I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Lights on. Silence.

I couldn’t relax. My mind was still trapped in that damn orphanage. The dry taste in my throat, the feeling that we left something behind… or maybe that we brought something with us. A soft knock on the door. I got up slowly. Every muscle felt heavier than it should.

I turned the doorknob. The hallway light revealed Yuki’s face.

— I noticed your light was still on. Can’t sleep, huh, Haru?

— I really can’t.

— Thinking about the orphanage? — she scratched her head, as if searching for courage in her scalp.

— Unfortunately, yes.

— Me too. We went past dying in there… glad I’m alive, otherwise I’d be dragging your leg at night like a proper ghost.

She smiled, trying to sound lighthearted. Didn’t work. The truth was, neither of us was sleeping. Nor would we.

— The noose is tightening, Yuki.

— What do you mean?

— I’m almost certain the mayor is at the center of all this… this case.

— What are you planning, old man?

— We need to know everything about her. Relationships, movements. And especially… what exactly happened in that orphanage.

— Whatever it was, it wasn’t good… Do you think we should go to the mayor’s mansion?

I stayed silent for a moment. The idea was good. But too good.  

Too soon.

— It would be interesting to go to the mayor’s mansion… but I also think it’s too early.

— So, old man… what do you really want to do?

— First… let’s research the list of chosen children.

— Okay. Let’s get to work.

Yuki pulled out her laptop and accessed the police system. We spent some time immersed in files and reports. Not all of them, but some names still had active records. Most followed a pattern. Abandoned children, victims of abuse, extreme neglect. They were sent to the Dawn Wings Orphanage.

It was like they chose children no one would miss.  

A pattern. That alone was suspicious enough.

— There’s one child, Yuki, I want you to look at more closely…

— Who?

— Hina.

— Why? That’s kind of random. Are you guessing again? Did God strike your head with inspiration?

— Don’t you remember? Takeuchi Masanori… he identified as Hina. Why?

— …And her name is on the list… really suspicious.

Yuki started digging. She found it. And called me over with a serious look.

— She grew up in a very hostile environment. Check out this record.

I leaned closer and saw the screen. My eyes scanned the file quickly, and each line weighed heavier on me.

---

Integrated System – Record Search  

Name: Kuroda Hina  

Minor ID: CH-09-4721

Police Report Summary  

Date: 03/11/2011  

Type: Death during police intervention / minor at risk  

Description:  

During an operation on suspicion of illegal activities, the minor’s parents, Kuroda Masaki (42) and Kuroda Yae (38), opened fire on police. Both killed on the spot.  

Minor Kuroda Hina (6 years old) found unharmed and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence History – Kuroda Family  

5 reports filed.  

Assaults. Abuse. Failed intervention attempts.  

Classification: High Risk

Referrals  

Date: 04/12/2011  

Institution: Wings of Dawn Orphanage  

Responsible: Shiba Taizou  

Status: Sealed Record – “Confidential / internal adoption process”

---

A child forgotten by the world.  

No relatives. No future.  

Perfect to disappear.  

I kept rereading. The words wouldn’t leave my mind. Until something caught my attention.

— Yuki… check another child. Any child.

She grabbed another name and opened the system.

---

Integrated System – Record Search  

Name: Eto Tsumugi  

Minor ID: CH-11-3852

Police Report Summary  

Date: 08/27/2007  

Type: Traffic accident  

Description:  

Collision between a vehicle and a cargo truck. The minor’s parents, Eto Haruki (39) and Eto Reina (37), were killed on the spot.  

Minor Eto Tsumugi (5 years old) rescued with minor scrapes.

Domestic Violence History  

No records.  

Stable family. Loving environment.

Referrals  

Date: 09/29/2007  

Institution: Wings of Dawn Orphanage  

Responsible: Shiba Taizou  

Status: Sealed Record – “Confidential / internal adoption process”

---

The same name.

The same man.

Yuki saw my expression freeze.

— What is it?

— Yuki… just to confirm… what’s the mayor’s butler’s name?

— Shiba Taizou. Why?

— He was responsible for sending the children to the orphanage. He’s the key, Yuki.  

To everything.

More than ever,  

we need to go back to the mayor’s mansion.