The Secrets Behind the Mask

Chapter 7 - Reflection

I stood still in my kitchen, with one hand on my waist, as my eyes searched for something from the various kitchen utensils that were lined up in front of me – eyeing specifically at the spatula. It took me a minute before I finally decided to turn around towards the dining utensils behind me, which were kept inside a drawer, and picked up a fork that I can use in cooking bacon for my breakfast.

I stared at it and thought, This one’s easier to wash rather than that spatula. My injured hand gave me a hard time when it comes to washing the used plates after a meal, and it took great effort before I could finish washing one set of dining wares. That was why I was thankful to Mika because she visited me every day to eat meals together, and helped me in doing the dishes.

I walked back to the stove where I was cooking the bacon, and a few steps away from it was my coffee maker, brewing the coffee Aunt Claire brought me the last time they visited here in Sapporo. It was a Monday morning, and even though I did not have specifically anything to do that day, I woke up and get out of bed early so I could eat breakfast and proceed to read the same book that I got from the Aki Café, three days ago.

For the past three days, I honestly did not open and read that book from the café, even though I was itching to do so. I felt so guilty for what I did that I cannot find the courage to continue reading it until I finally decided to purchase my own copy yesterday. It was a good thing that after searching almost every bookstore near here with Mika, I managed to find one copy. The book was so rare because it had been published in 2004, and I started losing hope and almost give up.

That book really caught my attention. There was something in that story that was drawing me in, and I cannot explain why. The last chapter I read from that book was the fifth chapter, so I still did not have any idea what was the plot or how the story would end. The mystery and dark story behind it excites me, and at the same time, made me curious that I started craving for more.

I flipped the slices of bacon on the frying pan for the last time, then put it on a plate, and proceeded to pour myself a cup of brewed coffee. I headed towards the small rectangular dining table in front of the kitchen island and sat on one of the chairs. I started eating silently, only the sound of the spoon and fork, as they clang against the marble plate, can be heard – no other voices chattering, or any sound of movements.

I was used to this kind of quiet life – eating alone, doing my own laundry and dishes, and watching movies with no one else but myself – since I also lived alone in my apartment in Tokyo for more than a year. However, the big and spacious area of that whole house somehow made me feel a little sad. It was too spacious for me, making me feel too small and giving me this constant thought that there was no one else inside that house aside from me.

My eyes looked up and stared at the kitchen island in front of me as I chew my food in my mouth, savoring the rich taste of the bacon on my tongue. I took a deep breath and filled my nose with the natural scent of the house, which calmed me a bit and made me forget about the feeling of loneliness that hung on my mind. It’s a quiet and lazy Monday morning. I should enjoy my time, a thought crossed my mind.

After eating my breakfast and washing the dishes, I headed straight to the living room with a cup of coffee in my hand and sat on the couch. I searched for the television’s remote control and opened the t.v to watch the current news broadcast. Usually, news reports were broadcasted during that time of the day.

I was not into watching the news, but I just wanted to keep myself informed about the things happening in the city and other parts of the country. Who knew what news might be beneficial to me, like that last time when I found out that Nishimoto had escaped before his execution. I was only living alone in a place far from my family, so I had to be careful.

I sipped in my coffee as I kept my eyes on the screen, and felt the pleasing warmth of the coffee as it goes down from my mouth to my throat. I remained in my seat, waiting for the live broadcast of the news, and it did not take long before the first report flashed on the screen. Everything was going well, and only local news was reported, until Nishimoto’s name was mentioned on the t.v and his face suddenly flashed on the screen.

My body instantly froze, and my widened eyes focused on the face of that man in front of me. No matter how many months had passed since I last saw his face, I could still remember it all – even the smallest detail in his face. His face was even vivid and clear in my dreams as if I was seeing the real thing, and I think that was because of how much Nishimoto affected me down to my core and deep into my subconscious thoughts.

I can’t forget him. Not even for a single day.

My gaze trailed down on the headline shown below his picture, saying that Nishimoto might be still here in Japan and was hiding. At that time, I felt my stomach churned in nervousness and anxiety as I waited for the reporter’s official interview with the Chief Officer, who was handling Nishimoto’s case.

“This case of Nishimoto Ken is one of the country’s concerns as it threatens the safety of our citizens. What are the actions and plans that the Police Department has?” The reporter asked, emphasizing the importance of her questions.

“Currently, we are looking into the possible hideouts where he might be by constantly coordinating with his family members, the Nishimoto Family. The family is very cooperative, which greatly helps this operation. Aside from that, we are also coordinating with the airlines in the whole country and requested them to inform us directly in case someone named Nishimoto Ken tried to leave the country.” The Chief Officer reported.

“So far, the records that we got from the airlines support the assumption that Nishimoto Ken is still in the country and hiding.” The Police Officer added.

“What about the Nishimoto Family? What is their stand on this matter?”

