[X] Push her further. She must be almost ready to stand down. If she surrenders, she can likely prevent her familiar from causing any further harm to anyone.
-[X] 'You need rest, and your sister deserves a proper funeral, with her sister present. But first, there must be no further deaths. Please banish your familiar. Your sister would not want responsible for innocent lives should it run wild. We can assist as you require. Then tomorrow, the scales of justice will be balanced.'
i was gonna make my own write in but life happened and i forgot. now it feels too late lol
[X] Push her further. She must be almost ready to stand down. If she surrenders, she can likely prevent her familiar from causing any further harm to anyone.
-[X] 'You need rest, and your sister deserves a proper funeral, with her sister present. But first, there must be no further deaths. Please banish your familiar. Your sister would not want responsible for innocent lives should it run wild. We can assist as you require. Then tomorrow, the scales of justice will be balanced.'
It would be so easy - for both of you - to close the distance and draw your sword in the same motion, and end this witch's life. No one would judge you for it, not your companions or your superiors in the Office. There is enough stacked against Nishio that you could even easily convince yourself - you could sleep well tonight with the thought that you had ended a threat to the city and saved this young woman from what might be an inevitable and painful execution.
But you untense your muscles. Your hand drifts away from the general vicinity of your blades. You stare Nishio Teruko in the eyes.
"It must have been a long time since you slept, Teruko." A pause, as she stares at you, digesting your words. You understand - she had fully expected you to take the opening she offered. "I think there are a lot of things speaking right now - exhaustion, grief, and the spiritual contamination of your magic - but none of them are Sani's sister."
"You told me Sani would know what to do, Teruko. Would Sani want you to sacrifice yourself? She would leave no one to remember her, no one to care for her memory! You said your parents and brothers ceased to care for her. You are now the only one left in this world who does."
Teruko's laugh has less of that shrill edge, a touch more warmth. "Careful, Inspector. I know what you are leading me towards. You didn't know Sani at all. Are you sure she would want me to stop my quest? Maybe she was a vicious, vengeful person, who would tell me to stop at nothing to avenge her death."
You shake your head. "I don't think so, Teruko. You're clearly very smart and very capable. I don't think you'd give so much of yourself in the service of someone like that."
Teruko wipes her face. "She wasn't perfect, you know. Far from it. But-"
"She was your sister."
"Yes." Teruko pauses one long, terrible moment. "Hachi," she says. "You can come out now."
You look on, trying to maintain your composure, as the centipede emerges from the shadows.
It's bigger, is your first thought.
And it seems that Amaya was not the only one who, upon seeing your chokuto, thought of the Kusanagi blade.
The creature has been split apart halfway through its distorted trunk into winding 'necks' that sport venom-dripping heads - you do not have to count them to know that there are eight. The creature seems awkward, but you can feel its hungry, greedy intent like the venom that drips from its jaws, leaving smoking holes in the dirty wooden floor below. You have a feeling it remembers you trying to kill it - and it hates that you stand so close to its master.
The creature would cover half the lower floor if spread out, but instead it coils around its master like a serpent around a tree. She lays a hand on one of the heads, with misty-eyed affection.
"I think it's time for you to sleep," Teruko says, and holds her hands together, incanting something under her breath.
The centipede cranes itself to look at her in alarm, twining further around her, almost uncomfortably, but Teruko remains steady, and after a moment, it slumps down. She kneels down and strokes the head softly, and looks up at you. "Will he… will you…?"
"We cannot let him loose." It was like a mad dog, you supposed. There had to be a solution. But maybe death was not the only one. "Urakama brought something to try to contain a spirit, and Amaya might have other ideas."
"He did what he did to make me happy." She rose and brushed side a tear. "I wish it had worked."
You step forward and extend a hand, and she takes it, as you help her out of the building, leaving shadows in your wake.
—
There is a great deal of work to do in the aftermath.
The sake house is cleared away. Teruko's workshop is in a basement. There is nothing pleasant found there, but there is at least no evidence that she sacrificed any humans other than herself. There remains the question of what to do with Hachi, deftly captured by Urakama while it slept.
