Kouichi read the entire February 13, 1976 edition of the newspaper, However, he could not satisfy his curiosity so he reached for the next edition.
February 20, 1976 Yomiyama Shinbun.
"Sicilian Mafia in our city?"
The entire article was about the murder of Anthony Malgheri - owner of Messina restaurant in Yomiyama.
Malgheri himself was born in 1935 in Sicily, however, before the war, he emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1939.
Before arriving in Japan in 1970, he lived most of his life in Elizabethburg and Santiago del California.
Further, Sakakibara read that Malgheri had restaurants in these cities, however, local mafia families demanded that he pay tribute.
As a result, he left for Japan.
The whole article seemed strange to Kouichi, so he looked at the authors of both articles.
February 13 - Hiroshi Sasaki and Takanori Sakuragi
February 20 - Maiko Mishima and Isao Nagata.
Kouichi analyzed both editions of the newspapers until 2 a.m., when he decided to go to bed.
Within a week, Kouichi read all the newspaper articles he got from Sanae.
Between 1974 and 1977, 15 people were killed, most of whom belonged to the former aristocratic clans of Hironiwa and Minamiyashiki.
After two weeks had passed, Mei returned to school.
Kouichi, seeing a full class, wanted to ask again his classmates, but he thought he would be seen as mentally ill or delusional.
But he made friends with Sakuragi, Sakakibara felt that Yukari was one of the friendlier people and she would definitely help him.
Kouichi and Yukari were returning home together when Kouichi asked her.
Kouichi: I heard a rumor recently…
This is probably some kind of urban legend, but I would like to know.
Sakuragi was a little anxious, but she didn't get carried away by her emotions.
Kouichi: Well, How to say it to you...
Why is the name Misaki associated with death?
Yukari: Just don't say it anymore! Please!
I know it's probably just a rumor or an urban legend, but I'd rather not have any problems related to it...
Kouichi: Better safe than sorry huh?
Yukari: Y-yes, can we change the topic?
Kouichi: Okay, so can I ask you a question?
This may be a strange question, but I was reading old newspapers from a friend of mine, and I really liked Takanori Sakuragi's articles, are you related perhaps?
Yukari saddended significally
Yukari: I don't want to talk about it...
Kouichi: Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know that it would be a sensitive topic for you…
Yukari: You know what thanks to you for walking together Sakakibara-kun, but I think I'll continue on my own, see you later.
Kouichi: Okay…
Kouichi realized that he had touched on a very sensitive topic.
He was afraid that Sakuragi might start avoiding him from now on.
Sakakibara even thought about stopping to explore the Class 3-3 mystery and the 1970s murders.
However, he saw Naoki talking to someone, this made him realize that he couldn't be a ghost since others were talking to him.
Sakakibara ran up to Naoki and his friend.
Kouichi: Misaki-kun! Can I ask a question?
Naoki looked at Sakakibara with pure hate and contempt
Naoki: What?
Kouichi: Let me be brief, are you a ghost?
And can your friend see you too?
Ayato: I'm Ayato Anju, nice to meet you.
Naoki: Well, me and my sister are dead to our class because of our last name.
Kouichi: But please explain why?
Ayato: Then you haven't heard the story about Misaki yet?
Naoki: Fine, tell him Ayato.
Kouichi: Which Misaki is it about?
Ayato: Well, there was a student at Naoki's school in the 1970s, her name was Misaki, and supposedly she appeared as a ghost from her death until the end of the class.
I don't even go there, so I don't know.
There are many versions of this story.
Naoki: Satisfied?
Ayato: Don't be so hostile to him...
What's your name?
Kouichi: Kouichi Sakakibara, I'm Naoki's classmate.
Ayato: I'm Ayato Anju, I go to grade 1-3 in Yomiyama South, so I'm the same age as you and Misaki-kun.
Oh.. You are his classmate..
Kouichi: Well yes, and?
Naoki: He was asking for it himself.
Ayato: What are you going to do Naoki?
Naoki: Nothing, I'm just stating facts.
Kouichi: What did I seem to be asking for?
Naoki: You'll soon see.
The next day, Kouichi finally decided to talk to Mei.
He met her on the school roof as she was painting a picture.
Kouichi: Hi Misaki-san..
Mei just looked at him.
Kouichi: Feeling better yet?
Mei nodded.
Kouichi: Do you know why your brother is absent today?
Mei: I am an only child.
Kouichi: So you and Naoki are just a coincidence of names?
Mei: He lives under the same roof with me, but we are not siblings, not even related.
Kouichi: May I ask you why he bears the same name as you?
Mei: No, only I and a narrow group of people know his true identity, for you and the rest of the people outside this circle, his name is Naoki Misaki, and you are to address him as such.
Unless he trusts you.
Kouichi: Oh, okay…
May I ask why you and Naoki are shunned by the entire class?
I heard the entire story about Misaki, but…
Is your surname really related to that urban legend?
Mei: No, it's not.
However, there is a rule in this class, and a phenomenon that cannot be logically explained.