?"
"A stamp bearing the name and date of the emperor, printed in Chinese characters," Haibara explained. "That is why I said...that this is a waste of time."
"No, no, no. My father was an avid collector. He would not have bought a fake!"
"Hakase..."
"We need an expert opinion!"
The man could not be argued with. He loaded up the beetle with the precious "authentic" vase. And now they were traveling down a coastal road to a destination that wasn't listed on the map.
"Haibara, are you still without reception?"
The girl presented her phone to him. The bars on the screen still displayed an "x."
"Nope, and we're lost; admit it, Hakase."
Once again, the professor grumbled as the beetle chugged along a poorly maintained road.
Shinichi did not have time for this, his frustrations at an all-time high. Not when the FBI was investigating Haibara's old apartment. Shinichi was not able to obtain the updates from Jodie-sensei due to the lack of signals. His purpose in visiting the professor's house was to establish an information base from which he could monitor the operation separately.
He had not expected this farce of a treasure hunt or the presence of the auburn-haired scientist, who, until recently, had locked herself in the basement.
A week had passed since Yasuo Kawabata's arrest. The traffic officer, an embarrassment to the police department, was stripped of his rank and titles. Not only was his reputation ruined, but so was his life. Despite the severity of his crimes, only a tiny article had been published. The police were more concerned about public opinion than the victims themselves.
They were visited by Inspector Satou after the arrest. Informing Haibara about the recent developments, the woman gives her a reassuring squeeze. And the girl sinks again into a deep moody silence that nobody could pull her from.
"The nightmares are getting worse, Shinichi," the professor informed him. "She has been calling for her sister. I have tried talking to her about counseling, but—"
The outcome was evident, and he peered at the girl in question. Haibara was gazing out the window, observing the passing scenery of blue seas and skies. Her hands crossed in front, guarded, with secrets buried deep. Slumping into the seats, he gave a heavy sigh. Though they were worried, there was nothing they could do. Frustration bubbled like bees in his chest, threatening to explode, but he held it in. They could ponder it later, after the operation. After the takedown of the bloody organization.
When they finally reached the small seaside village, it was late in the morning, close to lunchtime. The quaint town was beside the Pacific Ocean, the deep blue horizon stretching into the distance. Despite its sleepy nature, it was apparently a hot tourist destination. Cherry blossoms were abundant there. Sakura petals floated gently through the wind from the branches of trees in full bloom. Sunbeams filtered through the vivid, vibrant light pink flowers, creating an ephemeral scene that was both soothing and breathtaking. The ocean breeze blew gently as the beetle passed another narrow road.
The white sand beaches were crowded with families and couples laughing, playing—enjoying picnics. It was a stark contrast to the treacherous road that they had to take a while ago.
Shinichi was relieved to learn that the town Matsuda actually existed.
The last thing he would want is to spend the night stranded on some roads while the operation continues without him. "We have arrived!" the professor drove up a slope into the courtyard of a Japanese-styled Ryokan. The building was built using traditional methods. Possibly constructed of Japanese cedar, the structure was slightly elevated from the gray graveled ground on which they were currently standing. The roofs were covered in diagonal blue tiles, and a pagoda-like tower rose above the main structure, with porches separating each level. It was a majestic structure, and the sight was impressive.
They moved through the paths, eventually reaching a small courtyard. A quaint Zen garden stood adjacent to an Edo-style entrance, where a lantern hung. Sakura blossoms, bamboo, and young red maple trees surround a koi-filled freshwater pond. Water cascades down the senryu stone structure, creating a gentle waterfall.
"Hiroshi! " a voice breaks the peace. The professor's eyes sparkled in glee when he saw the wiry old man approaching. He wore a traditional blue hakama and a rather old-fashioned pair of spectacles. His ponytail was neatly twisted into a classic bun. A bamboo broom was in his hand, which he used to sweep the gravel into neat circular patterns. His appearance reminded Shinichi of a modern-day samurai. Taking the professor's hand, he shook it vigorously. Kind brown chestnut eyes regarded them with curiosity, his wrinkled face scrunching up in disbelief.
"You have grandchildren!" he exclaimed, and the professor laughed nervously.
"No, they are the children of my relatives," the professor replied, and the man sighed.
"Here I was, hoping to finally meet your wife."
"How are you, Isamu-san? I heard you finally retired," the professor asked, and the old man grinned, chest puffed up in triumph. Isamu extended his arms, raising them to the building before him.
