Chapter 103: The Inside Story

Although the true culprit of the shooting, Takao Ohga, has been captured, the case is far from over.

Two hours after Sera Masumi and her group, Inspector Megure Juzo arrived at the Harbour Royal Court Hotel, where many entertainment industry professionals were staying.

Here, they encountered Hota Yoshitoki, the director who had just returned, and began their interrogation.

---

During questioning, Hota Yoshitoki recounted the story of his disfigurement:

"About ten years ago, I had just finished celebrating the wrap-up of a film I directed. That night, I took a taxi home.

I had drunk a little wine and felt thirsty on the way, so I asked the driver to stop at a store near my house. I went in to buy some drinks, and on my way home, I was hit by a car making a right turn.

I was rushed to the hospital, and though the injuries weren't life-threatening, the scratches on my face felt like my world was crumbling. At the time, I was still working as an actor.

After I was discharged, I sought help at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital. I approached Taiga, who was working there, to perform reconstructive surgery to remove the scars."

At this point, Sera Masumi interrupted.

"At the time, Mr. Hota, did you already know Mr. Ohga?"

"Yes, we'd known each other for quite some time. I had often turned to him for surgeries or related needs."

"Understood. Please continue."

---

"There was an accident during the operation. After the surgery, I found my entire cheek was paralyzed.

It felt like the sky was falling on me. Taiga apologized and asked for a chance to make it right. So, I agreed to a facial nerve transplant surgery.

The operation was mostly successful. My cheek mostly recovered, but there was no response around my left eye.

Devastated, I decided to give up my career as an actor."

As Hota Yoshitoki spoke, everyone around him observed his left cheek, immobile even as he talked, and his drooping eyelid. A wave of pity swept through the group.

Sera Masumi then asked:

"After all that, Mr. Hota, how has your relationship with Mr. Ohga been?"

"He voluntarily resigned after the incident and was deeply remorseful. I couldn't bring myself to hold a grudge against him."

---

Sera Masumi's tone grew sharper.

"To put it bluntly, Mr. Hota, have you ever considered that the medical accident might not have been an accident?"

Everyone around them looked stunned at her suggestion.

"I've thought about it," Hota admitted, "but I don't believe Ohga would do such a thing.

If he intentionally caused my facial paralysis, why would he work so hard on the transplant surgery afterward?"

---

At that moment, a sharp voice filled with anger broke through:

"Is that so? Mr. Hota, you only had minor scratches back then. It wasn't that serious. But your entire cheek was paralyzed because of a 'medical accident'? Doesn't that sound suspicious?"

All heads turned toward the voice.

A woman with an artistic demeanor glared at them, her face stern.

While unfamiliar to most, Akikawa Kyousuke recognized her instantly.

It was Oda Ema, the screenwriter he had met the previous day in Hota Yoshitoki's private screening room. Coincidentally, the movie they watched that morning had been written by her.

After introducing herself, Oda Ema turned to Hota Yoshitoki and continued:

"Furthermore, Mr. Hota, you claimed Taiga worked hard on your nerve transplant. Then why is your left eye still paralyzed?

From my perspective, Ohga deliberately botched your original surgery and then performed the transplant as a so-called apology.

When he conducted the transplant, he deliberately left your left eye untreated, robbing you of the chance to continue acting!"

---

"Enough!"

Hota Yoshitoki's sudden outburst silenced her.

Though Oda Ema stopped speaking, her face remained defiant, clearly unshaken in her convictions.

Sera Masumi, observing Oda Ema, noticed something intriguing—when Oda Ema spoke of Ohga, she referred to him directly by name, without any honorifics.

It was evident that her resentment toward him ran deep.

---

"Ms. Oda, why do you think that?" asked Sera Masumi.

"My woman's intuition!"

This response left everyone speechless.

Who would have thought that a celebrated screenwriter like Oda Ema would offer such a justification?

She noticed their reactions and raised her voice again.

"Mr. Hota and Ohga have known each other for a long time.

I could tell from early on that Ohga was jealous of Mr. Hota's success in the entertainment industry.

I've seen it before—when Mr. Hota shared good news with Ohga, his face would show a flash of displeasure, masked by a fake smile.

In fact, I believe the car that hit Mr. Hota was arranged by Ohga.

He knew Mr. Hota trusted him and would seek his medical expertise, giving him the opportunity to execute his plan to disfigure him!"

---

"That's enough!"

Hota Yoshitoki shouted again, his voice firm.

Although Oda Ema went silent, her expression remained resolute.

"This is all in the past. There's no point dwelling on it now," Hota said calmly.

---

"Actually, Mr. Hota, I partially agree with Ms. Oda," Sera Masumi said suddenly.

"Perhaps you're unaware, but earlier today at the film festival's exhibition area, Mr. Taiga murdered our department head, Soma Miho, and tried to frame you for it."

"Wh-What?!"

Two voices rang out in shock, one belonging to Hota Yoshitoki and the other to Oda Ema.

Both were visibly shaken by Sera's revelation.

"To think there's such a dark undercurrent to this case," Akikawa Kyousuke thought to himself, glancing at Oda Ema's pale face from a distance.

(End of Chapter)