"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 17

"Cocytus. A river in the underworld of Greek mythology. A frozen hell that spares no traitors."

The only thing Syunka had heard was that Nathan was staying in Italy for the investigation. She didn’t receive any detailed information.

Although she had grown accustomed to living in the apartment and the presence of her "bodyguard" Shindo, she was restless, unable to find out anything about Nathan since then. She continued her ballet practice, but she couldn’t focus. Her emotions remained unsettled.

Then, purely by chance, the information came.

"What? Senior Ando?"

It was when she noticed Shindo had forgotten something as he left the apartment. She hurried after him and overheard a conversation in Italian, using Nathan’s real last name, Ando.

Her heart skipped a beat, and instinctively, she hid and listened.

"Is that true? Where? How is he?"

The voice was tense, and so was the content.

"You've got to be kidding. Who shot him?"

"Shot?"

Syunka burst out without thinking.

Shindo turned, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at her.

"What does that mean? What happened to him?!"

"Pl-Please calm down, Ms.Aono..."

Tears welled up in her eyes. When had she become such a crybaby?

As her vision blurred, someone gently patted her shoulder.

"Calm down, Ms.Aono. He’s out of danger."

Judging by the voice and posture, it was probably Takanashi. Syunka wiped her tears as she turned to face him.

“He was shot...?”

“That's right. He was shot. But don’t worry, he's safe now. He’s in the hospital, and his condition is stable. He’ll wake up soon enough.”

“Are you sure, Mr. Takanashi?”

“At this point, it’s best if you know the truth. She’s involved too, after all.”

The two of them exchanged glances and then turned to face Syunka.

“We can only tell you about him, though.”

“Yes…”

According to Takanashi, Nathan was shot three days ago. He’s currently in a hospital overseas and hasn’t regained consciousness yet.

“Was it that serious?”

“He was shot three times. Luckily, none of the wounds were fatal, but the location was the issue. It happened at a church on the outskirts of town, and it took nearly two hours for the ambulance to arrive. He lost a lot of blood. Is that enough for now?”

Syunka felt the blood drain from her face, but she clenched her fists and nodded.

“He's had a transfusion, so there's nothing to worry about anymore.”

“Who shot him…?”

“We’re tracking them down, of course. But the shooter is elusive. They live a completely private life, and we have no idea where they might be hiding.”

“Isn’t it dangerous…?”

“Yes, it is dangerous. Which is why we need to keep you safe here. Don’t even think about going to Italy.”

Syunka felt as if a hand had wrapped around her throat. In that moment, she made up her mind.

“I’d just be a burden...”

“I won’t lie, that’s true.”

“I’m sorry…”

“No, I’m not blaming you. You acquiring the painting was a crucial step in solving the case. We’re grateful. But that’s also why you’re being targeted. That’s the reality of the situation.”

Takanashi’s calm explanation had an odd sense of reassurance, even though he was only stating the facts. When Syunka lifted her head, he met her gaze and said directly, “So... until things settle down, I want you to stay here and let us protect you.”

He gave her a gentle smile, tinged with sweetness.

“I understand.”

“Nathan’s going to be fine. You’re the one who needs to believe in him the most.”

“Yes…”

Syunka finally began to calm down, feeling warmth return to her body. After returning to her apartment, she watched as the two men left for the police station.

The exhaustion caught up with her, but she absentmindedly touched the necklace around her neck. There wasn’t anything she could do for him now. So, she decided to focus on what was in front of her. Maybe, just maybe, it would reach him somehow. In today’s world, with social media and everything else, information could spread far and wide.

The event organizer, after all, was Lorenzo himself. It would undoubtedly reach Italy.

The next day, with her mind made up, Syunka’s colleague Ayaka, who had just finished compiling the report for the Dante’s Divine Comedy exhibition, remarked,

“After passing through Purgatory, Dante has to part ways with his beloved guide, Virgil. There’s no helping it; one can’t follow someone else forever. Every person has their own path to walk.”

“Their own path…”

“That’s right. Sometimes others seem so dazzling, but imitating them won’t get you where you need to go. Just like your ballet is unique, so is everyone else’s. It might feel like following someone else would mean avoiding mistakes, but that way you’ll never reach where you're truly meant to be.”

Vergil disappeared just before reaching heaven.

Nathan thought he must have his own paradise waiting for him. Heaven, Nirvana, the Kingdom of God—there were many ways to describe it.

Nathan didn’t adhere to any particular religion. He viewed the torii gates of Shinto shrines, the Buddhist concept of rebirth in Nirvana, and the Christian vision of heaven all as similar beliefs. To him, there was no hierarchy between them.

