Episode 8. Just like

Relying on the address given to me by the priest, I sought out the Ishida family. The house was a traditional Japanese house, which is rare in Tokyo nowadays, with a small garden filled with neatly trimmed pine trees and azaleas. In front of the entrance of the house full of Japanese atmosphere, I was a little puzzled. I wondered if I could just barge in and ask them a few questions.　　But eventually I rang the doorbell.

"Hello?"

The sliding door rattled open, and an elegant-looking old woman stepped out. I was trying to figure out what to say.

"Um, ......, who are you?"

The old woman asked in a puzzled tone.

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit. Actually, I'd like to ask you about Kyoko-san."

""Kyoko ....... Um, she's already at ......."

"Yes, I've heard from the temple priest that she's dead."

"Yeah, but why do you want to know about Kyoko?　　Who the are you ......?"

It was understandable that she was suspicious. I honestly told her what I had been up to.

"I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that as far as I know about her."

I was ushered into the living room.

"I'll bring you a cup of tea now, make yourself comfortable."

The old woman said and headed for the kitchen. I sat upright on the cushion and looked around the room. The light wooden walls smelled of old wood. There was not a speck of dust on the tatami. The old woman must have cleaned it carefully every morning.

"Thank you for waiting."

She placed a cup of tea with gyokuro in front of me with a graceful hand and sat down opposite me.

"What do you want to know about Kyoko?"

The old woman asked in a quiet voice.

"Anything. What kind of young lady was she?"

"Well, ...... she was a bright, lively girl. She was a good swimmer and used to go to the local swimming pool. Cooking was her hobby, and she was quite good at it."

"Cooking: ......"

"Yes, She cooked everything, Chinese, Western, you name it."

I remembered the day when Hana had started cooking with great enthusiasm. I knew it had something to do with Kyoko. ...... Then the old woman talked about this and that about Kyoko. She was a pretty girl, and because of that she was popular with the boys, but she never had a boyfriend.

Other than the fact that she liked to cook and dress up, I couldn't find anything in common with the changed Hana. Was I imagining things, after all?　I was a little discouraged and started to think that I should leave now. But before I do that, I should at least burn incense for Kyoko, since I've come all this way.

"Thank you very much. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to pay my respects before the Buddha. I'll leave you to it."

"Yes, that's fine. This way, please."

I stepped into the Buddhist room as the old woman led me. I looked around the room, saw a black-framed portrait of the deceased, and was astonished.

"Hana..."

"Yes?"

"Yes, no, it's nothing."

As I rang the bell and burned the incense, I was not in the mood, because the photo of the deceased looked just like Hana, or rather, Hana herself. As I stood up after burning the incense, I asked the old woman to make sure.

"Is the one in the photo Kyoko-san?"

The old woman looked up at the remains.

"Yes,"

was all she said.

"Thank you very much."

I thanked the old woman and walked quickly to the station.

In a daze, I got on the train and hurried to the convenience store where I had first found Hana. I entered the store and asked the clerk to call the manager for me. The clerk gave me a dubious look and dialed the phone.

"Sir, the manager is on the line."

The clerk snatched the terminal from me, and I skipped the greeting and started talking.

"The other day I got an android from you that was supposed to be discarded, but there's a problem. Do you know where it was manufactured?　　Can you tell me where it was manufactured and what its serial number is?"

"Yes, I do. First of all, the product number is JVA2034-B. Manufactured by 'East Japan Seiki Co., Kashima Plant'."

"Thank you."

I hung up the phone and searched for the Kashima plant on my tablet. I found out that the factory was located in the coastal industrial zone of Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. I had no choice but to go there and talk to the manufacturer directly. I should call the factory to let them know I was coming. I made a phone call to the Kashima factory.

"Yes. East Japan Seiki Co., Kashima Plant."

"Oh, hi. Actually, we've been having some problems with the androids manufactured by your company."

"What's the problem?"

"I'll have to ask the manufacturer or designer directly to find out. I'm going to come over there right now, and I'd like you to talk to the designer for me."

"With all due respect, sir, I'm afraid I can't respond to that request right away."

Well, I knew that was coming. I switched to a more aggressive voice and pressed the receptionist.

"This is a matter of trust for your company, you know.　　This is a matter that could lead to a lawsuit if you're not careful. Are you sure?"

"Please wait a moment at ......."

The waiting music began to play a lively tune. The receptionist was probably asking for instructions from her boss. A few minutes later, the voice of the receptionist switched again.

"Yes, sir. May I ask the your name?"

"Kosuke Aizawa."

"Aizawa-sama. We'll be waiting for you. Thank you very much for your time today."

With that, the caller hung up.