CHAPTER 26 #2
“Will do,” Teruo said. “Whatever needs to be done, I’ll do it. Don’t forget your side of the bargain, commissioner.” He smiled.
“Bargain?” Yoshida asked her.
“Your unit chief is quite the negotiator,” Horiuchi said. “Drew up some terms and conditions for me.”
Yoshida grinned, looking quite proud at that, which was a first for Teruo. But he knew that Yoshida, just like Shinji, was wary of the Onmyōryō, so he was likely glad Teruo was giving them a hard time.
“Takeda was brought here, I understand?” Teruo switched the subject.
“Yes, about an hour ago,” Horiuchi said. “Damn hard too.”
“Be careful. Non-supernaturals aren’t as oblivious as you think they are.” Teruo remembered how Megumi noticed there was no trial for Ueda.
“I know…” Horiuchi sighed. “There’s a big investigation underway. The mess is much, much bigger than I initially imagined.”
“So, there are others dead?” Shinji asked.
“Dead, no, thank goodness. But they aren’t well either.
They’ve been forced into doing all sorts of things under threats—from seals to barriers.
Some will do many things for money. It’s why we need to be careful.
” She gave Shinji a meaningful look. “You know what I’m talking about.
” She was probably alluding to the journals that had dangerous techniques.
But Shinji wasn’t having it. “Maybe you need to rethink who you’re putting into positions of power. Vet them better. Big-ass organization, and all of this happens right under your noses.”
“Duly noted,” Horiuchi said.
Yoshida followed the whole interaction with amusement and a little bit of fatherly pride. Someone called his name, and he patted Shinji’s shoulder, wished Teruo good health, and left.
“Commissioner, where’s Takeda right now?”
“Prison. Underground level one.”
“Is Mrs. Kawasaki arrested too?”
“She helped us, so she’ll do a smaller sentence, but she won’t be allowed to use her powers anymore.”
“Thank you.” After parting with Horiuchi, Teruo looked at Shinji. “I want to speak to Takeda.”
Shinji frowned. “What? Why on earth?”
“I always have a last talk with those I arrest. Normally, to build the case, but this time just for closure.”
“Right. Of course.” Shinji averted his eyes, looking hesitant and almost fearful. “I’m uncomfortable being near her.”
Teruo wasn’t there for the entire extent of Shinji’s interaction with her, but just from seeing those final moments, he knew it had put Shinji in a very vulnerable state.
He cupped Shinji’s cheek. “You don’t have to see her. I’m feeling much better. I’ll go on my own.”
Shinji nodded reluctantly, then guided him toward the eastern wing, where there was an elevator that took them underground. Teruo could not tell which wing was in what direction. It was all very confusing, but amazing.
“This castle really is huge and fascinating. I like it here.”
Shinji stared at him in stupefaction. “A while ago you were pissed at this place, demanding to speak to the manager. Now you like it?”
“Well, none of you brought me the manager despite my demands, so here I am.” Teruo wrapped his arm around Shinji’s waist. “This is your world, and I want to see it and understand it. It’s not perfect, but even broken things can be glued back.
There are still plenty of good people here, so it's better if we work from within to fix things.”
Shinji’s eyes glistened and he held Teruo tight. “Your new soul made you even sappier.”
“It’s because I have you in my heart now.”
Shinji beamed, looking giddy like he hadn’t been in a long while.
There was nothing that made Teruo happier than to see him not burdened by guilt and worry.
Teruo finally dared to think about real plans for their future.
And despite the Onmyōryō’s shortcomings, it had its advantages that could help their relationship in ways the world outside wouldn’t any time soon.
They reached the underground level one, which Teruo imagined would be some dungeon, but it was a gray-walled corridor with neon lights that were a little too strong, and Teruo squinted. They turned left, reaching the main desk for the prison.
Shinji made the request for visitation, signed the papers, then remained behind.
The clerk gave Teruo an odd look and called a guard who opened a rail door.
He led the way between a series of cell doors that had only small rail windows to see inside.
It was a lot quieter than Teruo expected, and there were only a handful of cells too.
Judging by how small and cramped it was, he figured these were temporary for those awaiting extraction and for those who were meant to be moved.
The guard opened a cell door, pretty nonchalant compared to all the panic that Takeda induced before her powers were sealed.
The cell had a narrow bench in a corner and a toilet with an integrated sink in the other.
Takeda sat, leaning against the wall, looking up at the ceiling.
She glanced at Teruo but didn’t move. She wore a dark beige prison shirt and pants, her hair tied loosely.
Teruo sat next to her with a small grunt.
“Why are you here?” Takeda asked.
“To tell you that Horiuchi Shinobu is taking care of this. Seems there’s still more to investigate.”
“I know,” Takeda said. “She told me. She also told me the field agents, two judges and the spare extractor weren’t involved in Hiroshi’s death.” She tilted her head and looked at Teruo. “But I don’t give a shit. They all deserved to die.”
Teruo exhaled a sigh. “This could’ve had a different ending.”
“But it didn’t. They’re just fixing stuff with your cops, and then my reiryoku will be extracted. My only request was to spare Mariko.”
“From what Horiuchi told me, they are.”
Takeda nodded. “Good. I no longer care about anything else. I want them to go ahead with the extraction and just be done with it. I knew what the end of my story would be from the moment the seals were turned off and I took the first life. I made peace with it.”
“What about those you left behind?” Teruo asked. “The families of the innocents you killed? You’ve returned the favor to those who took Hiroshi away, but at what cost?”
Takeda shifted and leaned toward Teruo, fiery wrath in her eyes. “Let this be a lesson then. Next time, it could be worse. Next time, they could piss off a supernatural stronger than me who’ll erase you from the face of the earth.”
Teruo held his breath, rattled but not wanting to move.
Takeda’s shoulders relaxed, and she leaned back against the wall. “Enjoy your time in this new world.” As Teruo carefully stood and opened the cell door, Takeda added in a playful tone, “And enjoy your peculiar new soul too.”
He gave her one last uneasy glance, then walked away. Shinji waited at the main desk and Teruo reached for him to steady himself.
“Let’s go home.”