August 30, 2026. 2:00 PM. UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base, Ground Base. Operation Room.
“We will begin Asagiri’s interrogation at 2:30 PM.”
Saying so, the Director looked at me.
“Himemiya, I believe I warned you not to do anything rough to civilians, but I assume you had a good reason for taking her into custody by force. Would you mind telling me why you concluded that Asagiri is an AW?”
I knew she was going to ask that. But I didn’t want to talk about the ring yet. I didn’t want to think about it too much, but there was a possibility that I would be the one detained instead, or removed from the investigation entirely. On the way back to Ground Base, I had been searching for a plausible answer.
“Asagiri’s behavior was clearly unnatural. She stopped in the middle of that crowd for about 8 seconds, staring at that location. Her words and actions were unnatural too, and she likely knows exactly what happened there. There’s also a possibility she was directly involved. Isn’t that enough reason to detain her?”
“True, what you’re saying isn’t wrong. I am also convinced that Asagiri knows something important. But we have no proof. It’s nothing more than a deduction.”
The Director was right. But I couldn’t back down here. I knew better than anyone that I was speaking entirely based on conjecture.
“If Asagiri were an AW, there was a possibility I could have been in grave danger. Our opponent is someone to whom our common sense doesn’t apply. If I hadn’t detained her, there was a chance I could have been killed!”
I put emotion into my words. That possibility certainly should have existed. I don’t like emotional arguments, but I had no choice but to push through with this.
“Kamikura. What about you?”
The Director asked Kamikura for his opinion. I stared into Kamikura’s eyes.
“I believe Himemiya’s judgment was correct. I could tell through her mic that Himemiya had collapsed at the shop entrance for a few seconds. I don’t know if she was actually feeling unwell or if it was a fake to make Asagiri drop her guard. We can’t entirely dismiss the possibility that she suffered some sort of mental attack from Asagiri. Taking that into account, neutralizing Asagiri with a stun gun and restraining her was completely justifiable self-defense and reasoning.”
“I see… In that case, I will understand this incident as a proper judgment call.”
I felt relieved. If not for Kamikura’s assist, I couldn’t have complained if they deemed it an error in judgment. I wanted to thank him.
“Himemiya, was that a fake? Or did you really—suffer some kind of mental attack?”
Kamikura was worried. Even now, just remembering it made my legs want to give out from fear.
“Oh, that… Of course it was a fake. I might have exaggerated my fall a bit too much, though…”
I said that on the spur of the moment, but… maybe it would have been fine to tell the truth about this one thing… It would serve as a legitimate reason for me detaining Asagiri. No… I feel like my ability to make normal judgments is gradually slipping away…
To begin with, if Asagiri mentioned my ring during the interrogation, everything would be exposed. I didn’t think Asagiri would spill the beans that easily, though…
“Director, please let me conduct the interrogation alone.”
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
“I think there’s a high probability Asagiri is an AW. If she is, there’s a good chance she can see through the two-way mirror of the interrogation room. If so, she might be able to inflict some kind of harm on you and the others. There’s also the possibility she won’t talk. Please leave me alone in the interrogation room and don’t let anyone into the monitoring room either.”
“…I certainly understand your point, Himemiya-san, but isn’t that a bit too dangerous? I’m against it.”
Hayama said.
“Himemiya, I understand your point, but we are a team. I can’t push all the danger onto you alone. It depends on how tight-lipped Asagiri is, but for the time being, Kamikura and I will observe from the monitoring room.”
“Himemiya, don’t take too much on yourself. If something happens, I don’t think you can handle it alone.”
…As expected, there was nothing I could do about this.
If by any chance, Asagiri were to mention my ring…
I would have no choice but to tell the truth at that point…
In the midst of this, a notification sound, seemingly from VARIS, suddenly rang through the room.
< Director Hardy. Incoming call from Section Chief Totoki of the Public Security Bureau Section 7. Repeating. Incoming call from Section Chief Totoki of the Public Security Bureau Section 7– >
VARIS’s voice echoed through the operation room.
“VARIS, put him through.”
< Understood. Connecting. >
Along with the audio, Tetsuya’s video was displayed on the large monitor.
< Director Hardy. I apologize for the urgency, but I need you to immediately release Mayu Asagiri, whom I believe you currently have in custody. >
(!?)
“What is the meaning of this?”
< We just received pressure from Kirimine Heavy Industries and the Alsard Church. They asked if UCIA and Public Security were such barbaric organizations that they would forcibly abduct a frail female civilian. Whatever the reason, if we don’t agree to her release, it will have a severe negative impact on our future investigations and operations. I have already cleared this with the Pentagon. I want you to process her release immediately. >
“Understood. I will process her release immediately.”
< I’m sorry. This helps us out too. I am heading over to pick up Asagiri alongside personnel from Kirimine Heavy Industries now. I’m counting on you. >
And the call ended the moment the video cut out.
“It looks like… she was someone we weren’t supposed to catch. Given the pressure from Kirimine Heavy Industries and the Alsard Church, I feel like she must be someone incredible…”
Chris looked at me with concern.
“Anyway… now that it’s come to this, we have to apologize… We’ll likely receive notice of some sort of disciplinary action from the higher-ups. Himemiya and Kamikura, head to the entrance. Hayama and Chris, undo Asagiri’s restraints and bring her to the entrance.”
As the Director said that in frustration, another transmission from VARIS came into the room.
< Director Hardy. Emergency incoming call from the Pentagon. Repeating. Emergency incoming call from the Pentagon. Please respond immediately in the Director’s office. Repeating– >
“Argh, geez! I know!”