“The Nishimoto family is also shocked by what happened as they have previously mentioned in one of their interviews. They were saddened, of course, because Nishimoto Ken is their adopted child. But being both parents and citizens of this country, they are aware of their responsibilities and that they willingly took responsibility for the wrongdoings of their son.” The Chief answered.

I slowly put down the cup of coffee on the center table while continuously watching the news. The Chief Officer made it sound as if the Nishimoto family really cared for Ken like good parents. But according to Takuma, the Nishimoto Family already disowned Ken, not legally, and they were planning to remove him from their Family Register.

I could not blame them of course, because what Nishimoto Ken did was wrong and no one should tolerate that. But the main reason why they decided to remove Ken from their family was that what Ken did affect their family business. It caused their business’s operations to decline, and from what I heard, some of the investors pulled out their investments from their corporation. They were probably trying to save their business’ reputation by doing that.

After I learned about that, I started thinking about how our lives turned upside down because of one incident – one wrong action. And whenever I think about everything that happened before this incident, I sometimes wondered how our lives would be different if it did not go that way? If I did not meet Nishimoto in the first place. If he did not see me that day at the bookstore and found out about my eyes. Or if…

“In regards to the victims, what are the steps taken by the Police Department?” The reporter continued, which brought me back to my senses.

“To all the victims, the government, together with the Nishimoto Family, is doing everything they can to give the justice that they deserve, and assistance to all their needs are also provided.”

“How about to the recent victim? Considering the victim’s safety and rights, we are not allowed to disclose anything about her. But how is the Police Department keeping her safe?”

My finger flinched upon hearing the reporter’s follow-up question because she was definitely talking about me. During my stay in the hospital, until I transferred here to Sapporo, I had not encountered any police nor reporter who wanted to ask for my statement. And it was because Aunt Claire did everything to make sure that only the heads of the Police Department, as well as Takuma and his father, knew about my identification.

At first, they suggested assigning someone to watch over me while I stay in Sapporo, but Aunt Claire and Takuma’s family disagreed. They told them that giving me privacy was also one of my rights, and that I did not want to be watched by anyone. It had been a long discussion, according to Takuma, and only ended when Takuma volunteered to monitor me, explaining that we knew each other and that it might be alright with me if it was him.

Of course, they still asked for my opinion, and I told them that I was fine with Takuma monitoring me, but I did not want him to stay in Sapporo with me. We agreed that he will call me every day for monitoring purposes and that if something came up, I must tell him truthfully and without any hesitation. That was the reason how Takuma and I got so much closer than before. Talking to him every day made me feel better and safe.

“One of our team members, who has a personal relationship with the victim, is monitoring her every day. We assigned him for her safety so she would be comfortable and would be more open to coordinating with us regarding this case.” The Chief responded, which reverted my attention to the news broadcast. The reported nodded in understanding, then she proceeded to her last question.

“For the last question, Police Officer. Does the Police Department have any plans of going public about the identification of the recent victim?”

“That’s for her to decide. Whatever her decision will be, the Police Department will respect it. And I think her decision to go public or not will not affect the progress of this investigation.”

I stared blankly for a while at the screen after that interview, not paying any more attention to the next news. I did not know why but hearing that interview made me feel something I could not explain. It’s not fear nor anxiousness. It’s not even hatred…its…disappointment? Feeling of guilt and regret? I did not know. But one thing for sure was that I felt sad for all of us. For all the things that happened that had led us to this path.

I think it’s unfair for me…for other victims…and maybe… for Nishimoto too, I thought to myself then suddenly, the image of Nishimoto’s face as he smiled while we were together before I went to America flashed on my mind. If he had stopped doing those horrible things at that time, I wonder where he would be?

I still feel hatred towards Nishimoto, and I think it will never dissipate for the rest of my life. But I can help feel a little sympathy for him because, excluding the fact that he is a murderer, nobody can deny the fact that he truly had a bright future ahead of him. He’s smart, his family is rich, and he has everything that ordinary people do not have.

What had happened that turned him into a monster? I thought to myself. Feeling worse about what I had witnessed, I turned off the television and headed straight towards my bedroom, leaving my remaining cup of coffee on the kitchen sink untouched.

I opened my room, and my eyes immediately landed on my bed, which made me feel more tired and sleepy again even I just had finished my breakfast. As I lazily walked towards the bed, my eyes caught the book I brought home from the café, lying on the bedside table. I put it there last night and forgot to put it in a safer place because I was so occupied with the excitement that I felt after being able to buy the same copy of that book.

I sat on the side of the bed and reached for the book to put it inside the drawer. However, as I lifted it from the bedside table, it slipped from my hand and hit the floor, making a loud sound due to the impact. The loud thud echoed in my ear, waking all of my senses in panic, and without any second thoughts, my hand hurriedly reached for the book. I was about to pick it up but stopped midway when I noticed something in it.

The book opened in half, and in that part where the pages of the book were divided, there was a small bookmark. There was nothing unusual about seeing a bookmark inside a book, since most people who love to read use that. However, the words that were written in that bookmark somehow sent chills to my spine.