"It's a horrible murderous multi-headed creature made in the image of a monster of legend." Urakama complains. "We should simply bury the bottle or stow it in some vault somewhere. I'm sure the Office has one."
"It is irresponsible for us to leave Hachi as a problem for someone in the future," Amaya says. "Besides, it is a spirit. It belongs in a shrine, where we can take care of it properly."
"It started its life as a thief and turned into a man-eating monster," Urakama says.
"It started life as an animal," Amaya said. "But many spirits start life as animals. Some gain their power from living well and long, but the source of Hachi's empowerment is of no matter. It is a kami now."
"The witch fed him on human blood and flesh! She sacrificed a piece of her soul to it! You want to take the risk that it might have developed a taste for more?"
"All spirits have a beneficent side and and a more… forceful one. Storms bring rain, but rain can lead to floods, and clouds bring lightning too. The earth nourishe our rice, but at times the earth will lash out with earthquakes and mudslides. To guide spirits towards peace, that is one of the prime roles of our shrines. We will not flinch from the challenge."
Chief Ito finally steps in. "If Amaya's shrine wants the bottled demon, they can have it. Maybe they can accomplish something with it; if not, a shrine is one of the safer places it can be kept."
Urakama throws her hands in the air. "Well, don't come to me if the damn thing escapes and murders people again!"
"We'd pay double your usual rate," Ito said drily.
"...on second thought, the shrine sounds like a great idea. Now, tell me about this haunted shogi set…"
—
The funeral is sparsely attended. Amaya leads the procession, a pair of shrine maidens assist her. Urakama is there, despite her protests during the days leading up to it, her hair tassels in mourning colors. Of course Teruko is the guest of honor, so to speak - her robe hung with prayer strips, her wrists bound, with a strong-bodied young guardsman to help her walk - the effects of her sacrifice to Hachi have not faded and likely never will. But rice, fish and sleep have put color back into her cheeks and her hair no longer looks ready to fall out. The bitterness in her voice is still there, but much lessened from her speeches to you at the sake house.
Interrogation revealed the location of Sani's body, however, at this date it was too decayed for many of the traditional rights to take place - the washing and cleaning, the wetting of the lips. The full Shinto rites would take place over days (a reason why the Buddhist or mixed versions are more popular) and there is no political will to make that happen.
However, Amaya leads the ceremony on ground outside the shrine proper, which has been ritually purified. Teruko's body was quietly cremated before the ceremony, and the ashes and bones are brought forth. Teruko places the bones in the urn which will contain them, a plain but serviceable thing. You are glad that Teruko does not ask that you assist her in this. The shrine provided the offerings of rice and sake that were meant to appease Sani's spirit.
Teruko recites a death poem. You are no judge of poetry, but it is clear that the emotions are heartfelt. Teruko's body was quietly cremated beforehand, and Teruko ceremoniously places the bones from the pile of ashes into an urn. Amaya prays calmly before a wooden tablet marked with Sani's name and a prayer for her spirit, which is reverently wrapped in cloth and held with the rest of Teruko's meager effects. As is Shinto tradition, this will hold Sani's spirit, so it can serve as a guardian and small kami for the Nishio family.
Buddhist tradition, of course, says that the spirit moves on and will reborn into a new life, and Amaya recites prayers to this effect as well. This is contradictory, but so is much about spiritual matters. Perhaps you would understand, if you devoted your life to contemplation of these things. As it is, you simply accept it.
Later, you visit Teruko in her cell. Thanks to your recommendation, she has been placed in a kinder facility than a public jail with dozens of other inmates. However, it is no less well-guarded, and you see the ward-strips that have been placed around her living quarters. You almost reach out to touch one, but think better of it.
Teruko looks better. She still walks with a crutch - she will bear the effects of her sacrifice for the rest of her life, however long that is. But rice and fish have put color back into her cheeks and her hair no longer looks ready to fall out. Anger has transformed into weariness, and she smiles sadly at you. "The funeral was all that it should have been. Thank you."
