Chapter 72: Sera is Pure

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Empire Theatre.

Today is the seventh and final day of the play The Lost Lady: The Voice of the Dead.

In today's era of advanced internet, you can take out your phone and watch videos anytime and anywhere.

Compared to other entertainment activities popular among the general public, theatrical plays are undoubtedly more niche.

However, the presence of Yoko Okino, Japan's most famous actress,

brought significant anticipation to this play, adapted from the famous novelist Kudo Yusaku's novel of the same name, when it was announced.

The murder that occurred at the Empire Theatre a month ago forced the production to shorten its run.

Today marks the final performance, and the audience in the Empire Hall is as full as ever.

With the seamless cooperation of Yoko Okino and many other actors and staff,

the plot progressed smoothly, scene by scene.

When the student Sae Kotani appeared in the fifth act,

the atmosphere in the Imperial Theatre's auditorium noticeably shifted.

Gasps of surprise echoed through the hall.

In no time, many people found themselves captivated by the high school student Sae Otani, who had just made her entrance.

Akikawa Kyousuke, playing Sae Otani, captured the audience's hearts with his vibrant and energetic stage presence.

In just two scenes, he quickly earned the admiration of nearly the entire audience.

An hour passed.

Amid the applause of the audience, the final performance of The Lost Lady: The Voice of the Dead concluded successfully.

The audience left the Empire Theatre auditorium, discussing the actors' performances.

However, sitting among the audience was a figure dressed in a dark hoodie, unmoving as the crowd exited.

The individual sat still with arms crossed.

Under her short, wavy black hair, a pair of striking green eyes stared intently at the empty stage.

It was as though she was still immersed in the performance of the play.

As most of the audience left, a janitor entered to begin cleaning.

Noticing Sera Masumi still seated, the janitor assumed she had accidentally fallen asleep during the performance and gently patted her shoulder.

Sera Masumi suddenly stood up, pulled out a dark blue hat, placed it on her head, and exited without a word.

"So cool," the janitor murmured as her gaze slowly followed Sera's pure and delicate features.

After leaving the Empire Theatre auditorium, Sera Masumi let out a sigh.

She adjusted the brim of her hat to cover her cheeks slightly, then lowered her head and walked out.

This was her second time seeing this play.

But unlike most of the audience who simply came to enjoy the show, Masumi Sera attended to reassess the acting skills of Kyousuke Akikawa, who played Sae Otani.

"I can't believe that in just seven days, he's already made a name for himself."

Sera Masumi noticed something.

The proportion of young female audience members today was much higher than on the play's opening day.

When Akikawa Kyousuke appeared on stage in the fifth act, many women in the audience gasped and cheered with excitement.

Sera Masumi could clearly see the difference.

Unlike the hesitant and skeptical reactions of the opening night audience,

today's female audience seemed already aware of Akikawa Kyousuke's impact on stage.

However, his performance exceeded their expectations, leaving them utterly amazed.

In Sera's judgment, they likely learned through social media and other platforms that the play featured a handsome actor like Akikawa Kyousuke, prompting them to attend.

Sera Masumi had previously discussed Kyousuke Akikawa's acting skills with Conan.

But Conan insisted that Kyousuke Akikawa's abilities stemmed from talent, not acquired skills.

Rationally, Sera could understand Conan's perspective,

but emotionally, she found it hard to accept.

She couldn't believe that someone so young and inexperienced in life and society

could deliver such dazzling performances in such a short time.

Thus, on the play's final day, Sera Masumi returned to the Empire Theatre to watch Kyousuke Akikawa perform once again.

Her lingering interest in Akikawa Kyousuke wasn't just about his acting.

It was also tied to the unresolved car accident case from earlier.

After seeing Kyousuke Akikawa perform again, Sera Masumi's doubts did not diminish.

On the contrary, they only deepened.

"Something still feels off. Officer Takagi said earlier that Miss Yoko and Akikawa's mother and son haven't been in contact for many years."

"But after Akikawa freed himself from his mother's control, he immediately sought out Miss Yoko."

"If the image Akikawa presented before was all an act..."

"Could it really be true, as Conan analyzed, that he's extraordinarily skilled in observation, analysis, and acting?"

"Oh, I really want to see the accident case file again! It's a shame Officer Sato ordered me not to interfere further."

As Sera Masumi wrestled with her thoughts, a loud thud echoed nearby.

This was followed by several screams.

She quickly turned her head.

A man's body lay on the ground.

Sera Masumi interrupted her thoughts and hurried over to the man.

By then, the building's security personnel were rushing to the scene.

At first, they attempted to stop Sera Masumi.

However, when they saw her don white gloves, the reprimands caught in their throats.

This "handsome young man" seemed highly professional.

Sera Masumi gently checked the man's pulse, listened to his heartbeat on the left side of his chest, and examined his pupils.

Then, standing amid the gathering crowd of panicked onlookers, she shook her head.

"I saw him fall from above. It must've been a suicide, right?"

A pale-faced woman trembled as she spoke.

"The fractured skull, broken neck bones, and caved-in face are consistent with signs of death from a fall."

"However, this is not a suicide—it's undoubtedly a homicide."

Sera Masumi pulled out her phone and began calling the police.

(End of Chapter)