Chapter 1958: Chapter 1108: Sincerity (Part 2)
"Makes a lot of sense, that’s probably it." Yang Xiao nodded in agreement.
Although he admired Yamamoto Chunai’s heroic deed, objectively speaking, Yamamoto Chunai is a newcomer after all. Newcomers lack experience and adaptability, so it’s unlikely she would do anything beyond expectation. Most of her actions could be anticipated.
In Yang Xiao’s analysis, luck played a significant role in her escape.
If possible, Yang Xiao sincerely hoped her luck could improve, looking forward to the day the two would meet again.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiao thought of another matter. The three attacks launched by the Paint Ghost were all carried out under illuminated conditions.
The first attack targeted Suzuki Takashi, and it happened in the waiting hall of Shirahata Station. Yang Xiao had visited the site, and the lighting was good there.
The second attack was on Yang Xiao himself, not far from the entrance of Youjian Mountain Tunnel, also during the day.
The third time, the Paint Ghost attacked the Detective Agency, and at that time, all the lights in the agency were on, providing excellent illumination.
Yang Xiao boldly speculated this guy had a certain phototropic tendency, only able to "witness" targets within illuminated ranges.
Of course, as to the exact outcome, he couldn’t be sure, but this theory at least pointed them in a direction.
If tonight, either he or Takagi Reina or Xiao Lin Zhengyan unfortunately got expelled from the train, they should try this method to survive.
The mere thought of walking into a dark, ghost-infested underground tunnel is a courage not typical for any ordinary person.
Next is the third point, the Underground City mentioned by Yamamoto Chunai; it was also her destination, and from the outcome, she went missing there.
The last message was two photographs, one of which showed a street flanked by small houses that looked like simple dormitories.
Perhaps due to the space and layout, Yang Xiao felt oppressed at first glance.
The houses stood very close to each other and had no windows.
The background of the second photo was a room, likely one of those houses, with a gloomy and oppressive environment.
Upon clearly seeing the room’s layout, especially the two iron chairs welded to the ground, Yang Xiao immediately realized this was not a dormitory but a cell.
This was a prison!
At the same time, a rumor about Shelter No. 14 flashed in Yang Xiao’s mind, which mentioned it being a prison and sometimes described as a secret experimental base.
It seems this rumor was not without foundation; indeed, there were traces of a prison here, and those who were imprisoned in this place were no ordinary people.
Yang Xiao instinctively began to speculate on the other party’s intentions. What was most unsettling was that the mark of the Black Buddha Mother appeared here.
Could it be... this was once a secret base of the Black Buddha Mother’s forces?
They imprisoned a group of people here, the number unspecified but definitely not small, after all, these specially built cells numbered in dozens at least.
And this was only what was shown in the photos; how many more similar places there were remained unknown.
"What the hell were these bastards doing here?" Yang Xiao felt increasingly uneasy.
Suddenly, a burst of footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, there were two sets, one following the other, approaching from afar.
"They’re here." Takagi Reina snorted coldly.
"Hmm." Yang Xiao was not surprised at all, their actions last night must have caught the other party’s attention.
Soon, the footsteps stopped outside the door, someone raised a hand to knock.
"It’s me, Mr. Chu Xi." A gentle male voice came from outside.
"Kato Shinjiro, why has he come?" Xiao Lin Zhengyan felt a pang of panic and turned to look at the clock on the wall. It was not yet 7 o’clock. They were more than an hour ahead of the agreed time.
"Don’t trust him, he’s a fake!" Xiao Lin Zhengyan quickly said.
But when it comes to judging matters, Yang Xiao never seeks the opinion of others, at least not from a newcomer like Xiao Lin Zhengyan.
He stepped forward and calmly opened the door, revealing Kato Shinjiro standing outside, along with an anxious-looking Sakai Misaki.
Yang Xiao’s gaze skipped past the leading Kato Shinjiro and fell directly on Sakai Misaki’s face behind him.
She looked like a child who had done something wrong, lowering her head nervously and uneasily under Yang Xiao’s scrutiny.
At that moment, Yang Xiao understood everything.
Kato Shinjiro’s attitude also became genuinely sincere at that moment. He nodded to acknowledge the greeting, "Could Miss Zuo Bo rest inside first, Mr. Chu Xi, I have something I’d like to discuss with you."
"Let’s talk outside." Yang Xiao did not refuse and turned to look at Takagi Reina and Xiao Lin Zhengyan, "You two stay with Miss Zuo Bo and watch the place. Send me a message if anything happens."
Saying this, Yang Xiao stepped out the door. Sakai Misaki hesitated, seemingly reluctant to leave Kato Shinjiro’s side until the latter gave her a reassuring look and smiled, saying, "Mr. Chu Xi and I are friends, and both Miss Takagi and Mr. Xiaolin are kind people. You can trust them as you trust me."
Hearing Kato Shinjiro say this, Sakai Misaki finally reluctantly walked into the Detective Agency. Takagi Reina held her hand, giving her a forced smile and seated her by her side, giving Yang Xiao a reassuring look implying that everything was under control.
Once the door closed, the two walked down the corridor to the restroom, where the silence between them was finally broken.
The restroom next door was where Sasaki Kanai had gone missing.
"Thank you," Kato Shinjiro said seriously.
"Thank me for what?" Yang Xiao sneered, "Thank me for being so stupid and getting tricked by you?"
"Thank you for not exposing me, Mr. Chu Xi. I sincerely apologize for what I did to you and your friends."
"But please believe me, I mean no harm to you. Sakai Misaki is very important to me. I need her alive." Kato Shinjiro’s scholarly face was very solemn.
"Stop flattering yourself. All you need is a substitute death, nothing more." Being a seasoned player, Yang Xiao was a bit disappointed with this guy’s theatrics.
"No, it’s not just that." Kato Shinjiro straightened up, his expression even a bit solemn, "Mr. Chu Xi, you’re an impressive individual. I think you might already be aware that among people like us, there are some anomalies who can ’foresee’ future occurrences."
Yang Xiao frowned, "Is it prophecy? Did someone foresee things about you on this mission before you came?"
"You really aren’t ordinary." Kato Shinjiro nodded, seemingly very satisfied with Yang Xiao’s reaction, "Yes, it’s prophecy. A woman appeared in mine. I will encounter certain death during this mission, and this woman can help me survive."
"But the prophecy was too vague. I couldn’t confirm this woman’s identity. Initially, I suspected Yandeta Chiyoda, Miss Takagi, and even Hirano Yuuhi. But now, I’ve confirmed she’s right beside me."
"It’s Sakai Misaki. So I must ensure her survival. Her life, to some extent, equates to mine." Kato Shinjiro’s voice became increasingly serious.
"Clap"
"Clap"
"Clap"
Unable to contain himself, Yang Xiao applauded, vibrant yet with words that sting, "Wonderful, truly a great story. I really like it. You’ve really gone out of your way, Mr. Katou."
Despite Yang Xiao’s sarcastic tone, Kato Shinjiro showed no displeasure. On the contrary, he valued Yang Xiao more. Someone who can be smoothed over with sweet words is not worthy of collaborating with him.
"Mr. Chu Xi, I know my choice has hurt your relationship with your partner, but please believe in my difficulties and sincerity."
"As compensation, tonight I will leave the train and enter Youjian Mountain Station with Sakai Misaki to end this mission." Kato Shinjiro said solemnly.