That was a kind way to describe the meager ceremony. "I'm glad we were able to arrange it. I understand there were arguments between the Chief, the magistrate and the shrine, even with Amaya's approval." She nods acceptance of that fact.
You fix her gaze with your own. "I am here to offer you a deal, Teruko."
"And why would I be offered a deal?"
You almost wince. She's sharp. "The magistrate's office has little interest in making Sani's case public, nor bringing harsh punishment against the proprietess. Her business license will be revoked, permanently. As for the Azai son," you resist the urge to flinch, "he will be handled quietly. He will be disinherited, and exiled to an island for hard labor for seven years."
You do not flinch as she meets your gaze. This is life under the shogunate. "Justice" is what makes the coin and rice flow, brings people to Edo to spend their silver and gold, keeps order in the streets, keeps the daimyos from raising armies. You leave the other part unspoken, for you both know it. If she does not take this deal, the alternative is a trial, which will almost certainly result in a conviction, and likely execution after. The public is sympathetic to tales of revenge, but the forty-seven Ronin were not allowed to survive once their quest was completed, and murder by magic has a special distaste.
"Tell me your offer."
What have Kinjo and the Office bargained for?
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] Urakama has need of an apprentice shopkeeper. You could take a position under her, under parole from our Office. You would be closely watched and required to bear spiritual wards to restrict your power - it would be a restricted life and I can offer no guarantees as to your future.
[x] One of the court onmyoji has expressed an interest in your work with Hachi. In return for agreeing to have him watch you, answering any questions you have, and giving him access to all your works and cooperation with his studies, he could take you as a concubine. You would be physically pampered and have a certain amount of status and freedom within your role.
[x] You can be permanently severed from Hachi, in a manner such that any powers you have remaining will likely be crippled. You will be banished from Edo. You can return home to your family, or go anywhere else you like, and live a normal life in which you make your own meaning.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] You can be permanently severed from Hachi, in a manner such that any powers you have remaining will likely be crippled. You will be banished from Edo. You can return home to your family, or go anywhere else you like, and live a normal life in which you make your own meaning.
Exile. Very bakufu, very "neat" in tidying things up for the bureaucratic higher-ups, and, in what's appealing to me personally, very much a reflection of the Azai's own sentence.
But you untense your muscles. Your hand drifts away from the general vicinity of your blades. You stare Nishio Teruko in the eyes.
"It must have been a long time since you slept, Teruko." A pause, as she stares at you, digesting your words. You understand - she had fully expected you to take the opening she offered. "I think there are a lot of things speaking right now - exhaustion, grief, and the spiritual contamination of your magic - but none of them are Sani's sister."
"You told me Sani would know what to do, Teruko. Would Sani want you to sacrifice yourself? She would leave no one to remember her, no one to care for her memory! You said your parents and brothers ceased to care for her. You are now the only one left in this world who does."
Teruko's laugh has less of that shrill edge, a touch more warmth. "Careful, Inspector. I know what you are leading me towards. You didn't know Sani at all. Are you sure she would want me to stop my quest? Maybe she was a vicious, vengeful person, who would tell me to stop at nothing to avenge her death."
You shake your head. "I don't think so, Teruko. You're clearly very smart and very capable. I don't think you'd give so much of yourself in the service of someone like that."
Teruko wipes her face. "She wasn't perfect, you know. Far from it. But-"
"She was your sister."
"It started its life as a thief and turned into a man-eating monster," Urakama says.
"It started life as an animal," Amaya said. "But many spirits start life as animals. Some gain their power from living well and long, but the source of Hachi's empowerment is of no matter. It is a kami now."
"The witch fed him on human blood and flesh! She sacrificed a piece of her soul to it! You want to take the risk that it might have developed a taste for more?"
"All spirits have a beneficent side and and a more… forceful one. Storms bring rain, but rain can lead to floods, and clouds bring lightning too. The earth nourishe our rice, but at times the earth will lash out with earthquakes and mudslides. To guide spirits towards peace, that is one of the prime roles of our shrines. We will not flinch from the challenge."
