[238] Concealing the Truth is No Different from an Unknown Poison! 

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"I can't believe it turned out like this!!"

"I knew it! With sensei's writing skills, the plot was never going to follow those cliché tropes!"

"From an individual perspective to a broader scale—this really opens up the narrative!"

"To come up with such a plot under this kind of pressure, Warrior of Love and Hope-sensei talent is absolutely insane!"

"If it were me, I'd probably need years to think of something like this! The gap between people is sometimes greater than that between a human and a dog!"

"..."

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Everyone was expressing their opinions, believing that the first episode's plot had reached its conclusion.

However, Akifumi's pen did not stop.

Noticing this, the fans were momentarily stunned, and then—shock filled their eyes.

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"Wait, the first chapter isn't over yet?"

"Damn, could there be another twist?!"

"I've thought about it seriously, but I can't figure out where the plot could possibly turn!"

"Regardless, I already feel bad for the other contestants!!"

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As the number of live comments started to decrease, the audience was fully immersed in the parallel world woven by Akifumi's words.

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With media coverage spreading rapidly, panic ensued across Tokyo.

The city conducted multiple disinfections every day.

When the press conference concluded, a critical question arose:

—When the infected official returned from Saudi Arabia, why didn't he go through airport quarantine?

That's the key point.

He was already showing early symptoms of a cold, wasn't he?

Maybe he thought it was just a mild fever and nothing serious?

As a result, Mr. Takanojima, the man who unknowingly brought the virus back, became the scapegoat for public outrage.

The first to lash out were the grieving family members of Ms. Shikishima, who had died because of him.

Next came the flood of internet criticism from anxious citizens:

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—He knew he had symptoms. That makes him guilty!

—A walking biological weapon.

—We should dox him!

—He should just die! Oh wait, he's already dead. (LOL)

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Amidst the chaos, Takanojima's parents found themselves bombarded by relentless media attention.

Already drowning in grief, one could only imagine the immense pain they felt under this scrutiny.

On a rainy night, at Takanojima's funeral, his parents met Mikoto.

Despite their overwhelming sorrow, they bowed deeply in apology.

They explained that their son, even when sick, insisted on returning home. Perhaps it was because of the upbringing instilled by his father—an education that emphasized never skipping school for something as minor as a cold.

So, he must have thought that missing work for the same reason was unacceptable.

With a voice full of grief, the elderly father questioned, "Was it our education that was wrong...?"

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Silence fell over the audience.

At that moment, everyone seemed to understand the old man's pain.

The agony of losing a child in old age. The torment of being condemned by the world.

The doubt creeping into their hearts—was their son's death ultimately their fault?

Even if, in some perspectives, it was a consequence of his own actions...

For two elderly parents who had already suffered so much—was this burden really theirs to bear?

Before anyone could reach a conclusion, Akifumi's next passage shook them to their core!

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Ms. Baba stepped forward from the crowd and gently took the grieving parents aside. Then, looking at Mikoto, who was still bowing in apology, she hesitated before speaking:

"Takanojima is innocent. I have proof."

As Baba revealed the truth, the audience learned that three days after returning to Japan, Takanojima had undergone a health check.

The results? Completely normal.

Mikoto, however, countered, "A standard check-up wouldn't necessarily detect this. It could have been overlooked."

But Baba remained firm, "As a responsible adult, if he had really experienced symptoms, he would have reported it at the airport."

"I believe it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when he caught the virus. I'm sorry."

With that, the conversation came to an end.

As a forensic scientist, Mikoto only trusted the results of her own examinations—because the dead never lie.

For Baba, the woman closest to Takanojima, one might suspect that she was merely trying to clear his name.

But for the first time, this usually composed woman shed tears of sorrow.

Though Mikoto felt deep sympathy for Baba, she did not regret her actions.

If the truth had remained hidden, more people could have suffered—just like Ms. Shikishima.

That was why tracing Takanojima's movements became an essential part of the investigation.

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At Tokyo Medical University Hospital, the number of patients who had visited on the same day as "Male A"—including outpatients and new admissions—exceeded 48. Among them, eight had already tested positive.

Kamikura Yasuo met with the hospital director, discussing the situation briefly.

He requested that a report be submitted to the Ministry of Health to ensure future funding.

After this incident, the Unnatural Death Investigation Unit would likely receive more and more cases.

Nakado casually chatted with Kibayashi, mentioning a golden goldfish in passing.

As the sun set, in the quiet twilight, Baba stared blankly at the ring on her left hand's ring finger.

Meanwhile, Mikoto, having completed her investigation, returned the medical report to Baba.

Baba then began recounting the story of her relationship with Takanojima.

As she reminisced about their past, regret filled her voice, she had been too focused on work.

She wished she had spent more time with him while she still had the chance.

If only she had moved in with him. If only they had registered their marriage sooner.

If only they had lived together properly as a couple. Maybe then, he wouldn't have died alone like that.

Her sorrowful words left Mikoto silent, unsure of how to console her.

What hurt Baba even more were the cruel remarks online, the vicious accusations turning such a diligent and kind man into a monster.

Even though uncovering the truth would prevent further victims, to Baba, none of that mattered.

The world's tragedies didn't concern her.

No outsider could ever replace her Takanojima, not the authorities, not the public, not even her own parents.

Mikoto remained silent. Then, she reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of bread, offering it to Baba.

Because food, in its own way, has a special kind of magic.

Even in the darkest moments, a simple meal can bring warmth, however fleeting it may be.

Even in a moment like this, she could still find food delicious. With a sorrowful yet slightly bitter complaint, Miss Baba sighed, feeling frustrated at herself.

As she gazed at the sunset, she turned her eyes toward the ring on her finger.

Seeing this, Mikoto complimented its beauty.

Miss Baba then recounted the ring's story, it was a gift from Mr. Takanojiima, given to her the day after he returned to Japan.

"I never imagined... that would be our last night together."

With emotions too complex to put into words, she murmured this sentence.

Mikoto froze for a moment before asking a rather blunt question—"That night, did you two... engage in intimate relations?"

Two lovers who had been apart for so long, finally reunited... The answer was obvious.