The Rooftop Ornaments of Stone Ratha

By MORI Hiroshi

On a snowy night, Moe Nishinosono, an undergraduate student of N National University and a young lady from a prominent family, held a dinner party in the luxurious condominium building she owned, with Dr. Sohei Saikawa, her mentor, and others.
At Moe’s request, Saikawa showed his treasured photograph to others. It was taken when late Dr. Kyosuke Nishinosono, Saikawa’s mentor and Moe’s father, visited India for research. Saikawa challenged others to solve the mystery pertaining to what was in the photograph.

“The finial, which was supposed to be placed on top of the pagoda, was made separately, attached to the ground nearby.”

During the heated debate, the party attenders presented their own versions of reasoning to solve the mystery regarding the peculiarity of ‘Five Ratha’. What shocking truth behind the mystery would they discover?

This is the first English version of the story from ‘S&M (Saikawa & Moe) Series’, one of the most coveted mystery fiction series in Japan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329654457

Book preview

The Rooftop Ornaments of Stone Ratha

The Rooftop Ornaments of Stone Ratha

Originally written in Japanese by MORI, Hiroshi

Translated by Ryusui Seiryoin

Cover illustration by Polka D

Cover design by Tanya

This work was first published in Japan in 1999.

Japanese edition copyright © 1999 MORI, Hiroshi / Kodansha

English edition copyright © 2015 MORI, Hiroshi / The BBB: Breakthrough Bandwagon Books

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-329-65445-7

-1-

It was an evening of one snowy day.

Sohei Saikawa got out of the taxi in front of the gate of a high-rise condominium. Vehicles on roads were making metallic sounds that were unique to a snowy day. Saikawa would just give up on driving with good grace any time he saw only a little snowfall. After seeing the taxi off, he carefully went up a slope. Even though there seems to be no such thing as snow shoes so far, I want someone to sell simple snow chains as attachments for shoes, Saikawa thought.

He had the entrance door unlocked after talking on the intercom, and entered the luxurious lobby. Turning at the end of the lobby, he got to an elevator hall. Since the elevator door just opened at the moment, he hastily walked through it and found two familiar faces.

Hokuto Kita, a friend of his, and Momoko Kunieda.

The three of them were familiar to each other to the level that they did not have to exchange greetings for the sake of it. The door closed behind Saikawa’s back.

Hey, Sohei. haven’t you come here by your car? Kita asked. Saikawa drove his car usually. If he had come to the building by his car, then he would not have gotten on the elevator on the first floor, for the parking lot was located at the basement floor.

I left my car in the university, because it started snowing, Saikawa answered. What about you two?

I had my student drive me here by his four-wheel drive. Kita replied.

I took a bus, said Momoko Kunieda with no expression on her face.

A four-wheel drive? Saikawa said to Kita, It makes no difference when you slam on the brake.

Well, you’re right. Kita nodded. He did not seem to have any refutation. The best way is not to drive.

Momoko Kunieda kept silent, seemingly being bored. But, in her case, she looked bored even when she actually was not.

The top floor was the 21st, and the button on the elevator control panel was already lit.

They all were instructors at the faculty of engineering of N National University. Saikawa and Kita were associate professors. Kunieda was an assistant in the course Saikawa was teaching. Kita and Kunieda were both wearing a suit and a necktie under a coat. Kita always wore a tie