"The situation is terrible..."
Yoshinori Ara came back at last, having finally given up. He heavily pulled out a cigarette case, glanced at the minors by the table, and reluctantly put it away again.
"So it's gotten to the point where the police have investigated everything..." Naoko Kuroda glanced at Saguru Hakuba, who was calmly tending to his hawk, then turned toward the deeply troubled Yoshinori Ara. "Can you tell us the purpose of this gathering now?"
"Just as this detective said earlier. A few months ago, after Kazumasa Harusumi died during a performance, Kagemasa said it was our responsibility." Yoshinori Ara let out a breath and stopped beating around the bush. "When we discussed it half a year ago, the atmosphere was actually very lively. Everyone was enthusiastically talking about his past escape shows. The only disagreement was over whether he still had any hope of performing again..."
"Oh, that time." Naoko Kuroda nodded, frowning as she thought it over. "We did discuss for days whether he could still maintain his former standard. Some people said his skills hadn't declined, but he was getting old, and recreating something that difficult would be too much. Others felt that Kazumasa Harusumi had performed his whole life. Even if he was no longer at his peak, if he concentrated on completing one performance, it was still entirely possible..."
As she said that, recalling Kagemasa's indignant claims, her expression darkened as well.
For him to so firmly insist that it was their group's responsibility, even to the point of being willing to kill over it, it was highly likely that Kazumasa Harusumi's sudden decision to perform again had something to do with that discussion half a year ago.
"Looks like you understand what I mean." Yoshinori Ara shook his head heavily, deep unease