It was noon, broad daylight, and the streets around Kasumigaseki 2-chome in Chiyoda Ward stretched in every direction, bustling with pedestrians and an endless stream of traffic.
The towering Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters building could be seen in the distance.
"We're here, sir."
A taxi slowly pulled up near a crepe stand. Its rear door opened, but no one got out. A moment later, the door closed on its own.
"Have a safe trip."
After speaking, the taxi driver stepped on the accelerator and slowly drove away.
Unfortunately, just as his tires were about to reach the crosswalk at the first intersection, the light turned red. The taxi driver could only silently curse his luck and rest his hands on the steering wheel, bored as he counted down the dwindling red numbers on the traffic light.
Suddenly, the taxi driver shuddered and looked around blankly.
"That's strange. Where am I? Why did I drive here?"
The taxi driver stuck his head out the window for a look. Having spent years driving around Tokyo, he quickly identified his general location: Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda. But why had he driven here for no apparent reason?
He glanced at his watch, then patted his head, racking his brains to recall what had happened since lunch.
He clearly remembered every topping on the Ramen Jiro he had eaten for lunch, yet his memories of the thirty minutes since then were as hazy and indistinct as events from decades ago.
I still had to work this afternoon, so I wouldn't have dared drink. Why does it feel like I've blacked out?
Could it be dementia? But I'm not even sixty yet!
The taxi driver opened his dashcam and looked through the vehicle's trip history.
"Gokokuji Cemetery..."
As the taxi driver stared at the starting point of his