"Hello!
"Daigo speaking!"
"Hey, it's Shimura. I tried calling earlier, but today's been insane."
"Yeah? What's up!"
"Since you left, I haven't had a proper night's sleep... You remember the last case on the beach?"
"Yeah...What about it?"
"The autopsy came back worse than I expected. Toxicology too..."
"No leads!" Daigo said flatly, as if he already knew.
"You were right, it wasn't a suicide."
"And the rotten mark on her left arm?"
"We figured it was some sea toxin, but the tests returned negative...We're completely in the dark on this one."
Daigo paused for a moment.
"What else is bothering you?" he asked.
"We found another body today. Same beach. I'm starting to think the sea's actually angry at us."
Daigo let out a sigh. "What kind of sins are we committing?"
"This time, the body has three rotten marks in different parts of the body."
"It's definitely connected to the same case," Shimura continued. "You will need to be patient. Either luck will help you figure out what those marks are. Or more bodies to show you the pattern. And I'm sure there will be more, not just in Kamakura, but across Japan."
Shimura let out a nervous, shaky laugh. "A black omen…"
"It is!" Daigo replied, dead serious. "Anyway, I need to get back to work! Let me know if anything new comes up."
"A...Alright!" Shimura replied.
Back at his desk, Daigo sank into his chair, mind drifting over the conversation he'd just had. He wasn't a detective anymore, but the same relentless curiosity that had once driven him into the job remained. Part of him couldn't help but sift through the details, searching for anything, no matter how small, that might help Shimura. For now, he decided to step outside and join the chief for a smoke. Daigo wasn't much of a sleeper. When his night shift ended, he would wander through Tokyo, discovering its sights. Crowds weren't his jam. He preferred to walk in empty streets, partly because of his habit of drifting out without warning. Near Shiki no Michi, Daigo stopped by a convenience store. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes, a bottle of water, and a snack for his early breakfast, then took them to the counter. The owner was an old man, reclining in a big chair with his eyes shut, looking half asleep. The store stayed open 24 hours, and he still had a long night ahead. Daigo noticed how at ease he seemed, and wondered if the man had grown used to it, stopped caring, or simply found his own way to survive the hours. He glanced around the corners of the store. A few cameras were installed, but not enough for someone to sleep easily here. Daigo reached the counter and stood there for a moment. He wondered how to get the old man's attention. Before he could speak, the man's voice cut through the quiet. "1,020 yen!" he shouted, firm and loud. Daigo silently placed three 500 yen coins on the counter. As he waited for his change, Daigo felt the need to use the toilet.
"Can I use your bathroom?" Daigo asked politely.
"It's there for a reason, young man," the old man replied.
On his way to the bathroom, Daigo stopped when he saw two doors. Both were missing their gender signs. He stood there for a moment, trying to decide which one to choose. Above the left door, Daigo noticed an electronic clock. It read "6:45". He decided that was the right door. The bathroom was surprisingly large, taking up most of the store's space. Daigo couldn't tell if it was a construction mistake or the architect's idea of planning. Either way, it struck him as stupid. The shop could've used the extra room for more shelves or stock. The bathroom had everything. Sitting toilets, squat toilets, and urinals. Maybe that explained the oversized space, something for everyone. Tough guys could stick to the urinals, and kids could pick between the other two. It felt like the architect was trying too hard to please everybody. Back at the counter, Diago noticed the old man was on a phone call; his change wasn't on the counter. He waited. And waited. And waited. The old man was taking his time, and Daigo wasn't the type to raise his voice or lose his calm. A few minutes passed as Daigo glanced around the store. The bathroom really did take up most of the space, Daigo thought. Eyes on the electronic clock again, Daigo noticed the numbers twitching from 46 back to 45. Bizarre. He turned back just as the old man hung up the phone.
"The clock is twitching!" Daigo said.
"Yeah, it's been doing that since Tuesday," the old man replied.
"Oh… you couldn't fix it?"
The old man shot Daigo a sharp look, as if the question were an insult.
"Can't be fixed. In fact, every clock here has the same problem… other stores too... houses... and even my wristwatch!"
Daigo glanced at the old man's wristwatch, then turned toward the other electronics. Sure enough, each timer was frozen at 6:45.
"Did something happen on Tuesday?" Daigo asked.
"Here? Nothing unusual," the old man replied. He paused. And then asked. "Although… my sister mentioned they found two bodies at Kamakura beach. One on Tuesday, another today. Well, you are a policeman, so you've already heard."
Daigo let out a sigh. The old man continued. "But I don't see how that could have anything to do with the clocks."
"Change, please!" Daigo said.
"Huh? Oh, your 480 yen! Hold on a sec, young man. Let me count these."
Daigo watched the old man pick up each coin one by one, mumbling to himself and taking his sweet time, like a toddler learning to count. He was slow, yet somehow never stopped talking. As he pocketed the change, Daigo quietly left the store and walked to Shinjuku Promenade Park. He settled on a bench, ate his snacks, and lit a cigarette. Then another. And another. He smoked on, letting his thoughts drift, and trying to figure out if there was a bizarre pattern connecting the Kamakura incident and the clocks.