Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

Three days later, someone called Totsukawa. "It's from a young woman." Detective Nishimoto said in a joking tone. Totsukawa picked up the phone with a wry smile. "I'm Yayoi Shimazaki." There came the voice of a young woman. "Shimazaki? Oh——is it Miss Shimazaki who stayed with you on TGV?" "It's me. I have something to ask the Totsugawa Police Department, can I see you?" Yayoi said. "Is it important?" When asked about this, Yayoi said: "It's very important to me." "Then, please come here after get off work."

Totsukawa said. After 6 p.m., Yayoi came to Sakurada Gate. Totsukawa left Kamei behind and received her together. They took her to the tea room of the Metropolitan Police Department and ordered three cups of coffee. "If you have something to say, please do so." Totsukawa said to Yayoi. Yayoi didn't touch the coffee that was brought. "Please find him!" Suddenly, she yelled out loud. Totsukawa was taken aback. "He, who is he referring to?" "It's Ugaki." "Didn't he go to Southeast Asia?" "It should have left yesterday."

"Then you asked us to find him, isn't it a bit baffling?" Kamei asked. "He didn't go to Southeast Asia." "How do you know he didn't go?" Totsukawa asked. "It is expected to arrive in Manila yesterday afternoon. He will call me when he arrives. But he hasn't come until today." "Did he say he would definitely call?" "No. But he always calls from the hotel whenever he travels." "But, you and him are just friends, that's what Ugaki said." When Totsukawa said this, Yayoi shook his head. "He's embarrassed, he always says that to others."

"So, are you a lover?" "Well, I suppose so. He thinks so, too." Yayoi said with certainty. Totsukawa was confused. Which of the two is right?It didn't look like Yayoi was lying for a while.But maybe it was for the police to help find it, so they claimed to be lovers. "If Ugaki didn't go to Southeast Asia, where do you think he went?" Kamei asked. "I don't know. That's why I ask you to look for it." Yayoi said. "This is weird. Aren't you and Ugaki lovers? In case something happens and the plan to go to Southeast Asia is changed, shouldn't he contact you first?"

"It is because there is no contact that I am particularly worried!" Yayoi said. "Check it out." Totsukawa agreed.