Chief Ito finally steps in. "If Amaya's shrine wants the bottled demon, they can have it. Maybe they can accomplish something with it; if not, a shrine is one of the safer places it can be kept."
Urakama throws her hands in the air. "Well, don't come to me if the damn thing escapes and murders people again!"
"We'd pay double your usual rate," Ito said drily.
"...on second thought, the shrine sounds like a great idea. Now, tell me about this haunted shogi set…"
The funeral is sparsely attended. Amaya leads the procession, a pair of shrine maidens assist her. Urakama is there, despite her protests during the days leading up to it, her hair tassels in mourning colors. Of course Teruko is the guest of honor, so to speak - her robe hung with prayer strips, her wrists bound, with a strong-bodied young guardsman to help her walk - the effects of her sacrifice to Hachi have not faded and likely never will. But rice, fish and sleep have put color back into her cheeks and her hair no longer looks ready to fall out. The bitterness in her voice is still there, but much lessened from her speeches to you at the sake house.
You fix her gaze with your own. "I am here to offer you a deal, Teruko."
"And why would I be offered a deal?"
You wince. She's sharp. "The magistrate's office has little interest in making Sani's case public, nor bringing harsh punishment against the proprietess. Her business license will be revoked, permanently. As for the Azai son," you resist the urge to flinch, "he will be handled quietly. He will be disinherited, and exiled to an island for hard labor for seven years."
You do not flinch as she meets your gaze. This is life under the shogunate. "Justice" is what makes the coin and rice flow, brings people to Edo to spend their silver and gold, keeps order in the streets, keeps the daimyos from raising armies. You leave the other part unspoken, for you both know it. If she does not take this deal, the alternative is a trial, which will almost certainly result in a conviction, and likely execution after. The public is sympathetic to tales of revenge, but the forty-seven Ronin were not allowed to survive once their quest was completed, and murder by magic has a special distaste.
It really sucks but this is a feudal land and Teruko did kinda go pretty out of hand with her revenge.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
This gives her a method to build a life for herself.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
I was about to send her home to her family, before i realized that wait no, a lot of this was their fault from the lack of support.
Loving how kind and wise the mc is coming accross as right now.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
There's multiple instances during the funeral where "Sani" has been replaced by "Teruko", I think, such as here
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
There's multiple instances during the funeral where "Sani" has been replaced by "Teruko", I think, such as here
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered. And perhaps one day you can see Hachi again.
[x] Amaya has agreed to arrange for you to take a role at her shrine as a novice. It will be a simple life of spiritual contemplation and hard service, but perhaps it will soothe the wounds to your soul you have suffered.
"A space has been made for you," you say. "At Amaya's shrine. They will agree to take you on as a novice."
"A shrine maiden?" Teruko almost laughs. "I thought one had to be spiritually pure for that."
"Perhaps that's what one is supposed to achieve after meditation, training and cleansing," you say. "Not what one is supposed to be going in."
"That doesn't sound quite right."
You shrug, indicating your lack of interest and training in such esoteric matters. "Amaya is… interested in Hachi. She believes that he can be… cured? Cleansed? I am not sure of the right word. But she is interested in working with him, for he is a kami now."
"How strange. I thought I had created a demon."
"I suppose the difference between kami and yokai may depend on who you ask." You say. "Maybe after your studies, you can explain it to me, or the lack thereof."
"He would not be my familiar, then," she says carefully.
"I don't think you would be trusted with command of him again, Teruko," you say as kindly as you can.
"No, no I suppose I wouldn't either."
"But perhaps, one day, you will see the what he becomes." And perhaps he will see you, you think.
"I… would like that. And the rest - the washing of floors and clothing, the hours of meditation and prayer… well. It is better than death." She sighs. "Though i expect I may not think so, all the time."
And so it is done. Hachi is sent to the shrine, still in his bottle, to be supplicated and propitiated by hopefully-wise priests. Teruko goes too, clad in the red and white of a miko.
