MC Bookstore Chapter 171 The Perpetrator is Also a Victim
Chapter 171 The Perpetrator is Also a Victim
Chapter 171 The Perpetrator is Also a Victim
Dear S, this has always been my dream.
When I was little, I was surrounded by twelve family members.
I was just thinking about it.
If it's me in their mouths.
That would be wonderful!
I was tormented by this twisted emotion and often fantasized about one day realizing this dream.
Sometimes, I really hate myself.
If you just want to eat.
How wonderful that would be!
Because that would make things much simpler.
But poor me, my dream is the exact opposite!
Therefore, I can only look for the "right person" to help me.
The so-called "suitable person" certainly does not refer to the victim.
Instead, it was the person who turned me into a victim.
I want to turn the other person into someone who will harm me!
I want to be the victim, just like someone who died at your hands, Mr. S!
My dear S.
Before you came into my life, I always thought that someone like you didn't exist in the world.
When I was a child, I was already manipulated by this emotion, willing to give up myself, and preparing for this moment.
But in this world, would anyone willingly commit such a sin for me that even God would not forgive?
My emotions were neglected, and my sense of worth was filled with disappointment.
Until you, S, appeared, you gave me immense courage.
It gave me hope that my dream, which I had been unable to realize for so many years, could come true!
Three months ago, I found the "perfect person for me".
Holding a hand axe in my hand, I stood in the bathroom and swung the axe down at my right leg that was stepping forward!
Immediately afterwards, I turned my attention to my left leg.
Before the excruciating pain triggered shock, I mustered my last strength and told the stunned female doctor, "All the medical equipment is in the closet in the bedroom. Use those things to treat me!"
"If you dare contact anyone, I'll expose your hit-and-run!"
These two sentences are the Japanese I practiced repeatedly to prepare for this moment, and I can say them in the most fluent way.
After I finished speaking, I fainted.
Faced with this sudden turn of events.
She must have been terrified, but she is, after all, a doctor.
So after about thirty minutes, I regained consciousness.
Seeing that the bleeding from the severed parts of my legs had stopped, a satisfied smile appeared on my face.
For the next two days, I stayed in bed. Although the pain in my legs almost killed me, I felt unusually happy.
I paid half my life for this, and I confessed my feelings to her. I hoped she would take responsibility and become the one who harmed me.
I can cut off my own leg, but the rest of the body can only be dealt with by others.
The reason I chose her instead of Eiko or Madame Butterfly is because she is a doctor who has performed many surgeries.
Faced with such a scene, the fear will be much less than that of others.
Not to mention, she even ran over and killed someone right in front of me, and broke my leg.
Although I despise her behavior.
But that car accident was a godsend for me, and it also gave me the perfect opportunity to be in a wheelchair!
Unfortunately, even though she was a doctor, she was unwilling to help me fulfill my dream.
In the end, I had no choice but to threaten her, "If you don't help me, I'll report you for hit-and-run!"
"You have no choice but to help me, because this is punishment for killing someone and abandoning them!"
After I finished speaking, I began pleading with her again: "I'm a witness to your case, and you want to get rid of me, right?"
"You just need to treat me like you treated Mr. S in Country B, and you won't leave any evidence!"
Tears streaming down her face, she shook her head repeatedly in refusal, her eyes filled with unfathomable despair.
Finally, without her consent, I invited eleven people.
I have completed the first chapter of my dream.
Dear Mr. S.
She's lying next to me now, asleep from exhaustion.
Even in her sleep, her face still bore the anger and sorrow of someone who had been buried alive with her.
But as I write furiously at this moment, I feel exceptionally happy.
Because she has promised me that she will cut off my arms tomorrow.
Although she was unwilling to do what you did, Mr. S.
But she promised me that someone else would take her place and fulfill my ultimate dream!
Therefore, when my arms leave my body, that will probably be the day I die.
I don't know if she will keep our promise.
But I believe her.
Because it's not just God who will look after me.
Even the devil will favor me.
Because when she cut off my arms, she committed a new crime!
They wanted to hide the evidence.
You can only use the method I provided.
I'm already very satisfied with what I've accomplished.
Just to be on the safe side.
I also set up a double insurance, which is this letter.
After I finish writing the letter, I throw it out the window onto the road.
If anyone finds it and kindly puts it in the mailbox.
Then this letter will be delivered to your residence in country B.
Because of your special status, Mr. S, this letter will definitely be opened and inspected.
The inspectors will certainly be shocked by the contents of the letter.
This matter will become common knowledge sooner or later.
However, it will be at least a week before we reach that stage.
A week later, my dream should have been completely realized through her efforts.
If things really develop that way, it means I've broken my promise to her.
But this was her own choice. From the moment she caused the accident and fled the scene, she became a sinner who would be punished!
I know I am a sinner too.
But the thought of my dream coming true excites me.
Mr. S, you've realized it too, haven't you?
Although our positions are completely opposite.
But what we need to do is almost the same thing.
