Chapter 7: A Virus of Silence (1):
Hiroshi's POV:
Ryūji was being taken to the police station to assist in the investigation, but it looks like he's the prime suspect.
Ryūji's POV:
"Takayama, help us in our investigation," says Det. Harashima, "you're accustomed to such things. How did you kill the person when you were together? In the Takayama Clan, you're considered an expert. Before it happened, Dr. Domyogi was injured. So, you killed that chap. Is it revenge or a curse? I don't believe in curses. What other things are you going to do important figures? Are you humanity to these things? Sit down. Try telling us. We're your elders and may be able to understand why you did it." I wasn't talking. "Stupid fool! Why won't you talk?" I still wasn't talking. "I'll take your statement." My partner attempts to write it down, but his hand was shaking.
Hiroshi's POV:
Chisuzu still isn't feeling too well. I then saw her walking. "Why did you get up," I asked, "you need to get some sleep!"
"I can go to school," says Chisuzu.
...
Mom and Dad say it's okay, but I'm not so sure. I drove her to school. "Are you sure you're okay," I asked, "let the teacher know if you don't feel well." She then walks.
"Hey Hiroshi," says Takanori. He's the son of a Forensics Doctor and Autopsy Surgeon that's friends with my dad. He looks up to me. "Takanori, can you do me a favor and keep an eye on my sister for me?"
"No problem," Says Takanori, "I heard about what happened. I'll keep her safe."
"Thanks," I said. I then walked back to the car, but I started thinking about what Ryūji said about telekinetic writing! The police grabbed him before he had a chance to tell me what the next thing to do is!
...
Face the VCR and use telekinetic writing to draw. If there are people with such powers, there must be books written on them. That's why I'm in the library. I started looking through a book. Only when you believe in its existance can the mystery be solved.
...
"Telekinetic writing? I've heard of such experts. You'd like to witness their powers?"
"Do they really have this special ability," I asked.
"What specifically are you referring to?"
"Face the VCR and use telekinetic writing to draw," I said.
"It's possible of course. This is like using telekinetic powers to move an object."
"Or even a human," I asked.
"Possible. But I don't know how or where it's done. There are inconveniences."
"You're referring to..."
"Crooks can use special powers to cheat."
"Can you demonstrate here," I asked.
"Do an experiment now?"
"Yes," I said.
"That might be a problem. Lots of energy is required in telekinetic writing, especially if it's a videotape. Come and see me a week later."
"Can we meet earlier," I asked.
"This doesn't work just because you want it to. If you want written on a light-sensitive film, we can do the experiment right away."
"Light-sensitive film," I asked.
"We'll try telekinetic writing. How'bout Hiro of Hiroshi?"
"Fine," I said.
...
I then met with Ryūji at the police station. "I heard a police officer acted strangely after talking to you," I said.
"You just came to say that," asks Ryūji.
"I have information on people who can do telekinetic writing," I said, "I found a guy who can write on tapes through telekinetic writing. We even had an experiment. He did it on a film. I wasn't convinced until I witnessed his special powers."
I showed him. "Hiro of Hiroshi," says Ryūji. He chuckled.
"What's so amusing," I asked.
"Was he kneeling on the floor when he did it," asks Ryūji, "there was a rug on the floor."
"How did you know," I asked.
"This isn't telekinetic writing," says Ryūji, "this is just making use of static electricity. Static electricity can be produced by rubbing your fingers in a dry environment. The human body can store static electricity. The rug prevents static electricity produced in the body from escaping. Once the pressure in the body hits 100,000 to 200,000 volts, it is easy to produce such an effect by using your fingers to write." I then sat down. "Don't be so depressed. There's someone who has such special powers."
"How do you know," I asked.
"This is like magic tricks," says Ryūji, "what is fake is regarded as real. The fake object needs qualities similar to the real object. Therefor, the real object may not look real."
"Who is it," I asked, "please tell me."
"If I have to," says Ryūji, "the game loses its fun."
"What?"
"I'll tell you on one condition," says Ryūji, "I hope you can bail me out."
"You know I can't do that," I said.
"That's fine, but I can't help you in here," says Ryūji, "the cops are starting their investigation by first checking on the poison of the Gebray plant. But this matter has nothing to do with poison. It can kill without leaving any traces. The police will understand that only a few days later. I wish to go back to the interesting game. Isn't that your wish too?"
"But how can I bail a suspect out," I asked.
"I'll give you a hint," says Ryūji, "the cop in charge of this case... Well, just report on his private life. Don't forget you're father's a journalist."
"You want me to ask my Dad to do such a filthy thing," I asked, "your dreaming."
"Do you have a choice," asks Ryūji. He then walks away.
...
I then exited and was being hounded by reporters. I then got in my car. I then started thinking about that tape. "Who is responsible," I asked.
