Ryotaro Dojima

So... What have you been doing
after school?

Are you really just "hanging out"?

> Dojima is scowling...

Ah, okay. When I was your age, I used to
like clubs so much that I'd be willing
to cut class to attend the meetings.
Er... Not that I did cut class, though.

> Dojima is fretting.

Oh, really...? You're pretty responsible
for your age.

> Dojima is impressed.

You can't be doing nothing at all...

> Dojima looks at you suspiciously...

......
...Whoops. This is turning into
an interrogation, isn't it?
But it's not as if we have much in
common... except for the murders.

No... That's not why I'm asking you
this stuff.
Though it's true that some things about
you still worry me...

> Dojima gave you a sharp look...

I guess not, huh...?
If you were on the force, I'd have more
to talk about...
After all, like Nanako says, all I talk
about is work.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

About me? You're interested in the
strangest things...

> Dojima shrugs...

It's just what it seems. I'm a simple
country detective living with my daughter.
There's nothing about that to interest
a high school kid...

But you know, it really is good to have
you around the house.
I didn't think Nanako would be so happy...
Hell, I'm already tired of hearing
"big bro" this and "big bro" that.

You're more like a very young brother
to me than a son.

What!? You're saying you can see the
years on my face?
What a punk! Treating a regular guy
like an old man...!

> Dojima is laughing cheerfully.

Hah, stop that! You're sending chills
down my spine.

> Dojima is laughing cheerfully.

......
I think it's been a while since I've
laughed this much.

> You were able to talk frankly with
Dojima...
> You feel your relationship with Dojima
has grown deeper...

Alright, I have to finish processing
some data from work.
Don't hit the sack too late, you hear?
'Night.

> You said goodnight to Dojima and
went to your room.

I heard something at the station the
other day...
About... Well...
I heard you guys hang out at Junes
pretty often.

> Dojima's probing stare hurts...

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

The question is...
Why do you make so many trips to and
from the electronics department?

Daaaad...

Oh, er, this isn't what you think.
I'm not interrogating him...

It's not fair. You're always talking
with big bro.

What...?

I mean... Today, you're home, but...

...I always talk with you.

When is always?

I...
I wanna... talk...

> Nanako rubs her eyes sleepily as
she says it...

*sigh* It's bedtime for you already.
Go to sleep. I'll play with you...
Next time.

...You promised.

> Nanako reluctantly returned to
her room...

"When is always," huh...?

...I'm busy.

> Dojima grimaces...

......

> Dojima looks bitter...

No... It's not that.
I mean, I am bad with kids, but that's
not the problem...

> Dojima's expression looks bitter...

Truth is, I mostly left raising her up to
my wife... her mother...

So... I don't really know how to
approach her.

Plus... I'm not fit to be her family...

......

> Dojima is making a tired expression...

...Maybe you're right.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

You're an honest one.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

You think just being related by blood
makes you "family"?
......
That's not the case...

> You feel you began to grasp the
worries Dojima carries inside him...

Oh... sorry. You didn't need to hear
about that.
Get some sleep. 'Night.

> You said goodnight to Dojima and
went to your room.

That reminds me, something's been on my
mind...
Well...
That Ted kid was staying here while we were
in the hospital, right?

> Dojima's stare is serious....

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

But the thing is...
Some of my clothes and underwear are missing
for some reason...

I was just thinking of making some
coffee.
All we've got is instant, though.
How do you take it?

Just like me. The easiest kind to make.

> Dojima is smiling...

Huh...?
Oh, uh, well... It's just I haven't
heard anyone ask for that in a while.

> Dojima is smiling gently...

Hah, you have the same tastes as Nanako.

> Dojima looks like he's having fun.

Alright, I'll pour you a good one.

> Dojima looks like he's having fun.

Dad, the news is starting.
Oh, coffee! Can I have some?

Sure thing. Plenty of sugar and cream,
right?

Yeah!

Go watch TV with Nanako. I'll bring it
to you when it's ready.

Oh, no, it's okay. Making the coffee
is my only job around here.

> Dojima is smiling gently...

Leave it to me. I make damn good coffee.

> Dojima is smiling cheerfully...

When I got married, her mother made me
promise one thing.
She said this is all I have to do around
the house. But nobody else can do it.
So... Well, you know. It's habit now.

> Dojima looks a bit embarrassed.

> You saw an unexpected side of Dojima
and grew closer to him...

This is the only promise I can really
keep these days...
Well... anyway. Sit over there.

> You watched TV together.

...And now, our next story.
On the outskirts of Okina today, a woman
bicyclist was hit by a car and died on
the scene.

Nanako, turn the TV off.

Oh... okay.

......

......
It was because they showed a story about
a traffic accident...

Mom died in an accident.
I don't remember it. And Dad won't talk
about it...
......

