Chapter 28 chapter Five

Kayako couldn't understand what the secret room collector said for a while. "I'm a prisoner, eh?—don't talk nonsense!" Qiu Sui was already laughing out loud. "I came all the way from Tokyo, and I don't know the person who was killed at all. Why am I a prisoner?" "Then, let me explain this next." While speaking, the Chamber of Secrets collector looked at Kayako. "Miss Kayako, you woke up in the ward after seven o'clock in the morning on January 3rd. Shortly thereafter, the sky began to snow—in other words, on January 3rd, it started to snow. The time for snow should be some time after seven o'clock in the morning?"

"Ok." The scene of white snow floating in the gloomy lead-colored sky, falling more and more, and then dyeing the surrounding area white, awakened in Kayako's heart. "But at the same time, the meteorological station announced a completely different snowfall time." "--what?" "According to the meteorological station, it started snowing in this area at ten o'clock in the morning on January 3rd. At seven and ten o'clock, Ms. Kayako and the meteorological station—the two have completely contradicted the snowfall time." "That's right, that's right!" Mukai yelled suddenly, "I remembered that when I was talking to Kayako in the police car, I did say that the weather station's forecast showed that it started snowing in this area from ten o'clock in the morning yesterday. , Such words are true, there is a contradiction in the snowfall time!"

"There is nothing suspicious about the testimony of the Meteorological Observatory. In other words, it can only be Ms. Kayako who is wrong." "—I, I didn't lie." A sudden accusation from the Chamber of Secrets makes Kayako nervous.At this moment, the Chamber of Secrets collector showed a kind smile on his face. "Of course, I don't think you lied about this matter. All my remarks are based on your innocence. In fact, you did not lie, but were misled by illusion." "illusion?" "Well. Actually, the day you woke up in the hospital was not January 3rd, but January 2nd."

"Number Two..." "Exactly, the day I woke up was not number three but number two. The number three that Noriko Kasaka said was just a lie. She claimed that she met you sleeping in the nearby forest at noon on the second day, but in fact The situation is that it turns out that your time is not noon on the 2nd but the night of New Year's Day. At the same time, the time you wake up is definitely not the morning of the 3rd, but the morning of the 2nd." "But, the time displayed on the phone..." "Noriko Kasaka set your cell phone time forward by one day in advance, then put it back in your handbag.

"And she didn't allow you to get out of bed under the pretext that your body has not fully recovered, but in fact she was aware of the fact that the date was wrong to prevent you from going out. "There is no nurse staying during the first month holiday, so no one can tell you the correct date; there is no TV in the ward, and you can't get it from the news. But then again, people who expect to commit suicide have just suffered a great shock in their hearts, and there will be no If you care about trivial matters in this world, of course it is impossible to watch TV news. Therefore, your chances of knowing the correct date are very low, and the judgment about the psychology of the suicide is definitely within the calculations of Noriko Kasaka.

"Kasaka Noriko would go to a nearby supermarket to buy milk, which is also regarded as giving you further illusions about the date. Ms. Kayako woke up at five o'clock in the afternoon on the day she seemed to go to the supermarket to buy milk; and the police's verification also confirmed that three days After five o'clock in the afternoon, Noriko Kasaka did buy milk at a nearby supermarket. From this point of view, the day Ms. Kayako woke up should be the third. "—But in fact, Kasaka Noriko did not go to the supermarket on the day Ms. Kayako woke up (that is, on the second day). She hid the milk outdoors in advance, and then pretended to be out shopping and brought the milk with her. Come back. In this season, the temperature outdoors is lower than that in the refrigerator, so you don’t have to worry about the spoilage of the milk.”

"—But if I wake up on the second day, isn't it very strange to wake up the next day on the fourth?" "So, you were once again misled by delusion. You did fall asleep on the night of the second, but you also fell asleep all day on the third, and finally woke up on the morning of the fourth." "Slept all day...?" "Exactly. The dinner you woke up to seemed to be a cream stew. Sleeping pills might have been put on your plate. It is also because of this that you can sleep all day. How much sleeping pills do you need to achieve? What about this effect? ​​Kasaka Noriko just has this kind of professional knowledge. You were woken up on the morning of the 4th with a splitting headache because you slept too much. If you are a man, you can tell how long you slept from the length of your beard , It’s a pity that you, as a woman, lack reminders in this regard. Of course, Noriko Kasaka didn’t forget to set your phone time back to normal.”

At this time Mukai opened his mouth: "However... suppose Kayako was really misled by Kasaka Noriko's illusion of a day's jet lag, but why would Kasaka Noriko do this?" "The reason for doing this is to forge an alibi. Kasaka Noriko is actually planning a crime. Her alibi trick is to use the illusion of this day. First spend a day with Kayako, and in the real January On the 3rd, let Kayako sleep for a whole day, and use this day to commit crimes. When the 4th wakes up, Kayako can’t detect the truth of the day. If there is a police inquiry, use Kayako’s mouth to prove that the two were in the same room the day before yesterday. Spend it together so that the alibi is established.

