Dogra Magra (39/47)

by Hisashi Yumeno

About a month later, Wu Ichiro had not shown up at the liberation therapy center once, remaining confined to Room 7. During that time, it is believed that his consciousness gradually recovered. His awareness of time, space, and his own existence began to revive, as if a dawn light was breaking through, triggered by my suggestions.

Questions like, "Where am I, what time is it, and what is my name?" and thoughts such as, "Why am I confined in a place like this?" swirled in his mind. These circumstances were clearly evident from observing Wu Ichiro's daily words and actions, which I had instructed a doctor to record in his bedside diary, allowing me to grasp the depth of his confusion.

Recently, such doubts in Wu Ichiro's mind had gradually converged into a single focus, seemingly bringing him closer to sanity. A sense of relief, akin to resignation, seemed to have come over him, as if thinking, "I don't understand it now, but I will eventually." In fact, a month ago, when he put down his hoe and secluded himself in his room, he had fallen into a rather severe state of melancholy. His appetite had decreased, and he had lost a considerable amount of weight, but since then, he had gradually recovered, and the bedside diary noted that he was now more energetic than before. That is why he is now well-nourished, in a brighter mental state, and smiling at Anna.

It is still unclear whether Wu Ichiro, who had been confined to his room until yesterday, suddenly came out because the order of his consciousness had settled, or because improved nutrition had re-stimulated his libido. However, a premonition that his mental state's recovery was about to reach another turning point here assailed my mind.

As I listened to those words and laughter, along with the sound of a dancing girl singing something under the window, I gazed at the blazing green color of the large table.

“A crime applying mental science that no great detective, no matter how skilled, could uncover... You yourself become the great detective and investigate the truth of this case,” Dr. Masaki’s words echoed in my head. At that moment, Dr. Masaki’s words broke off, and there was a click. I looked up in surprise, and it was the sound of the hands of the electric clock hanging above Dr. Masaki’s head moving from ten fifty-six to fifty-seven.

“How about that? It’s an amusing story, isn’t it? Even this one example shows how completely misguided the treatment methods of psychiatrists up until now have been. At the same time, it shows how wonderful my experiment with this liberation therapy is, unprecedented in academia...”

“Please wait a moment,” I said, raising my right hand and interrupting Dr. Masaki. I sat back in my swivel chair and asked, looking up at his skull-like face, which glowed with triumph.

“...Please wait a moment. But, are your treatment experiments conducted for the purpose of pure academic research, or is it...”

“Of course, it’s for the purpose of pure academic research. This is how mental illness should be treated... I want to show scholars all over the world that...”

“W-wait a moment. That’s not it. What I’m asking is...”

“What is it...”

Dr. Masaki narrowed his eyes in dissatisfaction, shrugged his shoulders once, and leaned back in his chair.

“What I’m trying to ask is this: No one knows yet that the suggestion that drove Go Ichiro insane was this picture scroll, do they?”

“Ah, I hadn’t told you that yet, had I? Of course, no one knows. The judicial authorities practically don’t know either. They haven’t made an issue of it at all.”

Dr. Masaki stroked his face again and adjusted his pince-nez.

"As I said from the beginning, this picture scroll was brought by Ichiro Kure's aunt, Yachiyo, from the second floor of the storehouse and hidden, then found by Wakabayashi and given directly to me. So, besides Wakabayashi and me, you are the only one who has seen this picture. The court and police officials were perfectly deceived because Yachiyo had placed her own tissue paper over this picture scroll on the desk at the scene. They are apparently laughing, saying, 'Dr. Wakabayashi, the labyrinth breaker, was at a loss to explain the truth of the incident and resorted to superstition.' I believe there was a column like an editorial postscript in the newspaper at that time that exposed the trick... Conversely, the villagers who heard about the scroll from old man Sengoro are saying various things. They say that Ichiro went to the quarry after receiving a divine message in a dream, and the scroll was placed in the shadow of a tall rock, and that it was exactly dusk, the hour of meeting demons... Also, those who don't believe in such superstitions say that someone who was infatuated with Moyoko, out of spite for unrequited love, thought of this prank from an old legend and played it on Ichiro, and it was a brilliant success, or something like that..."

"Ah...!"

