-UNCOVERING THE TRUTH

Soe-san's anger was palpable, like a storm ready to burst. I watched as his face twisted with fury, veins bulging as he grabbed Kiyoshi-san by the collar. Without any hesitation, he lifted him off the ground, shaking with barely restrained violence. Kiyoshi didn't even flinch. He didn't defend himself, didn't say a single word. He just hung there, motionless, like a puppet with its strings cut, a living corpse.

The sight made me uneasy. I had expected resistance or at least an explanation from Kiyoshi, but there was nothing. It was like he'd already surrendered to whatever fate awaited him.

Soe-san's voice trembled as he glared into Kiyoshi's lifeless eyes.

"How could you even think about killing him?"

His voice was thick with rage, yet behind it, there was something else—disappointment.

"You know how much Jiro respected you, and still…"