The intelligence division building was small and old in comparison to the others. It was in a corner near the rear gate that was so rusted it hardly ever moved. The structure and its location seemed a very accurate representation of the division’s esteem within the company.
Right past the entrance was a door reading INTELLIGENCE 3RD DIVISION. Next to it was a magnetic plate for managing attendance, with all the member names written next to columns for PRESENT, ON CAMPUS, and AT HOME, but the magnets to mark each column were nowhere to be seen.
On the list of names was an Okuma with an ambiguous kanji for his given name. Miika knocked on the door, but there was no response.
It was clear that no lights were on inside through the frosted glass. It was ten in the morning. Perhaps they were having a meeting somewhere.
Just then, the adjacent door opened, and a man with exceedingly narrow eyes emerged. The entire left side of his hair was sticking up, like the world’s worst cowlick, and he was scratching his head.
Miika bowed and said, “Pardon me. I’m Shimabara, with the engineering division’s chemistry team. I have a question.”
The sleepy-eyed man twitched, his shoulders jumping, and he said, “Yes, what is it?!” in a surprisingly high-pitched voice. His eyes opened wide enough that she could make out some of his pupils.
“Where might I find the ‘Hayahiko’ Okuma from this office?”
“Uh, if you want Okuma, I don’t think he’s shown up yet. It’s still before noon,” he answered, then turned back and yelled through the doorway. “Hey, has anyone seen Okuma today?”
“Nooo. If he’s anywhere, it’d be the smoking room, don’t you think?” replied a voice. The mention of a smoking room made Miika grimace.
“There you have it. I’d try the smoking room if I were you.”
She followed the sleepyhead’s suggestion and headed for the smoking room at the corner of the hall. It was a cramped little chamber with a large vent fan in the middle and frosted glass walls facing the hallway. The partially opaque pane was likely not intentional but the result of built-up grime from years upon years of smoke. Two silhouettes were standing within, one fat and one thin, their backs to the hall. The room was clearly not soundproofed, because their conversation was audible.
“Based on images we’ve excavated from the input layer, that black bear icon shows up in all public facilities, such as rail stations and airports. It’s clear that the bear was worshipped as a kind of god in the region,” the thin person said, speaking rapidly.
“Classic example of animism,” replied the fat person. “But why are the bear’s pupils so tiny? They look like a cat’s.”
“I think the design incorporates the details of other animals. This is something you see in myths quite a lot. It’s my theory that the name Kumamoto might even refer to this god.”
“Hey, there’s someone behind us.”
The two turned around to look at Miika through the smoky glass. From what she could see, they were only holding cigarettes. In this circumstance, at least, she didn’t need to worry about them destroying evidence.
“Is Hayahiko Okuma of the intelligence division present? I’ve heard that he frequents this spot,” Miika explained.
The two men shared a look.
“Did you screw something up?”
“I dunno. But I’ve certainly done my share of things.”
“Just not your job.”
“Why, yes I do.”
“People know to look for you in the smoking room, though.”
The men seemed perfectly content to bicker among themselves rather than reply to her. In the back, there was a whiteboard, upon which was a number of messages Miika could make out.
Okuma +13 Sakuma -11 Togo +17 Li -19
Leave Work On Time Month in effect (does not guarantee actually leaving on time)
I’ve completely deciphered Codama language.
The station structure can take root on Nokonoshima?
The thinner of the two men, Okuma, cleared his throat and announced through the glass wall, “Thank you for coming. Did you want something from me?”
“You’re Mr. Okuma from the intelligence division?”
“Yes. That is exactly who I am.”
“My name is Shimabara, and I’m from the engineering division chemistry team. You’ve been summoned. Please come with me,” Miika requested. They told her to bring him without putting him on guard, and he did not seem to be concerned in the least. If anything, he seemed to be mocking her.
“Chemistry team…? Ah, all right. Just let me finish this butt.”
“It’s an urgent call.”
“What, did you open an e-mail virus?”
“The conduct division is waiting. Please don’t waste our salaried time, sir.”
“If they’re using an employee to call over another employee, they shouldn’t be complaining about the cost. An e-mail would do perfectly fine,” Okuma grumbled, pressing his half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray installed on the table before he opened the door.
As it swung open, Miika stepped three meters back. Okuma watched her with undisguised skepticism.
She was used to having an extremely adept sense of smell, and she could withstand almost anything—with a few exceptions.