I suddenly cried out and started to stand up. I pressed both hands on the edge of the large table and stared intently at Dr. Masaki's face. Dr. Masaki also seemed surprised by my cry, and with the smoke he had just exhaled still in his cheeks, his eyes widened.

My breathing and heart palpitations rapidly became suffocatingly intense.

...I understood. I understood... A casual remark by Dr. Masaki had made something like the truth of the incident flash in my mind.

I was convinced that I was the spitting image of Ichiro Kure, a young man descended from Seishu Kure, though it was not recorded.

The two doctors seemed to deny my existence based on the autopsy results that Chiyoko had given birth to only one child. However, perhaps that was merely a trick to subject me to this experiment. My past might be that I was Ichiro Kure's twin, and we were separated for some reason when we were young.

Perhaps I secretly returned to my hometown and secretly loved Moyoko. Perhaps I was hiding, cleverly playing two roles without him noticing, by taking advantage of my resemblance to Go Ichiro. And it was I who, knowing the strange karmic story surrounding the Go family, attempted such a cruel act the day before Go Ichiro's wedding.

However, I too inherited Go Seishu's psychological genes, and simultaneously with, or shortly before or after, Go Ichiro, I fell into the same madness. Neither of us could tell who was real.

Dr. Masaki and Dr. Wakabayashi are struggling to discern the truth. They are trying to differentiate between the victim and the perpetrator.

Thinking this way resolves the root of the question. Yes, that must be it. There is no other way to solve this mystery.

Ah, so I was the true nature of this incident's mystery. Ah, it was I...

At that moment, I huddled in my chair, lost in thought. Dr. Masaki gazed at me with a smile. And as my breathing began to calm, he asked with an exaggerated expression of surprise,

"What's wrong? You suddenly stood up..."

I gasped and replied, "What if I... was the one who... showed this picture scroll... to Go Ichiro..."

Dr. Masaki, without even hearing half of my words, burst into an exaggerated laugh. "You're the perpetrator, and Go Ichiro is the victim? That's interesting. It would be a brilliant trick in a detective novel, and I expected it to turn out that way. But what if the truth is the exact opposite?"

"The opposite?..."

"You don't have to be so reserved and take on the hateful role of the perpetrator. Since you and Go Ichiro are identical, I can make you either the perpetrator or the victim with a flick of my hand. If it's all the same, wouldn't it be more advantageous to be the victim?"

I plopped down onto the chair. Once again, I had no idea what was going on.

"Come now, you mustn't be so surprised. That's why I warned you from the beginning, didn't I? I told you that this case, if not thoroughly researched with much thought, runs the risk of falling into illusion midway. I swear before the deities of Hamahama, Urayama, and Uzura-no-O-Gongen. You are not involved in this case in such a shallow sense. It is in a much more serious and profound sense..."

"But... a connection in an even more serious and profound sense..."

"You're going to say it's impossible, aren't you? But it's precisely because it's possible that it's strange. Let me say it again: this world we live in is not governed solely by the principles of modern materialistic science. You must not forget that it is also governed by the principles of spiritual science. To understand the truth of this case, you need to bear that in mind. From the perspective of pure materialistic science, this world is merely a three-dimensional world, but from the perspective of pure spiritual science, there exists a four-dimensional or even five-dimensional world, multiplied by 'perception' and 'time'. The laws operating in this higher-dimensional world of spiritual science are completely opposite to the laws of the material world. You can sufficiently infer the workings of these mysterious laws from what you have seen and heard in this room. You just need to find the key to solving this case from among them. No, the key to this case should have fallen into your pocket long ago. I clearly remember handing that key to you just a moment ago."

"What kind of key is that...?"

"It's about the illness of soul-separation."

"Soul-separation... what about it?"

"You still don't seem to understand."

"I don't understand."

"The most mysterious aspect of this case is that there is another person exactly like you. Thanks to that other you, the case is completely confused. I just explained that it's due to your illness of soul-separation, didn't I?"

"But... such a strange... ridiculous thing..."

"It seems you still can't believe in the soul-separation illness. Well, it's understandable. Everyone thinks their own mind is the most reliable. It's ultimately safer and makes the story more interesting, so there's no need to rush to a conclusion. The culprit who drove Wu Yilang mad is either one of all humans, or Wu Yilang himself, or perhaps the picture scroll moved on its own... It's better to consider these three premises slowly. Recalling your past with a calm mind is the quickest way."

