Chapter Eight: Main Island: Countermeasures (1)

 Thursday, October 17, 2019, 1:40 P.M.

 

 

Yuki had no idea what to do with the pre-packaged egg porridge served as a late lunch.

As though he had a high fever, he couldn't taste a thing. Perhaps it was sleep deprivation, or maybe a psychological effect. He had been feeling slightly nauseous since morning.

He glanced over at Mikumo and saw that she hadn't even started on her porridge. She was lost in thought, holding two medicine cases, one blue, one yellow, in her hands.

“Are you feeling alright?”

When Yuki asked out of concern, she answered with a helpless smile.

“I'm okay. I've always had a weak stomach, so I was just wondering if I should take some medicine before my meal.”

The yellow case was labeled “stomach medicine” in permanent marker, and inside was a large number of white pills. Mikumo looked down at the case and sighed.

“But it's ridiculous worrying about illness at a time like this.”

“That's not true.”

“You don't need to try and comfort me.”

After saying that sadly, she held up the blue case.

“Incidentally, I also have insomnia, so I brought some sleeping pills along with me... but they're completely useless.”

Mikumo had been saying depressing things all trip, but today she was worse than usual. Her voice and face were both completely lifeless.

The blue case was labeled “sleeping pills” in the same handwriting, and was also full of white pills.

Suddenly, Kikyo began to grin, startling Yuki.

Yuki had also brought sleeping pills to the island, but only for the sake of revenge. Even though they were Mikumo's and not his, Kikyo being aware of their presence... it didn't make him happy.

Fortunately, Kikyo seemed more interested in her insomnia than her pills.

“You should be grateful for your insomnia. It's better than being killed in your sleep.”

“Maybe.”

Unfortunately, Yuki couldn't use the sleeping pills he'd disguised as vitamins.

Earlier, Yuki had prepared coffee and handed it out, but Kikyo had refused to take any.

Even though he must have known that Yuki wasn't the Visitor, he still seemed to be on guard. Ever since breakfast, Kikyo hadn't touched any food or drink he hadn't opened himself.

There was no point in using the sleeping pills now, so Yuki hadn't even tried, but the way things were going, it would be extremely difficult to get Kikyo to take his medicine when the time came.

Meanwhile, Mikumo had made up her mind not to take her stomach medicine.

She tossed the case into her bag and carelessly threw the bag back into her tent. Then she stirred her egg porridge with her spoon.

Yuki decided to go and check on Motegi.

Having been declared the Visitor by practically everyone, he had fallen into a depression. He'd barely even touched his porridge. His temperature was 37.3° C... His fever had gone down, but it was still present. Just to be safe, Yuki offered him some antipyretics and painkillers.

Eventually, Motegi fell asleep, but the other five people present continued to glare at him with frigid eyes.

Kikyo had repeatedly urged them to toss Motegi into the sea, but Yuki had somehow managed to talk them down thus far. Yuki still thought there was a possibility Motegi wasn't the Visitor, and there was no way he could let them toss an injured man into the rough seas.

Besides... Kikyo didn't really think Motegi was the Visitor, either. He just wanted to watch a man drown.

As Motegi lay snoring, Mikumo said something to Yuki.

“The boat home will be arriving this time tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, it's scheduled to arrive at two in the afternoon. Who knows? Maybe the captain will decide to surprise us by arriving early.”

He said that with as much cheer as he could muster, but Yanagawa splashed cold water on his enthusiasm.

“Not like we can take Doc with us, though, right? If he really is the Visitor, it'd be a disaster.”

What would they do about Motegi when the boat came for them? They decided to discuss that and come to a decision at noon tomorrow.

Of course, if the sea had calmed down by then, they could have everyone, Motegi included, go into the sea off the port to prove their innocence. But... it was likely the slow-moving low pressure system would still be there by then. There was no guarantee the waves would calm by the time the boat arrived.

That's why Yuki had no intention of sitting around and waiting.

“I know. That's why I'm going to find out how to determine the Visitor's identity without using fire or water.”

And of course... he was also going to have his revenge.

 

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