"Retired, yes, but I recently became the owner of this magnificent ryokan. My daughter is helping me run it. Let me show you around."
Following the professor, Shinichi paused after realizing the shrunken scientist was lagging behind.
"Haibara?" he asked. Her gaze was fixed on something. Shinichi glanced in her direction. Among the shrubbery, maple trees, cherry blossoms, and bushes of the small garden stood a large monstrous statue in the middle of a tiny green pond. It was shaped like a fish—like a man—Shinichi wasn't too sure. The statue's tail was covered with rough, scaly bumps and had a spear-like prong at the tip that looked like a stingray's barb. He winced at the sight of it. The statue, a grotesque amalgamation of man-fish, merged into one. It was also—for some strange reason— holding an old book.
"What the heck is that?"
"Ara, it's quite beautiful, don't you think?" Haibara remarked, and he gave her a withering look, eyebrows creasing in disbelief.
"There are Sakura trees, a beautiful Japanese-style hotel behind, and the pristine blue ocean surrounding us, but what draws your attention is this?"
With an impish smile, she nudges him. "Those googly eyes," Haibara points at the statue's face. "They remind me of you."
His jaws dropped, and she tilted her head, wearing that mischievous smirk. At that moment, she reminded Shinichi of a cat playing with its food.
"In what way does that resemble me?!" he raised his hands in protest. She signaled lazily first to his spectacles, then to his hair.
"The similarities are striking," Haibara responded. She had a hand placed over her lips, stifling the soft laughter she could not hold back.
"You're stretching it!"
"Look, it even has a book," she continued, "Maybe it's a fan of Sherlock Holmes."
He snorted in disbelief, and she sniggered.
Shinichi sighed, leaning against the pillars. He watched as Haibara closed her eyes, facing the blue skies above. A gentle breeze blew through, ruffling past auburn bangs, and she exhaled softly. The guarded nature she had carried in the past few days mellowed into a small genuine smile. He relaxed. The professor was right. The fresh air would do her some good.
"Though, seriously, what is that?"
"Isonade," Yamato Isamu responded. He appeared behind them like a ghost, a teasing glint in his eyes. They jumped, Shinichi tripping and Haibara hiding behind him. The old man threw his head back, laughing at their stunned expressions. "You found the Isonade, I see."
"Isonade?" Shinichi asked, and the man gestured to the statue.
"It's our town's mascot."
"This monster?"
The old man chuckled. "A folk tale of sorts," he explained, "Long ago, we had a guardian, a man of great strength bestowed on us by the gods. Amid the Great Famine, the man, a gifted fisherman, saved the town by using his fishing skills. The food he contributed was a bounty from the sea. The town folk regarded him with great reverence and called him Shuka-Kami."
"So, he was a fish?" the professor appears beside them, carrying that dreaded vase in his hand.
"Hmm...well, perhaps the best way to describe it is—have you heard of the Minotaur?"
"Yes. A creature that is half-human and half-bull," Shinichi stated.
"Oh, you're a smart one, aren't you," Isamu was impressed.
"Well, in some respects, Isonade was similar. A man with a fish head was born to a human woman who had been spared by the gods. A human sacrifice rendered pregnant by Wani, an ancient sea dragon, half crocodile, half-shark."
"Just like Queen Pasiphae and the majestic bull of Poseidon," Haibara remarked. The old man paused, eyes widening slightly. He regarded them with curiosity.
"What are they really, children?" he asked the professor, who shrugged.
'I get that a lot."
"So, why did Shuku-Kami become the Isonade?" Shinichi was intrigued by the story, and the old man continued with a bitter smirk.
"He fell in love and lost it all. The villagers, who had grown greedy, wanted his blood. For a strange fortune-teller told them that if they were to drink his blood, they would get the same powers and blessings as Shuku-Kami."
He pointed to the barb at the end of the statue. "They sought after his children first, killing and obtaining their blood."
Shinichi couldn't help but feel sorry for it despite it being a fictional character.
"Then, they went after his wife. Shuku-Kami vowed revenge and transformed into a monstrous creature. As a result, he destroyed everything and everybody who ventured into the ocean. His curse turned the water red for days. To feed his dying mother, an impoverished pauper boy tried to catch fish one day. While fishing in the ocean, he was snared by the Isonade. Despite his imminent death, he made a desperate plea to the creature. In exchange for food for his dying mother, he would sacrifice himself. The boy's gesture touched Isonade, who allowed him to return home with the sea's bounty. Isonade promised the boy that nothing bad would come of him before disappearing into the depths."
