Puppet Master vol.1

  　“Shigeko Maehata?”

  　“That's right. Let's go.”

  　The taxi drove off. As it gained distance from the Ishii's house, Shigeko heard the boy give a slight sigh.

  　“We'd better not stay in this neighborhood. Let's find a coffee shop somewhere.”

  　Shinichi didn't answer, and didn't even nod. He just sat staring out of the window. Shigeko decided not to force things while they were still in the cab and told the driver to go to Ochanomizu. The coffee shop in the Yamanoue Hotel there was quiet and a good place to talk. She often met people there for interviews, she told Shinichi. He still didn't say anything.

  　When the cab pulled up outside the hotel, Shinichi got out first and stood waiting for Shigeko. “How much was the fare?”

  　“Oh, don't bother about that.”

  　The boy shook his head. “No, that wouldn't be right. How much do I owe you?” he insisted, opening his bag.

  　Shigeko couldn't help smiling, amused. The kid was serious. “No, really. I'm interviewing you, after all.”

  　“That's what I mean,” he said flatly, looking Shigeko directly in the face for the first time. “I can't help you with your story.”

  　Caught off guard, Shigeko stared at him. “What?”

  　“Please forgive me, but I don't want to be interviewed. I don't have anything to say.”

  　“But you came with me!”

  　“I'm sorry if I used you. I just had to get away from the house. That's why I want to pay my share of the fare.”

  　“Hang on a minute─”

  　“Forget about the interview.”

  　“Shinichi─” Shigeko stopped herself. The boy's face was utterly serious and, just as when he'd been running away from that girl, he looked scared. Seeing such a hunted look in his eyes, she felt sorry for him and her irritation evaporated.

  　“Okay, let's do this,” she said, touching his arm lightly with her hand. “Let's have a cup of tea. You can't go home right away, anyway. That girl's bound to still be there. I was the one who brought you here, and I'm responsible for you so I'll make sure you get home safely. I can come and interview you some other time. I'd like to meet the Ishiis too, anyway.”

  　The boy pulled his arm away and, shaking his head, stepped away from her. “No, that's not going to work.”

  　“If you don't like being interviewed, we can take our time over it. We can meet however many times we need. Until you're ready─I won't force you. Look, I'm not after a scoop or anything. I'm not a reporter. If we can talk I think you'll understand what I mean.”

  　“I said no!” Shinichi said, almost pleadingly. “I don't care how long you wait, or how many times you come to see me, it's not going to happen. I'm never going back to that house again.”

  　“Never going back?” Shigeko was shocked. “No way! Shinichi, do you mean you're running away from home?”

  　“Yes.” He was looking over her shoulder for a way to escape, desperate to get away.

  　“I can't just let you do that without saying something. You're still a minor, right? First of all, where are you going? Have you got a place to go to?”

  　“I-I'll go to a relative's place.”

  　Shigeko pulled back her chin and looked hard at his face, but he avoided meeting her eyes. He was lying, she thought. This kid hasn't got anywhere to go. “Don't you feel bad just running out on the Ishiis without saying anything?”

  　“It's because I feel bad for them that I'm leaving.”

  　“Meaning what?”

  　Shinichi looked up and raised his voice. “I don't have to tell you that. It's got nothing to do with you.”

  　The hotel doorman kept glancing over at them, but Shigeko refused to back down. “Yep, I'm a complete stranger. But I can't just sit back and do nothing. You used me, after all.”

  　“That's why I'll pay for the taxi.”

  　“It's not a matter of money!” Shigeko yelled at him.

  　Shinichi flinched, the reaction of a small boy being scolded by his mother. “So what is it then?” he asked, his voice lifeless. “If I tell you about Okawa Park, will that satisfy you? I don't know much. I can't tell you anything that the press doesn't already know.”

  　Shigeko suddenly realized something that had escaped her notice up until now. The boy was completely exhausted, his nerves strained taut. He was desperately pushing himself to hold out, like an injured soldier who couldn't relax until he found a safe place to rest.

  　“Shinichi, you're really tired, aren't you? Haven't you been getting any sleep?”

