Items on Person: Wallet, Ticket Stubs, Detective Badge, Cold Pills, Locked Padlock

Maps:
Main Map
Inn Map
Abandoned House
Ruin Maps
Ouside Yamada House
Washinosu Estate
Incomplete Saginomiya Estate
Room Saeko was Found

Characters:
Masato Ozawa
Yuuichi Ozawa
Kiyo
Koji Washinosu
Heihachiro Washinosu
Hideki Kawashiro
Yoshiko Fukushima
Ichiro Fukushima
Jiro Yamada
Ayano Yamada
Yui Yamada
Isao
Shizuka Saginomiya
Saeko Saginomiya
??? Saginomiya
Lee
Koichi - >>17550

"Alright, come tell me if you need anything."

Masato leaves you; you are currently in the main entrances to the inn. Your feet sting badly making it hard to walk.

>>18743
I go to the bathroom to see if I can take a quick bath to help my feet recover.

>>18747
You go to the hot springs and soak your feet in the bath for a while. After ten minutes or so you start to feel better and soon the pain is all gone.

>>18748
I go fetch Masato, wherever he went.

>>18749
You find him in the living room.

"Hmm, need something?"

>>18750
"I was hoping to ask you a few questions about the... murder, actually. If you don't mind. Because I can trust you."

>>18751
"Of course, I don't think I'll be any help making deductions or anything, but if you have any questions I will try to answer. What did you have in mind?"

>>18752
I ask the following:
When was the last time you saw Mr. Washinosu?
What time did you wake up this morning?
What did you do after waking up and prior to discovering the body this morning?
Where on this map is Mr. Washinosu's house?
Is Mr. Washinosu known for taking nightly or morning walks?
Do you believe anyone had a strong enough motive to kill him?
Can you think of any reasons why the power poles have messed up transformers?
Had you noticed a lack of electrical power recently?
Are deer common around here?

>>18753

-I last saw him at the town hall meeting.
-Around 7:30, you got up shortly after that.
-Made breakfast.
-Marked on map.
-I wouldn't think so, he has a hard time getting around as it is.
-No idea
-The power poles are messed up? I guess that explains why the power was out at the estate.
-Deer are common.

>>18754
"All right. So after waking up, you immediately went to making breakfast, and never left the kitchen until you went outside? Did you ever look out the window to maybe see something suspicious going on? Was Yuuichi awake that early?"

>>18755
"That's right. Sadly didn't get a look outside though, and Yuuichi was sleeping at that time.

>>18756
"All right. When I split up to go make the phonecall to the police, what did you end up doing until I regrouped with you?"

>>18757
"Ichiro and I took the body straight to the estate. The gate was open so we entered and after opening the door to the house Koji left one of the rooms and found us. After that... well, as you can imagine he was taken back, and we let him mourn over the body for a while in the entrance, before moving the body further into the room.

I had asked him if he had seen his father leave the house, but he didn't. The last time he saw him was around midnight when Koji went to sleep. After that you showed up, I didn't notice until then, we must have been standing in that entrance way for a long time."

>>18758
"I see. Very well then, that's all for now. Thanks. I'll be over at the Yamada house if you need to find me."

I go to the Yamada house.

>>18759
You depart and shortly after arrive at the house. The mark in the road where the body used to be lays empty.

Knocking on the door results in Ayano appearing, "Kinzaki was it? Can I help you?" she asks cautiously.

>>18760
"Regarding what happened this morning... I'm currently looking into the matter, and I could use your cooperation, as you were the first one to find it. So I'd just like to ask a few questions. If you don't mind, that is."

>>18761
"Right, I am fine with that. Would you like to come in?" she says offering you a more comfortable place to sit and talk.

>>18762
"Of course, thanks."

I follow her inside, examining my surroundings.

>>18764
You get the general bearings and Ayano directs you to a living room where you plant you rear. You hear the click of a kettle turn on and she returns and sits down across from you, apparently waiting for you to start.