The Director seemed considerably irritated.
It’s my fault… If only this ominous ring hadn’t been stuck on my right hand… I would have been able to judge everything much more carefully…
Thinking back on it now, I feel like I was rushing too much. That bizarre phenomenon at the antique shop’s entrance. Because of that, I panicked. The subconscious fear of this ring attached to me… It’s muddling my judgment…
I needed to approach Asagiri with more caution. But it’s too late for that now… I made a grave error in judgment… I’ll likely have to face the consequences for it…
“Himemiya.”
“…I’m sorry. It was my error in judgment. I acted on my own discretion this time. You hold no responsibility for this, Kamikura…”
Saying so quietly, I tried to stand up from my seat.
“Don’t be stupid. Since when did I become your subordinate? As your partner, the responsibility is mine as well. If anything, it’s my fault for letting you handle the questioning with Asagiri alone. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Despite the barbs in his words, Kamikura was protecting me… That kindness was painful…
“Let’s go. For now, we have no choice but to bow our heads. Though I have absolutely no intention of apologizing to Tetsuya…”
Kamikura was always like this. He would complain about my mistakes, yet he would always cover for me, claiming full responsibility. During our college days, in the FBI… he had always protected me…
Every time I remembered that, it made me acutely feel my own uselessness…
Same day. 3:05 PM. UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base, Ground Base. Entrance Rotary.
“Asagiri-san. I am truly sorry for treating you so roughly this time…”
At the entrance rotary, Kamikura, the Director, and I bowed our heads to Asagiri. Escorted by Chris and Hayama, Asagiri simply stared at the ground with a downcast expression.
Looking at her again, she is a fragile woman. We took her into custody by force under the conclusion that she was an AW, but the only solid proof we had of her being an AW was the fact that she could see the ring. If it turns out she simply has high spiritual sensitivity and can just see the ring, we might have done something irreversible.
Above all, I had suddenly interrogated Asagiri, who had been treating me so kindly, neutralized her with a stun gun, and abducted her by force. From Asagiri’s perspective, I would be more than deserving of her disgust.
“Her escort is here. Be sure to show them respect…”
A car approached from the tunnel in the back. A luxury black sedan slowly entered the rotary. As it stopped right in front of us, Tetsuya stepped out from the driver’s seat, and a woman dressed in a white suit stepped out from the back seat.
“We have been expecting you. We sincerely apologize for our discourtesy this time…”
The Director bowed her head to Tetsuya and the woman in the suit. Kamikura and I followed suit, bowing our heads to the two of them.
“I am Ritsuko Kamijo, Executive Secretary to the CEO of Kirimine Heavy Industries Headquarters. Are you the female investigator who forcibly detained Mayu?”
She looked to be in her early forties… Her sharp gaze fixed on me.
“I am truly sorry for the forced detainment this–”
Before I could finish my apology, Kamijo grabbed me by the collar.
Then, she delivered a fierce slap to my face, followed by an equally fierce backhand.
It happened so suddenly… Her strike was incredibly strong for a woman… Caught off guard, I collapsed to the ground… The pain was considerable. Kamikura stepped forward.
“Stunning Mayu with a stun gun when she did absolutely nothing wrong, and forcibly taking her away… Just what were you thinking?! If you ever do the same thing again, I won’t let you off easy!”
Kamijo was furious…
“I apologize. Could I ask you to calm your temper for today? Himemiya is an excellent investigator. There was likely an issue with the instructions from her partner.”
Tetsuya stepped close to Kamijo and said this. He seemed to be glaring at Kamikura with a sharp gaze.
“I am UCIA Special Agent Hisamune Kamikura. I bear all responsibility for Himemiya’s actions. If you want to raise your hand against someone, make it me.”
Glaring at Kamijo, Kamikura stepped forward.
“Kamikura! Stand down!”
The Director immediately stepped in to stop him. At that moment, Asagiri quietly spoke up.
“Aunt. That is enough… Please stop using violence and raising your voice.”
“Mayu…”
Still looking down, Asagiri instantly calmed the situation…
“Please wait in the car. I’ll be right there…”
When Asagiri said this quietly, Kamijo headed back to the car, looking at her with concern.
“You are UCIA Director Hardy, correct? Could you give Himemiya-san and me a moment alone?”
The Director nodded at Asagiri’s words. The Director, Kamikura, Hayama, and Chris headed back into the facility, looking at us with concern.
And so, it was just Asagiri and me left at the rotary.
Asagiri quietly began to speak.
“Himemiya-san. I am not the one you are pursuing.”
(!?)
It was an abrupt statement. She knew we were pursuing AWs after all…
“And I have a warning for you. You must not make a wish. If you proceed any further, you will undoubtedly be swallowed by the darkness. Please spend the next 57 hours or so with an empty mind. If you do, that special ring should disappear.”
I couldn’t believe Asagiri’s words… The period to make a wish to the ring wasn’t two weeks…?
“…Asagiri-san, just who are you–”
Asagiri quietly walked back to the car… For some reason, even though I wanted to chase after her, my legs wouldn’t move…
And the car, carrying Asagiri, headed back above ground.
57 hours left… In other words, the ring’s effect lasts for about 3 days… After that, the ring will disappear.
But that also meant that I would be unable to have my wish granted in 57 hours…
“And I have a warning for you. You must not make a wish. If you proceed any further, you will undoubtedly be swallowed by the darkness. Please spend the next 57 hours or so with an empty mind.”
My wish. That is to know about Kamikura’s blank one year. I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone anymore… I don’t want to drag Tetsuya into this any further either…
What should I do…? What am I supposed to do…? What should I do…