Not a detective

Page 96

Oni no Winter: Oni no Winter After 4

Riku Asakawa chose the blackcurrant flavor from the two remaining chocolates.

It melts quickly on the tongue, the sweetness accompanied by the tartness of blackcurrant, making the atmosphere even worse.

He and Chizuko are the same kind of people.

Yes, although it's hard to admit, it's an undeniable fact.

However, they are also two extremes within the same type of branch.

Riku Asakawa chose the path of "private law sanctions," using his own standards of judgment to judge good and evil, and using his fists to decide life.

Chizuko firmly believes in the principle of "an eye for an eye." The spider and the fox are merely disguises; her fangs are hidden beneath her cute face. Everything she plans is for final revenge. Given the chance, she will pounce and bite her enemy's throat. In reality, they are all wolves in sheep's clothing.

When violence is used to solve problems, the only guiding principle for action is one's own ideas.

"However, I'll admit defeat this time."

At this moment, Chizuko took the initiative to break the deadlock. She was no longer so fierce, but instead showed a sweet smile.

She said, "It's a bit of a pity that I couldn't hide it from you this time, but it shows that Asakawa-kun has become an excellent member of the mystery club. My hard work in training him over the past year has not been in vain, and I can be proud of him. I have finally achieved my wish and avenged Yukie. As for the others who died, I probably can't feel innocent or guilty, but I am willing to bear all the consequences and responsibilities, whether it's going to jail or the death penalty, I will accept it... As long as you take good care of Yukie for me, Asakawa-kun, that's enough."

There was no hint of crying in Chizuko's voice, and her smile was crisp and clean; her acting skills were getting better and better.

Asakawa Riku's face darkened: "Yuki wouldn't want to hear these words from you."

"I don't care about her. As the older sister, I have to help my younger sister. I made up my mind the moment she walked into my house."

Chizuko had an indifferent expression: "I've already achieved my goal. I've killed everyone I needed to kill, so I have no regrets. Although I'm a little annoyed by being arrested by the Inspection Department, since it's you, Asakawa-kun, it's alright for you to arrest me. It's not shameful. I won't resist. I'll just surrender."

She stretched out her hands, with Aju helping to lift the prosthetic leg, leaving her hands empty and offering no resistance.

Asakawa Riku made no move, simply sitting there, calmly watching her:

"And what about your wish? Your own wish? Don't you want to inherit the shrine and become the greatest Onmyoji?"

"You still remember..."

Chizuko seemed to freeze for a moment, then muttered, "It doesn't matter. Even in prison, I can still train. At worst, I'll stage a big prison break!"

What if the Ministry of Supervision sentences me to death?

"Then if I reincarnate, I will become an incredibly powerful Onmyoji girl, and I will pester you again, Asakawa-kun, and take my revenge on you."

She grinned, showing her teeth.

Asakawa Rikuya laughed: "Then forget it. You'll be a little kid by then. I'm not a lolicon, and I won't bully children."

He stood up, brushed past Chizuko, and headed towards the door of the activity room, seemingly about to leave.

"Wait... arrest me? Aren't you going to arrest me?"

Chizuko hurriedly pressed for answers, her face full of confusion and bewilderment.

"When did I say I was going to arrest you?"

Although Asakawa Riku stopped, he did not turn around, leaving only his back view.

"But...the Ministry of Supervision..."

"That's just wishful thinking on your part. In reality, there are only the two of us in this school. There are no members of the Supervision Department lying in ambush. You're wrong."

"Why……"

Chizuko's eyes widened; she couldn't understand.

She committed such a heinous crime, killing so many people, including reportedly innocent relatives. Logically, the Ministry of Supervision should have investigated her thoroughly no matter what.

Even if she is the daughter of Kazamatsuri Akihisa, even if she is the successor of an Onmyoji, such a background cannot withstand the power of constraints from public authority.

Asakawa Riku's calm voice finally broke the silence:

“During the interrogation by the Inspection Department, I testified that you had no choice but to recite the incantation that killed everyone. Ibuki Ren, who had undergone the second mutation of the [God's Poison], was too terrifying, and her high-intensity healing ability made her impossible to kill. So, in order to completely kill the evil spirit and protect us, you recited that incantation.”