"I assume this is the part where they all lived happily ever after?" Haibara asked, and the man chuckled.
"Yes, and no. From then on, the villagers lived with Isonade nearby, and occasionally bodies would appear with holes in their necks. A reminder of the monstrosity that dwells beneath the waves. Isonade was not as benevolent as his previous persona, Shuku-kami. Among the legends is the saying; if you enter the ocean with evil intentions, Isonade will seek you out—"
The man raised the bamboo broom he was holding and stabbed it vehemently into the ground. "And pierce you from within, killing you instantly."
"In any case, it's an age-old moral tale that warns us not to be greedy and to cherish our time with our loved ones. A fairly decent folk tale if you ask me," Isamu concluded.
"Now, enough about the Isonade. Come now. I'll serve you some tea!" the old man slapped his hands together in glee before ushering them into the building. They talked animatedly, voices ringing down wooden, pleasant-smelling corridors. He and the professor reminisced about old times and the antics they got up to.
The vase long forgotten as they sipped tea in the Japanese-styled lobby. An Ikebana arrangement was placed in front of the long knee-height table they were seated beside.
"It's getting late. I suggest staying over. Besides, it'll be a good break," Isamu suggested later. The professor agreed, and with that, Isamu forced the shrunken teenagers out of the ryokan.
"Have fun, kids!" Isamu's daughter, Yamato Haru-san, waves at them from the entrance.
"Children shouldn't remain indoors!" was Isamu's stubborn insistence. "You should be out playing! That's how you grow strong!"
Thus, here they were now, strolling along winding paths toward the white sand beaches and azure waters. Under a deep blue sky, white fluffy clouds floated peacefully. Rustling in the salty sea breeze was a cherry blossom forest behind them. The soothing sounds of frothy white waves combined with the enchanting beauty of cherry blossoms made for a beautiful sight. Shinichi breathed in the fresh scent, allowing himself a moment of peace, closing his eyes with contentment.
Despite it being the start of the operation.
It was a nice day.
"There are dead bodies buried under the cherry trees," Haibara remarked. Her comment disrupted the tranquility. Placing his hands on his hips, Shinichi turned to her, lips pursed in disgust. "Out of all the lines you could have chosen to quote, you chose Motojiro Kajii."
Coined by the up-and-coming author who tragically died from tuberculosis. It was also a famous morbid phrase in the literary world, used in many detective and horror novellas.
"Ara, don't you think it's fitting?" Haibara turns towards the cherry blossoms behind, a sly grin on her lips, as she continued casually, "In your case, a body might really appear under the Sakura trees."
"Oi."
She chuckled as they continued their walk along the concrete sidewalks. Observing quietly, the various beachgoers relaxing by the sandy shores. Shinichi notices the lost trance-like stare of the auburn-haired scientist. She glanced at the blue expanse, lingering far too long at the laughing families playing by the water. The forlorn expression on her face seemed to evoke a certain melancholy. It pulled at his heartstrings, stinging a little.
"This reminds me of Hawaii," Shinichi props his arms against the concrete barriers that separate the beach from the pavement. Haibara glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Hawaii?"
"You are aware that it's a country, yeah?" he teased.
Haibara rolled her eyes, waving a lazy hand at him dismissively.
"What do you take me for," she snorted. "Of course, I'm aware of it."
"Prove it."
She scoffed, giving him an evil eye as he sniggered.
"Tou-chan brought me there when I was sixteen," Shinichi continued, "It was hot though, humid even. The locals were friendly, and the food was excellent. One of their specialties was Spam musubi."
"Spam…musubi?"
"Yep, preserved salted meat slices were served over sushi rice with a sweet soy sauce. That was delicious." He smiled as he recalled memories of the trip. The country— a tropical paradise, a peaceful time. It seems like a lifetime ago.
"They had their own stories, too." Hands reaching out, fingers touching the tiny Isonade figures perched on the pavements on which they walk.
"Guardian sharks like demi-gods, and a man-eater called Nanaue, who developed a taste for human flesh."
"And you know this because a murder occurred there, and it involved sharks," Haibara deduced. Pursing his lips, he shoved his hands into his pockets, not liking the smug expression that she conveyed.
"I'll have you know that the case didn't occur until a week later. So it's not like I'm attracting bodies left, right, and center. Besides, Tou-chan was there too."
