Interrogation: Part 3

"...Oh my God...Oh my God, what have I done..."

The sounds of heavy breathing and panting were clearly heard after each word that has been uttered.

"My...Oh my God...M-My name is Hiroto Kurayama...and I have a confession. I am a researcher that specializes in biomedical science...And, for the past twelve years...I have been working on a secret project. I have been working with fellow researchers for the past twelve years to create a biomedical serum that will greatly contribute to human evolution. But...I didn't know that I was working on something that will only create more chaos...I didn't know that I was creating a weapon.

I have decided to do one good thing in my life and protested against this...I wish I haven't...Anyway, I am now rushing to my family's house to try and save them...Once you hear this, I will most likely be beheaded or shot in the back of the head...Just, please...I want the Heroes Government to hear me clearly and act quickly.

I will state the names of the people responsible for this...Okay...First of all—"

The voice recording was cut short before Hiroto could finish talking. Akira slowly lifted his head to look at Kurayama, only to see an absolutely horrifying expression on his face. The pure terror, and at the same time hopelessness that Kurayama was emitting was something that Akira never experienced. It was by all means...a sickeningly overwhelming feeling.

"I'm sorry about that, Mr.Kurayama. The recording has been split into two parts. One in possession of the National Japanese HGA, and the other in possession of the Heroes Government itself. However, due to my position and rank, I have gained access to the second part.

Furthermore, Mr.Hiroto Kurayama has stated that you, Mr.Ishigami Kurayama, are suffering from mental and emotional instabilities in his voice recording. Moreover, he warned us in the second part of the recording that you had suicidal tendencies and reasons to kill your family.

Mr.Kurayama, did you kill your family? If you didn't, can you tell us what happened?" Akira asked as his smile faded, leaving only a narrow-eyed glare that was aimed at Kurayama.

"I didn't. I did not kill my family."

"Well, would you like to explain to us what happened? Would you like to explain why you disappeared for ten years?"

Kurayama stared at his coffee mug with a blank expression on his face. He was speechless as he saw himself getting cornered in the worst way possible. He couldn't tell Akira the truth about him being kidnapped and experimented on, because he knew that would only spark a bigger problem which might have a worse outcome. He had no choice.

"I can't...because I don't know."

"Oh...Well, what a pity. I'm sorry to inform you, Mr.Kurayama. But, this one is a national case that has been brought up to the Heroes Government itself. Failure to confirm your innocence will count as a confession of committing the crime. However, there is a solution for this, which has consequences that are not of an international scale."

"That being?"

"You are guilty of two crimes. One of being the vigilante, which can't be confirmed unless you confess. The other is of murdering the Kurayama household, which you have failed to verify your innocence on. However, if you confess to being the vigilante, we shall justify your failure to deliver a solid alibi for the reason of suffering from mental damage and severe trauma, which I can guarantee you that it will be accepted. You have my word."

Kurayama didn't answer as he kept the same blank stare before he slowly shifted his glare towards Akira.

"So, what will it be, Mr.Kurayama? Will you choose the easy way and confess to being the vigilante. Or, will you choose the hard way and cause a great political disturbance on an international scale. So, which is it, Mr.Kurayama?"

Kurayama shifted his blank stare into a glare as he locked eyes with Akira. He then took a deep breath and answered.

"I confess to being the vigilante known as 'Reaper'."

Akira released a deep sigh of relief before he started talking again.

"You don't know how glad I am that you choose the better option, Mr.Kurayama. However, just to make you rest easy, I haven't heard the second part of the recording. The murder of the Kurayama household is still indeed a mystery, but neither you nor your father are suspected of the crime. So, rest easy, there is nothing to worry about.

However, this doesn't by any chance mean that you are free to go. You have confessed to being the vigilante, your problem has only gotten worse."

"So...what is going to happen to me now?"

"Well, Mr.Kurayama. I have requested the HGA to give me the authority of dropping all of your charges and making you a free man. You will never have to worry about any of the crimes that you have committed ever again."

Kurayama was silent as he took a sip from his coffee mug, "So...you gave me the advantages...where is the disadvantage?"

"Mr.Kurayama. I have to applaud you for being well versed in these matters. Well, I have to admit, your case has interested me for the sole reason of my personal gains. You are of great value to me, and I want your help in a certain case that I have been working on lately. You can become a free man, Mr.Kurayama. However, you will have to do everything I say and assist me in however way I want. Does that sound good?"

"And if I refuse?"

"Well, the Heroes Government has given me the authority to drop all of your charges, but at a cost." He said as he pulled out a paper from his briefcase, which he proceeded to show Kurayama, "This paper is an order of execution. Failure of cooperation will get you executed for 29 different counts of murder, assault, and vigilantism. Furthermore, if you fail to cooperate, that means your partners in crime—Hisaki Hinotori, and Kiode Hirono—will be imprisoned for a very long time for possessing valuable information on the murderous vigilante know as 'Reaper' and withholding it from the authorities, which counts as a crime."

Kurayama widened his eyes in shock at Akira's statement. He was a few steps away from unleashing his killing intent and brutally murdering the inspector in front of him. However, he took one last deep breath and maintained his composure.

"I will help in any way I can."

"Wonderful!"

Akira took the execution paper and burnt it with his cigarette, slowly letting it get eaten away by flames as it lied down on the ground. He then opened his briefcase and took out a bunch of mugshots before he scattered them across the table.

"Kurayama, do you recognize these people?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember anything special about them?"

"Fox masks. They were wearing fox masks."

"Bingo! Now, Kurayama. I want your help in defeating a certain group of people. The mission will be very difficult, but the pay-off will be all worth it."

Kurayama was silent as he had a curious expression on his face.

"Kurayama, I need your help in defeating the Kitsunes."