"The purpose of Kasaka Noriko asking Kayako to study with her is not to monitor a suicidal patient, but to ensure her own alibi." "So, what is the crime that Kasaka is planning?" Mukai asked further. "Murder uncle." "Murder uncle?" "Yesterday at noon on the 3rd, Kasaka Noriko's uncle Kasaka Mizu drowned in Hachinohe's own swimming pool, but in fact this was exactly the crime Kasaka planned. Kasaka Minori, who seemed to have slipped into the pool, actually had his head thrown into the water Drowning. Minoru Kasaka started running a large-scale real estate in the Tohoku area five years ago, and he can be said to be a great capitalist. Noriko Kasaka may have started planning to murder her uncle for the purpose of a large inheritance. Although it was finally resolved The accident, but there is still the possibility of being seen through, and Kasaka, as the heir, will definitely be suspected at this time. In order to guard against this, she needs an alibi from the day of the 3rd, so she misleads Kayako."

The Chamber of Secrets collector looked back at everyone. "—In this way, the mystery of the Snow Chamber is easily solved. "Kayako, who woke up on the morning of January 2, was misled by Noriko Kasaka using the illusion on the morning of the 3rd. "The snow began to fall at four o'clock in the afternoon. After five o'clock, Kasaka Noriko pretended to go to a nearby supermarket to buy milk, leaving footprints on the snow. Ms. Kayako had the illusion that the shoe prints were left at five o'clock in the afternoon on the 3rd. "That night, Kasaka asked Kayako to take sleeping pills during dinner and go to sleep.