"Is it genetics, Kudou?" she asked, "Or a sort of family heirloom? Perhaps an ancient curse?"
"A myth, Haibara. A myth," he retorted, her lips twisting in amusement.
"What about you?" Shinichi asked as she gave him a questioning glance.
"You've lived in America. You must have experienced a lot."
"I hadn't had the time, Kudou," Haibara replied briefly. "I was sent there to study."
"You just studied?"
Shrugging, she turned back to the ocean, her gaze fixed on the water. Green eyes reflected the radiant sheen of the sunlit ripples. For a moment, Haibara was silent.
And then she answered with a crooked smirk.
"Yes, there were orders from above. I had to make a drug remember."
"Haibara," he leaned closer, concerned, and she sighed.
"Relax, Kudou. I've already seen enough beaches to last a lifetime. I've lost count of the number of times we've gone camping."
A hesitant smile graced her lips as she glanced at him tentatively over her shoulder, "It might not seem like it, but I do appreciate…it."
Shinichi was taken aback by her admission. The warmth flooded in, and he couldn't help the broadening grin on his lips.
"Hmm...are you actually being honest, for once?"
"Drop it," she quipped, and he sniggered at the slight redness forming on her ears.
They continued their walk and eventually came to the end of the path. Amid the crashing waves, couples lay together on the shore embracing each other. Children were laughing and giggling as they built sandcastles with their parents.
A vibrating phone in his pocket shattered the peace. Pulling the device out, he was greeted by messages from Jodie-sensei, providing him with updates on the ongoing operation.
He whipped it open, hiding it from the shrunken scientist next to him.
"Cool kid, we have commenced the mission. Two operatives are standing by. We have identified two members of the organization. Shuu is planning to arrest them."
The message was one of many being sent, and updates flooded in. It was a risky mission that left no room for error. One misstep could lead to serious consequences, and Shinichi felt an unsettling twinge of anxiety and guilt. He should be at the professor's—helping them.
"Leave it to us," Jodie-sensei had told him. "There are some tasks that cannot be done alone."
Although Shinichi knew she was right, he was still worried.
"I'm assuming that was Jodie-sensei?" Haibara said, and he slapped his phone shut.
"N…No," Shinichi stammered, slightly flustered.
"The operation has begun, hasn't it?"
Studying her, he sighed, resigning himself. Haibara was really too sharp for her own good.
"Don't worry about it. Everything is going according to plan."
In the absence of an answer, the lighthearted atmosphere dissolved. A noticeable tension forms in the air. Haibara stood rigid. He recognized that look and reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Leave it to the FBI. They are experts in this area. It will be fine."
She winced.
"Haibara?"
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I don't, but we have to try. I know you're scared, but this is the only way forward."
A profound silence settled over like a dark cloud.
"I suppose it's coming to an end," Haibara smirks bitterly, her voice betraying nothing, and he froze.
"What does that mean, Haibara?"
"Nothing," she walked ahead of him, hands clasped behind her back tightly.
Shinichi stared at her. Though he was compelled to stop her, the words remained lodged in his throat. The sorrow she carried and the secrets she held remained hidden beneath a thick fog that he could not grasp.
"It will be fine," he assured her instead. "You mentioned it yourself, didn't you, Haibara," catching up with her and slipping a hand into hers. "Hell would freeze over if I were ever wrong, wasn't it?'"
Haibara parted her lips in disbelief at the confident beam he gave her.
"You're an idiot, Kudou," she muttered, and he chuckled softly.
"So don't worry, Jodie-sensei will handle it."
Looking away, she tilts her head towards the skies above.
"I'm not bothered," she lied. "They can manage it, I know."
"Haibara?"
She faced him. A breeze blew past, spraying salt from the ocean. The cherry blossoms rustled, pink petals flowing, floating in a trance-like state, as auburn bangs swayed. Time slowed. A pair of forest green eyes stared into his own, wavering, contemplating—he stood transfixed, awaiting an answer.
"...I do not belong, Kudou."
It was barely a whisper. A figment of his imagination? Eyes withholding an emotion he had seen once. A wistful look of longing, sadness, regret, and guilt mixed into one.
Of something that could never be.
"If I could just forget about everything and become a regular elementary school student named Haibara Ai. I wonder how good that will be, and I could be with you forever. Forever, just like this." She had told him a year before, giving out nothing—branding the cryptic admission a joke. The anguish behind her mask was painful to witness, and he tightened his hold over her icy fingers.