That's why I call you "Dear Mr. S".
You and I were meant to be a perfect match.
God created me, who has dreams, and you, who can help me realize my dreams.
But God played a little joke on us.
Forcibly separating you and me.
You became a Japanese exchange student who traveled to country B.
I became an international student from country B who came to Japan.
I regret it; I should have stayed in country B.
In that case, I will surely meet you and form a true friendship with you.
Although I still hope to see you, it is obviously an unrealistic delusion.
Alright, I am now writing this letter to you with my soon-to-be-departed arm.
I want to tell you that my dream is about to be fully realized, but unfortunately I won't be able to witness it with my own eyes.
Dear Mr. S—
Please let me call you by your name one last time.
silence.
Inside the sukiyaki restaurant, everyone except for Kyosuke Maijo, Seishi Yokomizo, and Takao Tsuchiya was reading "Dear S".
The manuscript of "Jun" was placed in front of me, and I fell silent.
This silence was partly to avoid interfering with the reading of Seishi Yokomizo and Takao Tsuchiya.
The other, most, reason for silence.
This was because Kyosuke Maijo's "Dear S-kun" had a "psychological impact" on everyone present!
This "psychological shock" left everyone speechless.
Because no words can adequately describe their feelings at that moment.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
While looking at the manuscript, Yokomizo Seishi suddenly burst into hearty laughter at "Dear S-kun".
"Hahaha—cough cough—"
'
As Yokomizo Seishi laughed, he began to cough uncontrollably.
This made Takao Tsuchiya very worried, and he kept patting Seishi Yokomizo's back with his hand, his concerned eyes filled with heartache.
"Mr. Yokomizo, please calm down and tell me what happened."
Yokomizo Seishi coughed twice more, gave Tsuchiya Takao a grateful look, and stopped Tsuchiya Takao from tapping his back.
Once he had caught his breath, Yokomizo Seishi looked at everyone present and said, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting so long to take care of this old man."
"So, to save everyone's time, shall we get straight to the point?"
Yokomizo Seishi took a deep breath, and his previously cloudy eyes shone with a brilliance that a seriously ill old man shouldn't have.
As his gaze shifted, Yokomizo Seishi's demeanor became imposing and commanding, instantly taking control of the entire scene.
I have read the entire manuscript of "Dear Mr. S".
"I don't know what everyone here thinks of Kyosuke's 'Dear S-kun'."
"But for me, 'Dear Mr. S' is a very precious work!"
Calling it a masterpiece of narrative trickery is absolutely no problem!
"Because—in Kyosuke's essay 'Dear S-kun'."
"Not only did I experience the wonderful aftertaste of 'Two Bottles of Seasoning'."
"I also saw Professor Ōshita Utō's famous work, 'The Pseudo-Malignant Patient,' which uses a letter-based structure."
"Although this epistolary structure" was pioneered by Wilkie Collins's mystery novel, *The Wrong Man Gets the Wrong Woman*.
"But this ingenious 'letter structure' is truly unique and original!"
"As Kyosuke uses the structure of letters to explain case information, this intriguing narrative perspective gives him a great deal of room for misleading the audience!"
"This allows Kyōsuke to repeatedly utilize this letter structure," constantly misleading the reader psychologically!
"Ultimately, when the truth is revealed, it delivers an extremely powerful emotional impact to the reader!"
Seishi Yokomizo paused here, turning his gaze to Kyosuke Maijo beside him, a look of great admiration on his face: "The 'letter structure' writing technique, though seemingly simple, actually demands a great deal from the writer in arranging the story's structure and controlling its pacing. These two aspects complement each other, allowing the 'letter structure' to achieve unexpected effects."
"So ever since the great writer Wilkie Collins pioneered this model with 'The Wrong Man Gets the Wrong Woman,' many writers have been aware of the advantages of this structure."
"But apart from Professor Oshita Utaro, who was able to use it perfectly in the story of 'The Pseudo-Malignant Patient'."
"Other writers would find it difficult to use this structure with such masterful skill!"
"I always thought that this epistolary structure would gradually be abandoned in the future of detective fiction."
"But what I never expected was that Kyosuke brilliantly utilized the letter structure," perfectly showcasing it within the story!
Seishi Yokomizo turned to look at Takao Tsuchiya beside him, a relieved smile on his face.
"Takao, what's that saying again?"
"To hear the Way in the morning — to hear the Way in the morning —"
Takao Tsuchiya picked up the conversation: "Master Yokomizo, if one hears the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening."
Seishi Yokomizo nodded, a happy expression on his face: "Look at my memory now!"
"Yes! That's right, it's exactly like the saying, 'If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening!'"
"Although I have somewhat distorted the original meaning of that sentence."
"But for me, it's remarkable to see such a perfect use of the 'letter structure' in mystery novels, especially Japanese mystery novels, in my lifetime."
"Even if I were to die right now, I would feel that my life has been worthwhile!"
