Not a detective

Page 117

But at this moment, he decided to calm down and first review the intelligence that was currently available.

To summarize the first half of this novel, it tells the story of the male protagonist who survives a shipwreck on a deserted island after discovering an indigenous village.

The protagonist in the book is quite clever and quick-witted. He skillfully uses body language to make food deals with the villagers and even goes further to understand the religious beliefs of that primitive village.

The description between the lines reveals his calm mind, boldness and meticulousness. If Asakawa Riku were in his situation, he might not have been able to do better.

Of course, if it were Asakawa Riku, he might have used a more direct method to rule that village.

In the last thing he saw, the protagonist decided on his "assassination plan" to carry out the murder during the village's traditional festival, the "Red Stingray Festival," and replace the original village chief.

He didn't explain the details of his plan, nor did he reveal his methods. It seems the protagonist in this detective novel is likely the murderer. Will his plan succeed? Will a detective expose his scheme? These questions will likely be answered in the second half of the book; just keep reading and you'll find out.

But more than the crimes that followed, Asakawa Riku was actually more interested in the village on that deserted island, their customs, religion, and way of life.

No wonder the author of this book, Shi Asukai, is called a genius writer. Her writing shows no trace of the immaturity of a young writer. Her descriptions and portrayals are very steady and vivid, depicting such a strange and deserted village where people maintain their primitive lifestyle, making a living by fishing and farming. The only authority is the village chief.

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, the male protagonist gradually gets to know the villagers, a process that is both interesting and vividly portrayed.

Compared to primitive people, they are not so primitive. They have complete basic clothing, fire, food, and tools, and they also have the concepts of family and language.

However, their language is still very basic, without complex grammar. You only need to master the pronunciation of basic vocabulary, and you can learn it in a month. They don't even have a written language.

The most interesting part is the ceremony and the folk religion behind it.

Red Stingray... Asakawa Riku had never heard of this deity. He thought that Chizuko-senpai should know something about it, but now that they were sailing at sea, his cell phone had lost signal and network, and he couldn't use the search function. He thought that it might be a deity made up by the author. Generally speaking, it was normal for isolated island villages near the ocean to have sea-related beliefs.

Its form is that of a giant red fish that loses itself on the shore, constantly searching for its memories, running towards the sea, and transforming into a deity.

What does this imply? Does it mean that these villagers throw themselves into the sea before they die, as if returning to the embrace of the gods?

It cannot be determined yet.

The strangest thing that Asakawa Riku found most was the "male protagonist" of this book.

There's something wrong with him.

At the beginning of the story, the male protagonist acts like a normal person. After being shipwrecked, he instinctively feels fear and wants to ask for help and find companions. When he is tired and thirsty, he falls into despair. When he first comes into contact with the villagers, he is also uneasy and wants to run away, wondering if these people are cannibals and if they will be harmful to him.

But somehow, he gradually began to integrate into the life of the village.

Yes, by the middle of the story, the male protagonist had become one of the villagers. He ate the same food, lived the same life as the villagers, and even married a new wife.

He hadn't paid any attention to his "SOS" sign or his help plan for a long time, and hadn't even mentioned his thoughts on finding ships and planes, not a single word.

It was as if they had completely forgotten.

what happened?

A closer look reveals that the change began around the time the male protagonist first attempted the "ritual".

He tried to secretly learn that strange religious dance in order to exchange it for greater benefits from the villagers. Of course, he succeeded, but...did he really succeed?

The male protagonist thus gained a high status in the village, a large estate, abundant food, slaves, and a beautiful wife, but what was the price he paid?

When the original village chief saw him secretly learning the important "ritual", he was not angry at all. Instead, he enthusiastically explained the true meaning of the red stingray belief to him. Why?

All the questions remain unanswered, like torpedoes buried underwater, seemingly calm on the surface, but destined to explode one day.

Asakawa Rikuya also had some guesses. Could it be that the protagonist had become entangled in the ritual and the crimson stingray cult? He might still appear to be maintaining rational thinking, but in reality, he had already become a foolish fanatic? And the original village chief had already foreseen this, so he couldn't wait for someone to replace him? That's why the protagonist suddenly had the crazy idea of ​​murdering someone?