"Haibara, I—"
A horrified cry cuts through the peaceful atmosphere. Interrupting them. Alarmed, they turned to the source. There was a stampede of beachgoers running from the waves, racing towards the sidewalks on which they were standing.
Shinichi reaches for his glasses and uses the magnifying feature. The panicked crowds made it difficult for him to focus, but when he did, he gasped in horror.
The unmistakable form of a corpse was visible along the white sandy shores of the beach, rolling in with the crashing waves. Shinichi reacted instinctively, pushing past the crowds. Rushing towards the source.
A woman. Face twisted in horror, mouth gaping wide, gray eyes fixed and opened in fear. A middle-sized hole, perfectly circular, penetrated straight through the neck.
"Kudou," he turned to find a shrunken scientist standing with folded arms.
"What was it again," she murmured. He scowled, "Bodies found beneath Sakura trees?"
"Haibara..."
"You corpse magnet."
"Oi."
The body belonged to a young woman, perhaps close to thirty years of age. Shiho observes it with the cold medical experience gained from her previous training. The boy examined a mid-sized hole in the neck…right through the jugular, possibly caused by a sharp object. It was a gruesome way to die.
Shiho found it impossible to imagine what the woman was experiencing in her last moments. Her punctured neck reminded her of the strange myth Isamu Yamato had told them earlier.
"Isonade," Shinichi reaching the same conclusion.
The thought seemed ridiculous. A folklore of sorts. After all, mythical creatures do not kill—humans do. She knows this all too well.
"Cordon, the area, this body needs to be isolated!" A voice called out, commanding in nature and very familiar.
"Conan-kun!" exclaimed a woman. The shrunken teenagers turned to the source and found the Inspectors looking at them.
"Satou-san?!" Shinichi remarked. She gawked at him with eyes widened in shock.
"What are you doing here?!" Inspector Takagi appeared behind them before wincing at the sight of the corpse.
"We found the body," Shiho replied, and the woman stared at Shinichi, raising her hands in resignation.
"What's with you, children, and murder scenes?"
"That's what she said," Shiho muttered to Shinichi, who snorted.
Several minutes later, they were pushed to the side and ushered out of the area. Inspector Takagi instructed them to wait at the side. The reason being—
"Children shouldn't be looking or assessing dead corpses, for that matter!"
Seeing the fallacy of the statement, Shiho could only scoff. It wasn't like they were unfamiliar with it. Shiho could scarcely count how many times her days ended with a dead body. Like a mosquito attracted to blood, the boy is a breeding ground for incidents.
Yes, just like darkening clouds meant predestined rain, being with Kudou Shinichi meant finding a corpse.
Basically, this was inevitable.
So, here they stood, amidst a crowd of curious onlookers, at a crime scene—which was, until recently, a popular tourist area. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the innocent beachgoers whose vacation was again ruined by a corpse magnet.
"I know what you're going to say," Shinichi still hovering over the corpse.
"The situation speaks for itself, Kudou," Shiho chuckles when he scowled.
"In any case, we have a murderer in our midst."
"And like any meddling busybody who has no business interfering with the case, you would like to investigate?"
"Haibara," he groaned.
"Well, it's not new to me. I'm used to it. Though I would appreciate a pay raise of some sort, perhaps we could discuss my working hours. You know the usual health and rest benefits."
"You're a riot," Shinichi snapped, and she smirked.
He handed her his glasses a short time later, and she reached for the magnifying feature. Zooming in, she saw the body partially covered by a blue police tent. A shield against the elements.
"What are your thoughts on it, Professor Haibara?" Shinichi teased as she huffed in annoyance.
"It might not be accurate, but according to the state of the body, it has been floating around for a few days, a minimum of eight."
"Eight?"
"It is spring, so ocean temperatures will likely be around 15 degrees. Although typical post-mortem symptoms occur, such as vascular scarring and skin tissue darkening, the body's decomposition is significantly delayed in salty cold seawater. The skin on her body is also noticeably wrinkled, a sign that the body has been submerged in water for a considerable period of time."
Yes, greenish in color, taking on an almost wax-like appearance. The temperature of the water and wave cycles had an effect on the body. The woman's once beautiful appearance was marred by shrinking wrinkles from decomposing skin.