> Nanako looks lonely...

> You watched some more TV with Nanako
before going to your room.

> It seems Dojima is looking for
something...

It was there before...
Those damn kids... Don't they teach 'em
how to file data anymore?

Oh... Sorry, I wasn't talking about you.

No... Well, yeah.

> Dojima seems unsettled...

No... It's okay. Don't worry about it.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

Hah... Haven't heard that in a while.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

I was trying to find an old newspaper
article... It was falling apart, so I
made a copy, but...
The copy seems to have gone missing.
......

There's a certain case where we don't
have a suspect yet...
And since the trail's going cold, it's
about to be buried under newer cases.

But I can't give up on this one.
...Ever.

> Dojima has a cornered look on
his face...
> This doesn't seem to be the time or
the place to ask him more about it.

Dad...?

Hm? What's wrong?

My stomach hurts...

Was it something you ate!?

It feels like a sharp pain below
my stomach.

What!? I'll call the doc--
N-No, wait. This happened before.
Is it the same feeling!?

I don't know...

Urgh... Okay, the medicine we used
before is--

Dammit! Who's calling at this time
of night...?

Dojima here!
What's this about?
...A sealed letter? For me?

Is it from Ichihara-san!? When did
it come!?
You forgot!?
I'm on my way!

Gotta go. The medicine should be in the
first aid kit... She's in your hands.

> Dojima left...

> You gave Nanako the medicine and put
her to bed...
> ......
> A few hours later...

*sigh*

> Dojima has come home.
> He seems to be in a bad mood...

... You're still up?
It's late. Go to sleep.

Just shut up...
......

...Sorry.

> Dojima looks apologetic...

Shut up! You have no right to...
......

...No... you do. Sorry...

> Dojima looks apologetic...

Shut up! Now's not the time...
......

No... Sorry. It's something personal
with me...

> Dojima looks apologetic...

How's Nanako...?

She's sleeping... Good.
You've been a great help here.

> Dojima seems to bear a heavy burden...
What is he keeping locked up in his
heart...?
> You feel your bond with Dojima has
deepened even further...

It's pretty late. Go hit the hay.
...'Night, .

> You said goodnight to Dojima and
went to your room.

Yes, this is Dojima.
What's the office division calling me for?
If it's work-related, I'll deal with it in
the morning...
...A sealed letter? For me?

The newspaper article...?
Ohh... Yeah, I found it. Were you worried
about it?

......
It's about Chisato... my wife.
When she was killed by a hit-and-run...
......

I told you before, right? About the case
where we never had a suspect?
Get it now...? There's nothing more I can
say about it in this house.
Let's stop there.

...
......
Sheesh...

> Dojima sighs...

...
......
Sheesh...

> Dojima sighs...

...Hah.
You win...

> Dojima sighs...

She...
Nanako's mother was run over on her way
to pick up Nanako from nursery school.
It was a cold day, and there were no
witnesses, so they didn't find her
until much later.

Until they got word to me, Nanako was
waiting all that time at the nursery...
All alone.
Waiting for a mother who would never
come...

...I couldn't tell Nanako that her mother
was killed.
That her father, whose job is to catch
criminals... couldn't find a single lead...
......

But I haven't given up.
I'll catch the guy.

I don't need a private life to do that.
...Nanako will understand.

Yeah... Maybe not now, but there'll
come a day when she will...
......
I have to tell myself that...

> Dojima looks exhausted...

Even if it's not what she wants now,
she'll understand someday...
......
I have to tell myself that...

> Dojima looks exhausted...

......!

> Dojima is biting his lip...

Sorry... leave me alone for now.

....

Thanks.

> You can sense Dojima's pain...

> You left Dojima in the living room and
went to your room.

> You talked with Dojima about various
things...

I'm going to sleep...

Hm? Oh, it's this late already?
'Night.

......

What?

You said you would read me a book
before bed.

Oh... Ohh, that's right...

I got it, I got it. Just a few pages.

Yay!!

Hold on.

Dojima here.
...Ichihara-san!
Yes... Yes... Then that means...
Well, if it's okay with you, I can be
there in just a few...

......

...I understand. Goodbye...

Dad...? Are you leaving?

It's... my job.

But you said you'd read me a book...

I can do that anytime...

W-Well...
......

> Dojima is smiling wryly...

......
Of course not...

> Dojima sighed quietly...

Are you two fighting...?
Y-You can go, Dad.

No, that's not it... I'm sorry, Nanako.
What book do you want?

...It's okay?

I promised.
C'mon, let's go, Nanako.

Yeah!

> Nanako went to her room with Dojima...

Man, she made me read the whole thing...

......
Let's talk.

The phone call was from Ichihara-san,
my former senpai.
I'm having him run tests for Chisato's
hit-and-run investigation.
He was calling to tell me that the test
results are in...