"Wait, you mean—"

Chizuko stood there completely stunned, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Therefore, everything you did was ultimately judged as legitimate self-defense, or emergency avoidance. As for the casualties of unrelated persons, it can only be said to be an unavoidable consequence."

Asakawa Riku said, "So, the Inspection Department doesn't intend to hold you accountable. They just sent me to warn you that you must be careful when using your abilities in the future, because there won't be a next time."

"No, that's not right!"

Chizuko panicked and grabbed Asakawa Riku's sleeve from behind: "This testimony is wrong. I didn't kill Ibuki Ren. Although the spell of [Aoandon] is very powerful, it is still a yokai. It couldn't have killed the demon that was possessed by Shuten-dōji at that time. My spell could not have killed him at all. You killed him... Asakawa-kun!"

If she could, she would have killed Ibuki Ren with Aoandon's spell when they were in dire straits. The problem is, she couldn't, so she had no choice.

In that situation, only the miraculous Yukidouji, and only Riku Asakawa who pulled out "Dojigiri Yasutsuna," could cut off the demon's head!

"You...you said that on purpose."

She let go of his hand and murmured.

I finally understood why I hadn't been arrested, nor had I been interrogated by the supervisory department.

This is because Asakawa Riku gave her credit for "killing Shuten-dōji" and exempted her from responsibility because she prevented a crisis.

If the mutated Ibuki Ren had been allowed to wreak havoc down the mountain, even the Surveillance Department would have had a hard time suppressing her. It was precisely because they intercepted the danger underground that they made a great contribution.

"Then thank your father. He must have also given false testimony to the Inspection Department, saying that Aoandon's spell could kill Shuten-dōji, otherwise the Inspection Department would not have believed it so easily."

Asakawa Riku turned around and saw Chizuko-senpai crying.

He quickly turned around:

"As for me, I don't have any superpowers or magic. Even if I said I defeated the evil spirit, the Inspection Department wouldn't believe me. I was just hiding myself."

Then, I walked out of the activity room.

Hearing the sound of hurried, stumbling footsteps, Chizuko, who nearly stumbled, caught up and asked:

"...Asakawa-san...will we still be able to see you in the mystery club next semester?"

"I do not know."

Asakawa Riku didn't turn around. He walked steadily towards the outside, step by step, and the distance between the two of them grew wider and wider.

“You’re right, senior, we are indeed the same kind of people, but can two wolves live together? Even when they embrace, they will bite and kill each other. I don’t know if continuing to let you go like this is my selfishness at play, or if I’ve abandoned my principles of justice. I’m afraid of my own change, and I’m afraid of accepting the fact that I’m hypocritical. So let this cold winter…”

Let's calm down.

He swallowed the last chocolate in his palm; it was Rockford Fosgate flavored.

The so-called "Rockfort cheese" is actually a type of blue sheep's milk cheese. Although Rockfort cheese can be made anywhere in the world, EU regulations stipulate that only cheese produced in the caves of Rockfort am Surzon can use the trade name Rockfort. It is white in appearance, with a strong, unique salty aroma. The initial taste is rich, followed by sweetness, then a smoky flavor, and finally a salty aftertaste.

Asakawa Riku was puzzled. When did he start learning this obscure knowledge? Just a year ago, the names of desserts were still incomprehensible gibberish to him.

Perhaps it's because of the time I've spent with Chizuko-senpai over the past year. Not only have I learned about yokai... but I've also tasted many sweets, which she always brings to the activity room to share.

"--Well."

For some reason, at that moment, the taste of this Rockford cheese chocolate felt terrifying, exploding in my mouth.

It was so sweet it was cloying, it went straight to my throat, I couldn't stand it at all, my stomach cramped up, and I couldn't breathe...

She covered her mouth, gritted her teeth, and desperately tried to hold back from vomiting in the corner of a deserted corridor.

