level_act44side_01_beg

Here's your fried meatchop and rice, detective.

Good job. Go get some rest.

Thank you!

It's past midnight already. You've been hiding from us ever since you got to Mitsukue this afternoon. You must be hungry, you haven't eaten at all.

(Nods)

Alright then. Here, a fried meatchop with rice, Higashinese specialty.

The detective puts extra emphasis on the word Higashinese and pushes the tray toward Hoshiguma.

With nary a word, Hoshiguma picks up the bowl and chopsticks and begins shoveling rice down her gullet.

Well? How is it? Do they have food like this in Lungmen?

(Continues shoveling rice)

Would you look at that. Tell me, just how long has it been since you've enjoyed a proper Higashinese meal?

(Shoves chop into mouth)

Whatever... eat up.

(Noisily chews and crunches cabbage)

(Gulps water)

(Tilts head back and dumps remaining contents of bowl into mouth)

(Puts down empty bowl)

Phew.

Tastes like home, doesn't it?

It's not a home or nostalgia thing, Detective-san. I'm just hungry.

Why you——

Actually, I had a fried meatchop with rice right before I left Lungmen. Next time, could you get me something else? Like some oden from the place you dragged me out of? It smelled amazing—I didn't even get a sip of the broth.

And for the record, when I was footing the bill to feed suspects back in Lungmen, I always ordered cheongfun.

I suggest you start taking this a bit more seriously, Hoshiguma. You're the suspect this time.

Me? I haven't even been in Mitsukue for twenty-four hours. What could you possibly suspect me of?

A suspect in a case from twenty years ago isn't a suspect?

Detective-san...

Detective Koretou.

Detective Koretou.

Yes?

After twenty years, we're well past the statute of limitations.

Besides, you should be about done authenticating my Lungmen inspector's badge, no?

We haven't gotten the results back yet.

Let's assume you're telling me the truth. What would motivate a Lungmen cop like you to come all the way back here?

Did you lose your job? You have some enemies you need to deal with?

Did someone in Lungmen send you here?

Or are you perhaps connected to those rumors about the spy of the Northern Court?

Stop, stop, stop. If you keep throwing out guesses like that, this whole conversation is gonna spiral...

Take a look at this letter, Detective.

We just searched you—where the hell were you hiding that?

It takes a detective to outsmart a detective.

Phew.

Let's run another lap. How about it, partner? Think you can keep up with me?

Looks like you're good. Let's go.

(Is that the lady's car?)

The single-horned oni lays across the vehicle, sizes up the end of the straightaway, then charges dead ahead.

The howling winds make it hard for her to tell just how far her pursuers are.

What brings you here, ma'am?

I'm just stopping by. I don't plan on staying long.

Yenwu told me that before Swire set out for New Siesta, she tidied up all internal affairs, to lighten the load for those of you left behind.

Yeah. If Missy hadn't wrapped things up before leaving, how could I have found the time to come here?

That's true. Then what is it that's troubling you, Inspector Hoshiguma?

You can see it in my face, huh?

I wouldn't say so.

However, if repeatedly pushing the pedal to the metal still leaves you wrestling with anxiety, you shouldn't bottle all that emotion up on your own.

You and I are both Higashinese. When Little Ch'en and Swire aren't here, I have to act in their stead.

We are... aren't we?

Indeed we are. Higashinese.

I can't hide anything from you, ma'am. I recently received a letter...

'Dear Madam,

Summer's end is nigh, yet the stubborn heat still lingers—please mind your good health. Twenty years have passed with nary a word between us. Much has transpired—things best left unwritten. Yet I feel compelled to write to you, though I regret any trouble this may cause.

This letter is written for no other reason than the decade or so that we spent together in our hometown of Kajimachi, which is soon to vanish from the map.

Though the land is unaware, its people still have feelings; therefore, I have humbly taken it upon myself to organize the funeral rites for Kajimachi, which will be held soon.

In my waning years, to see old friends once more would be a grand blessing.

Sincerely,

Tessai'

What a solemn, I mean, traditional letter.

This is the man who arranged for your refuge in Lungmen—the so-called 'father' of Hannya?

That's right. I called him Uncle Tessai. It's been so many years, he must be in his seventies or eighties by now.

I lived in Kajimachi before I left Mitsukue.

And so, is it not only proper to return to Kajimachi one last time, before it is no more?

To be honest, when I first came to Lungmen, I considered settling here for good. I thought about moving elsewhere if things didn't work out, even leaving Yan altogether, the same way I left Higashi—but the one thing I never considered was going back home.

It's been twenty years. I don't even know what Mitsukue is like these days. Instead of going back home, I might as well come here for a ride and to grab a plate of street food—stir-fried noodles—to put my mind at ease.

Don't you have a good reason to go home? The funeral, no?

You've volunteered to serve as a mighty guardian of Lungmen, throwing yourself into the fight without hesitation. Yenwu, myself, Lin, and all your friends—we've seen it with our own eyes.

But you shouldn't limit yourself. You're more than that.

Little Ch'en is gone, and Yühsia has more or less taken over for her father. One L.G.D. Commissioner alone won't keep this operation afloat.

I have neglected my responsibilities.

Nonsense.

Before Little Ch'en left Lungmen, you had words with her. They eventually reached my ears as well, whether I wanted to hear them or not.

