The middle-aged man leading the group entered the room with two others, while the remaining individuals kept a distant but unwavering watch on Hanakaiin Tōru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and Hanakaiin Ra. Their posture unmistakably conveyed that any sudden movement from the trio would summon an immediate swarm upon them.
What happened next unfolded seamlessly.
Clues found on Hanakaiin Kokorozashi’s corpse and in the house.
All pointed to Hanakaiin Ra.
Of course, Hanakaiin Tōru and Hanakaiin Itsuki were implicated as well.
"Do you have anything to say?"
The middle-aged man glared at the trio.
Hanakaiin Ra stiffened his neck as he spoke.
"What, are you trying to say he staged everything and killed himself to frame you?"
"Don’t be ridiculous!"
The middle-aged man snapped in anger and, without giving Hanakaiin Ra another chance, waved his hand.
Immediately, a barrier emerged.
It swiftly enveloped the three of them.
Leaving behind a team to guard them, the rest of the group headed towards the trio’s residence.
The middle-aged man was convinced there would be stronger, more direct evidence there.
The large group departed.
The courtyard fell into sudden silence.
Through the barrier, Hanakaiin Ra could clearly see Hanakaiin Kokorozashi’s corpse, his eyes wide open in death.
He felt as though he was beginning to understand something, but the more he thought, the less certain he became.
Hanakaiin Ra instinctively turned to Hanakaiin Tōru for guidance.
"Silenced to cover it up."
Hanakaiin Tōru replied simply.
Hanakaiin Ra exclaimed in shock.
"Didn’t you notice the marks on his palm?—With this type of special dagger, because it’s so thin, gripping it tightly leaves what looks like a cut. And, to make it look more convincing as though you or we had attacked him, he must have held it firmly.
"But he didn’t anticipate that, as he prepared to wound himself to the perfect degree, his partner would seize the opportunity to push his wrist—causing the blade to veer and pierce his heart instead."
Hanakaiin Itsuki sneered coldly as he spoke.
"Healing! Onmyōjutsu healing!"
Upon closer inspection, Hanakaiin Ra spotted faint white scars and gasped in realization.
"That man just now couldn’t have missed that!"
"Could he… have done it intentionally?"
Hanakaiin Ra’s expression shifted again.
"What did you expect?"
"The main family wouldn’t pass up this opportunity."
Hanakaiin Itsuki said while standing up and stretching his limbs.
"What are you doing?"
Hanakaiin Ra asked in surprise.
"You think we’ll stay here and wait to die?"
"I don’t care about carrying the Hanakaiin name."
Hanakaiin Itsuki declared as he prepared to act.
But he was stopped by Hanakaiin Tōru, who raised his hand.
"You’re stopping me?"
Hanakaiin Itsuki grinned, baring his pale teeth.
"Trust that there will be a turning point."
Hanakaiin Tōru said calmly.
"Tōru-aniki, did you set this up in advance?"
Hanakaiin Ra asked, looking at Hanakaiin Tōru with excitement and admiration.
Hanakaiin Itsuki paused.
Then, the young and disreputable Onmyoji sat down as well.
But not trust Hanakaiin Tōru.
Rather, he trusted his companion.
Seeing Hanakaiin Itsuki sit down too, Hanakaiin Ra continued asking.
"Tōru-aniki, who’s the killer?"
As soon as the question left his mouth, Hanakaiin Ra realized Hanakaiin Itsuki was looking at him as if he were a fool.
Even the always composed Hanakaiin Tōru had a trace of helplessness on his face.
Stunned, Hanakaiin Ra blinked and whispered in the lowest voice—
"Am I the only one who doesn’t know?"