She looked more like a prune than anything else, and Shiho winced at the sight of the pieces of meat missing around her lips, fingers, and extremities. It looks like sea scavengers, prawns, crabs, and the like, have been nibbling on her.
"My only guess is that she had been dumped from a height…into the ocean after she's been stabbed…or you know…punctured."
"So it would explain the abrasions around her legs and fingers and the slight dent," he thought for a moment, "She has been dragged by the strong current and slammed against rocks and the shoreline several times," Shinichi continued. Shiho nodded in agreement.
"After being killed, she was thrown into the ocean. It's unlikely that her neck puncture would have slowed down decomposition."
She examined the woman's bruised arms, legs, and body, which appeared slightly bloated. "Decomposition would produce gas, and the body would float upside down in the water. Eventually, it would drift along with the currents and—"
"Be found."
"In any case, we can confirm two aspects," Shiho takes off the glasses and hands them back to the boy. "Firstly, the woman was murdered, the cause of death was probably blood loss from the neck wound, and the second..."
"It transpired many days ago," Shinichi finished, contemplating the situation.
The information gathered was little. Yet it was enough for the shrunken detective. She could practically see the gears in Shinichi's head spinning as he tried to comprehend it. Once again, the boy is able to deduce something she cannot fathom.
"That's interesting." They turned to find Inspector Satou regarding them with curious eyes. She bent down. Brown chestnut eyes focused on theirs. "Could you tell me more?"
She exchanged glances with Shinichi, who responded in kind. Seriously? She mouths, and he gives a resigned shrug with an apologetic half-smile. Letting out a sigh, she gestures to her body.
"It's called cutis anserina," she presented her hands, using them as an example. "Whereas it is commonly known as goosebumps, in forensic science, it is known as goose skin."
"Goose skin?"
"Yes, let us consider the example of a long bath. After soaking in a tub for a while, you would find your fingers all wrinkled and bumpy in appearance," she continued.
"Similarly, bodies that have been in the water for a long time also suffer this fate. Decomposition sets in, and the skin starts to turn blackish-green. With time, the skin would slough or, in simple terms, peel. But, it takes a long time for it to occur in the water."
"That would explain the mangled appearance of the otherwise intact body," Satou-san muttered, and Shiho agreed.
"Nevertheless, why would you suspect the body had been dropped from a height?"
"At this point, it's speculation," Shinichi was thinking deeply once more. "But judging from the abrasions and traces left on the body, we can deduce that the impact was immense. Significant enough to leave a slight dent on—"
"The left side of her temple."
Clearly impressed by both of them, the inspector woman looked at them with a strange mix of surprise and respect.
"Have you ever considered joining the police force when you are older?"
"Why not hire him today?" Shiho could only scoff at the notion. "He will bring the cases to you. You would never run out of corpses."
"Haibara," Shinichi pursed his lips in disdain.
"Are you two truly children?"
"We do have the appearance, so yes," Shiho responded, and Shinichi gave a nervous laugh.
An eyebrow was raised at their response.
"In any case," the pixie-haired woman looks at the ocean. Shiho followed her gaze, "This is the fourth body found in the last three months."
"Fourth?" Shinichi inquired, and the woman nodded.
"All found on the beach decomposing and floating in the water for days, not drowned, but—"
Satou-san gestured toward her neck.
"With a hole in their neck, right in the middle."
"A hole, didn't the victims struggle, shouldn't there be evidence?" Shinichi continued, and the inspector shuddered.
"That's the problem, Conan-kun."
The woman's eyes held a haunting look when she turned toward them.
"The murder weapon has yet to be determined or found. It's almost as if," Satou-san points to the protruding structure of a small Isonade statue.
"The myths are real."
Episodes used in this chapter:
Movie 4 :D The line in itself is a masterpiece.
And I present to you a case steeped in Japanese folklore. I have taken some liberties with the creature.
The story though is something I've made up. However, Isonade does exist in Japanese folklore. It's a shark-like creature that attacks boats in the Oceans. Pretty interesting if you ask me.
The phrase: There are dead bodies buried under the cherry trees.
Is a famous Japanese literary phase coined by Motojiro Kajii. He was a famous up-and-coming author and is well-known for his works such as Lemon. Unfortunately, he died young. If he had lived, I'm pretty sure he would have produced more wonderful masterpieces. His life, though short, was like the cherry blossoms, fleeting, a little disturbing, but also very beautiful.
I hope you've enjoyed this chapter :D Thank you for all the support and reviews. See you in the next chapter :D