After that, Shizuku went to Ozaki Hospital and met its director, Ozaki Toshio.
He was a man in his early thirties with an exceptionally sharp gaze. Likewise, he was quite rude toward outsiders.
"What do you want with me?"
Staring at the two before him, Ozaki Toshio asked coldly. Shizuku merely smiled.
"We were commissioned by Tanaka Sho to investigate the string of deaths in the village."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Ozaki Toshio stared at her and took out a cigarette, placing it between his lips. Shizuku calmly opened her notebook.
"According to Tanaka Sho's sister, Tanaka Kaoru, her close friend Shimizu Megumi suddenly died. You performed the examination on her body, correct? May I ask what caused Shimizu Megumi's death?"
"Failure caused by anemia... That was my conclusion."
"That was all?"
"Yes. Her family refused an autopsy. Sotoba Village is isolated from the outside world, after all. The dead here are buried rather than cremated like they are in the cities, and people do not casually dissect corpses."
"Then what about the others? I heard that people have been dying one after another in Sotoba Village recently. How many have died exactly?"
"...Sixteen."
"I see. Were all of their causes of death the same?"
"More or less..."
Ozaki Toshio carefully studied Shizuku, seemingly suspicious of why she was asking such questions. Shizuku said nothing, merely lowered her head and took notes. Then she rose to her feet and nodded.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. Ozaki. We'll be leaving now."
"See yourselves out."
Ozaki Toshio waved a hand. However, just as the two reached the door, he suddenly looked at them and asked.
"Do you... believe Vampires really exist in this world?"
"..."
At Ozaki Toshio's question, Kagari no Kiri-e's expression immediately darkened, while Shizuku tilted her head.
"Perhaps they