hen Yuto walked into the career guidance room, Sanada blinked as if

dazzled, then motioned to a chair on the other side of the table. “Take a

seat.”

Yuto pulled out a chair and sat down.

“How’s it going? Are things a bit better?” Sanada asked.

Yuto cocked his head to one side. “I don’t know. The case hasn’t been

solved yet, so no, I wouldn’t say things are much better.”

“I can understand that.” Sanada sighed and looked at the paper he was

holding.

“There’s too much going on right now for you to seriously review

your options. I get that. As I’m talking to all the boys in your year, I asked

you to come in too. I just want to get a rough idea of how you’re thinking

about things. Just answer as best you can.”

“Okay,” Yuto replied.

“Good. Let’s start with the basics. In the interview we did after you

moved into third year, you told me you were hoping to go to college. Can I

take it that is still the case?” Sanada asked, looking up from Yuto’s file.

Yuto didn’t reply. He couldn’t.

Sanada looked up. “What is it? Have you changed your mind?”

Yuto released the pent-up breath in his chest before speaking. “I feel a

bit lost.”

“Lost? How exactly?”

“It’s … uh…” Yuto hunched forward and looked at the floor.

“Is it a financial issue?”

“That’s one thing.”

“There’s something else, then?”

Yuto stayed silent. He wasn’t ready. This was neither the time nor the

place.

“Hey, Aoyagi,” Sanada said. “At least look at me.”

Yuto lifted his head but kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

“I understand how you feel. After what happened to your father,

you’re worried about your family. College costs money, a lot of money.

You’d rather get a job and do your best to help your mother and sister.

That’s what you’re thinking, right?”

Although Yuto’s actual feelings were nothing like this, he replied,

“Yeah, I guess that’s it.”

“Huh.” Sanada nodded to himself. “I expected as much. I admire you

for thinking like that and I’ll do everything I can to support you if that’s

what you decide to do. But listen, Aoyagi, this is a serious decision. For

starters, finding work is that much harder when you’ve only got a high

school diploma. I help a number of kids like that find work every year, and

it’s getting tougher all the time. If you’re worried about providing for your

family, your best bet is to go to college or even vocational school.”

Sanada’s speech didn’t register with Yuto. He wasn’t thinking about

looking for a job, and going on to university was the last thing on his mind.

Now was what mattered. What was he going to do right now?

“Isn’t there anyone who could provide you with financial assistance?

A relative, for instance?” When Yuto said nothing, Sanada added, “Your

father held quite a senior position in his company. He must have some

savings.”

“I’ve no idea.”

“Have you spoken to your mother about this?”

“Not since my father’s death, no.”

“I see.” Sanada intertwined his fingers on the desk. “You’ll need to

have a proper conversation with your mother about this. My guess—and

that’s all it is, a guess—is that she will be very keen for you to go on to

college. On the money side, scholarships can always be found. I’m sure

something can be worked out. Anyway, talking it through with her should

be your first step.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yuto made his way back to the classroom. Although school had finished for

the day, several of his classmates were still there, Sugino among them.

When they spotted Yuto, they all picked up their bags and left the room, one

after another. Only Sugino stayed behind.

“Sure you don’t want to go with them?” Yuto asked. “You won’t do

yourself any favors, hanging out with me.”

Sugino scowled. “I’m not like that,” he said. His voice lacked conviction.

“It’s no skin off my nose. I can’t reach Kurosawa. Any idea why?”

“Kurosawa?”

“He doesn’t reply when I text him and he doesn’t pick up when I call.

Think he’s got a new phone?”

“Dunno. Anyway, why Kurosawa?”

“There’s something I need to discuss with him. And with you. The

three of us, in fact.”

Sugino’s eyes widened in shock and his expression stiffened.

“Something? You mean…?”

“Uh-huh,” Yuto said. “That’s what I mean.”

Sugino turned away. “It’s too late. There’s nothing to talk about.”

“That’s not good enough. It’s not too late. That’s why I want us to

talk.”

His eyes still fixed on the floor, Sugino asked, “Why? Has someone

said something?”

“No, no one—” Yuto cut himself off mid-sentence. “Or perhaps

someone did say something to me.”

Sugino glanced up at him. “Who?”

“My dad.”

“What!” Sugino started. “I mean, your father, he’s…”

“Forget about it. I need you to contact Kurosawa. I’m counting on

you.” Saying this, Yuto grabbed his bag and walked out of the classroom.

After leaving the school grounds, Yuto headed for the subway station.

Whenever he passed groups of his friends strolling along, he could feel his

face flush. The chill of the air felt good on his skin. His mood darkened

when he thought of what he was about to do. His burden was a heavy one,

but he wasn’t going to run away anymore. He wasn’t going to avert his

eyes.

He caught a train and disembarked at Nakameguro Station. He was

nearly home when he recognized the person walking in front of him.

Yuto accelerated until he caught up with him. When they were neck

and neck, the other person noticed him and stopped.

“Oh, it’s you, Yuto.” Kotake forced his square face into a smile.

“Heading back home?”

“That’s right. You too?”

“Yeah. Got a few official company communications I’ve got to deliver.

I’m the liaison guy.”

“What’s happening with the accident cover-up?”

Kotake’s mouth twisted with distaste at Yuto’s question.

“We’ve handled that. It probably wasn’t very nice for your family, but

it’s not something you need to worry about anymore. Try to put it behind

you.”

“You handled it? How’d you handle it? My dad … Takeaki Aoyagi is

the mastermind behind the whole thing—that’s meant to be the end of the

story?”

“‘Mastermind’? Now you’re being melodramatic.”

Turning, Yuto saw a cynical smirk on Kotake’s face. His whole body

grew hot.

“Yeah and what about you?” he yelled. “You get away with no blame at all?”

Kotake glowered at him. “Let me tell you, young man, I have been

reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. For complicity in the cover-up of

a workplace accident.”

“But no one’s going to fire you! You aren’t going to lose your factory

manager job. Because you shunted all the blame onto my dad.”

“I just did what I was told to do. By your father.”

“You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not.”

“My dad would never tell anyone to do anything mean and sordid like

that. I bet you did it all on your own.”

“What are you talking about? You’re just a know-nothing kid,” snarled

Kotake.

Hot blood only surged more furiously through Yuto’s veins. His body

seemed to move independently. He brought his bunched fist down into

Kotake’s square face.