"But... such a mysterious... strange fact..."

I cut myself off, unable to bear my own thoughts, having almost said this much.

"That's why I'm telling you not to rush. Soon, it won't be mysterious or anything at all..."

"...But... when is 'soon'?"

"I don't know when, but today is impossible. I've been conducting quite intense psycho-scientific experiments to restore your memory, but you simply can't recall your past memories, so it can't be helped. Today's experiment is canceled. In other words, your mind hasn't recovered that much, so I believe it's futile to continue the experiment any further..."

"But... then, what about our initial promise..."

"I made a promise, but it can't be helped. Rather than us both making futile efforts, let's have you rest a bit more, and then we'll restart the experiment..."

"Wait... just a moment... So, Doctor, you completely know the true nature of that mystery, don't you?"

"Yes. Precisely because I know, I'm telling you it's related to you."

"...Then... please tell me everything about it."

"...No..."

Dr. Masaki said this firmly, then re-gripped his cigar sideways. He crossed his arms, leaned back, and smiled coldly. He looked at my slightly annoyed face...

"...Think about why. To reveal the true nature of the mystery in this case, we must uncover the name of the culprit who drove Go Ichiro insane. However, that culprit's name cannot be considered the truth unless either you or Go Ichiro recall it after recovering your past memories. Even if forensic scientist Dr. Wakabayashi has undeniable evidence, or even if I myself witnessed the culprit and the crime scene, it would all be for naught if, by any chance, you or Go Ichiro were to deny that culprit after recovering your past memories. If you were to claim, 'This isn't the person who showed me the picture scroll at the Hamanoishi quarry,' then that would be the end of it. That's what makes this case different from ordinary criminal cases. ...That's why I refuse to prattle on about such worthless things."

Unconsciously, I let out a long sigh. I was aware that my judgment was rapidly falling into delusion...

"...You still don't understand, do you? ...Well then, let me explain another serious fact. Listen carefully. ...In this case, the immediate person responsible for uncovering the identity of that mysterious culprit, no matter what anyone says, would be the forensic scientist Wakabayashi. Even if the police authorities abandon the case as merely an incident caused by Go Ichiro's madness, as a scholar who researches crimes involving the application of psychiatric science, having delved this deep, his conscience as a scholar would not allow him to retreat without addressing the crucial points. In other words, Wakabayashi is in a position where he cannot, willingly or unwillingly, bury the true culprit of this case in obscurity. ...However, as for my position, that is not necessarily the case. I have no more responsibility than an assistant regarding Wakabayashi's detective efforts and struggles. I have merely served as a private consultant. ...Listen... More than that, my professional responsibility, which I have naturally devoted all my efforts to, was your own 'recovery of mind,' or Go Ichiro's, but even so, I have no responsibility or need whatsoever to make you recall the name or face of that culprit. ...This is because, from my perspective as a psychiatrist, if the cause and progression of the illness are clear, there is no problem in research presentations even if I write that the name of the culprit who caused the madness is currently unknown. ...The relationship between Go Ichiro's state of illness and this picture scroll can be perfectly explained from a psychogenetic standpoint, and its value as an academic presentation is already fully, more than fully, established. It's because Wakabayashi is making such a fuss about wanting to find the culprit that it has come to this... Anyway, for that reason, I have no use for the culprit... Hah-hah.""..."

Having declared this, Dr. Masaki calmly rested both elbows on his chair. He blew cigar smoke into rings, looking down at me, who was dumbfounded.

I couldn't help but feel an inexplicable antipathy towards his scholarly, cold demeanor. Moreover, I began to feel an unbearable displeasure at his attitude of ridiculing and then dismissing the person, so I instinctively sat up straight and cleared my throat.

"...Th-that's outrageous, Professor. ...No matter how much of a scholar you are, aren't you being too cold-hearted?"

"It can't be helped if I'm too cold-hearted. Even if I were to lose big and help Wakabayashi find the culprit, there's no telling if there's a law to catch them..."

I felt a strange warmth in my eyes. It felt as if I wanted to say everything at once and be done with it, but then couldn't...