The living room has a couch, which you are now sitting on. Across from it are two chairs are are to the right of you and a coffee table in the middle. This place certainly is more western then the rest of the houses you've been in so far. To the left in the corner is a tv which is off. Directly to the left is the window. There are also some drawers and plants in the corners of the room and a few paintings with weird over large wooden frames.

>>18765
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk8fTFbH248

"...So, to start off. What time did you wake up this morning, and what were you doing up until you found the body?"

>>18766
"It must have been a few minutes before 8, since that is when I tend to wake up at. I put my slippers on and went downstairs to the living room to turn on the tv, and then I saw something outside in the snow from the window," she points to it.

"You and Masato appeared after I... found out what it was."

>>18767
"What about your husband and daughter? Had you seen them at all in the morning or last night?"

>>18768
"He must not have been up until he heard me scream. He was asleep in our bed when I woke up after all. I believe the same can be said with my daughter."

>>18769
"I see. Do you and your husband have alibis for last night?"

>>18770
"Alibis? I don't really know, I mean I went to sleep early around nine last night. My husband came to bed some time during the night I remember that."

At this time the kettle dings and she excuses herself to the kitchen for a moment. You hear the front door open and someone enter the house, then Jiro saying, "It's no use. I have no idea how she does it-" and stops as he enters and sees you there. "Ah sorry, I thought you were my wife."

>>18771
"Don't worry about it, happens all the time. Anyway, I'm just stopping by to see what I can make of that situation this morning. Could I ask you a few questions?"

>>18772
"Sure thing, just let me get changed," After a few moments he sits down with you, Ayano also returns with some tea and places a cup in front of you. She also brings one for Jiro and herself.

Ayano tells Jiro what you asked her and he confirms that was the case, "I woke up to the scream and looked out the window on the second floor. I ran outside immediately after that."

>>18773
"So Jiro, you said you didn't see Mr. Washinosu before one in the morning. I'm guessing that's when you went to sleep? What were you doing out so late?"

>>18774
"I was just in the shed working on a project. When I can't get to sleep I tend to end up there doing so," he explains and adds that Masato could probably vouch for him on that.

>>18775
"I see. Now, I'm not from around here, so I wouldn't know, but... Does Mr. Washinosu -- or, did Mr. Washinosu, have anyone he might call an enemy?"

>>18776
"I don't think we know everyone around here well enough to say, but I heard Saeko and him often got into arguments. But to go as far as this, I just can't see it," Jiro explains. Ayano doesn't have anything to add.

>>18777
"Hmm, interesting. One last thing. Have you experienced any power outages lately?"

>>18778
"Power outages?" Jiro looks up thinking about it.

"I think there was one last night," Ayano states, "I had to reset my clock when I noticed it wasn't working, unless you were messing around with it, Jiro?"

"Nope, I didn't touch it."

>>18779
"Exactly what time did that power outage occur?"

>>18780
"I only noticed the clock in the morning and the power was on then, so I can only say during the night."

>>18781
"Ah, alright then. That's all I was wondering. I'll see you around."

I leave the house and check my watch.

>>18782
You exit the house and currently stand directly outside it. Your watch tells you that it is 12:25.

>>18783
Lunch time. Let's head back to the inn and get some food.

>>18784
You head back to the inn and find your way to the living room. Doesn't seem like anyone is around.

>>18785
I go into the kitchen and scour the room for whatever food I can find.

>>18787
There first thing you find is some leftover fish, so you eat that. Bit dry, but tasty.

>>18788
I decide to leave and head to Kiyo's general store.

>>18789
You walk along the road that has at this point been speckled with various footprints. After another trek you arrive at the shop and see no one else there besides Kiyo at the register.

"Ah Shirazaki, I heard there was some commotion outside my shop this morning. Are you alright?"

>>18790
"Well, I'm fine, but I guess you haven't heard the news yet? They found Mr. Wachinosu, lying in the snow, dead."

>>18791
"I see," She says looking downcast, "I'm sorry you had to go through something like that in our village while you were visiting. I can't imagine that Koji is going through, the poor boy."

