Chapter 67: Doubt

Nakajima Takuto couldn't hide the expression of surprise on his face.

He thought it was a severe murder case.

Unexpectedly, this case actually involved Akikawa Kyousuke, a man who had once taught him a painful lesson.

Nakajima Takuto looked at the recorded confession of Koichi Nishihara and felt that the image of Akikawa Kyousuke depicted there was completely different from the "child" in his memory.

"Is Nishihara's confession credible? He said that after Akikawa was framed, he shifted the blame back onto him?!"

"Let's not forget, with Akikawa's mental age, it's impossible for him to do such a thing.

I simply can't understand Akikawa's motivation for such actions. It's ungrateful, and isn't he afraid of being discovered?"

Nakajima Takuto's tone was filled with disbelief.

"Fifty percent. But I don't think Nishihara has any reason to lie," Kyouji Toda lit a cigarette, took a puff, and spoke slowly.

"Then wouldn't it be better if Nishihara repeated this in front of the camera? With his confession, we could apply for a search warrant."

Before Nakajima Takuto could finish, Kyouji Toda waved his hand impatiently.

"Are you stupid? Even if it's true, do you have any evidence?"

"Let me ask you: do you believe Akikawa could break an adult's jaw?"

"No, it's impossible! Six months ago, he was as thin as a bamboo stick and looked like he'd snap if you bent him slightly. How could he be that strong?"

"Then where did the reaction to life around the victim's severed tongue and mouth come from? According to Nishihara, Uesugi Misaki was already dead at that time."

"This..."

"And there are discrepancies in the time of the victim's murder. As long as this kind of thing isn't discovered at the scene, it'll be impossible to reverse the case later."

"Are you saying Saihara is lying?" Nakajima Takuto asked.

"Do you know why I said I'm only 50% sure?"

Kyouji Toda looked at Nakajima Takuto and asked.

"Based on my intuition as a criminal detective for so many years, I'm 90% certain that Koichi Nishihara genuinely let his guard down and confessed the truth to me.

But facts are not the same as the truth.

Because Nishihara Koichi hates Akikawa, his assumptions might be seriously biased.

As you said, Akikawa doesn't have the means to commit a crime, and for now, we can't figure out his method of committing a crime. This reduces the certainty to 50%."

"But if that 50% possibility turns out to be true, then Akikawa is a criminal genius—so much so that even detectives can't uncover it."

"However, Akikawa's greatest 'contribution' to me is that Koichi Nishihara personally confessed to committing murder."

Kyouji Toda thought of Koichi Nishihara, and a sarcastic smile once again appeared on his face.

"So, this..."

Nakajima Takuto was speechless and couldn't understand Toda Kyouji's intentions for a moment.

"At first, I thought Nishihara might be lying, but since you said Akikawa was also a victim in the last car accident, it's quite a coincidence."

"Detectives are indeed very capable, but they focus too much on human nature and evidence, allowing many criminals to escape justice."

"In my case, once it's confirmed that someone is a criminal, there's no need to treat them like a human being, and I won't give them the opportunity to harm others."

Kyouji Toda flicked the cigarette in his hand, exhaling a column of white smoke.

"Oh, by the way, help me get the file for the car accident case from Officer Sato. I heard the case is still open?"

"Yes. After reviewing the footage at the highway entrance and exit, they found too many motorcyclists matching the prisoner's description in Akikawa's confession, making it difficult for the police to locate the culprit."

"Or is he making it up? Deliberately using the most generic image of a motorcyclist to mislead the police."

"I don't know much about the follow-up to that case, but I heard all the evidence at the time suggested a third party committed the crime," Nakajima Takuto said.

"Go get the case file first.

If I think there's nothing wrong with Akikawa after reading it, then we'll let it go.

But if there's an issue, it's very simple.

Wouldn't you know better if you asked him directly?"

Nakajima Takuto couldn't help but shudder when he saw the smile on Kyouji Toda's face.

---

"I always feel Mr. Akikawa looks much more proportionate now than when we first met.

Although he still looks a bit thin, I still need to add some padding to the clothes to make it appear normal."

In the dressing room of the Empire Theatre, Agent Itakura Misaki was chatting non-stop with Akikawa Kyousuke.

It had been a month since the premiere of the latest play, The Lost Lady: The Voice of the Dead.

Due to an actor in a minor supporting role being suspected of murder,

And another minor supporting actor being injured,

The play had to be postponed.

Originally, Danny Hecker, played by Koichi Nishihara, was recast by Director Mine Takemura, and rehearsals continued while Akikawa Kyousuke recovered from his injury.

Akikawa Kyousuke returned to the Empire Theatre a week ago to participate in rehearsals.

And today was the day The Lost Lady: The Voice of the Dead resumed its performances at the Empire Theatre.

Itakura Misaki stood in front of Akikawa Kyousuke.

Seeing the scars exposed under his lifted bangs, her face showed deep regret.

"Oh, it's a pity Mr. Akikawa has such a delicate face and still has scars."

"Anyway, the scar is on my forehead. You can't usually see it with the bangs down, so it's not a problem."

Akikawa Kyousuke didn't mind the scar on his forehead much.

"Besides, with today's level of cosmetic surgery, isn't it easy to conceal scars like this?"

"But cosmetic surgery is so expensive! Mr. Akikawa, you haven't even finished your first job yet!"

"I'm not short on money. I just don't think it's necessary."

"How irritating!"

Just as Itakura Misaki was chatting with Akikawa Kyousuke, she suddenly heard him say:

"By the way, the show will start soon. Don't you need to go to the auditorium, Ms. Itakura?"

"Well, I'm just a bit worried Mr. Akikawa might get attacked by someone again."

"How could that be possible? Do I have the kind of constitution that gets me killed?"

"That's true."

Itakura Misaki gave an awkward smile.

Then, after glancing at the makeup artist still working diligently, she whispered:

"By the way, has Mr. Akikawa seen today's news?"

"What happened?"

"The news just broke that Mr. Nishihara attacked a police officer in the interrogation room at the Metropolitan Police Department the day after his arrest!!"

"Oh?"

This was the first time Akikawa Kyousuke had heard of this.

"Indeed, a bad guy like him is rotten to the core!

Not only did he commit murder, but he also tortured the victim. He showed no remorse even after being taken to the Metropolitan Police Department, and even tried to attack the police!

This kind of person truly deserves the death penalty!"

Itakura Misaki said viciously.

Although she wasn't a victim, she still despised Koichi Nishihara.

"Alright, if you don't leave now, the show will really begin," Akikawa Kyousuke chuckled and reminded the indignant agent.

"Ah, yes! I'm going! Good luck, Mr. Akikawa!"

After checking the time, Itakura Misaki hurriedly left the dressing room.

Shortly after her departure, the makeup artist also finished and left, closing the door behind them.

Akikawa Kyousuke slowly opened his eyes.

Only Akikawa Kyousuke knew.

The media reports on Koichi Nishihara's crimes only mentioned the murder.

And Koichi Nishihara's behavior of attacking the police didn't match his image.

"Indeed, the inside of the Metropolitan Police Department isn't as clean as people think."

Akikawa Kyousuke looked at the news on his phone and thought to himself.

(End of the chapter)