"...Law... laws don't matter. ...Aren't there countless people who won't find peace unless that culprit is found and torn to pieces? Yashiroko, Moyoko, and even that Wu Ichiro... If I'm implicated, then me too. ...Aren't we suffering a cruelty worse than being killed, without any crime or fault?"

"...Hmm... And then..."

Dr. Masaki said, devoid of any emotion or interest, and then gazed dreamily at the path of the smoke he had exhaled. I spoke as if spitting out my soul.

"...And then, if my soul could escape this body, I would possess someone right now and shout out the culprit's name that remains in that person's memory. I would publicly announce it on the main street in broad daylight. I would follow that culprit until death, exacting a revenge worse than killing."

"...Hmm. It would be interesting if you could wish for that. But who would you possess?"

"Who? ...Isn't it obvious? There's Wu Ichiro, who directly saw the culprit's face, isn't there?"

"Hahahaha. That's an interesting thought, feel free to try and possess him. However, if you succeed, it won't just be a matter of applause and cheers. All my research in psychical science will have to be redone. The fact that souls 'possess,' 'haunt,' or 'reincarnate' is nothing more than the effect of a person's own 'psychological heredity' – that's one of the most important tenets of my theory, you see... Hmm..."

"I understand that. However, even if you, Doctor, have no use for the culprit, Dr. Wakabayashi certainly does. Wasn't Dr. Wakabayashi's purpose in giving you these investigation documents to extract that final piece of information from Go Ichiro's past memories?"

"That's right. I'm fully aware of it. The reason Dr. Wakabayashi and I brought you into this room and tried various experiments since this morning was ultimately for the same purpose. However, I no longer wish to pursue the truth of this incident. The reason is that as soon as the culprit's name is known, other things will also become clear."

Dr. Masaki once again blew out a long stream of smoke and whistled towards the sky. I glared at his chin, my arms crossed.

"In that case, there's no problem with me finding this culprit on my own, is there?"

"Of course, it's your freedom. Do as you please, but..."

"Thank you. Then, I apologize, but please release me from this hospital. I'd like to go out for a bit..."

Saying that, I stood up and bowed, supporting myself with both hands on the edge of the table. However, Dr. Masaki remained calm. Without returning the bow, he leisurely leaned back in his chair and blew a tall plume of cigar smoke.

"Go out? Where are you going?"

"I haven't decided where I'm going yet, but... I'll uncover the truth of the incident completely by the time I return."

"Hmph. Uncover it, but don't lose your nerve."

"...Eh..."

"It would be better if we didn't mutually break the mystery of this picture scroll."

"............"

I found myself standing still. Dr. Masaki's demeanor was filled with a powerful force that held me in place. ...A great undertaking of ancient times... an unprecedented formidable enemy... an unparalleled bizarre incident... surrounded by such things, and even driven to the point of deciding to commit suicide, whether true or false, he was making light of it all. The power of that incredible courage... as if held down by that power, I slowly sat back down in the chair. And then, as if to defy that power, I straightened my posture.

"...Very well... Then, I won't go out. Instead, I won't move from here until I find this culprit. I won't leave this chair until my mind recovers and I unravel the mystery of this picture scroll... Is that alright, Doctor...?"

Dr. Masaki did not reply. Then, for some reason, he suddenly slumped down and began to huddle sluggishly in his chair. He poked the shortened cigar into the mouth of the Daruma in the ashtray, hunched his back, and rested his chin on his hand at the table. At that moment, I sensed a hint of a significant secret hidden behind his cunning gaze that shot at me, the small sneer that appeared beside his nose, and his tightly sealed lips.

I instinctively leaned forward. I was enveloped in an abnormal excitement that made my entire skin flush.

"Is that alright, Doctor... In return, if by any chance I discover this culprit, I will announce their name at my own discretion, at my own chosen place. And I will avenge Go Ichiro, Moyoko, Yashiroko, and Chiyoko. For that, I won't be surprised by whatever happens to me, or whoever the culprit may be... Is that alright, Doctor...? To be trapped in such a madman's hell and kept alive like a pet for the rest of my life because of such a cruel and inhumane person... I simply cannot bear it..."

"Hmm... well, give it a try."

Dr. Masaki said this with an air of complete indifference. And then, like a puppet, he closed his eyes tightly, leaving a peculiar sneer beside his nose...