Summer Chiller: Jiko Bukken – Part Four

Once again, the property management team took great care in removing the deceased's belongings, ensuring that the premises were thoroughly cleaned. After everything was said and done, they sought the expertise of Blackship Realty to locate a potential buyer. But come December 2021, a new law came into effect, requiring sellers to disclose the series of deaths that occurred on the premises to any potential buyers. The president of Blackship Realty was well aware of the difficulties posed by the new law. He was reluctant to waste precious resources attempting to sell a property that was impossible to sell. Since this was a new law unfamiliar to most people, he assigned a junior member of his company to thoroughly study it and identify any potential loopholes that could be exploited.

A few days later, the employee came back with an update. He proceeded to share that, as per the latest legislation, the property could only be sold or rented if a prospective buyer explicitly requested it following a comprehensive disclosure. Following the implementation of the new law, a database system was made available to the public, that provided information on these types of properties. With a few key strokes, one could easily ascertain whether the residence fell under the category of "jiko bukken," rendering any attempts to conceal this fact futile. Frustrated, the president assigned the employee a new task. To separate these properties from the ones that could be sold, and store the listings in the back room. This way, his agents wouldn't waste their precious time attempting to sell them. However, in 2023, Yasu Matsumoto, Blackship Realty's star salesman, discovered a possible buyer, and to everyone's amazement, the couple decided to buy the unit and make it their new home.

Yasu sat in the shadowy back room, lost in contemplation over whether Jun and Miyu were tormented by the specters of the past. Jun was well aware that the property he had chosen fell under the category of "jiko bukken." It was a deliberate choice on his part. He insisted that he was not a superstitious person and was solely in search of a great deal. Yet, Miyu remained completely unaware of the situation, and it appeared that she was becoming more and more unsettled by the events that were unfolding before her, events that she couldn't quite grasp.

With a heavy sense of responsibility weighing on Yasu, he reached out to Miyu via text, urging her to keep the message a secret from her fiancee. He invited her for coffee, where she could openly and comfortably talk about the situation. Feeling that she had found a sympathetic ear, Miyu readily agreed.

Yasu sat comfortably in the kissaten, savoring a cup of rich black coffee, when Miyu walked in. His eyes lifted, filled with astonishment, as they met hers. Despite his anticipation, her sudden arrival caught him off guard. He gestured for her to have a seat across from him as the waitress made her way over to take her order. Miyo ordered a coffee with cream and sugar. The waitress acknowledged the request and walked away to fill the order. Noticing her slight unease, Yasu engaged in casual conversation to make her feel comfortable. The waitress arrived with a steaming cup of coffee, and Miyu indulged in a leisurely sip. She glanced up at Yasu. Simultaneously, they began to speak. A gentle chuckle followed to conceal their embarrassment.

Yasu inquired about Jun's knowledge of their meeting, to which Miyu confirmed that he was not aware. She added that Jun hardly ever ventured outside, choosing instead to spend the majority of his time in their bedroom.

There was a sense of excitement and anticipation when they first arrived. Together, they quickly selected furnishings and delighted in creating their cozy nest. Despite her job, she never missed a night of making dinner for the man she loved. Joyfully recalling Jun's arrival home from work, she watched the delight that spread across his face when he saw Miyu and the delicious homemade dinner she had prepared for him with care. They spent hours sitting at the dinner table, talking about their experiences during the day and planning their wedding.

However, just three weeks after settling in, Jun's attitude started to shift gradually. He struggled to find rest at night, grew irritable, and frequently found himself embroiled in heated arguments with those around him. He even lost his temper with their neighbor, Mrs. Yamada, when she attempted to assist him in correctly organizing the garbage for collection. Naturally, Miyu baked some cookies and tried to mend fences with Mrs. Yamada, but she had no idea what was happening to Jun.

She explained that Jun sought time off from work due to exhaustion and inability to think clearly after the altercation with Mrs. Yamada. He suggested to Miyu that they put the wedding on hold until he could get back to work. However, Jun's condition worsened day after day. He did not sleep and on several occasions, Miyu woke up to find him standing over her, each time staring at her with an angry expression on his face. She confided in Yasu about how scared she is of Jun.

Yasu's worry deepened as he hung onto every word of Miyu's story. With no explanation, he instructed her to go to her parent's house and remain there until he contacts her. Miyu protested, but Yasu stood firm. Curious about what will happen to Jun, she sought reassurance from Yasu, who kindly assured her that he will help Jun. He then took the money from his wallet and gave it to Miyu. They walked outside where he hailed a cab and assisted her into it. Yasu reached for his phone and dialed Jun's number while Miyu stared helplessly out the back window of the speeding cab.

With Miyu out of the picture, Yasu was determined to make sure that Jun did not meet with the same fate as the three other men who once occupied the unit. The phone continued to ring, unanswered. Yasu quickly flagged down a cab and rushed to Jun's home. As he reached the building, a surge of excitement propelled him through the lobby, his eyes fixed on the waiting elevator. Astonished, Mrs. Yamada was collecting her mail while observing the scene unfold before her.

In a rush, Yasu eagerly exited the elevator on the fourth floor and swiftly made his way towards Jun's unit. He continued to knock on the door, but no one responded. As he reached for the door knob, a sense of astonishment washed over him when he discovered that the door was not locked. It seems that Miyu may have accidentally left it unlocked when she rushed out to meet him at the coffee shop.

A sense of anticipation filled the air as Yasu gently pushed the door open and cautiously entered the room. The interior was enveloped in darkness, despite the sun's persistent radiance beyond the walls. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, his breath came in rapid bursts as he frantically looked for Jun. The newspaper clippings flashed through his mind, a whirlwind of words and images.

Yasu's gaze shifted towards the bedroom as he made his way there with a deliberate pace. With a delicate touch, he nudged the door open, a sense of trepidation filling his heart, dreading the discovery that awaits him on the other side.

To be continued…