Which Is the Witch?

By MORI Hiroshi

Moe Nishinosono, an undergraduate student of N National University and a young lady from a prominent family, is holding a customary dinner party in the luxurious condominium she owns, with Dr. Sohei Saikawa, her mentor, and others. The guests include a novelist named Yasutomo Daigobo, Moe's cousin and Saikawa's friend, and Keiko Kihara, who was Daigobo's classmate in university.
Keiko talks about a spooky fortune-teller, whom she consulted with in the shade of a deserted cafe. Then, Daigobo introduces an episode regarding a mysterious woman whom he encountered.

"She disappeared before I knew it, but appeared near me at the next moment. Like a witch."

“Which is the witch?”
That is the hint for the riddle pertaining to the two mysterious women. Can Saikawa and Moe see through the truth hidden in the strange events that happened 15 years ago?

This is the second English works 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: Mar 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329967977

Book preview

Which Is the Witch?

Which Is the Witch?

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 2001.

Japanese edition copyright © 2001 MORI, Hiroshi / Kodansha

English edition copyright © 2016 MORI, Hiroshi / The BBB: Breakthrough Bandwagon Books

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-329-96797-7

-1-

Hey, my dear aunt. Moe Nishinosono put a cup of tea back on the table, had her hands on her knees, and straightened up. "We have the Japanese word ‘majyo’ (meaning ‘witch’ in English), but why don’t we have the word for male counterpart?"

"Because whatever male counterpart of ‘majyo’ we may come up with forcefully, it ends up meaning something else. Mutsuko Sasaki exhaled a streak of cigarette smoke and looked sideways at Moe. The Japanese word ‘maotoko’. Dear my niece, do you know what that means?"

No. Moe shook her head. "Maotoko? I guess it must be a derivative of a particularly unique pronunciation, right?"

No, an ordinary pronunciation. You are probably imagining something else. Look up a dictionary later.

In English, do we not call it ‘wizard’?

Yes, for the wielder of magic. Mutsuko nodded. More specifically, I think the word is used for a good magician. Come to think of it, the word ‘wizardress’ or ‘wizardess’ does not exist. Weird ... What brought us to talk about such a thing all of a sudden?

Dear my aunt, aren’t you told that you are like a witch?

From whom? Mutsuko abruptly lowered the pitch of her voice and stared at Moe. She felt a flash of light for about one-sixtieth of a second. It might be a subliminal effect. When Moe was a little girl, she was afraid of her aunt’s such expressions. But, the bug had already been removed from her since the latest version upgrade.

When I was young, I watched a TV drama series featuring a witch. I believe it was ...

From whom? Mutsuko lowered the pitch of her voice even more, and asked the same question. Who said I was a witch?

Oh, no, no. Moe hastily waved her hand in denial. You know, when an ambulance passes by you, the pitch of siren goes down suddenly, right?

Drop effect. Mutsuko said in a low voice. So, who said it?

Doppler effect. So, how is this? You are having a bad hair day very often. You feel irritated, depressed, and gloomy. Then, gradually ...

Service breakdown, or ... Umm ...

It’s nervous breakdown. My dear aunt, you don’t remember anything at all, do you?

Who said that?

Well, umm, I might have been dreaming. I think it is an illusion that I am seeing.

Moe. Mutsuko smiled calmly. Look into my eyes.

Oh, but, I mean, when you are wearing a black dress like you are doing now, you look somewhat bewitching ... The mesmerizing presence makes you look as if you are ...

As if I am ... what?

A witch. Moe showed her white teeth.

I have not worn a black dress as of late. Today is the first time in a long time ... Mutsuko put out her cigarette on an ashtray, kept gazing at Moe, and exhaled the last puff of smoke. It was hard for Moe to believe that the smoke did not possess any magical powers. Oh, yes ... Come to think about it, I wore it at the funeral of the former mayor last week. I see ... It’s my elder brother.

Moe cleared her throat.

Thank you for letting me know. I like you when you are honest. Mutsuko said.

I did not say anything. Moe shook her head.

The elder brother whom Mutsuko mentioned was Shosuke Nishinosono, who was also Moe’s uncle. At the time, he is reacting to our talking about him by sneezing dynamically at the maximum instantaneous wind velocity of 40 meters per second. If it were used for electric power generation, it would manage to generate enough energy for shaving a mustache. As she thought that much, Moe chuckled.

That’s not funny. Mutsuko uttered, while staring at Moe. You too will realize it in 10 years.

Um, what is it? Moe widened her eyes and leaned her head sideways. What will I realize?

Aging, I mean. Once you reach my current age, you will understand that.

"What are you talking about? To begin with, the age gap between