You follow up on the remaining details. The murderous scion is officially disinherited. You watch the man depart; his eyes follow you even as the boat floats away, burning with fury. You suspect that once he arrives, he will find himself in a more pampered position than that of a common laborer, but you take comfort in his humiliation nonetheless.
"You're a hard man, Inspector," Azai Motogake, the boy's father, says, blowing into a pipe. "Making a man give up his son."
You stare up at the larger man - his build is enough to rival the chief's. "I found the truth, and saw to it that justice was done." Not true, you think.. In a just world, the young man would have been placed in an executioner's hands.
"Justice," Motogake laughs. "I hope you choke on your justice. I hope you know what it's like someday, to have something you cherish ripped away from you." He leaves then, doing all but spitting on the ground at your feet.
You don't respond, just watch the ship a little longer, and listen to the calls of the birds in the harbor. Eventually, Motogake leaves, dumping ash from his pipe on your feet. You ignore him, and leave yourself shortly after.
In your home, you light a stick of incense (a temple blend, not Seven Treasures) and offer a prayer of contemplation for Sani, and Teruko, and even Hachi. You have no skill in prayer, but you know it is as much for you as for them.
—
Hamuro pours tea for you, his movements as graceful as any geisha. You wonder about his history, his training, and how he found himself at a place like the Honeyed House. You do not ask, but you do watch. His face is a work of art, his body tantalizingly concealed under a more traditional kimono rather than the Western caricature he wore before. Somehow, his short-cut hair strikes the right note of exoticism with the elegant robe - this was a man who set fashions rather than followed them.
"Thank you," you say, accepting the tea. "I was surprised to see your invitation."
"I understand I have your courage and diligence to thank for my ascension to head of the House, Inspector Kinjo" Hamuro says. His voice strokes your name like a caress, while somehow still seeming entirely sincere. You fight to keep from blushing.
"Ah," is all you can say.
"You are not from the city, I understand," Hamuro follows. His voice, his manner, made it sound like it was something he had found by asking around about you, as though you were someone of interest, instead of simply listening to your accent. "I wondered, perhaps, if you already had a favored establishment here."
"I… do not." You take a sip of tea in vain hope it will somehow cover your entire face.
"You should consider it, Inspector Kinjo." Hamuro said. "For a man of your station, it might be wise to avoid entanglements. There is a clarity to our work, a simplicity, and I would ensure you were charged only the most reasonable rates. Unless you are Christian?" He looks up suddenly, as though the foreigner's religion was the only possible reason you would refuse.
"N-no," you stumble. There is no hiding a blush now.
"Of course, I didn't think so." Hamuro almost purrs. You suspect that if you had said you were a follower of a great underwater octopus god, Hamuro would have found a way to make it seem the most reasonable thing in the world. "There is another option, of course." He refilled your tea. "Some prefer a more personal arrangement. I would be open to it." As he sets the teapot down, robe revealing an expanse of pale skin, he looks directly at you.
The man is beyond attractive, and your morals are not such that you have any reason to refuse his company. But… "You knew some of what happened with Sani," you say.
"A terrible tragedy," Hamuro says, the first faint hint of hesitation you had detected in his voice this entire encounter.
"You helped her, I understand, by carrying letters for her." You pause, running a finger over the rim of the teacup.
"It was all I could do."
You look him in those deep, boundless eyes, with such promises in their depths. "Was it?" You ask.
It is not long after that you make your excuses and leave.
—
You dream of a wooden statue of a goddess, with a cracked-paint smile. You sense she showed you something, perhaps about your future, perhaps about your past, perhaps both. But you awaken feeling rested, and the day is unusually peaceful.
–
The puppet-maker looks up as you enter his workshop. Upon seeing the one accompanying you, he looks up further. And then some more.
"Master Ohashi," you say, "this is Tanue." You gesture to the man besides you, a mountain in human shape, wearing the rough clothes of a laborer or gangster - you know Tanue plays both roles as needed.
The massive man scratches his head as he looks down at the small puppet-maker. "This is a little strange… Kinjo said you were going to pay, right?"