So when Vergil vanished, Nathan didn’t dwell on it much—he figured Vergil had his own world to go to. But what about Enohara? What did Nathan think that night, watching that ballet where he first met Syunka? Did Ebara come to mind, bringing with it a wave of guilt?

A senseless act of revenge had targeted Nathan—a robbery at a convenience store, a routine arrest. Never did he imagine that after his release, the man would plan to commit murder. Enohara, who had volunteered to patrol in Nathan's place after his injury, was killed in the line of duty just a few years before retirement.

Like Vergil, who had led others but could not enter paradise, Enohara, too, had guided many but ended his life in such a tragic way. Enohara had said,

"I was lucky. This is how it should be."

But Nathan couldn’t agree. Enohara had the vision to guide the younger officers, something far more valuable to the police force than Nathan’s own ideals.

“Every person walking the streets carries a great deal behind their smile. That’s why they’re worth protecting,” Enohara once said. He never let his sense of justice become self-righteous, nor did he condemn others. Instead, he acted to protect them.

“Don’t chase after evil; trust in your conscience. You are not a beast.”

Nathan had taken all this time to truly understand that lesson. Without meeting Syunka, he might never have grasped that emotion. How much more beneficial would it have been for the police to have Ebara, instead of an idealistic rookie like himself?

Nathan knew he was in a dream. Even so, he found himself chasing after Enohara’s back.

A small back streaked with gray. Enohara’s back, which once seemed so large, now appeared small. But it remained upright, showing no sign of hesitation—a back that was clean and sure. Nathan had admired him. He followed silently, and when Enohara stopped, Nathan instinctively halted as well.

Enohara turned around just once and pointed ahead, as if to say, "Go that way." Nathan wanted to refuse, but his body moved on its own. He had to go.

As they passed each other, Nathan saluted Enohara. Then, without looking back, he faced forward and continued on his way.

What awaited Nathan was that room in the Hôtel Paradiso.

"The hospital is full of police officers right now. So I gathered what I needed and came here.” said the nurse, her expression showing a mix of exasperation and relief.

It hadn’t been long since the bombing at Rocca di Luce. The nurse was clearly annoyed by Nathan’s quick return to the hospital, but there was also a sense of relief in her face.

“Sorry,” Nathan said.

“You’re pushing your luck, aren’t you?” the nurse replied, unusually sharp-tongued.

“I won’t deny that,” he admitted.

“There are other patients here too. Can’t you handle these cases more calmly?”

”I wish I could.”

“Hurting yourself like this just makes it harder for everyone!”

With that, the nurse scolded him and gave his leg a light slap before leaving the room. Nathan scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little defeated.

Next, the hotel manager, who had apparently been waiting in the hallway, stepped in. On a tray, he carried coffee and a hot sandwich—the perfect combination.

“You nearly died,” the manager said with a half-smile.

“…Yeah,” Nathan replied, letting out a small laugh.

“Have you learned anything about Augusto?”

'He's free because he has nowhere to go,' he said. If that is true, it is next to impossible to track him down.”

“That’s a problem, but there’s one thing I know,” the manager said, leaning in closer.

Nathan also leaned forward, but the sharp pain from his gunshot wound silenced him.

“It’s you. He won’t forgive a traitor.”

“In that case…”

“Well, that’s as much as I know,” the manager said, placing the tray on the bedside table.

The sandwich was perfect: prosciutto topped with tomato, melted cheese, and buttered, toasted bread, all juicy and golden. The aroma of the coffee was as inviting as ever.

Nathan realized that his sense of taste had returned fully. Was this carelessness setting in?

As he reached for the coffee, he noticed something—his bracelet was missing. But what troubled him even more was that for the next three months, Augusto’s presence would completely vanish.

Three months had passed.
The investigation in Italy was concluded, and Nathan handed over all the information he had to Leonardo and the others.
Even Takanashi had suggested that he consider returning home.
All of the key members of Crane Gello had been arrested, except for Vittorio. He had returned to his home country with his wife, reunited with his family, and received a new job for himself and his family as a gesture of cooperation.
Things seemed to be progressing smoothly.

Nathan gently rubbed the wrist where the bracelet, a gift from Syunka, had once been.
That’s right, this scar was no longer necessary.
He peeled off the artificial skin he had kept on for so long.
The scar, which had extended in six directions and marked his loyalty to Augusto, was now completely gone. With this, Nathan was finally free from the grasp of Clan Gello.

The manager of the Hôtel Paradiso, observing Nathan, remarked,
"A woman's love must be fueled by seeing and touching it regularly, or it fades away... something borrowed from Dante."
It was clearly a suggestion for Nathan to return to Syunka.

