The next day, early morning.
Kodaka Hiromi's legs were aching and she didn't follow along, so Nanahara Takeshi took Kiyomi Liuli for a walk around the tiny "Village of Springs," chatting with locals to get a feel for their lifestyles and sentiments toward the village. He discovered that their general circumstances were consistent with Kitamachi Yuko's—each harbored their own misfortunes, and "Village of Springs" was their utopian retreat where many found new beginnings.
But as for who had it in for Daiseki Otake…
Last Tuesday, these people were all busy with various tasks—picking what needed picking, tending their vegetables, meditating, fixing houses. They had seen each other, even during mealtimes, which were attended twice a day without fail. No one seemed particularly suspicious, nor did they uncover any useful clues.
At this point, the case was at a standstill.