  　He hung his head without answering.

  　“I don't know what it's all about, but I can see that you're in a real fix. That's why you're running away from home, isn't it?”

  　He gave a slight nod, and muttered, “Yes, but I don't want to talk about it.”

  　Shigeko made up her mind. “Okay,” she said, a little too brightly. “In that case, you can keep on using me. For the moment you can come home with me.”

  　“What?”

  　“I'll let you stay tonight. And I want you to think about what to do after that. If you're going to leave home, you need to have a proper plan in place, don't you?”

  　“Ah.”

  　“It's not easy for someone your age to find work and a place to live, you know. There aren't many jobs that provide accommodation. It's not like in the TV dramas where you just magically end up in your own apartment after the commercial break. Reality's not like that.”

  　Shinichi blinked a few times and stared at her.

  　She smiled. “Oh, and don't go getting any funny ideas. I'm married, so you'll be meeting my husband too. He won't mind having you stay over once he knows the circumstances, so don't worry about that. But just one thing,” she said, holding up her index finger. “Call Mr. and Mrs. Ishii. Even if you don't give them the details, just let them know that you are safe, that you've left home of your own accord, and that you have somewhere to stay tonight.”

  　“Yeah … I already did that before I left. I left them a note.”

  　“What did you tell them?”

  　“I'll be away for a while, but please don't worry,” he said, a rather distant look in his eyes. “In any case, when my aunt comes home and sees that girl, she'll know what it's about.”

  　So it was because of that girl that he was running away from home, but she resisted the urge to question him about it─for now, at least.

  　She nodded. “Well, I suppose that'll do.”

  　Shinichi shook his head as if he couldn't believe her. “You're weird.”

  　“Me?”

  　“Yeah, you're pretty nosy.”

  　“I guess. But if you were in my position, I bet you'd do the same. You wouldn't be able to just walk away.”

  　After all, Shinichi, look how worn out you are. Cornered and on the edge.

  “But Shige-chan, are you sure it's all right to be doing this?” Shoji said, lowering his voice.

  　“What do you mean?”

  　“Doesn't it amount to kidnapping? Bringing him here without his parents knowing about it.”

  　Shigeko and Shoji were in the kitchen talking things over as they prepared dinner. Shinichi, meanwhile, sat on the living-room sofa, vacantly watching TV.

  　Shigeko and Shinichi had arrived at the apartment just as Shoji came home from work. Shoji began saying that he'd got off work early for once, but Shigeko pushed him through the door and then pulled in Shinichi, who was hanging back looking awkward─and had then started explaining. The truth was that on the way home she had been anxious about how Shoji would take it. She had feigned confidence when she told Shinichi it would be fine, but privately she had been quailing at the thought that Shoji might well react furiously. But he hadn't complained, not at first. He'd just looked Shinichi up and down, bewildered. Shinichi for his part had tried to make himself even smaller, and had said, “I'm sorry, it's obviously not a good idea. I'll b
e on my way now,” but Shigeko had held onto his arm to stop him from leaving.

  　“Well, I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but it's not as if we can just throw a child with nowhere to go out onto the streets, is it?” Shoji had clearly been equivocal about it, so when he said this Shigeko was really relieved. They might end up arguing about it later, but for the moment it looked as though they'd weather the storm. And so she'd set about making dinner, taking Shoji with her to avoid leaving the two of them alone together. She hadn't had time to do any shopping, but if she went out now Shinichi might well grab his chance and escape. She'd just have to make do with whatever she had at hand.

  　“Of course it's not kidnapping,” Shigeko said, chopping onions. “I think you're worrying a bit too much.”

  　“Yeah, maybe … it's just that I'm feeling uneasy about it all.”

  　“Sho-chan, I never knew you were such a scaredy-cat! Hey, no need to beat the eggs like that. Just stirring them is enough.

  　“It's all right for you, Shige-chan,” Shoji said indignantly. “It's your thing, after all. But me─I come home from work all tired, only to be caught up in something I know nothing about!”

