One has to admit, Mizuko Shibakusa was indeed a writer.
Her mastery of the art of language was truly impressive.
Discerning individuals could easily hear the underlying meaning in her words, as well as the subtle mockery directed at Takaki Murakami.
After all, giving such a high reward to a ghostwriter and causing a rift with one's spouse because of suspicions of an affair—all for the sake of reputation and money, even sacrificing one's family—implied that Takaki Murakami was nothing more than a deceitful person, willing to abandon his wife and children for money and fame.
Furthermore, by emphasizing her role in receiving most of the royalties and mentioning the divorce, Mizuko Shibakusa indirectly highlighted her own importance while simultaneously tarnishing Takaki Murakami's reputation. She was using his reputation as a stepping stone for her own prestige.
Though speaking ill of the deceased wasn't a morally upright action, such cleverly veiled sarcasm and reverse interpretations made it difficult for reporters to attack her with excuses.
As expected, during the press conference, despite the reporters' probing and sharp questions, Mizuko Shibakusa maintained a smiling demeanor, stating that she was merely presenting the facts. As for the questions raised, they were all being overly interpreted.
However, Mizuko Shibakusa's expressions and eye contact conveyed a different message: "This is the truth."
A masterful technique.
After seeing her statement, Senichi couldn't help but secretly applaud, but at the same time, his suspicions about her grew heavier.
There had been no clear motive for her to kill Takaki Murakami until now. However, by voluntarily admitting to being Takaki Murakami's ghostwriter in a press conference, she had positioned herself as a beneficiary after his death.
And one must wonder, which ghostwriter would be willing to hide their identity for a lifetime and work for someone else?
Even if it's a teacher you admire, it can't stop someone's determination to step into the spotlight after continuous success.
And her desire to end this relationship was absolutely unacceptable to Takaki Murakami.
Naturally, conflicts arose between the two.
As Senichi pondered, the press conference continued.
"So, Miss Shibakusa, why did you decide to bring this up today?" a journalist asked after gaining the opportunity, holding a microphone. "What thoughts led to your decision?"
"Because I believe Mr. Murakami took his own life," Mizuko Shibakusa paused for a moment and said with a heavy tone, "and perhaps it was me, as his ghostwriter, who pushed Mr. Murakami to a dead end."
"What are your plans after this?" another journalist quickly inquired.
"I have a new work that I plan to publish in Teacher's name as a tribute," Mizuko Shibakusa smiled and continued, "I also have a completed work, and now that Mr. Murakami is no longer with us, I think it's time for me to step out from the shadow of being a ghostwriter and publish this work under my own name."
When push comes to shove, the central theme of this conversation was as such. On the surface, it seemed like an account of the situation, but behind the scenes, it continuously undermined Takaki Murakami's reputation to elevate her own position.
"It's all fake!! It's absolutely all fake!!"
Yumi Miyamoto was fuming after watching Mizuko Shibakusa's press conference. "This woman is despicable! Takaki Murakami would never engage in such vile activities!
I've read her books! They're different, completely different!"
Yumi Miyamoto stared at Shibakusa Mizuko on TV with anger in my eyes and said, "While her writing style and themes are similar to Takaki Murakami, they are definitely not the same..."
"Really? But some writing habits don't lie," Senichi asked Yumi Miyamoto, "I've read Mr. Murakami's works, and compared to his works from three years ago, his writing style and themes have indeed changed.
However, Mizuko Shibakusa's book "Love Deduction" had the same writing style as several books written within the last three years. Even some of the word choices and details matched. For instance, foreign words that should have been written in katakana were written in hiragana, a habit not present in Takaki Murakami's previous works."
"It's fake; she's maliciously imitating it!" Yumi Miyamoto vigorously shook her head. "That woman just wants to ride on Takaki Murakami's reputation and use his death to boost her own fame. Despicable..."
"Calm down, Yumi!" Sato Miwako, standing beside her, looked at Yumi sternly.
"Officer Senichi specifically brought you into this case because he believes your familiarity with the deceased might be of help to us. What we need from you is objective and calm judgment, not subjective emotional assessments. If you truly want to send Mr. Murakami off properly, then stay calm and provide an objective judgment!"
Yumi Miyamoto hesitated upon hearing Miwako's words and then spoke with difficulty, "Although I'm reluctant to believe it, as Officer Senichi said, Takaki Murakami's writing style underwent significant changes three years ago...
While Mizuko Shibakusa's new work's style is just like those works from three years ago, even better... If you didn't look at the name, I might have genuinely thought it was a new work by Takaki Murakami..."
Yumi Miyamoto raised her head, determined. "But! I firmly believe that it's just Mizuko Shibakusa imitating Teacher!"
"Well... if that's the case," Inspector Megure contemplated as he stroked his chin, "Mizuko Shibakusa might indeed be Takaki Murakami's ghostwriter."
"In light of this press conference and her strong desire to be in the spotlight, a conflict between the two could have been her motive for murder..." Inspector Megure pondered. "In that case, what about Mizuko Shibakusa's alibi for the night of the incident?"
"On the night of the incident, the surveillance cameras at the Murakami residence indeed captured Mizuko Shibakusa leaving at 10 PM," Officer Takagi reported while flipping through his notebook.
"So, it's safe to say that the possibility of her being the murderer is almost eliminated..."
Just as Inspector Megure made this statement, Sato Miwako received a phone call. Following the conversation, she suddenly exclaimed, "What? Are you serious?"
Seeing the gazes of those around her, Sato Miwako quickly expressed her gratitude to the person on the phone and then hung up. She urgently addressed everyone, saying, "The person I just spoke to on the phone was the doctor we interviewed earlier!
After seeing Mizuko Shibakusa on TV today, he suddenly remembered that a long time ago, Shibakusa once picked up sleeping pills on behalf of Mr. Murakami!"
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