>>18792
"Yeah, last time I saw him he was really out of it. ...Anyway, if there's anything you can tell me about the incident, let me know."

I look around the shop for things to buy.

>>18793
"Why, I know only what you have told me. And that you came to use the phone here."

You look around the place some more, besides stuff like bike tires, silver polish, light bulbs, and the like, there is also a large wall of candy that has various flavors. You also find items such as steel wool, face wash, toothpaste, hoses, shovels, thumbtacks, and birthday candles.

>>18794
"How much for that shovel?"

>>18795
"1500 yen."

>>18796
"I'll take it!"

After paying, I leave the shop and go to the location where I found the dead deer.

>>18797
You find your way back, or so you think. You know it was around this area in the path, but the snow has covered up any sign to make sure.

>>18798
I'll dig some holes in this general area, hoping to find something of value.

>>18799
After a while you find what seems to be a few of the guts of the deer. Nothing else is left of however.

>>18800
I bury the guts of the deer.

>>18801
While burying the guts, which were already buried and you dug up, you slip and fall face first into the guts. You now have viscera on your face.

Oh but you do end up burring the deer.

>>18802
I return to the inn to wash the deer guts off my face.

>>18803
As you are walking by the ruined building you hear a sound once again. Looking up this time however you clearly see Yui peaking out from the window for the room where you found the makeshift home.

>>18804
I go inside the ruins and head into that room to see if I can talk to Yui.

>>18805
You find Yui in the room, perhaps unexpectedly. She moves a bit when you enter but doesn't turn around to greet you. The room looks the same as it did before.

"Is it true?" she suddenly asks, "Did Old man Washinosu die?"

>>18806
"...Yes, it's true. Now what are you doing all alone out here? It's dangerous."

>>18807
"I see..." she says with a look of nostalgia, "This is my fort. It's safe since I made it myself." Presumably referring to the house like structure off in the corner.

You catch a glimpse of her face and see that she must have been crying up until now.

>>18808
"Hey, it's gonna be okay."

I crouch down to be more on her level and attempt to console her with a hug.

>>18809
She jumps back as she turns to see you coming, "...What is on your face?"

>>18810
I wipe my face with my hand.

"Oh, that must've been some spaghetti I had for lunch. Really messy stuff. ...Anyway! Is there a reason you have a fort all the way out here? Seems kind of lonely away from everybody else."

>>18811
It seems like she accepts the explanation and thinks nothing of it.

"...I like it better then that place. I don't know anyone here anyway, I bet we will just move again soon anyway."

>>18812
"That place? You mean your house?"

>>18813
She gives a small nod.

>>18814
"What's wrong with your house? Why don't you like it there?"

>>18815
"...Mom and Dad always pretend that this one will finally be our home... but its never true. They say that for every house... lairs. Only when old man Washinosu came to visit I had fun."

>>18816
"I see. Have you tried playing with Yuuichi? He's pretty good at video games, and he seems like he wants to be your friend."

>>18817
She looks away, staying silent.

At this moment, you hear the sound of someone stepping on something in the hallway right outside of the door frame, but not yet in sight.

>>18818
"...Stay here."

I go to check the noise.

>>18820
As you say that you hear footsteps running away from the door. As you enter the hall you can still hear them running, but seems they have made it out of sight.

At your foot however directly outside the door you find a roll of film.

>>18821
I pick up the film and chase after the footsteps.

>>18822
You find yourself out of breath from all this walking around and slip on the stairs. You tumble down and smash into the ground, dazed for a moment. Besides some bruises there is no serious damage, but they most certainly got away.

Yui walks over to you on the ground. "You ok mister?"

>>18823
"Ah, I'm fine. I was just having a really unlucky streak... H-hey, I told you to stay put! You could've gotten hurt!"

>>18824
"You did. But a minute after I heard a crash you weren't answering when I called."

Sounds like you were lying there for a while.

>>18825
"Hmph. Well anyway, it's not safe out here. We need to get you home."