...Judging by his tone, he didn't find
anything the police haven't already
come up with.
I know going over there won't change
the test results, but...

> Dojima looks severely disheartened...

It was a white sedan. Most likely large
and American. As expected, no such car
is registered in Inaba.
No records of one being repaired or
scrapped, either... Worst case scenario,
the car's out of the country by now.

It scares me...
That I couldn't catch the perp...
That I'll never have an outlet for this
sick feeling... That I'll just have to
swallow it...!

Every time I look at Nanako... Every time
I notice ways she looks like her mother...
I feel like... my face is being pushed
down into reality...
And it scares me...

Hah...
I never thought I'd be talking to you
about this...

> Dojima confided in you...
> You feel that you understand
Dojima more...

I know I can't stay this way forever...
While you're still here... I need to
face myself.

> You sat with Dojima for some time in
silence before going to your room.

> Dojima is staring intently at
something.
> It looks like data about cars...

Sorry, but my hands are full here.

Don't say that... I just wanted to
look something up.

> Dojima looks ashamed...

With a left-hand drive configuration?
Not very convenient...

> Dojima shrugs...

...That's my job. Don't worry about it.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

Oh yeah. I was thinking about this when
talking with Nanako just now, but...
I feel like she's changed a bit lately.
I don't know how to put it...
She's stronger.

...I feel like I'm being left behind...

Ever since you came, this house has
become, well... home-y.

A house isn't just a big box.
It's a place for a family to live
together.
Laughing, crying, fighting...
Spending most of your lives together...
A warm place.

I forgot what that was like...
I wanted to get that back more than
anything... And yet, I feel like I've
been dodging it the whole time.

...That's right.
I never thought of her feelings...

> Dojima is smiling wryly...

Right... In the end, that's just
an excuse...

> Dojima is smiling peacefully.

Hah! You punk. You nailed it.
That's it exactly...

> Dojima is smiling peacefully.

We've been in the same place, but we
weren't connected. You brought the two
of us together.

The rest... is my problem. Where do
I draw the line with this...?

> You felt Dojima's quiet
determination...

Ahhh, screw this! I'm drinking tonight!
, you're drinking with me.
Alcohol-free, of course.
You pass out before me, and you're
under arrest, got it!? Alright!

> You drank with Dojima until he passed
out and went to your room...

Do you understand why?

> Dojima pushed Nanako to your room
for some reason...

Now then... First off...

> It seems Dojima has something
in mind...

Sorry, but can you go call Nanako
down here?
Take your time.

> You called Nanako, as Dojima ordered
you to do...

You told me to go over there...

A cake!? Wow!
What are we celebrating!?

Uhh, well... Today is a special day
for us.

A special day...?

That's right.
Today's the day when you, me, and
him become "family."

...What about before?

Uh, well...
A-Anyways, it's the day that we
become a real family.

Hmmm...
I don't really get it...
But... it makes me happy!

Alright, let's eat.

Yeah!

> You spent an enjoyable time together...

> Nanako used up all her energy and
fell asleep...

Uhh, well... Heh.
Er... Sorry about making you go along
with this.

Really...?

> Dojima looks relieved.

Huh... You're a nice guy.

> Dojima looks happy.

Hah, sorry about that.

> Dojima smiles awkwardly.

I felt like I needed to do this to
draw the line...
And I wanted Nanako to know...
She has to know how important my
daughter is to me...
......

She's looking more and more like
Chisato...
Her smile... Her strong attitude...
It was hard for me even to look at
Nanako's face, because she reminds me
so much of Chisato.
Chisato died because she went to pick
up Nanako... There were times when I'd
come close to believing that.
But even then, I can't count the number
of times she's saved me just by being
there...

If I was living by myself, I would
never've thought about taking you in.

I think I was... scared. Scared to have
someone else around...
I was afraid we'd become a family...
And then I'd lose it all again.
I was running away by chasing a guy who'd
run away himself... It was almost funny.

> Dojima's smile looks sad...

I've been scared this whole time.
That's why I used revenge as an excuse
to not spend time with her...

Yeah... Yeah, it was...

> Dojima's voice is choked...

...Yeah.
I regret that I couldn't protect her...
And everything else after she died...

> Dojima hangs his head low...

That's right.
I can't make Nanako wait any longer.

> Dojima nods.

Running, regretting... That crap all
ends tonight.
I'm not going to lose the things that
are important to me...
Never again.

> You can feel Dojima's strong resolve...

That's the strength you've shown me.
...Thanks.

> You sat with Dojima for some time in
silence before going to your room.

You know, I just looked outside.

Seems like it stopped raining.
Let's take a walk in a bit.

Let's take a walk in a bit.

There's somewhere I want to go with
you and Nanako.
Oh, and...
Here, have this.

> You obtained .