Even if the problems you've bottled up inside can never be resolved, simply going back to have a chat with him while he still walks among the living is worth your while, yes?

You're right.

By the way, don't forget to bring back a few packs of proper Higashinese senbei for me?

Senbei?

A 'jianbing' shop opened up near the L.G.D. I thought it was Higashinese senbei, with the name translated, so I went and placed an order.

It wasn't until the piping-hot pancake came out—stuffed with fowlbeast egg, crispy meat, and scallions—that I realized it wasn't a senbei at all, but a Jiangqi <i>jianbing.</i> These are completely different dishes.

I think we've resolved any and all misunderstandings between us, right Detective Koretou?

The oyabun of the Kinsekikai yakuza clan sent you a letter, inviting you to the funeral in Kajimachi, his turf. And after some persuading from a particular individual of similar origin, you've decided to go back there—am I right?

That's right.

This particular individual...

Her identity is not important.

Is it not? If it was not for her, would you dare walk the streets of Mitsukue?

Of course I would!

Alright. If it really isn't important, then you can stay here a good twenty-four hours.

The station's quiet these days anyway. Hardly any of the calls we get are real emergencies.

Then what are they about?

They're reporting signs of a kaidan they want me to investigate.

A kaidan...? Like an urban legend? Ghost story?

Ha. You really haven't been back to Mitsukue for a while, huh?

This place doesn't even feel like a real police station any more—the townies have been treating us like cops from the Spiritual Affairs Station for a while now...

Who is it?

There's someone outside for you... it's... Mifune-san.

The weary-looking detective glances at Hoshiguma, then out the door; hatred is seared across his face.

If you're in the middle of something here, do you want me to stall him for a bit?

You? Stall him? You won't even get three words in before he calls someone else—and then that call will be routed straight to us.

Send him in——

Before the detective can finish speaking, a tall Phidia strides into the room. Ignoring the officers around him, he makes a beeline for Hoshiguma.

Kinbee?!

Never fear, Hoshiguma. As long as I'm here, the police can't touch you.

(Laughs dryly) Ha, ha. Kouhei Mifune-san—been a while since someone called you by your old name, from before you made it big, huh?

Well, why don't you try it then?

Good. Knowing when to yield is a virtue.

Mifune——

Hoshiguma, you will always address me as Kinbee.

Come. Let's go home.

Detective Koretou still hasn't——

Still hasn't what? Hasn't explained the basis for this arbitrary detention? Don't tell me this is about that case from twenty years ago?

What a pity—the statute of limitations already expired, many years ago actually. The Northern Court may have revised its penal code, but that doesn't give you southerners the right to bend the law.

Spare me the mudslinging. Even if the statute of limitations is up——

Yes, the statute of limitations is up, so on what grounds are the police still detaining people? I want a justification—one that can withstand a Diet inquiry, a televised hearing, and the court of public opinion.

This is intimidation!

This is me exercising my rights under the law!

Detective Koretou!

...Let them go.

Kinbee, Uncle Tessai sent you to get me?

The entire Kinsekikai is awaiting your return. Let's go. Stop arguing with the cops.

They exit the police station, turn right, and cross the street.

Nita Street unfolds before Hoshiguma, in broad daylight.

The harsh white sun shines down on the street, draining the buildings of their neon shimmer and baring the raw concrete beneath.

The morning commute is in full swing. Expressionless office workers hurry past shops that are either still closed or trying half-heartedly to drum up business—none of them look nearly as glamorous as they did under the moonlight.

Who was it that threw up on the street last night? Which man was persuaded to empty his wallet at the club? Under the light of day, they all look the same.

How many years has it been?! How're things in Lungmen? Still good? We hadn't heard a peep from you all this time. I was afraid something had happened to you. I was worried sick!

I figured, after all this time, nobody thought of me as one of the Kinsekikai anymore.

How? No matter how fate plays its tricks or how long you've been incommunicado—as long as you come back, then you're still family.

Over the past two decades, has the Kinsekikai ever issued you an 'expulsion' or 'no-contact' notice? Never.

Say what you will, but even now, at every official meeting, the seat to the Old Man's left is still left empty. You've always been the Kinsekikai's <i>wakagashira</i>—the heir apparent.

And you...?

Why, I'm just the wakagashira-hosa, the wakagashira's second.

Don't for a minute think the Old Man's gone senile. Everyone agrees with his decision.

If you hadn't offed that Diet candidate twenty years ago, before I could get to him too, the Kinsekikai would've been driven out of Kajimachi—crushed under the weight of his public pressure campaign.

Then, you made sure the rest of us were in the clear, taking all the heat for the killing. You fled to Lungmen alone, which allowed the Kinsekikai to survive.

You've sacrificed so much for us. If we just turned our backs on you, what kind of family would that make us?

Don't say such things.

It's all facts, clear as day, so why can't I state the facts?

Kinbee, we can talk ancient history later.

Uncle Tessai mentioned in his letter that he was holding a funeral for Kajimachi. Do you know about this?

A what?!

A funeral...? No... What are we talking about with a funeral?

Madame Oni, we really don't have time to wander the streets right now. We need to get back to Kajimachi and find him as quick as we can to straighten all this out.

The tall Phidia hastens his steps and hurries off towards Kajimachi.

He walks so fast, and with such long strides, that Hoshiguma has to break into a jog just to keep up.