Starfish Hotel (スターフィッシュホテル)

Are you awake?

I had a nightmare.

It's those damned books of yours.

See you later.

See you.

Out soon! Jo Kuroda's latest mystery.

Light.

A light, I said.

Lost my lighter.

You think this writer's any good?

Have to wear this fucking costume to advertise it.

"Mr. Trickster"? Load of crap if you ask me.

You work near here?

Yes, actually.

You're dressed for the part in that suit.

Civil servant? Nice house, nice wife, kids in a good school I bet.

Well, we don't have any children.

You've got "pen-pusher" written all over you.

Course, I used to have a proper job before.

A wife and kid too, before it all went down the shitter.

Now my daughter's whoring - at 19! Makes you laugh, eh?

At least this hairy suit's kept me off the streets.

Not that there's much difference.

Maybe the "Darkland" is all around us.

What do you think, pen-pusher?

You'll ruin your eyes working in the dark.

What is it? A game?

My new client's building.

Looks like a maze.

It's the concept - labyrinths and mazes.

What's the project?

A club.

What kind?

A risque one.

Sounds dodgy.

It's supposed to be "stimulating" for couples.

I've got an invite after it's all finished.

I wonder if I should go...

Don't talk rubbish...

Give me...the key...

I can't...

Open it...

Open what?

Broken contract...

Are you awake?

These too, please.

I'm back.

...four bodies were recovered from the burnt-out house.

The bodies are believed to be those of Mr. Nakajima, the owner,

his wife, Mariko, and Mr. Nakajimefs parents.

Police are investigating a link between this fire...

...and 2 other recent arson cases in Tokyo's Setagaya ward.

And that's the news for this evening.

Next we have an interview with author Jo Kuroda.

Today I'm visiting a hotel in the mountains of Tohoku...

...owned by iwaki Publishing. The hotel is often used by writers.

Also here today is the popular mystery author Jo Kuroda.

Tell us a bit about your new book, but don't give too much away!

Well, it doesn't stray far from the themes in my other books.

So we can expect an appearance from "Mr. Trickster"?

You certainly can.

And will the mystery of "Darkland" become any clearer?

I think that'll be up to the reader.

How does the story begin this time?

As always, it starts with the disappearance of a woman...

Chisato!

Chisato! Open the door! Chisato...Chisato!

Hello, Kimura Architecture.

Hello, is Chisato Arisu there?

May I ask who's calling?

This is her husband.

I see - please hold the line.

I'm sorry. Chisato didn't come into work today.

Thank you.

A train at night...a silent hospital.

A deserted park...a railway siding.

Common or garden, nondescript places.

Ambiguous, forgotten spaces.

Perfect for the purpose of writing.

I wouldn't know where to begin...

Everyone has a story to tell.

Once upon a time...

No, it wasn't once upon a time...

it was...

Two years ago...

Good evening.

I'm Arisu - I booked last week.

Very good, sir.

"Necropolis" by Jo Kuroda

Strange, isn't it.

When I read his books I get drawn into his world.

Do you like Jo Kuroda's books?

Yes...

I like the way they're a little twisted.

I can read them over and over.

Are you a mystery geek?

I'm not sure what constitutes a geek.

Well, maybe not a geek...

But a little twisted... a touch warped, perhaps?

Yes?

A woman disappears... the story has begun.

There is more than one riddle...

One is “Where did she go?“

The other is “Why did she disappear?“

You have to retrace your steps to find what you've lost.

What are you chasing?

It's like when a hunter is stalking an animal.

The forest is dark and still...

Sooner or later the hunter begins to realize...

That he is no longer the hunter... he is the prey...

My parents died when I was young.

My uncle raised me...

He left me some land in his will but I don't want it.

I don't want to stay here.

Meticulous...

HEY

People in your line of work must be meticulous.

I wonder...

Meticulous - that's why you like mysteries.

You wanted to be a writer.

Am I right?

Why did you give up?

I had no imagination.

I can't believe that.

What kind of place do you think the "Darkland" is?

I sometimes see a place like that in my dreams.

In dreams...?

Awful dreams - when I'm there, I'm dead.

And everyone from this world is there in the "Darkland".

There's no one left in this world - no one at all.

I hope I can sleep.

I might have a nightmare - I can't get that book off my mind.

If I scream, will you come to me?

I haven't screamed yet.

Three days ago, you say?

Yes, and she hasn't contacted her parents or her sister either.

I asked some of her friends too, but...

What about work?

Of course - she works in an architect's office.

But she hasn't been there either.

Has this ever happened before?

It's the first time I've not been able to contact her.

Ninety percent of these cases are because of domestic problems...

Caller unknown.

Hello.

Hello.

Do you remember me?

Yeah...

Tomorrow...

Can we meet at that hotel?

It's short notice.

I can't.

Do you feel like going somewhere tomorrow?

It's supposed to be fine.

I have to go to Tohoku on business again.

I thought you'd finished that.

Something came up - I have to go.

Can't it wait until Monday?

They keep changing the schedule.

I have to follow it to the letter.

Your company is so backward.

And you're just another cog in the machine.

I dreamt about you.

We were naked...

in the forest...

It's just starting, isn't it?

The first meeting is just the beginning.

The second time, the story starts to unfold.

You like mysteries, don't you?

Mori Private Investigator

Mori Private Investigator

So, what can I do for you, Mr. Arisu?

I found your card at home.

Really? Can I have a look?

So it is.

Why did my wife come here?

I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to answer that.

Private detectives have to respect the privacy of their clients.

I could go to the police and say I found your card in her bag.

There's no need for that.

At the risk of being rude, why do you think your wife came here?

Maybe you already know...

What's that supposed to mean?

You seem convinced that your wife was here.

When a wife visits a private detective...

What do you think is the usual reason?

What would you do if I had an affair?

A designer at work is having one.

But her husband doesn't seem to care.

I wouldn't stand for it.

But would you forgive me?

No, I wouldn't.

She says her lover's touch sets her on fire.

Something she doesn't feel with her husband.

Is that what it's like?

I would kill you...

That's a bit harsh!

I'm not used to doing this.

I need you.

I have to see you.