‘It was gruesome, like a scene from a budget horror movie. His bodyguards were shot, but he was drowned. His head forcefully submerged in a toilet bowl.’ She paused, lacing her fingers together. ‘They could’ve shot him like the rest, but they didn’t. They wanted him to die slowly and in agony. They took pleasure in watching him struggle in vain.’ She lowered her head. ‘I heard that he soiled himself.’

An image of Mr Katou flashed into Shoji’s mind. His eyes bulged out and his mouth gaped as if he were still screaming for help. His body had turned cold and stiff, his complexion had lost its vitality. Bodily fluids wetted his trousers.

‘The police never caught the murderers,’ Mizuki said. ‘We more or less knew it was the work of one of his business rivals. The problem is, there are so many of them, it’s hard to pinpoint who did it.’ She bit her lip. ‘For the first time in my life, I pitied him.’

‘It must have been difficult for you.’

She stared off into the distance. ‘Even though we didn’t love each other.’

‘Then why were you with him?’

‘Fate, perhaps?’ Her voice was small. ‘I suppose he was fond of me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to the marriage. But it was a business transaction. My family are well respected in the community.’

‘You should’ve left him a long time ago. You’ve suffered too much.’

Mizuki went quiet and stared at her fingers. The silence made Shoji uneasy. Through the glass behind her, he saw a group of students walk past, chattering with each other and bursting into laughter.

‘Everything is fine now,’ she eventually said, ‘I don’t dwell on the past.’

Shoji nodded, realising too late he had reopened an old wound. ‘I’m glad you finally found your Giant.’

Her face lit up. ‘You know about that too.’

‘He’s the reason I managed to find you.’

‘What are you?’ she said, laughing. ‘A private detective?’

Her remark flustered him. ‘No, nothing like that.’ He paused. ‘I’m a journalist now.’ Though it would be nice if he could afford to hire a private detective.

‘That’s great,’ Mizuki said, nodding a few times. ‘That was what you wanted to do?’

‘Yeah. Kind of,’ Shoji said. ‘So, you’re his secretary, and the professor’s wife?’

‘The professor’s wife?’ Mizuki chuckled. ‘No, you’re mistaken. I’m not married to Professor Goda. I’m just his secretary.’

‘Ah, I see,’ Shoji murmured, unsure of what to say. ‘But that can’t be a coincidence.’

She reached for her glass and took a sip of water. ‘It’s a long story.’

‘Why don’t you tell me?’ he said.

‘Just like old times?’ Mizuki returned his gaze. ‘Well, if you insist.’

26 Mizuki Harada

CHAPTER 26

MIZUKI HARADA