The older man is already bringing out rice paper for sketching. "Yes! Assuming… I mean. you are…"
"...yeah." Tamue says. "I am." And with that, his broad features shift. His skin reddens, his brow thickens. His muscles bulge and he adds inches to his already impressive height. Fangs sprout from his mouth, his nails extend to talons. And, of most interest to the puppetmaker, two long horns sprout from his forehead, slightly curved, coming to a terribly sharp point.
"Oh my!" Mr. Ohashi cries. His cane clatters to the floor.
"Yeah, well, don't faint or nothin'-"
"Magnificent! Yes, I see! I see how to make it work." He is frantically recording Tamue's oni features, whirling from angle to angle.
Tamue can't help but preen under the attention, and Master Ohashi works on, even pulling out a piece of wood and starting to carve. You smile a little to yourself. It is good when people are appreciated for who they are.
—
A flurry of other tasks and appointments take your attention. You undergo an acupuncture session with Urakama, and take tea with Amaya. You train at the sword with Master Doryo. You patrol, deepening your understanding of Edo a little bit each day. You check out a dozen reports, mostly of the drafts-and-creaking-doors variety of spirit.
—
On another day, on another shore, you sit on the beach with Enya. Your lips meet in a caress. Everything is perfect.
In the distance, a ship of Western make sails against the sunset. You feel Enya tense besides you.
You don't ask why.
—
Some time after, you find yourself at Mume's stall once again. It is a gloomy morning in truth - the thick mists of the night before are not giving way easily to the morning suns, and there is a sense of unease, of whispers. You note fresh posters linin the walkways - there is another grand performance being planned, a new kabuki tale of love and betrayal that promises to stir ardor and delight the imagination of all who watch it.
"Kinjo!" Mume cries out. "You are looking well! I think the weather is agreeing with you!"
"Thank you, Mume!" You gesture at her array of skewered meats and vegetables. "What do you have for me today?"
"My nephew brought me a lovely crate of yams," she gestures. "And the catfish is always good. But here, why don't you try this?" She gestures at one particular skewer, which appears to have a whole fish on it. It looks unusual. The eyes are a bit bulbous, the skin dark. "The fishmonger said a school of them came in the harbor today. No one's seen anything quite like them before, but they're very tasty. Here, try!"
Do you eat the fish?
[] Yes
[] No
And here we transition from the first story arc to the second! I'm pretty pleased with how the first came out, all things considered. I have ideas for at least three arcs, so I'm setting completing those as a goal for myself for this quest, as a followup to "write the first arc." Thanks all for voting, commenting, and reading!
You shrug, indicating your lack of interest and training in such esoteric matters. "Amaya is… interested in Hachi. She believes that he can be… cured? Cleansed? I am not sure of the right word. But she is interested in working with him, for he is a kami now."
"How strange. I thought I had created a demon."
"I suppose the difference between kami and yokai may depend on who you ask." You say. "Maybe after your studies, you can explain it to me, or the lack thereof."
"He would not be my familiar, then," she says carefully.
"I don't think you would be trusted with command of him again, Teruko," you say as kindly as you can.
"No, no I suppose I wouldn't either."
"But perhaps, one day, you will see the what he becomes." And perhaps he will see you, you think.
"I… would like that. And the rest - the washing of floors and clothing, the hours of meditation and prayer… well. It is better than death." She sighs. "Though i expect I may not think so, all the time."
You follow up on the remaining details. The murderous scion is officially disinherited. You watch the man depart; his eyes follow you even as the boat floats away, burning with fury. You suspect that once he arrives, he will find himself in a more pampered position than that of a common laborer, but you take comfort in his humiliation nonetheless.
"You're a hard man, Inspector," Azai Motogake, the boy's father, says, blowing into a pipe. "Making a man give up his son."
You stare up at the larger man - his build is enough to rival the chief's. "I found the truth, and saw to it that justice was done." Not true, you think.. In a just world, the young man would have been placed in an executioner's hands.
"Justice," Motogake laughs. "I hope you choke on your justice. I hope you know what it's like someday, to have something you cherish ripped away from you." He leaves then, doing all but spitting on the ground at your feet.
