His uncle had a point.

‘If you don’t want to take it, just think of it as a loan. You can return it to me the next time we meet.’ Uncle Hidetoshi stood up. ‘I’ve got to go. There’s a train leaving for Tokyo at five in the afternoon. There should be plenty of seats available. Just be careful. Don’t trust anyone.’

‘All right.’

‘When you call your mother, send my regards to her.’

‘I will.’

‘But don’t call too early. Give it a couple of weeks.’

‘Got it.’

He paused. ‘And one more important thing. I think it’s best not to contact me for now. There are many ears in the office.’

‘I understand.’

‘Oh, also …’ Uncle Hidetoshi scratched his neck. ‘Today is Christmas, so Merry Christmas. That’s what young people say to each other, isn’t it?’

Shoji realised only now that it was 25 December.

AKAKAWA DAILY

Human Body Parts Found near Aka River

25 DECEMBER 1995

Akakawa, Japan. The police have found a severed right hand and a left foot near Aka River over the weekend. The two body parts were recovered two kilometres apart after a jogger reported seeing the hand on Saturday morning. The fingernails were painted with turquoise nail polish. The police have yet to determine the identity of the remains but they are presumed to belong to a female.

‘We’re still combing the area to look for any other body parts,’ Chief Inspector Tanaka from Akakawa Police said. ‘We’re also going through missing persons reports for potential leads. Rest assured, we’re working hard to solve this case.’

Initial findings suggest that the victim was recently deceased. The circumstances surrounding the death are as yet unknown.

The body parts are being sent to the forensic department to confirm if they are from the same person and to determine the cause of death and the identity of the victim. Foul play is suspected, but the police are quick to dismiss the possibility of serial murder.

‘It’s likely to be an isolated incident,’ Chief Inspector Tanaka said. ‘Akakawa is a safe town, though we should remain vigilant at all times.’

Aka River divides Akakawa in half and gives the town its name. The river is famous for the old maple trees that flank the water. Tourists and locals flock to the area in autumn to enjoy the brilliant red foliage.

LIYUN
丽云

CHAPTER 12

UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

Tokyo, 1995. Following Uncle Hidetoshi’s advice, Shoji got off the train in Shinjuku and called Jin at their old apartment from a public payphone. No one answered, so he tried Jin’s family home instead. Good thing the phone number was similar to his family number in Fukuoka, so he could remember it off the top of his head.

Jin finally picked up.

‘It’s me,’ Shoji said, ‘I just arrived in Tokyo. I need your help.’

‘Ah,’ Jin said, a little too loudly. ‘Did you get into trouble?’

‘Why do you ask that?’

‘A few days ago, some men in suits came and asked for you.’ Jin sounded uneasy. ‘They didn’t look like your typical yakuza, but they were not friendly.’