  　“I'm really sorry about that, Shoji, but bear with me for now. Please? I'll make it up to you, I promise.

  　Shoji still looked sulky, but he gave a snort of laughter and said, “So, what should I do with these eggs?”

  　“Put them there and get the cheese out of the fridge.”

  　“But would a normal reporter or journalist to do this sort of thing? You shouldn't get too close to your subjects, should you?”

  　That question was rather too close to the bone. How would what Shoji had called “a normal journalist” deal with this kind of situation?

  　“Well, I really don't know,” she said honestly. “But I feel sorry for that boy.”

  　“I can see why. But we don't even know why he's run away.”

  　“He says he doesn't want to talk about it. But it does look like a pretty complicated situation.”

  　“Really? I think you're reading too much into it. He's just had a fight with his parents, that's all. I'd bet on it.”

  　Is that all it was? Shigeko didn't think so.

  　“At that age everything is a huge drama. Not only that, but the kid lost his real parents and has been taken in by other people, right? Any little argument can seem stupidly ultra-serious. Everything gets blown up all out of proportion.”

  　“Were you like that too, Sho-chan? With your mother?”

  　Shoji flinched. “Yeah, well. And now that you mention her, if she gets wind of this you can imagine the fuss she'll kick up.”

  　“There's no reason she should find out. As long as you don't tell her.”

  　“But what about the GCIA next door?”

  　“If she says anything, all you have to do is say he's a cousin of mine or something. Okay, dinner's ready. Get the plates, would you?”

  　Despite his age, Shinichi didn't eat a thing. Shigeko kept urging him to try a bite, but he just sat in nervous silence. Looking from Shinichi to Shigeko in turn, Shoji now and then piped in with a cheerful, “You must be hungry. No need to hold back,” or, “Shigeko's cooking is pretty good, you know,” but Shinichi just hunched over a bit more without responding. By the time dinner was over, Shigeko was beginning to wonder whether she'd done the right thing in bringing Shinichi home with her. Perhaps she should have checked him into a hotel somewhere. But if she'd let him out of her sight, he would probably have gone into hiding.

  　“You must be tired. I'll put out a futon for you. You should get right to sleep. We can talk things over tomorrow, all right?”

  　“What about a bath? He'd feel better after having a bath, no?”

  　“Oh, right. What was I thinking? We can lend you a change of clothes, too.”

  　“I've got some spare pajamas and sweats. They're brand new, I haven't used them yet─Shigeko and her bargain sales!”

  　Shinichi sat hanging his head while the pair of them bantered. They were like a third-rate comedy duo sweating it out on stage, thought Shigeko. After a few rounds, Shoji began to get annoyed.

  　“Look,” he said in a rather severe voice, facing Shinichi squarely, “You're not in elementary school any more. When you stay in someone's house, the least you can do is behave properly. What the heck are you looking so sulky for?”

  　“Sho-chan─”

  　“Keep out of this, Shigeko,” Shoji snapped, suddenly putting his foot down. “I'm teaching him some manners. There's no need to pamper him.”

  　Shinichi stood up. “Okay, I'll leave now, then.”

  　“Sure, go ahead. I'd be much obliged if you did.”

  　“But where will you go?”

  　“That's up to him, isn't it? It won't do him any harm to sleep rough for a night or two.”

  　Shinichi picked up his bag and headed for the front door, but Shigeko caught his arm. “Don't be hasty,” she said. “Sho-chan, you too, please. I'm the one that brought Shinichi here. It was my suggestion. Shinichi said from the start that he'd go elsewhere.”

  　“So let him go elsewhere!”

  　“How can you be so cold?”

  　“Cold?” Shoji stood up abruptly. “You're saying I'm cold?”

  　“Aren't you?”

  　“I get home tired from work to find some guy I don't know being all sulky about God only knows what, but still I do my best to accommodate him and you're calling me cold?”

  　“Work, work, work─what's so special about that? Everyone does it!”

  　Shinichi stared blankly at Shigeko and Shoji as they squared up to each other, then a look of despair, almost pain, came over his face. “Please don't fight,” he said in a strangely listless voice.

