Think, Shoji. Think.

He sharpened his ears and searched for more clues. Noise … sounds … He could hear faint music playing in the background. A string orchestra. The tearoom? No, the song wasn’t one of the usual ones. Shoji knew all of them by heart.

‘Mr Arai, I know you’re a good person,’ the man said. ‘Unlike the scum I took care of, you had noble intentions.’

His stomach knotted. ‘What did you do to Mr Odagiri?’

The man took his time to answer. ‘I put him back where he belongs. He’s a rat, isn’t he? A particularly nasty one too. Where do you think rats should be?’

‘Let him go.’

A chuckle followed. ‘Do you really believe that scum is going to expose the truth through the press?’ A long silence ensued. ‘No, that was never going to happen. Toru Odagiri has never sold a single article. He is a scammer and a blackmailer. He sniffs out the dirty secrets of rich and famous people to extort a handsome sum, often with help from well-meaning, gullible people.’

Shoji clenched his fists.

The man continued, ‘In my younger days, I used to be like you. Naïve, eager to help. Or, should I say, reckless?’ The man laughed, seemingly amused at himself. ‘But then I grew up. Are you starting to regret your actions now?’

Shoji cleared his throat. It was still bothering him, who the voice belonged to. ‘Who are you?’

‘Let’s set a ground rule here. Number one, absolutely no questions.’

Shoji ignored him. ‘Who sent you? Was it Mr Katou? Or Madam?’

‘Mr Arai, you should stop now before my patience runs out. Do you understand?’

Shoji didn’t respond. He didn’t want to play by this man’s rules.

‘Let’s cut to the chase.’ The man’s tone became stern. ‘What happened today is the beginning. More incidents are going to come your way if you stay in Akakawa. But I am not an unreasonable man. I can understand why you did what you did, however foolish. If you leave this town and never tell anybody what you know, you’ll be safe. But you have to leave everything — and everyone — behind you.’

He thought of Yoko. Was she still at work, or …?

‘Where is Yoko?’ Shoji demanded. ‘If you dare touch her, I —’

The man hushed him. ‘She’s safe. She doesn’t know anything, and she didn’t break any rules. If you stay away from her, she’ll be fine.’

‘Let me see her.’

‘I’m afraid that’s not possible. It is too dangerous for both of you. She is not a target yet, but she could become one if the company thinks she has acted with you.’

As much as he hated to admit it, Shoji knew the man was right. This bastard.

‘She’ll be safe as long you do as I say. Go somewhere far away and don’t look for her. You’re still young. You’ll move on.’

The man stopped talking. The music had stopped too.