“Have you already known so?”
“No.”
“There’s a rumor that Mr. Kurita escaped from the hospital. Then, he ran away with a prostitute. But, in the end, he was found and shot.”
“I can’t believe it ... Why was he shot? The police could not possibly do that.”
“The one who found him was not the police, but his superior did. It seemed that the order was to shoot him to death when he was found. In such a case, the killing is outside the jurisdiction of the law and processed just in the company as if it is the war-related issue. It is not regarded as a crime.”
“I think you appear to know who shot him.”
“Captain Kusanagi shot him. I said it was a rumor, but, that is not true. I just lied about it. I heard it directly from her.”
“You ask me to believe that?”
“No, whether you believe that or not does not matter.”
“Then, what do you want me to do?”
“For tonight, yes, I should leave now. Please do not have a bad impression on me. I just want to understand. I want to understand them deeply. I think they wish to be understood by someone.”
“They really do?”
“I’m not sure. But at least, I hope so. I mean ...” He paused once.
I cannot see his face, but his voice is familiar to me. I started noticing. It seems that I have met this man, who is speaking, before.
“So, anyway, I want to know them as accurately as possible. Anything is okay. The information is too limited. How were Kildren born, and why are they becoming extinct? Did anything wrong occur? Was it a mistake? If so, they are too pure. It is to the level that I wonder why those having such pure hearts actually exist.”
“You said, ‘pure hearts.’ It sounds subjective.”
“Oh, I admit that I have taken it too far.”
“I want you to leave now. Still, I would like to say something to you.”
“Okay.”
“Some of humans are Kildren. Also, some of human beings have pure minds. Or, almost all the humans might possess pure minds. However, I suspect that the facts are hidden from the outside.”
“Doctor, is that your opinion?”
“It’s not subjective, but my objective view.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I hope we will see you again. Not at this late hour. Next time, I will make an appointment and come here.”
“That will be nice.”
“If you like, how about having dinner together?”
“You are going too far.”
“I apologize. You know, I just want to listen to your story for as much time as possible. I carelessly ...”
“If you promise me to speak off the record, we might have dinner together.”
“I promise to make it off the record, of course.”
“Are you staying around here for a while?”
“Until the day after tomorrow.”
“Then, if you have another opportunity.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“But I don’t know anything important. You may not want to expect too much. Still, I can talk about what I know about the past.”
“I’m grateful to you. Then, I’m leaving ... Thank you so much. See you next time.”
“Take care.”
“Oh, by the way. Pardon me, just one more thing ... Doctor, you went to the hospital of NBA about a month ago, right?”
“Yes. How do you know that?”
“I saw you by chance. For what purpose did you visit there?”
“Do I have to answer that?”
“No, not at all. But, if it is not inconvenient for you, I would appreciate it if you do.”
“A friend of mine works for the hospital. I just went to see her about the research.”
“Really ...”
The silence continued for another seconds.
“What about it?”
“When I was passing by that hospital, I saw police vehicles and plain navy-colored cars parked there. I suspected that something had happened there, and asked people around the area. They all answered that they did not know what happened. It was strange and unnatural for them to give me the same answer, I thought.”
“And?”
“Did you hear anything from the friend?”
“No, I did not.”
“It is the reason why I have come here.”
“Oh, so you have come to see me.”
“Right. I remember you were at the hospital then. I thought I had to see you as soon as possible.”
“How come?”
“May I tell you my guess?”
“I’m not willing to. I suppose that your idea is bound to miss the point.”
“Really. Of course, I can give it up. Even if someone other than you were in this place, I would not let out the secret to anyone. I want you to believe it. I am on the side of you, Doctor, and Kildren. I will not definitely do anything that will cause disadvantage to you.”
“Thank you. Your statement has reassured me.”
“So, I am leaving.”
“Goodbye.”
I heard the door being opened and closed. Then, silence.
I was still hidden in the blanket, and stayed still. I cannot be off guard until she calls me. She did not talk about me. Even if I was getting the impression that the man was on our side, she did not appear to believe him completely. It might be the right thing to do.
When about five minutes had passed, I heard her voice right beside me.
“That’s okay now.”
I got up and looked down from the attic. She was in the middle of the ladder. She looked upward at me and smiled.
“Were you sleeping?”
“No.”
“So, were you listening to our conversation?”
“I was.”
“Have you met that man?”
“Umm ...”
“Mr. Somanaka, working for YA Newspaper Company.”
“I don’t know,” I answered. I had a feeling that it would be a lie, but I thought it was the right answer at the time.
I got out of the attic and climbed down the ladder.
“What do you think about him?” She put her shoulders on a wall, and crossed her arms.
“I think he might not be a bad person.” I gave her an honest opinion.
“Well, maybe. Anything else?”
“He was talking about the pilot who had let the aircraft crash and died.”
“Yes, what do you think about that?”
“Umm, nothing in particular.” I shook my head.
“Don’t you have any thoughts, such as; ‘It cannot be,’ ‘It is a pity,’ or, conversely speaking, ‘I am envious of him?’”
“I’m not sure.” I shook my head sideways again.
“Sorry, that’s okay. It may not be what you think about all so seriously.
“I have not known that the information about which pilot has died is given to the general public.”
“Well, they announce the report, and their names are posted on newspapers.”
“Oh, really.”
“I suppose many are interested in such things.”
“By the way, he knew you went to the hospital.”
“Although he said he saw me, I believe it was a lie. At the time, I entered there by police vehicle through the back gate. I suppose no one could have seen me. So, someone in the hospital gave him the information, I think.”
“Which means, Mr. Somanaka has known that I was in the hospital.”
“I doubt it. Those working there must have known my face because it had been broadcast on TV. But, I assume your name was not revealed to them. Those who took care of you had to be limited. General staffs could not know who was hospitalized.”
“Was it really that much of top secret? I’m impressed that I could actually escape from such a place.”
“Right.” She smiled. “How did you manage to get out from there?”
“Through the window.”
“On which floor was your patient room?”
“Fourth.”
“Oh my ...” She put her hand on her forehead. “How reckless. Where did you get the rope?”
“Rope? No, I just walked on the eaves and climbed down a drainpipe.”
“You did perform such a daredevil act.”
“It would be hard to reverse the course by turning back on the way.”
She burst into laughter.