"So on January 3rd, Kayako fell asleep just like that. "At ten o'clock in the morning, the second snowfall began, erasing the footprints of Kazaka from the previous day. "Kasaka Noriko walked out of the hospital in the early afternoon and went to Hachinohe to kill her uncle. It is not clear whether the time to go out was before or after ten o'clock, but no matter what, because the snowshoe prints at ten o'clock will be erased. And at noon, Uncle was killed in his own house. "On the other hand, at an unknown time, the prisoner walked into the hospital, because the snow kept falling and there were no footprints left. "Shortly after four o'clock in the afternoon, the snow started to stop. By chance, the snow stopped at about the same time as the second day the previous day. "After killing his uncle, Noriko Kasaka bought milk in a nearby supermarket after five o'clock in the afternoon, left shoe prints on the snow, and returned to the hospital. Around seven o'clock in the afternoon, the prisoners hiding in the hospital killed Kasaka, leaving behind footprints, out of the hospital. "What looks like Kasaka's back and forth footprints is actually composed of the footprints of Kasaka's return to the hospital and the prisoner's footprints of leaving the hospital. The shoe prints at the scene did not overlap with each other, so they were regarded as one person. The back and forth shoe prints are not surprising. Moreover, the prisoner probably wore the same type of boots as Noriko Kasaka. "Kayako, who fell asleep completely on the 3rd, woke up on the 4th morning, and police officer Mukai went to kill Kasaka. "The meteorological station forecast said that there will be no more snowfall after four o'clock in the afternoon on the 3rd. Therefore, Kasaka's footprints left after five o'clock cannot be erased—so if the footprints left on the snow are really her footprints, the secret room The situation is established. "However, the time when Kasaka left footprints was not the afternoon of the 3rd, but the 2nd. The shoe prints left in the afternoon of the 2nd were erased by the snowfall the next day. "When the snowfall stopped on the 2nd and 3rd, it was four o'clock in the afternoon. But there is a gap of one day between the four o'clock in the mouth of Jia Yezi and the four o'clock forecasted by the meteorological station. This is what Ms. Jia Yezi didn't notice." At this time, in Kayako's mind, Miyoshi Tatsuji's poem suddenly sounded—— "—Taro is fast asleep, and the house is covered with snow. Jiro is also fast asleep, and the house is covered with snow." After that, Kayako also fell asleep, and Kayako's roof was also covered with snow. It was at this time, on the day when Jia Yezi took sleeping pills and fell into a deep sleep, the snow all over the sky piled up in this world. "However, who is the prisoner who killed Noriko Kasaka? The prisoner took advantage of the delusion that Noriko Kasaka had created for Kayako, and framed Kayako for injustice. In other words, the prisoner was a person who knew Kasaka's criminal plan, but through what Do you understand? This is because the prisoner was once an accomplice of Kasaka. While assisting Kosaka, the prisoner betrayed and killed her." "Betrayed and killed by an accomplice...? So there was an accomplice?" Mukai said blankly. "That's right. On the night of New Year's Day, Kasaka carried Kayako who had passed out in the nearby forest back to the hospital. However, Kasaka is small and slender, and she couldn't imagine how she would carry Kayako back alone. Therefore, an assistant was needed to help carry her. That's it - an accomplice. "However, who is Kazaka's accomplice? The clue to reveal the truth, Ms. Kayako, lies in what you just stated." "In what I said...?" "When you called Ms. Qiusui on your mobile phone, Ms. Qiusui said: 'It turns out that it's the third day today, where did you go?'" In fact, the day of the call was a the second of the month.You, on the other hand, are not aware of the date illusion, let alone speak of it.In this case, Ms. Qiusui actually said the number three, which shows that she knew you had this jet lag illusion from the very beginning. "The only person who can know your jet lag illusion is Kasaka's accomplice. In other words, Ms. Akiho is exactly the accomplice. "And after that, since the one who killed Kosaka was an accomplice, the one who killed Kosaka was also Ms. Akiho." "Is Akiho an accomplice? But, Akiho doesn't know Dr. Kasaka at all..." "When and how Miss Akiho and Dr. Kasaka came into contact, I actually don't know. But anyway, when Kayako set off from Tokyo to this small town on New Year's Day, Ms. Akiho must have followed her. Behind him, he witnessed the scene of Jia Zi taking medicine and falling to the ground in the forest. "At that time, an idea suddenly flashed in Akiho's mind - she could use Kasaka to forge the alibi with Kasaka. So she contacted Kasaka, and the two moved Kasaka back to the hospital, and after that She probably returned to Tokyo immediately. "One day later, on January 2nd, Kayako woke up. The two's alibi plan was launched. Kasaka Noriko disguised that day as January 3rd, and at the same time suggested that Kayako contact her family and friends. Kayako's Her parents had passed away, so she could only call a friend—Miss Akiho. On the phone, Akiho mentioned that it was the third day, which further strengthened Kayako's illusion. "Another day later, at noon on the 3rd, Kasaka Noriko killed her uncle in Hachinohe. At this time, Ms. Akiho completed the alibi work in Tokyo in advance, and then came to Tsukino Town to infiltrate the hospital .Maybe the two made an appointment to meet in the hospital after committing a crime. Anyway, Kasaka had not returned to the hospital at this time. "At that time, Ms. Akiho might not have the idea of ​​betraying Kazaka. However, at four o'clock in the afternoon, when she realized that the snow stopped today at the same time as the day before, the idea of ​​taking advantage of this absence suddenly flashed in her mind. Proof of the plan to blame Kayako. The fact that the snow stop time of No. 2 and No. 3 coincided, and the coincidence that Akiho was wearing the same type of boots as Kasaka, made her realize that this was an opportunity arranged by heaven. "After five o'clock in the afternoon, Kasaka returned to the hospital. In order to blame Kayako, Akiho killed Kasaka at seven o'clock. Then she left the hospital with the same shoe print as Kasaka. "After this, Ms. Akiho was probably lurking around Tsukino Town. This morning, I called the police station and anonymously reported that Kasaka was killed in the hospital. I ensured that Kayako would still be with Kasaka's body when the police arrived. Together. And after Jia Yezi called, just calculate the time and visit the police station." "Qiu Sui is the prisoner, there must be some misunderstanding? Tell me, it's a misunderstanding—" Kayako called out to her friend.It's just that Akiho didn't answer, nor did he look at Kayako.Kayako suddenly felt that her friend seemed to be a different person.Is this person