...
I then talked to my dad. "Why do you want me to get dirt on a cop," asks Dad.
"I... just thought that would be a good story for you," I said.
My dad thinks. "It's nice to see you're finally putting that tape behind you," says Dad, "and staying away from that Ryūji! Your mother and I were starting to think he was a bad influence!"
"...Yeah..."
Dr. Domyoji's POV:
"Dr. Domyoji, come over here for a moment."
I then stood up. "Excuse me," I said.
...
"I heard some strange rumors. Prof. Aiyama was supposed to give a talk on the findings of myocardinal infraction at the symposium. Interestingly, he's asked that a member of our institute make the report."
"Surely not," I said.
"I didn't believe it at first. But I hope you can work hard on your research. I can't help too much. If you're not selected, you'll have to work even harder."
"I will," I said.
"About the autopsy. Come over and help. The body will be sent here tonight. People from other research institutes are taking part in this autopsy. We're counting on you."
"Sorry to have given you so much trouble," I said, "I'd like to start on the autoptsy right away once the body is here. The autopsy and the tests on mice are not related."
"Why do you say that?"
"Humans are not mice," I said, "although cause of death for both is myocardial infraction, the root of the attack isn't the heart. It was the head which triggered the attack. I spoke to a friend who's father is a reporter on this."
"You think this is related to the virus?"
"We can't eliminate that completely," I said.
"But no virus is found in the mice's blood."
"This is a new strain," I said, "it's not surprising who didn't detect it. The virus hides in the DNA cells and devours them. This is how the virus attacks. We need to examine the cells to destroy it."
"You're right."
"Whatever it is," I said, "we didn't expect that both humans and mice would have problems of the heart. Still, that is what happened."
"If this is really a new strain of virus, there's big trouble."
"Yes," I said.
Hiroshi's POV:
Det. Harashima's family doesn't have a skeleton in the cupboard. But something happened 3 years ago. His son who was in high school then took drugs. The officer in charge of the case was Harashima's junior. Harashima put pressure on him and the matter wasn't reported. Using that against him now will be going a bit too far.
...
"You want me to report on his private life," asks Dad.
"It wouldn't be a scandel," I said.
"I don't know about this," says Dad.
"Just trust me," I said.
...
Using it against him now will be going a bit too far. I then saw a little girl that reminded me of my sister.
...
I then drove to Chisuzu's school. "Chisuzu," I said.
"Hiroshi," asks Chisuzu.
"Let's go," I said.
...
I talked to the family and they all agreed to my road trip idea. "Good idea," says Dad.
"It would be nice to get away from it all," says Mom.
"We could see the country," says Rosanjin.
"And we all needed this," I said.
...
We were then on our road trip.
Ryūji's POV:
I was sitting there when Hiroshi's now ex came in. "Do you know Hiroshi," she asked, "do you know where he is now? He went on a road trip with his family today."
"How nice for him," I said.
"What have you done to him," asks Mayako, "he's been troubled about the videotape and even dumped me because of it! Tell me... What's in the tape? You should know it's content!"
"You're so interested," I said, "watch it yourself. If I tell you, you would not believe me. This is an interesting game. You can take part too. Do you want to play the game too?"
Hiroshi's POV:
We stopped at Aunt Chimari's place. She's a world famous chef. "What brings you all here," asks Aunt Chimari.
"It was my idea," I said, "I just thought it would be nice if we could all come over and see you."
"Well, this is nice," says Aunt Chimari.
...
The three of us were wathing TV while Mom and Dad were having a chat with Aunt Chimari. My phone then started ringing. I answered. It was Mayako. "Where are you," asks Mayako.
"We're just visiting with my aunt," I said.
"I talked to Ryūji Takayama," says Mayako.
"What," I asked.
"I know there's a big problem with the video tape," says Mayako.
"What did Takayama say to you," I asked.
"He told me to watch the tape," says Mayako.
"Don't do anything foolish," I said.
"He told me to join the interesting game," says Mayako.
"Listen, don't pay attention to what Takayama said," I said.
"It's kind of hard to take what you say seriously after you dumped me in a text," says Mayako, "so, I'm going to watch that tape!"
"How do you know where the tape is," I asked.
"I will find it," says Mayako, "I'll look for it at your place."
"How can you get into my place," I asked, "it's locked up."
"The tape troubles you," says Mayako.
"What did you say," I asked.
"I'll go to your place now to look for it," says Mayako.
"Listen," I said, "you'll die if you watch that tape!" She then hung up. "We have to go!"
"Is there a problem," asks Dad.
"Mayako's about to make the biggest mistake of her life," I said, "and we have to stop her!"
To Be Continued
In the next chapter, Hiroshi attempts to stop Mayako from watching that tape.