Chapter 2: The Second Sign

The next morning in Kyoto, Japan, the rain had stopped _ but the rain still felt heavy.

Inside the forensic lab, bright white lights replaced the darkness of the night.

Aiko Nakamura stood beside the examination table, arms crossed.

Takeda entered quietly.

"You called me," he said.

Aiko didn't look up. "You should see this."

Takeda stepped closer. "The victim?"

"Yes. But that's not the strange part."

Takeda frowned. "Then what is?"

Aiko picked up a sealed evidence bag and held it up. Inside was the paper butterfly.

"I examined it," she said. "And it's not just paper."

Takeda's eyes narrowed. "Explain."

"It's handmade," Aiko replied. "Carefully folded. No machine cuts. No random creases."

"So the killer made it themselves."

"Yes... and there's more."

Takeda leaned slightly forward. "Go on."

Aiko hesitated for a moment. "There's something written inside."

Takeda's voice lowered. "Inside?"

"I had to unfold it carefully," she said. "I almost missed it."

Takeda's tone sharpened. "What does it say?"

Aiko looked directly at him.

"Just one word."

Silence filled the room.

Takeda spoke again. "What word?"

Aiko answered slowly.

"Guilt."

Takeda didn't react immediately.

"Guilt..." he repeated.

"Yes," Aiko said. "Written in red ink."

Takeda crossed his arms. "Or blood."

Aiko gave a slight nod. "Possibly."

Takeda looked at the butterfly again. "So the victim felt guilt? Or the killer think so?"

Aiko replied, "That's what we need to find out."

Takeda turned away, thinking.

Aiko spoke again. "There's something else."

Takeda sighed softly. "There is always something else."

Aiko continued, "No fingerprints. Nothing useful. It's too clean."

Takeda smirked slightly. "Careful killer."

"Very careful," Aiko said.

Takeda walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Aiko asked.

"To learn who the victim was," Takeda replied. "People don't get marked without a reason."

Aiko's voice followed him. "Takeda."

He stopped.

"Be careful," she said.

Takeda didn't turn around. "I always am."

...----------------...

Hours later-

Takeda stood outside a small apartment building.

A young officer approached him.

"Detective, we found something."

Takeda looked at him. "What is it?"

"The victim... he was involved in a case five years ago."

Takeda's eyes sharpened. "What kind of case?"

The officer hesitated. "A woman's death."

Takeda's voice turned cold. "Accident?"

The officer shook his head. "That's what it was called."

Takeda stepped closer. "And the truth?"

The officer swallowed. "It was never proven... but people said it wasn't an accident."

Takeda was silent for a moment.

Then he spoke quietly-

"Guilt."

The officer looked confused. "Sir?"

Takeda turned away.

"Find everyone connected to that case," he ordered.

"Yes, sir."

As Takeda walked back toward his car, his phone suddenly rang.

He answered.

"Takeda speaking."

A panicked voice came through.

""Detective... we found another body."

Takeda froze.

"Where?" he asked sharply.

"Near the river... and sir-"

"What?"

"There's another butterfly."

Takeda closed his eyes for a second.

"Then he said calmly-

"I'm on my way."

The line disconnected.

Takeda looked up at the sky.

The rain had started again.

"This isn't random," he murmured.

"It's punishment."

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