really Akiho?Is it really that energetic friend? Not long after, Qiusui sighed lightly, and said in a tired voice: "...There is no misunderstanding, the prisoner is me." Kayako felt the soles of her feet go soft and almost fell down. Mukai began to ask Akiho: "What is the relationship between the victim and you? Why did you come to be this accomplice in Tokyo?" "—You can find out after investigating this kind of thing. Noriko was my tutor when I was in middle school. At that time, she aspired to become a doctor, so she left Tokyo and returned to this small town in her hometown to open a hospital. We have always maintained closeness About two or three years ago, I learned from her that there was a problem with the operation of the hospital. Dianzi had an uncle who was not very well connected but had some family property. She once sought funding from this uncle, but it seemed that she was rejected. At that time, I was helpless, because Dianzi needed about 10 million yuan, and I couldn't afford it no matter what. "At that moment, Dianzi suddenly said that it would be great if this uncle died. At first I took this as a joke, but her expression was very serious. At the same time, she also suggested that if the inheritance can be obtained Give me benefits and ask for my assistance. Of course I refused at first, but as the amount of benefits increased, I gradually acquiesced to the request for assistance. "Dianzi hopes to push her uncle into the pool and drown her, and disguise the scene as a simple accident, but she is also afraid that this disguise will be seen through by the police, because in this way, Dianzi, the direct heir, will be the most suspicious. For the purpose of insurance, Dianzi began to consider the work of forging an alibi. We talked about this topic many times, but we never had a good idea. "The opportunity finally appeared on New Year's Day. On the way to Kayako's house, I saw Kayako going out with a travel bag, so I followed her quietly. Later, Kayako called me on her mobile phone at Tokyo Station and said, 'Goodbye.' ', yes, I was actually very close at that time. Later, I followed Kayako on the Shinkansen, and after changing lines a few times, I came to this small town. When I realized that this was Noriko’s hometown, I also ate I was taken aback. Later in the evening, when I witnessed the scene of Kayako drinking sleeping pills in the woods, I suddenly seemed to have some kind of guidance. At that time, the idea of ​​using Kayako to forge an alibi flashed in my mind." Using Kayako... Hearing these words from Akiho's mouth, Kayako was even more shocked.Qiu Sui not only did not stop Kayako from drinking sleeping pills, but also considered using Kayako.However, not only that, Akiho even framed Kayako as a murderer in the end. "...Why? Why did you frame me?" "It's for Hiroki." Akiho said lightly. "For Hiroki...?" "That's right. I actually really like Hiroki. I told Hiroki's mother about Kayako's father, and I was the one who broke up Kayako and Hiroki. However, Hiroki still has you in his heart. In order to get you out of Hiroki I will completely drive you out of my heart, and I will think of framing you as a murderer." "Akiho also likes Hiroki..." "When you were with Hiroki, I fell in love with him when we first met. But Hiroki has a deep affection for you and can't accept my kindness at all. That's why I told his mother about your father After that, I have been worried about your reaction, so I have been monitoring your actions. I will go to your house on New Year's Day, also for monitoring." At this time, Mukai said, "Since we want to take Kayako's lover away, it's fine to leave after Kiyako takes the sleeping pills, right? Ah, no, it's a little bit to say that in front of Kiyako..." "If she acquiesced in Kayako's suicide, Hiroki would probably remember Kayako forever, driven by guilt, wouldn't she? Then there would be no way to drive Kayako out of Hiroki's heart. Only by being branded as a murderer , can really drive her away..." After saying this sentence, Qiusui said to himself as if mocking himself: "It's a pity that there is no other way. I was the one who was driven away from Hiroki's heart..."
On the morning of the 5th, in the waiting room of the country station, Kayako sat quietly on a bench and waited for the arrival of the train.There was a travel bag at his feet, and Officer Mukai was sitting beside him. Gradually, it began to snow again, and countless white snows gushed out of the gloomy lead-colored sky, bleaching the scenery of this world. Last night, Akiho confessed everything to Mukai and was arrested on the spot. Without looking at Kayako, this friend followed the police and left.Jia Yezi's heart was already numb, she just stared blankly at all this. After that, she spent the night in a hotel arranged by the police, and Mukai drove her to this station this morning in a police car. In fact, Mukai felt guilty, and Kayako said that he could go with him at will, which surprised him.The deeply lowered head with white hair was a little comical, and it also made Kayako feel a little comforted in her heart.Although Jia Yezi thought it was enough to send it to the station, Mukai still expressed his willingness to wait until the train arrived, so he sat beside Jia Yezi. "By the way, has the Chamber of Secrets collector gone back?" Kayako suddenly thought of him, so she asked. "It seems to be going back..." Mukai gritted his teeth and said unhappily. "It seems... what's going on?" "Ah, this is unbelievable. Last night, after Misawa Akiho was arrested in the investigation room, he was still there, but suddenly disappeared. I asked other police officers, but no one saw him. I don’t know how he disappeared. As a police officer, it may be a bit ridiculous for me to say this, but it really seems to disappear in the air.” "Like disappearing in the air..." "Actually, I also know a policeman in Miyazaki Prefecture. He was also involved in the investigation of secret room murders and other incidents. At that time, the secret room collector also appeared and solved the incident from beginning to end. After that, after the police The moment you didn't pay attention, the whole person disappeared. It really happened that time, as if it disappeared in the air." Mukai continued talking while watching the falling snowflakes. "Who is he? No one knows his identity. I don't know if he really has a connection with the police. I only know that he showed up as soon as the case came, and disappeared like smoke after the end. It feels like... ..." Mukai didn't continue talking.But even if he didn't say it, Kayako understood what he wanted to say.A realistic police officer like Mukai would definitely not be able to say such inappropriate words. The snow seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Countless snowflakes gushed out from the sky and fell to the white land.That scene was like countless spirits gushing out from the sky and the earth. It wouldn't be surprising if there were spirits who specialize in solving secret room incidents—Kayako suddenly thought so.