If that's the explanation, it seems quite reasonable.

However, this raises a new question: how did such a backward and primitive oral religion, without even written scriptures as a medium for spreading the faith, and without miracles, prophecies, or similar forms of expression, manage to captivate so many villagers? There were only two priests who knew about the red stingray god, yet the villagers would bow down and worship whenever they saw the dance?

If it's understandable that primitive people were ignorant and prone to blind faith, it's surprising that even the educated protagonist was unknowingly corrupted by modern civilization.

Could it be that... the setting of this book involves beings with extraordinary abilities?

He completely forgot the beauty of modern society, the internet, better food, more comfortable apartments, and more modern lifestyles, willingly choosing to live in this primitive tribal area, forgetting that he needed to seek rescue, and even wanting to stage some kind of power grab here. It's absurd.

Could someone who has experienced modern life really stay in a place like this for a month?

It's almost like they've been brainwashed.

In any case, Asakawa Riku felt that this was all the information he could get from the first half of the book.

Whether the male protagonist's murder plan will succeed, and what secrets are hidden on this island, will likely only be revealed later.

He composed himself and decided to continue watching.

But just then, there was a knock on the door—

dong dong dong.

Looking up, I heard voices outside the closed door. Someone had come to visit in this once silent place.

Like a male protagonist carrying a knife with a gloomy expression.

Say:

"Asakawa-kun, are you asleep?"

Summer of the Crimson Ray: Chapter Seven: Stars Under the Night

Asakawa Riku opened the door, and Hoshimi Kou was standing outside.

That's for sure, since besides the sailors and captain, there were only classmates and teachers on the ship, and no one else was there.

Even through a door, Asakawa Riku could still hear the other person's voice clearly.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

He asked, unsure why she had suddenly contacted him, but still waved the book in his hand, indicating that he was reading the book she had lent him.

"What else could it be?" Xingyu smiled, oblivious to the tact: "An invitation for you to go for a walk."

She was still wearing the same little dress she wore during the day, with sandals on her slender ankles. The hem of the dress swayed gently, and her fake ponytail bobbed back and forth.

"wait a second."

Since that's what they've said, Asakawa Riku couldn't refuse, so he could only stick the bookmark in and put it in the room.

Anyway, there are still two days of travel left, so I should have enough time to finish watching it. There's no rush.

So he followed Xingyu out of the room, and along the corridor he saw many classmates, some he knew and some he didn't. After exchanging the necessary greetings, he noticed that everyone was looking at him with ambiguous eyes. Asakawa Riku was completely confused and puzzled. When no one was passing by, he leaned close to Xingyu's ear and whispered:

"What's going on? Is this someone you know? Why are they looking at us like that?"

"Asakawa-kun is really slow on the uptake. They're spreading rumors that you just broke up with the senior from the mystery club and found me as your new girlfriend right after the new semester started."

"What...that's not true!"

"Oh, so the breakup didn't happen, or the dating relationship didn't happen?"

"There's nothing going on on either side."

Asakawa Riku was truly despairing of the school's teenagers' habit of spreading gossip, but in reality, he was one of them.

He emphasized, "I'm in the same club as Kazamatsuri-senpai, and we're in the same agency, that's all."

"Just colleagues? Asakawa-kun is really heartless."

"And classmate... are you still angry that I didn't recognize you?"

"Hmph, I know about your relationship and breakup with that senior, and you didn't even recognize me in the next class?"

"I already said we weren't dating, so we never broke up."

The other person seemed to quicken their pace, and Asakawa Riku had no choice but to follow.

As he climbed the spiral staircase from inside the cabin and stepped onto the deck, he belatedly realized that it was already night.

Everything around was shrouded in night, and countless stars shone overhead, orbiting the moon in their own unique paths. The night sky over the sea was special; without the dazzling lights of Tokyo, the starlight was highlighted and clearly visible, especially in terms of the view. This world, so vast and open in all directions, gave one a completely different feeling.