After finishing his speech, Yokomizo Seishi looked at everyone present and continued, "Alright, that's all I have to say about Kyosuke's 'Dear S-kun'."
"Next, I'd like to hear how everyone here views Kyosuke's work."
'
Upon hearing Yokomizo Seishi's question, everyone present exchanged bewildered glances.
The crowd looked at each other, and after a full three minutes, no one spoke up.
This situation has arisen.
It wasn't that the people present had nothing to say.
It was simply because everyone was facing Seishi Yokomizo, the "Grandmaster of Authentic Mystery."
I really need to organize my thoughts!
After all, being able to express one's views in front of Seishi Yokomizo, the "Grandmaster of Orthodox Mystery," is almost certainly one of the highlights of one's life!
Seishi Yokomizo was a sought-after editor-in-chief by major publishing houses from a young age.
Later, it shone brightly in the monthly magazine "Gemstones," contributing to the "Gemstone Decade" from 1946 to 1956.
During this decade, Seishi Yokomizo was able to single-handedly overpower all others and become the undisputed "Grandmaster of Authentic Mystery," which naturally has his unique secrets.
Having eyes that can see through other people's thoughts—that's what Seishi Yokomizo had, and it enhanced his creative inspiration.
Although Yokomizo Seishi was nearly blind due to illness at this time, he was still able to intuitively perceive the emotions of others.
Seeing that everyone remained silent, Yokomizo Seishi naturally understood that everyone had some concerns.
Thinking of this, Seishi Yokomizo smiled and said, "This is the New Orthodox Mystery Club. Everyone here is a member of the New Orthodox Mystery Club, so please don't be shy."
"Don't let my status prevent you from commenting on Kyosuke's works."
"You should know that although I am the honorary president of the 'New Orthodox Mystery Club'..."
"But everyone needs to understand that the key figure of the 'New Orthodox Mystery Club' is not this washed-up old man like me."
Q
"But it's Kyosuke, the supernova who will sweep across the Japanese mystery literature scene!"
"So please set aside your identities and speak freely here!"
Upon hearing Yokomizo Seishi's words, Gonda Manji stood up, intending to discuss Maijo Kyosuke's "Dear S-kun".
Please share your thoughts.
But perhaps by chance, as soon as Gonda Manji stood up, he saw that Otto Penzel, who was sitting not far from him, also stood up.
Seeing this, Gonda Manji didn't say much. After a few polite exchanges with Otto Penzel, he gave the opportunity to speak to Otto Penzel, who came from a foreign country.
Otto Penzel bowed deeply to Manji Gonda, then smiled and gave his comments on "Dear S".
A reflection on "You".
"I really love, even to the point of being obsessed with, Ms. Wu Cheng's work titled 'Dear Mr. S'!"
"Because it brought me a long-lost sense of surprise!"
"One aspect, as Professor Yokomizo Seishi just mentioned, is that 'Dear Mr. S' inherits the letter structure of the great writer Wilkie Collins's 'What Goes Around Comes Around'."
"Professor Seishi Yokomizo has already explained this very clearly, so I won't go into details here."
"Let's talk about another aspect, which is the core trick that runs through the entire story of 'Dear Mr. S'."
"That jaw-dropping 'core narrative trick'!"
The answer to this narrative trick is actually very simple, and can even be summarized in two sentences.
"Simply put, the protagonist of the story 'Dear Mr. S', Jack, develops a deep infatuation with the perpetrator, Mr. S, leading people to mistakenly believe that he and Mr. S are the same kind of people."
"But in reality, from beginning to end, Jack's dream was the opposite of S's. The reason why Jack became infatuated with S was because Jack's dream could be realized through S."
"Although this motivation is so outrageous that it's difficult for my brain to process it for a while."
"But honestly, this feeling of your brain going blank for a moment is really fascinating."
"I remember the last time a motivation left such a deep impression on me, besides other works by Ms. Mai Shiro, was Mr. Joyce Porter's 'Dover and the Unkindest Cut of AlI'."
"However, the surprises I want to talk about aren't just about 'unexpected motives' and 'narrative tricks.'"
"Because it's so easy to write a strange motive. Just set up a riddle and keep creating strange answers for it, and you can make people feel weird."
""
"For example—someone might kill someone just to use their neighbor's video camera to secretly record their friend's indecent videos."
"Or perhaps, they went to great lengths to kill many people, and the reason for the killings was to use the slightly alkaline nature of the corpses to neutralize the acidity in the soil?"
"I could come up with dozens of such idiotic motivations by simply slapping my head, but what if I actually wrote a work like that?"
"Doesn't this ruin what a mystery novel should be like?"
"Therefore, the surprise that 'Dear Mr. S' brought me was not due to such a bizarre motive."
"6
"It's not just about writing style, but about having the ability to turn the mundane into the extraordinary!"
"If you think what I said is somewhat exaggerated..."
"So, let's think about what would happen if we gave the same riddle and answer as 'Dear Mr. S' to another writer?"
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