Syunka's protection period seemed to have ended with the complete dismantling of Clan Gello, and she had returned to her old residence.
In the end, Nathan had never revealed his true identity to her. It was certain that either Takanashi or Shindo had told her, but he wasn’t sure how to face her when they met again.
With these thoughts in mind, Nathan visited the church where he had taken Augusto’s bullet.

The rusted iron beams and the decayed wooden door told the story of time's passage.
Old photographs of children still adorned the walls.
Most of them were girls, who were likely all grown by now.
Some might even have grandchildren.

Why had Augusto come here?
That question still remained unanswered as Nathan’s gaze fell upon a locket pendant, holding a picture of a girl with light blue eyes.

It had been placed inside the altar, as if it were something precious to be enshrined.
Drawn to it, Nathan picked it up.
Perhaps because it had been kept in the shadows of the church, it was cold, almost like ice. Rust had formed to the point where verdigris was visible.
As he held it, he could feel the weight of the metal core within.
(It looks familiar...)

The hair was a bit darker, but the skin was pale—almost ghostly white—and the eyes were a light blue.
It resembled Augusto.
From the atmosphere of the photograph, it must have been taken 30 or 40 years ago.
If Augusto had a sister, she would likely look like this. That’s how strong the resemblance was.

Nathan's thoughts were interrupted by the flapping sound of doves, startled by a crow, taking flight.
Without even thinking of returning the pendant to its place, he absentmindedly slipped it into his jeans pocket, and the days passed.

Four days later, Nathan boarded a plane to finally return to his homeland.
Naturally, Augusto was still on his mind.
Should he keep chasing him? That thought lingered, but Nathan had also begun to realize that Augusto’s true target was himself.
Meeting Syunka recklessly could be dangerous.
With that in mind, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her he was coming home.
He couldn’t take that last step forward.
Somewhere, it felt like Augusto was watching.

The police station, which he hadn’t seen in a long time, seemed strangely small.
Takanashi and the others welcomed him back, promising him an official commendation.
After three years away, he returned to his solitary government housing.
There were no bugs or surveillance devices—just a free, unmonitored space. Or so it should have been.

The moment he stepped into the unlit living room, his instincts kicked in.
(Something’s off.)
The air was different—tense, with a cold, unnerving quality flowing through it.
"...Is someone here?"

No response.
Instead, a faint breeze stirred, guiding his attention to something.
A smartphone.
It lay on the table, an inorganic object with a simple white notebook-style cover.
The moment Nathan realized it was Syunka’s, a chill ran down his spine.

Augusto had been here!
He glanced out the window, but there was no one outside.
Just then, Syunka's phone buzzed.

"!"

Nathan turned around as the screen lit up, signaling an incoming call.
The only light in the dimly lit room, accompanied by a light melody.
Nathan reached for the phone, but before he could touch it, his face was reflected on the screen.
Platinum blonde hair, pale cheeks, light blue eyes.
"Augusto..."
"This is a recording. I’ll say it again, this is a recording. Nathan, I told you before, didn’t I? Don’t think you’ll die easily. You took everything from me. So, I’ll take everything from you. Do you know where this is? Hmm?"

Augusto shifted the camera, revealing the city streets.
Signs written in kanji and hiragana, vending machines, convenience stores... a Japanese landscape.
A chill ran down Nathan’s spine. He’s in Japan.

How long has he been here?
Someone like Augusto could easily forge a passport. Of course, he could leave Italy without being detected.

"They say there’s going to be a performance of Sera here. A modern ballet troupe led by some man named Lorenzo. The performance is based on Dante's Divine Comedy. Apparently, he came to Japan to scout a promising ballerina. Oh, and guess what? A certain woman has been cast in this production. A cute little rabbit who even competed in the Lausanne competition. Poor thing, though—she had a motorcycle accident and broke her leg. What a pity. A ballerina’s legs are her life, aren’t they? There's been talk among her fans about her making a triumphant comeback on this stage."

Augusto showed a poster hanging in a shopping mall.
It featured an Italian man and a Japanese woman—Syunka.

"Hey, Nateo, they say she’ll be dancing the role of Beatrice. How touching, don’t you think? The loyal heroine who, though she died young, waits in Heaven to save her lover from Hell. It’s perfect for her, don’t you agree?"

Nathan’s breath grew ragged. Augusto’s intentions were clear as day. He was planning to...

"A ballerina making a comeback after a setback, only to die in a tragic explosion. It’ll make for sensational news, don’t you think? But hey, Beatrice was already dead when she waited for Dante. It’s fitting for her, isn’t it?"

With a click, the video ended.
Nathan grabbed the phone and dashed out of the room.

"Shindo, Shindo! Augusto is in Japan! He’s planning something during Sera! He’s going to cause an incident!"

Without even changing his clothes, Nathan jumped on his bike and sped through the night in Tokyo.

"To be continued"→"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 18

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