The bookmark was all black, and the words printed in white on it say…Found you.

I stared at it for a while, then my hand absentmindedly reached for it. When I got a hold of it, I slowly inspected it if there were anything more written in there aside from that creepy note, but I did not see anything. My gaze shifted at the book that was still lying on the floor and picked it up too, and it was only at that time when I noticed that something on that page was highlighted in light yellow. The highlighter was so light that I did not immediately notice it a while ago.

“Whatever is meant to find you…will find you.” I whispered as I read the words highlighted on that page. My eyes blinked then I looked back at the bookmark, thinking that the one who previously read that book probably put the bookmark on that page because they are related.

“It’s cool…but it creeps me out,” I muttered to myself with a displeased expression on my face. I decided to put back the bookmark in it and closed it. But before putting it inside the drawer, I checked first if the impact a while ago damaged it.

I flipped the book and checked every corner. In case there would be serious damage to it, I would be willing to exchange mine with it since it was my fault that it fell. I would be willing, but that did not mean that I would not feel disappointed. I mean, who would not when I have to give away the book I just recently purchased and haven’t even opened yet. For a novel reader like me, that was really disappointing and upsetting.

I prayed and hoped for the better, and when I finally made sure that the book was fine, I let out a deep and long breath in relief. I was relieved that there was no serious damage on it aside from the small dent at the edge of its hardcover, which was unnoticeable if someone would not pay too much attention to it.

I carefully put the book inside the drawer, and after closing it, I lay comfortably on my bed. However, as my consciousness slowly drifted away in my sleep, I suddenly heard a familiar ringtone. At first, I thought I was just dreaming, but the sound became louder and louder as seconds went by, until I realized that it was my phone’s ringtone and someone was really calling me.

I opened my eyes and stayed still for a moment, hoping that the caller would end the call so I would not have to turn around to answer my phone on the bedside table. But to my disappointment, my phone did not stop ringing. With a deep and heavy sigh, I reluctantly turned at the bedside table and got my phone. I furrowed as I stared at the caller ID and could not help but wonder why that woman was calling me so early in the morning.

“What?” I asked in a sleepy tone as soon as I answered the call.

“Good. You’re already up.” Mika started in a voice filled with excitement. “Have you already eaten breakfast?”

“Yeah. Just half an hour ago. Why?”

“Eh? I was planning to invite you to eat at the Aki Café today.”

My eyebrows furrowed as I pressed my face deeply on my pillow. “Well, I did not know that you are going to call and invite me for breakfast today. You should have told me last night.”

“I just thought about it now.” She responded. “Anyway, come with me.”

“I told you I’ve already eaten,” I repeated in a low voice.

“Yeah, I heard you. But didn’t you plan on returning the book today at the café?”

“It’s still 9:00 AM. It can wait. I want to sleep again.” I closed my eyes, hoping that Mika would finally drop the topic and end the call. However, I forgot how that woman was so persistent when it comes to the things she wanted.

“No, think about it. It’s Monday morning, meaning there will be fewer people in the café. Don’t you think now’s the perfect time for you to return the book so you will not embarrass yourself more?” Mika suggested convincingly, which made me open my eyes and paid her all my attention.

I did not respond and thought about her suggestion for a while. Well, she has a point, I internally agreed. And if I go now, that means I do not have to leave the house later, and I could sleep all I want, even the whole day. I silently let out a sigh and pushed myself up from the bed.

“Okay. Give me twenty minutes to prepare.”

Mika and I met outside of my house, and we went on our way to the café. As we passed by the streets, I noticed that like what we had expected, there were fewer people on the street. Only a few people who were walking their dogs, and some who probably were running late for their work. We stopped in front of the pedestrian lane and waited for the signal light to turn green.

As we were waiting, I could not help but lowered my head because I was still feeling sleepy, and my eyes hurt from forcing it to remain open despite the drowsiness taking over my body. I was so out of it that I did not notice that the signal light had already turned green and was only brought back to my senses when I felt Mika pulled my arm.

“Hey, don’t sleep on the street. Hurry up.” She said as she pulled me to cross the road.

I lazily followed her, not giving any attention to my surroundings when suddenly, the scent of the air surrounding me turned into something very familiar, which made me involuntarily halted on my tracks in the middle of the pedestrian lane. My eyes widened, and my body remained still, unable to move an inch as my mind tried to comprehend what was going on.

“Hey, Annika.” I heard Mika called me while pulling my arm, but my mind was so occupied with that very familiar scent that I could not respond to her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I felt fear slowly crept in my body, and my hands and feet turned cold as realization hit me. N-no way, I thought to myself. My body slowly turned behind me, despite Mika calling my name and pulling my arm repeatedly. My eyes terrifyingly and nervously searched through the crowd for the person to whom that scent came from. And to find out who…was that.

I can’t be mistaken. That’s…the same scent I smelled on my bed before in my room in Tokyo. The same perfume that Nishimoto used.