>>18826
She agrees and the two of you head back. As you pass the inn you notice at the crosswalk it seems a few people have left from the Saginomiya estate and judging from the footprints they haven't returned yet.

Yui enters her house quietly, you are standing outside of the front door of her house.

>>18827
Time to sneak in to the Saginomiya estate.

>>18828
You head to the estate once more and find yourself at the gates. This time however you notice the gate is slightly open.

>>18829
I enter via the gate and make my way back to the room with Saeko.

>>18830
BGM: Those Who Wait For What Lies Ahead

You slowly enter the building and luckily nobody sees you as you approach the room nor do you see anyone else. The doors have been closed, but opening them reveals the scene just how you left it. The room itself is rather cold at this point.

There are two doors, the one you are standing next to and the other to the right. There is also a closet door to the left. There is a short desk in the corner, and on the other side some dressers. Directly below the light on the ceiling is the bedding and body. Now that you think about it this must be Saeko's room.

>>18831
I will search the closet, desk, and dressers. I will also search the body.

>>18832
Inside the dresser you can see various garments. A number of the drawers are filled with perfectly folded kimono and other expensive looking clothing that you can't quite figure out.

The closet opens with a bit of a hassle and reveals a hefty stack of blankets and an extra futon. There are also a few pillows in the back left corner.

The short desk is clear on the top, but has a few drawers. Inside one is a small pile of letters with a rubberband collecting the bunch and a number of pens and ink. Another has a inkstone, inksticks, a brown folder with papers in it, a brush along with more blank paper and a seal stamp.

The body remains under the blankets on the futon. Her eyes are closed and her hair is down as you noted before. She seems to be wearing some sort of nightgown under but the blanket covers most of it.

>>18833
I will take the brown folder and quickly look through the papers.

>>18834
Inside seems to be various reports on a few individuals. Three men with their pictures stapled to different bunches of paper. You don't recognize any of them, and the papers seem to list various things about them such as occupation, income, family background and so on and so forth. Some of the information is circled in red.

Kai Arita - Brain Surgeon, likes rakugo, no ties.

Masahiro Shinjo - Rocket Scientist, enjoys golf and fishing, brother of XX Governor.

Okura Fuchida - Lawyer, no hobbies, ties with Royal Family.

>>18835
I will check the papers as well as the seal stamp in an attempt to identify who it is that issued these reports.

>>18837
The seal seems to be the one for the Saginomiya family however you find no trace of it or any other signatures/stamps on the reports.

>>18838
I will take the rubber band and then explore some of the other rooms in no particular order.

>>18839
You find most of the other rooms to be locked. You find one near the entrance which is clearly a guest room of some sort with a few flowers arranged on the side and a few tables in the middle.

The only other rooms you find seem to be the bed rooms of the other members of the family. Shizuka and the so far un-titled father.

Inside Shizuka's looks rather similar to the mother's and has a closet, dresser, desk, and also a few vases with similar looking branches and foliage. Her futon is still in the room and not put away unlike the father's. His room is practically barren save for the ever expectant dresser-closet combo.

>>18840
I will quickly rummage through Shizuka's things (after locking the door from the inside) including the dresser, desk, and closet.

>>18841
You lock the door successfully.

You find various extravagant kimono and other clothing in the dresser as expected. The closet is empty save for an extra sheet. Inside the desk are some writing materials but they seem to have been neglected and hardly used. In the bottom drawer is some tattered temari that had faded in color. There is also an old fashioned can opener.

>>18842
I will unlock the door and then head back to the inn.

>>18843
As you leave the estate you take note of the sky and how dark it has become. Entering the inn doesn't bring you any new sight, you find nobody is in at entrance.

>>18844
I walk around the inn to see who is there, if anyone.

>>18849
You hear someone moving in the work room and take a peak inside to find Masato.

"Welcome back, I wrapped up supper if you hungry. Its in the kitchen." he says with a small smile as he notices you.

>>18850
"Thanks."

I go to the kitchen and get my food, then eat it in the dining room.