It's the same kind that Nanako and I use.
This is your personal mug. Write your
name on it later.

No problem. Take good care of it.

> Dojima is smiling cheerfully.

Its real owner... isn't here anymore.

> Dojima is smiling gently.

What are you talking about? You'll have to
write your name or you'll forget whose
it is.
Both Nanako's and mine have our names
on the bottom.

> Dojima is smiling cheerfully.

We're family.
So, I'll fill yours and Nanako's
mugs anytime.
...Don't forget that.

Ready, Dad?

Yeah, let's go.

Let's go, big bro!

> You went out for a walk with Nanako
in the middle.

...Don't forget that, .

> Samegawa riverbank...

Fog, huh...?
You all right, Nanako?

I'm fine! I'm with you and big bro.

...I see.

It's scary at night!
But it's fun with you and big bro!

Don't fall in.

Why'd we come here?

Well, you've been saying all the time
how you wanted to come here, right?
Let's come again on a nicer day.
We can have a picnic.

Yeah! Yay!!
Can I go closer to the river?
The fish might be sleeping!

Alright, alright. Watch your step, okay?

Okay!

That look on her face... I haven't seen
it in a long time.
......

I... am going to keep up my search for
the criminal who ran over Chisato.
This time, it's not to escape
from anything.
I'm just doing it because...
I'm a detective.
Seems I forgot something as basic as that.

You made me remember what's important
to me.
I owe you for that.

This town is my town. It's the place
where you and Nanako live.

That's why I'm gonna live on, protecting
this place. As a detective... as a father.

> Dojima has a refreshing smile on
his face...
> You feel a tight bond between you
and Dojima...

Wait, I said!!

Dammit! He's still after us!!

What the?
...Hey, that's...
You there! What's wrong!?

Detective Dojima...?
I-I'm sorry to bother you while you're
off duty...

Don't sweat it. Who are they?

Oh, it's that group of juvie thieves.
You know, the one that's been the talk
of the town...

Thieves!? Those punks...

Dad, are you going?

Yeah...
Arresting the bad guys is my...
I mean, your father's job.

Sorry, but take care of Nanako.

Yeah!

> A big smile spread across
Dojima's face.

Don't worry about me.

> Dojima is smiling fearlessly.

Right.

> A big smile spread across
Dojima's face.

Don't you know who I am? I'm Detective
Dojima of the Inaba PD, feared by punks
and thugs city-wide.
Don't you two worry about me.
Head on home, okay?

Awwwwwwwright! Stop right there,
you punks!

Go get 'em, Dad!
He's so cool...!

Let's go home.
I need to get the bath ready...
Oh, and let's make a late night snack!
I'm hungry.

> You talked about what you could
prepare as you walked home...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

, I'm going to keep up
my search for the criminal who ran
over Chisato.

, take care of Nanako.

> You make small talk with Dojima over the
coffee he brewed...
> You feel that the tight bond you have
with Dojima is irreplaceable...

You look a lot more mature now...
We've only been together for about a year,
but kids grow up surprisingly fast.

......

Nanako...
Do you remember what we promised?

......

Take care of yourself, big bro.
Don't get sick.

I want to thank you, too...

Why are you apologizing...?
......

Yup...

Don't look so sad, Nanako.
We're all family, remember? It doesn't
matter if we're apart.

We can go see him when I get a vacation.
Then we can talk about everything that's
happened since we last saw each other,
right?

...Yeah.

Will you remember me?

It's a promise...

No! I won't!
......
I won't forget...

Aaah... Come on, don't cry...

I'm not crying!

Oh well...
I guess all kids end up being pushed
around by their parents. Same goes
for you, ...

... It wasn't all that long,
all things considered, but I did enjoy
your time here with us.
I really do think of you as a part of
my family.
I'm surprised my sister's kid would
turn out to be such an upstanding
young man... Haha...
......

Give Nanako a call sometime when you
have a spare moment.
And... you're welcome to come visit us
anytime. I'll leave your room just like
it is.
This is your second home, you know.

> You feel a solid bond between Dojima,
Nanako, and yourself...

When I grow up, I want to marry you,
big bro...

Hahaha! You're a stud, .

Sure, Nanako, if he's still available
by the time you're an adult.

But that will be a long time, won't it,
? ...Right?

> Dojima smiles, but he's looking
straight into your eyes and doesn't
seem to be joking...

By the way, have you said goodbye to
everyone yet?
You still have a lot of time today.
Why don't you go around Inaba and
see everyone who'll miss you?
Besides, I don't think you've really
had the whole "peaceful small town"
experience while you were here.
......
Now that I think about it... That case
began shortly after you arrived, and
it finally ended a few months ago.
Basically, it all happened while you
were here in Inaba... I guess it was
just a quirk of fate.
......
Anyway, you should get going.
We'll be going home, too.