From that day on, Asakawa Riku never ate chocolate again.

Winter of the Demons: Epilogue Summary

While it's called a summary at the end, it's actually not just a summary of the winter arc, "Winter of the Demons," but a summary of the entire first part, the "First Year Arc."

Asakawa Riku's first year of school involved the events of four seasons: "Spring of the Earth Spider," "Summer of the Snow Woman," "Autumn of the Blue Lantern," and "Winter of the Demon."

What do you all think after reading this?

Personally, I definitely feel satisfied with some parts, but I also acknowledge that there are parts that I didn't write well. There's nothing I can do about it; after all, writing online mystery novels is inherently difficult. I'm also feeling my way across the river, and I'll inevitably encounter setbacks. But for me, results aren't an obstacle. As long as I keep revising what's lacking, listen to feedback, and persevere, I can write even better.

"The Spring of the Earth Spider," as the opening volume of this book, was the one I prepared the most thoroughly, so the presentation was quite good. It blends romance, mystery, the supernatural, and action, with each element well-balanced. Major cases are interspersed with minor ones, and characters from various factions are introduced one after another, creating a cleverly structured and enjoyable read.

However, I immediately encountered a major problem with *The Summer of the Snow Woman*, which I've already analyzed in my self-criticism, so I won't go into details again. Actually, this volume wasn't originally intended to be so short; it should have included a significant portion depicting daily life, exploration, and survival on the snowy mountain. But when I realized the volume was showing signs of spiraling out of control, I immediately decided to shorten it to cut my losses—better to end it quickly than suffer a prolonged pain. I did consider revising and rewriting it later, but editing the published chapters was simply too troublesome, so I had to abandon that idea.

In Volume 3, "Autumn of the Blue Lantern," after realizing I had strayed from the theme, I decided to return to the familiar school setting and write about "school ghost stories," including some sweet moments with my senior. It was relatively easy to write, although the supernatural elements weren't very scary. However, the fictional mystery was brought to a close at the end. This volume should be considered a transitional part, and its key is to present the final mystery. The downside is that it has fewer elements of "mystery."

Regarding the final installment, *Winter of the Demons*, I've seen some feedback saying the protagonist's final battle was too humiliating. I don't deny that, but it's not surprising. After all, Ibuki Ren, as the main antagonist of the first part, while not extensively developed, still possessed considerable strength. Furthermore, I've never claimed this book is an invincible tale; the protagonist is a "top-tier" powerhouse, but he still falls short of Saitama's overwhelming dominance. Asakawa Rikuya lacks something—strength, mentality, even intelligence—he's still a growing young man, not a fully mature and perfect protagonist. Conversely, Ibuki Ren, through a fortuitous encounter, acquired the powerful form of "Shuten-dōji," one of the three great demons and a top-tier being in the world's lore. Therefore, a difficult battle for him is entirely possible.

Now that the "First Year" chapters have all come to an end, let me explain my creative process.

The "Spring Arc" is essentially a Case Story. This volume will be closer to traditional mystery novels, unfolding as a single "case" with normal detective and investigation elements, making it a chapter with a strong emphasis on mystery. A little spoiler: the upcoming second Spring Arc features a very interesting case and idea, so stay tuned!

The "Summer Arc" is essentially a Side Story. This volume feels more like a commissioned mission or a personal route in a visual novel. It dedicates a chapter to heroines like Yukie, who don't have as much screen time or appearances as other main characters, to detail their stories and plots. Unfortunately, it wasn't well-written, which is a bit of a shame for Yukie.

The Autumn Chapter is essentially another story. This volume focuses on side quests, and I'll be trying out some novel content here, such as the "school ghost stories" we've covered this time. There will also be other interesting developments and incredible themes later on, which I'll reveal to everyone then.

The Winter Arc is essentially the Main Story. This volume is the main storyline, much like a Conan movie. It focuses more on large-scale scenes and battles than on cases. For example, this year's content includes "superpowered individuals," "the Dragon Palace," and "human experiments." The remaining two years will also have different themes, with new forces constantly appearing and new worldviews being revealed.

Okay, that concludes the introduction.

If I were to grade the entire "First Grade Edition," I'd probably only give it a passing score of 60. Looking back, there are many unsatisfactory aspects, as well as numerous regrets and omissions. As a reader, this is probably the only score I can give it. However, in the process, I've been learning and improving, and I feel like I'm gradually getting into the swing of things.

Actually, I've hidden some interesting tricks in later chapters, but I haven't had a chance to show them yet.

Therefore, I express my deepest gratitude to the readers who have persevered to this point, and I hope you will continue reading. I promise I will not let you down.

The "Second Year Arc" not only features the previously mentioned "amazing Spring Arc," but also explores the future development of the relationship between the protagonist and Chizuko-senpai after entering the second year of high school. It also delves into the true nature of the "Snow Child," the debut of Shinonome Suezuki and Hoshimi Kou's detective agency, the official Hikari Surveillance Department, a new female lead, major school events, and the expansion of the Tokyo map...

All of these will unfold in the story to come.

I'll take a day off tomorrow and use that time to think carefully about future plans and ideas, organize the outline, and present a better work to everyone.

I've created a book club group for everyone. You can discuss the plot in the group, and I'll answer questions that don't involve spoilers. You can also give me feedback, and I'll listen carefully. The group number is 935731256. The answer to join is "The Four Types of Monsters in the First Volume," which is the title of the first book. You'll know what it is from the title.

The serialization will resume the day after tomorrow, with five new chapters, meaning the total number of updates will remain the same, plus an extra chapter.

Thank you for your support. See you the day after tomorrow.

Spring of Events: Chapter One - Invitation

"Haoji."

After school that day, Asakawa Riku called out to his friend who was packing his schoolbag.

He asked, "Are you free later? Let's go out for a walk after school, since tomorrow is the weekend anyway."

Hirata Hirokichi was stunned. He stared at Asakawa Riku, craning his neck like a monkey.

Pointing to himself, then to the other person: "You, me, on a date?"

"Get lost, and stop being so ambiguous."

Asakawa Rikuma couldn't take it anymore: "It's not like I haven't gone out with you before. Wilderness has been released, right? We have a computer and a game console at home, so we can play together online."

"Oh, a new Monster Hunter game... well, it's certainly very appealing."

Haoji stroked his chin, considering with difficulty: "But I have a club activity today. I'm almost off the bench and becoming a full member. If I miss it, it will leave a bad impression on my seniors..."

Hirata Hirokichi joined the baseball club in his first year of high school. Asakawa Riku had heard a lot about the club from him. Hirokichi joined as a beginner. Although he had played baseball when he was a child, it was just child's play. A real game is not that simple, so he suffered a lot.

Fortunately, this guy practices diligently. Although he usually seems carefree, he can be very focused when he gets serious, so he improves very quickly and got off the bench within a year.

Over the past year, Hirata Kokichi has become much stronger, sported a buzz cut, and tanned his skin.

Asakawa Riku glanced at him helplessly: "I heard our baseball team isn't very strong... We probably have no chance of reaching Koshien, right?"

"Don't go around saying that... Our minister is very fierce."

Haoji looked around exaggeratedly, then lowered his voice and chuckled: "It's not like it's meaningless if you don't get results. Club activities are a manifestation of youth."

"Makes sense."

Asakawa Riku felt that he might have been too pragmatic.

But Haoji quickly grabbed his hand: "Ah Lu, do you know how long our captain has been lusting after your body? Come join the baseball team with me! They say that as long as I bring you back, you can sit on the starting lineup forever! And our team's strength will definitely improve by leaps and bounds. When we brothers team up, we'll beat the strongest teams in the city, and becoming famous will not be a dream!"

His eyes were filled with greedy desire.

"Let go! Let go!" Asakawa Riku quickly and disgustedly threw him away: "Is the department head a man or a woman?! Don't use such disgusting language!"

He remembered that it wasn't just the baseball team; many other clubs, such as track and field, swimming, and soccer, had also bothered him.