  　Shigeko turned to look at him but something in his face made her involuntarily let go of his arm. “Shinichi …”

  　Shoji stood there, his face still grim, but clearly showing signs of hesitation.

  　Shinichi turned to him. “I'm sorry, I was rude. You've been kind to me, and I behaved badly.”

  　“But I was the one who suggested it!”

  　Shinichi shook his head. “No, that's got nothing to do with it. But thank you, anyway.”

  　“Where will you go?”

  　“I'll find somewhere to stay. I've got enough money for that.”

  　“Go home,” Shoji said sharply. “Running away from home really isn't cool.”

  　“Shoji,” Shigeko admonished.

  　“I know what I'm talking about. It's hard to back down after a fight─”

  　“That's not it, though.”

  　“So what the hell is it?” Shoji yelled. “What other reason would a child have for not going home?”

  　“Shoji, there's no need to shout,” Shigeko said, restraining him. “Let's talk quietly. But Shinichi, I'm really worried, too. Why do you have to leave home? Won't you tell us? We might be able to help if we know what the problem is.”

  　Shinichi's shoulders slumped, and he said nothing.

  　Shoji said scornfully, “See? He can't say. Because it's no big deal, really.”

  　“Shoji, be quiet.”

  　Shigeko held Shinichi's gaze. If she didn't win this staring match, Shinichi really would leave. She had to take a stand.

  　Shinichi's head tilted slightly to the right. His eyelids twitched. Then he said, “But if I tell you, you'll go and write about it, won't you?”

  　“What?”

  　“My reason for leaving home has got nothing to do with Okawa Park, but you'll write about it anyway, if I tell you, won't you? You'll sensationalize anything I say. That's your job, after all. It's what you're after.”

  　Shigeko stuck out her chest and said firmly, “If it has nothing to do with the Okawa Park case, I won't write about it.”

  　“I don't believe you.”

  　“I give you my word.”

  　“That's wh
at all the reporters who came to see me before said, too.”

  　Shoji took a step forward and stood protectively by Shigeko. “Shigeko never tells lies. If she says she won't write it, then she won't. Don't put her on the same level as those lowlife tabloid reporters.”

  　Shinichi glanced up sharply at Shoji's highhanded tone. Shigeko was about to say something, but he interrupted her. “You may say so, but how can I believe you? Once I tell you, you won't be able to resist writing about it─either that, or you'll sell the story to someone else.”

  　“You'd better watch your mouth, young man. What do you think Shigeko is?”

  　Shoji raised his fist, but Shigeko grabbed it. “Stop that, please!”

  　“Okay well shall I tell you then?” Shinichi grew hysterical, speaking fast. “You saw her yourself, didn't you? That girl who was after me. Do you have any idea who she is? Why she's after me?” Today wasn't the first time, he said. “She's been lying in wait for me on my way to and from school, and she calls me at home all the time. However much I plead with her not to come to the Ishii's house, she won't listen and when I tried to avoid her today she even followed me all the way home. I've been trying to hide it from my aunt and uncle, but with her acting like that right outside their house they'll find out.”

  　Shoji snickered. “Your girlfriend? Oh come on, grow up!”

  　Shigeko wanted to slap him, but suddenly froze. Shoji, too, stiffened and gulped. Shinichi was shaking all over, his hands clenched into fists quivering at his sides.

  　“What the heck's wrong with you?” Shoji said, putting up a show of bravado. “What are you trying to tell us?”

  　“That─that girl,” Shinichi began again, dragging each word one by one from the depths of his body. It was as if his stomach was churning, forcing him to vomit up stagnant water that he'd inadvertently swallowed. “She's called Megumi Higuchi. She's supposed to be in eleventh grade, but she dropped out. Was forced to drop out.”

  　“Megumi Higuchi …” Shigeko couldn't think who she was, but the name sounded vaguely familiar. Hadn't she seen the name Higuchi when she'd been scanning all the reports into the family's murder in Sawa? A jolt ran through her as she remembered. “Higuchi? That Higuchi?”