Mimicry (Part 1 and 2)

Author: Miyuki Miyabe
Publisher:
Publish Date: July 1, 2004
Features: A unprecedented "six crown" honor work in the history of Japanese literature! Created a record-breaking sales of 1.4 million copies across Japan! One day, a sudden and mysterious destruction of life—though you beg me to let you die, I instead make you live in such humility! From a park's trash bin, he discovered a woman's right hand, a declaration of war from a criminal who takes pleasure in murder. The sound reached his ears, the moans of a woman coming out of the garbage heap—those of someone just waking up. He blinked hard, only then realizing the finger sticking out of the trash bag. The finger was straight, pointing at him, as if calling his name: "It's you, no doubt about it. You're back? Though you once escaped, you've returned. This time, you're caught. Why do so many girls run away from home?—Missing? Where have they all gone? What kind of past misfortunes haunt them? Are all the victims women? Why? Behind that handsome and charming smile, what true face lies hidden? Does the media, in its crime reporting, provide entertainment news to readers, or does it become an accomplice that fuels crimes? What is truly terrifying? When darkness and evil gradually seep into your heart, forcing you into the depths of sin, witnessing and participating in that bloody violence and crimes. When the people closest to you—your family, your trusted friends—suddenly turn into those who harm you deeply. Can you still trust in family, friendship, or love? A girl disappears, and soon after, someone discovers a woman's handbag and a severed right hand. The case begins. Kikko, the granddaughter of Yozo Uma, who has been running a tofu shop in the suburbs of Tokyo, suddenly goes missing. Ten months later, a handbag and a severed right hand are found along the Sumida River in Odaiba Park. Japanese TV stations and newspapers report the incident on a large scale, and all the Japanese people are following the progress of the case. "I am the man who threw the right hand into Odaiba Park. Do you not want to report on this incident anymore?" Suddenly, a phone call came into the live broadcast program of the TV station. "The handbag and the right hand belong to two different people. The handbag belongs to a woman named Kikko." As the case progresses in an unexpected way, people become increasingly astonished. The criminal called the program team multiple times, excitedly discussing the details of the case. The criminal not only mocked the media reporting on the case but also mocked the audience who were excited by the content. Soon after, a body of Kikko was found at the location the criminal told the media. "Live broadcast my crime." The criminal who called the program team again announced another terrifying event, a "murder plan" unprecedented in history. The entire Japan was captivated by this case. The day of the announcement finally arrived, and everyone struggled against reason, standing motionless in front of the TV. Then, the report began. Two suspects died in a car accident! