After the quake blind willow, sleeping woman dance dance dance

unpleasant choice
), his 
body would never be found. He had never felt death so real, or so close. 
Ten days after he had made that forced call to his company (most likely ten days, 
though he wouldn’t bet on it), the same duo made another appearance. Buzzcut 
seemed thinner than before, which made his cheekbones all the more prominent. His 
cold eyes were now bloodshot. As before, he sat down on the folding chair he had 
brought, across the table from Komatsu. He didn’t say a word for a long time. He 
simply stared at Komatsu with his red eyes. 
Ponytail looked the same. Again he stood, ramrod straight, in front of the door, his 
emotionless eyes fixed on an imaginary point in space. They were again dressed in 
black trousers and white shirts, most likely a sort of uniform. 
“Let’s pick up where we left off last time,” Buzzcut finally said. “We were saying 
that we can do whatever we like with you.” 
Komatsu nodded. “Including choices that wouldn’t be pleasant for either side.” 
“You really do have a great memory,” Buzzcut said. “You are correct. An 
unpleasant outcome is looming.” 
Komatsu was silent. Buzzcut went on. 
“
In theory
, that is. Practically speaking, 
they
would much prefer not to make an 
extreme choice. If you were suddenly to disappear now, Mr. Komatsu, that would 
lead to unwanted complications. Just like it did when Eriko Fukada disappeared. 
There aren’t many people who would be sad if you were gone, but you’re a respected 
editor, prominent in your field. And I’m sure that if you fall behind in your alimony 
payments, your wife will have something to say about it. For 
them
, this would not be 
a very favorable development.” 
Komatsu gave a dry cough and swallowed. 
“They’re not criticizing you personally, or trying to punish you. They understand 
that in publishing 
Air Chrysalis
you weren’t intending to attack a specific religious 
organization. At first you didn’t even know the connection between the novel and that 
organization. You perpetrated this fraud for fun and out of ambition. And money 
became a factor, too, as things developed. It’s very hard for a mere company 
employee to pay alimony and child support, isn’t it? And you brought Tengo 
Kawana—an aspiring novelist and cram school instructor who didn’t know anything 
about the circumstances—into the mix. The plan itself was smart, but your choice of 
the novel and the writer? Not so much. And things got more complicated than you 
imagined. You were like ordinary citizens who had wandered across the front lines 
and stepped into a minefield. You can’t go forward, and can’t go back. Am I correct 
in this, Mr. Komatsu?” 
“That might sum it up, I suppose,” Komatsu replied. 
“There still seem to be some things you don’t entirely understand,” Buzzcut said, 
his eyes narrowing a fraction. “If you did, you wouldn’t pretend that this has nothing 
to do with you. Let’s make things crystal clear. You are, frankly, in the middle of a 
minefield.” 
Komatsu silently nodded. 

---

687
Buzzcut closed his eyes, and ten seconds later opened them. “This situation has put 
you in a bind, but understand that it has created some real problems for 
them
as well.” 
Komatsu took the plunge and spoke. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” 
“If it’s something I can answer.” 
“By publishing 
Air Chrysalis
we created a little trouble for the religious 
organization. Is that what you’re saying?” 
“More than a 
little
trouble,” Buzzcut said. He grimaced slightly. “The voice no 
longer speaks to them. Do you have any idea what that means?” 
“No,” Komatsu croaked, his voice dry. 
“Fine. I can’t explain any more to you than that. And it’s better for you not to 
know.