The apartment building is gone. Wakana finds it hard to digest the information. Does it mean the demon is freed or did it die in the fire? Can it die in the fire?
Was it that man? If he can save her from that demon, he might have the ability to do something like this.
Deep lines form on her forehead. No matter what, she can't remember that person's face. She can't remember his voice or words. The memories are nearly gone. Seven years ago, he saved her. Seven years later, he saved her again. It cannot be a coincidence.
She looks at the hand holding hers. She likes this man. She loves him, but she's not happy at the moment. She wonders if he can accept that part of her. If he doesn't even believe her, then what will she do? She can't force him to change his beliefs in one day. Still, what if he cannot accept that side of her at all?
They enter the basement together. Dressed in a navy shirt and charcoal grey trousers, Nishimura Soichiro is reading the newspaper with his lazy eyes. He doesn't give them a single glance.
"Report."
Sei opens his mouth to speak, but Wakana pulls his hand before letting it go. She shakes her head. She will speak first. She also wants to check something. She takes a step toward Nishimura Soichiro who lifts his head and meets her resolute gaze with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Nishimura Sama, I apologize for lying to you last time." Wakana gives him a formal bow. She wonders if she will lose her job.
When that demon tore her clothes and did disgusting things to her, she felt vulnerable and disgusted. She was disgusted with herself for not being able to protect herself. She never ever wants to find herself vulnerable again. She hates that feeling. After witnessing Morita Aiko's death and nearly getting r@ped, she has realized something. The scar on her wrist will always remind her of what happened last night.
She doesn't want to be a victim anymore.
Nishimura Soichiro doesn't speak. He waits for her to explain further.
"The culprit is a demon." She curls her fingers and looks straight at him in the eyes. "I saw him on my first visit to the apartment. He was trapped in that apartment. The twelve victims weren't selected randomly. The twelve victims are descendants of witches. The demon chose them because they weren't aware of their bloodline. The demon would come to their dreams first. After finding out about the victim's deep wishes, he would create illusions."
She takes a deep breath. It's difficult to talk about the demon, but she has to say it. If she loses this job, it's fine. She will be shameless and ask her elder sister to give her a loan to start a coffee shop. If her sister doesn't lend her money, she will go back to the village and become a fisherwoman.
"Morita Aiko, the twelfth victim, was approached by the man she had one-sided feelings for. That man often met her outside her work and made her believe that he was interested in her," She continues with a heavy voice. Though Morita Aiko met her demise, she can't help but feel pity for her. "When the demon was invited to her house, he violated her and tried to absorb the bloodline inside Morita Aiko. But, Morita Aiko managed to trap the demon in the apartment and ran away. But, it didn't end eighteen years ago."
She closes her mouth and glances at Minami Sei who is looking at her with a poker face. She knows that face. He doesn't want her to know what he's thinking. Disappointed, she turns her head toward Nishimura Soichiro.
"What do you mean?" Nishimura Soichiro asks her.
"Morita Aiko was a victim once, but she started desiring power. She took many women with ancient witch's bloodline to that apartment and let the demon violate the women to absorb the bloodlines from those women's bodies. She made that demon transfer the bloodlines to her." Her nails dig into her palms. "She took me to the apartment with the same intention. But, something went wrong. Morita Aiko lost her control over the demon. He killed her after absorbing all the bloodlines. I don't know what happened after that. I know that someone saved me from him. I don't know who that person is. I didn't see his face."
Nishimura Soichiro seems interested now. "How did she take care of the corpses?"
After hearing his question, Wakana frowns a bit. She didn't say that the demon killed those women. "The apartment has a pocket dimension where the demon is residing. The women's bones are hidden in that dimension. That's why nobody could find them."
She waits for laughter or scolding. She peers at Minami Sei who is watching her with an expressionless face. She can tell that he's finding it hard to believe her. She sighs and slumps her shoulders.
It's easy to fall in love, but it's extremely difficult to love all sides of someone especially when believing that someone challenges one's belief. She doesn't want the benefit of the doubt. As a detective, she understands his struggles. Doubting and fact checks are an occupational disease. As a woman, she wants him to believe her even when she has no proof.
"Minami, what do you think?" Nishimura Soichiro smirks.
"I want to investigate before I make any judgment." Minami Sei replies with an honest gaze, "I believe that she's telling the truth, but I need to see it with my eyes."
"Minami, don't give me that shit." Nishimura Soichiro shakes his head and laughs. "Either you believe it or you don't. Did you find nothing odd when you went to the apartment last night?"
He purses his lips. There's been something odd. But, can it be called supernatural? The window opened on its own. Someone grabbed the back of his head and made him look in the direction where Wakana was lying under the tree. He saw a man's reflection who disappeared in a flicker. Still, all of this is not enough to change his beliefs. He believes in logic and facts only.
Nishimura Soichiro is waiting for an answer. Sei looks at Wakana who doesn't meet his eyes. This is why dating in the workplace is bad. He exhales and says, "Whether it's a ghost, demon, or human, a criminal is a criminal. Stopping them from committing more crimes and catching them should be our priority."
"I can accept this stance." Nishimura Soichiro grins at them. "Congratulations, both of you have passed the test."
"I am keeping the job?" Wakana widens her eyes. Passing the test means keeping the job, right?
Nishimura Soichiro guffaws. "Of course, not. You were kicked out the moment you were transferred here. This test was a test of your mental strength and special abilities. If you hadn't spoken the truth, I would have thrown you out of here."
Wakana is speechless. What is he talking about? If she got kicked out of her job that day, why was she sent here?
Seeing her confused expression, he explains, "Nakashima Wakana, you are not an ordinary woman. Your abilities came to our notice during one of the past cases that you investigated along with your superior. But, you seemed reluctant to use your abilities for your abilities. When they transferred you here, it was your last chance. I was testing you from the beginning. You did well. If you want to keep the job, you have to use your abilities from now on. Otherwise, you know the exit."
He knew it from the start. Wakana gapes at him. Does it mean that this man sent her to that apartment when he knew about the damned demon?
"Minami, you were transferred here because of your strong objective skills." Nishimura Soichiro speaks to him with a grave tone, "Unlike her, you have a choice. If you are interested in investigating cases that will challenge your beliefs and your sanity sometimes, you are welcome to stay. Otherwise, I will sign the transfer. What is your answer?"
Minami Sei furrows his brows. Does it mean that those things are real? He peers at Wakana. What will she choose? If he leaves, he will never find out whether Nishimura and Wakana are telling the truth or not. He wants to believe her. There's only one way. "I want to stay."
The corners of Nishimura's lips curl up. But, Minami Sei isn't the only one he wants. "Nakashima, answer me right now."
"What will be my new salary?" She squints her eyes. "If I must use my special abilities, I want a raise."
Nishimura and Minami are stupefied by her question. Regaining his usual composure, Nishimura chuckles. "You will have a triple salary."
"I accept then," She replies without any hesitation. She doesn't want to run away from the supernatural world anymore. It's better to deal with them head-on than getting bullied by the ghosts and cower in the corner. In addition to that, who doesn't like earning more money?
Satisfied, Nishimura Soichiro announces with vivid excitement, "Nakashima Wakana, Minami Sei, welcome to the Supernatural Investigation Agency."