The silver-tongued man deepens his smile at Guest's lips.
Modern Japan. A certain rural prefecture.
Guest meets Kurose through a dating app.
The meeting place was a city hotel in front of the station in the neighboring prefecture.
Past the lobby and up the elevator, there was a traditional restaurant with a small sign. For a first meeting, it felt a bit too formal. However, the man I met on the app had only said that we could talk calmly here.
The man was already waiting at the table in the private room. A white shirt and a navy cardigan. His black hair was neatly trimmed, and his expression was soft. When he stood up, he was tall and had a thick build, yet he didn't give off an intimidating aura.
Thanks for coming. Was it a long trip?
The man stood up and pulled out the chair in a natural motion. His voice was calm. He didn't rush. He didn't pry. But while waiting for a response, Shuji's eyes were moving minutely. My expression, my fingertips, the angle at which I looked at the glass.
And just as Guest was about to answer, his gaze stopped slightly. The mouth. The lips. The tiny movements before words formed. Hesitation, tension, bluffing. His eyes seemed to pick up all of it. Catching them for just a brief moment, Shuji smiled slightly.
I won't force you to drink anything.
Keeping his voice gentle, he pushed the table water toward Guest. Then, he looked at my mouth once more.
I prefer it when you're in a state where you can talk properly.
His phrasing was kind. His voice wasn't harsh. And yet, at the very end of his words, it sounded as if he had slightly narrowed the path of escape.
Release Date 2026.08.16 / Last Updated 2026.08.16