Breathing in the fresh sea breeze, feeling the tranquil atmosphere of the ocean waves, with starlight and moonlight showering down on me, it felt as if the girl beside me was dancing.

"So, you don't regret asking me to come out, do you?"

Xingyu was smiling; her skirt did not lose its charm in the dim light, but rather appeared closer than ever before.

It turns out she wasn't angry; she was just pretending.

"Yes."

Asakawa Riku replied, glancing at his phone:

【2025年6月13日·周五· 19：25】

Sure enough, it was already evening. Come to think of it, he hadn't had dinner yet, but he didn't feel very hungry. It was probably because he had been engrossed in reading. But he wasn't in a hurry to eat now. It wouldn't be good to leave the girl beside him. Besides, he felt that the view from the deck was expansive, and even breathing became much more pleasant. The sea and sky blended into one, and he felt a sense of freedom all around him.

Hoshino took light, quick steps, skipping across the deck. Was it ballet? Asakawa Riku couldn't tell, but he found it exceptionally beautiful.

It seems that not only do rich girls need to receive relevant education, but even their maids need to know a lot.

Enjoying the moment quietly, clapping along, Xingyu finally seemed tired and walked to the railing to rest.

"I'm really looking forward to this trip. Although my sister always tells me not to worry about her and to take a vacation whenever I want, I can't help but worry when I'm with her."

"That guy is definitely a handful."

Asakawa Rikuya walked to her side.

Leaving Shinonome Suetsuki alone in the office for half a month, I always feel like I'll see the building burned down when I go back.

Even if the building burns down, that guy can still come back to life, right? Since he can't die, it doesn't matter. Unlike this little maid, Asakawa Riku's idea is much more pragmatic.

"I only feel like I can be myself when I'm away from Tokyo."

Xingyu murmured softly to the ocean, seemingly talking to herself.

It's rare to see her like this.

Over the past year, Asakawa Riku has indeed not known much about Hoshino. Even the mysterious Shinonome Suetsuki knows about her background and origins, but this maid knows nothing about her.

Throughout my time with her, she always appeared professional. Although she was sometimes clumsy and got scolded by Moyue, she was at least dedicated and never complained.

But tonight wasn't so much a complaint; it was more like seeing the real her.

"Don't you like being a maid? I think if you submit your resignation to the detective, she would probably agree."

"The young lady still wants to fire me. According to the contract, if I am fired, I will receive a large sum of compensation."

Based on my understanding of the last month, that's how it is.

"but."

"However, I have never been able to make up my mind."

Xingyu took over the conversation and said softly, "I always feel that if I were to leave my current identity and leave Miss's side, I wouldn't know who I am anymore."

Her gaze shifted from looking up at the sky to looking down at the sea.

"Isn't it just Hoshimi Kohana?"

Asakawa Riku was silent for a moment, then he mustered up his courage and stroked the other person's hair.

Xingyu's shoulders seemed to tremble slightly, but she did not stop him.

So Asakawa Riku gently removed the black wig, revealing her original beautiful golden hair, which remained stunning in the darkness.

A color as warm as the sun.

"Isn't that your name?"

"Yes."

Xingyu only gave this one answer, with a smile that seemed to carry a hint of loneliness.

Asakawa Riku didn't know her background or her family, so why she became Shinonome Suetsuki's maid at such a young age and signed a contract that resembled a servitude contract.

Where her parents are, and why she is of mixed race—Xingyu has never explained any of this. Since she doesn't intend to say, he won't ask any further questions.

All I need to do is quietly stay by your side, letting the sea breeze caress me.

"I think I'm a lot like a stingray."

"Oh...that ocean god?"

Asakawa Riku was stunned for a moment before realizing that the other person was talking about the contents of the book. Really, wasn't he afraid of spoilers?

Perhaps the other person saw roughly where they were looking; if that's the case, their observation skills are truly impressive.

"Yes, I may have lost myself on land as well. Maybe my true mission is to be a god in the ocean."

Hoshino said half-jokingly, "In that case, I'll stir up a huge wave and drown you, Asakawa-kun."