Chapter 5: The Man Behind the Glass

Takeda opened the door.

“Then they start talking tonight.”

Ren and Aiko followed him into the cold Kyoto night.

---

An hour later, the black car stopped outside the towering headquarters of Kanzaki Financial Group.

The building stood like a wall of glass and light against the darkness.

Ren looked up. “People like this don’t scare easily.”

Takeda replied calmly, “Everyone gets scared.”

Aiko adjusted her coat. “The question is when.”

---

Inside the lobby, a receptionist greeted them nervously.

“We weren’t informed about any meeting.”

Takeda showed his badge. “Now you are.”

The receptionist quickly picked up the phone.

A few moments later—

“You may go to the top floor.”

Ren smirked softly. “That was easier than expected.”

Takeda pressed the elevator button. “Too easy.”

---

The elevator doors opened into a quiet office covered in dim golden light.

A man stood beside the large window overlooking Kyoto.

Perfect suit. Calm posture. Sharp eyes.

He turned slowly.

“Detective Takeda,” he said smoothly. “I’ve been expecting you.”

Takeda studied him carefully.

Daichi Kanzaki.

CEO of Kanzaki Financial Group.

Aiko whispered quietly to Ren, “He doesn’t look nervous.”

Ren replied under his breath, “That’s the dangerous part.”

Daichi smiled faintly. “Please. Sit.”

Takeda remained standing. “We won’t stay long.”

Daichi walked toward his desk. “People usually say that before staying very long.”

Takeda ignored the comment. “You knew Emi Kuroda.”

Daichi’s expression did not change.

“A tragedy,” he said calmly.

Takeda stared at him. “That’s all?”

Daichi folded his hands. “What else should I say?”

Aiko stepped forward. “Two people connected to her are dead.”

Daichi nodded once. “I heard.”

Takeda’s eyes narrowed. “And yet you seem calm.”

Daichi gave a slight smile. “Should I panic to appear innocent?”

Silence.

Ren watched carefully from the side.

Takeda spoke again. “The victims were connected to your company.”

“Former employees,” Daichi corrected.

Takeda continued, “And Emi worked here too.”

“Yes.”

Aiko asked directly, “What happened five years ago?”

Daichi looked at her.

Then he calmly replied—

“Nothing.”

Takeda’s voice hardened. “Two people are dead.”

“And that is unfortunate,” Daichi replied, “but it does not change facts.”

Takeda stepped closer to the desk. “You expect me to believe this is coincidence?”

Daichi leaned back in his chair. “Detective, coincidence is often more believable than obsession.”

Ren suddenly spoke.

“Did Emi blackmail your employees?”

Daichi looked at him for the first time.

“And you are?”

“Ren Ishikawa. Journalist.”

Daichi smiled faintly. “Ah. Journalists. You people always arrive before the truth does.”

Ren didn’t react. “Answer the question.”

Daichi’s eyes became colder.

“No.”

Takeda immediately noticed the change.

“You hesitated,” he said quietly.

Daichi looked back at him. “No, Detective. I simply dislike pointless questions.”

Aiko crossed her arms. “Then give us useful answers.”

Daichi stood up slowly.

For the first time, the room felt tense.

“You assume I’m hiding something,” he said calmly. “But perhaps you should ask why someone wants these people dead.”

Takeda replied instantly, “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Daichi walked toward the window again.

“The dead often leave unfinished stories behind,” he said softly.

Takeda frowned. “What does that mean?”

Daichi looked at the city lights below.

“It means,” he said quietly, “that some truths survive longer than people.”

Silence filled the office.

Takeda finally spoke.

“If you remember anything useful, call me.”

Daichi smiled slightly without turning around.

“Oh, Detective…”

Takeda stopped near the door.

Daichi’s voice remained calm.

“Be careful chasing ghosts from the past.”

Takeda replied coldly—

“I’m not chasing ghosts.”

He opened the door.

“I’m chasing a killer.”

As the three left the office, Ren looked back once.

Daichi Kanzaki was still standing beside the glass window.

Watching the city below.

Smiling slightly. 🦋

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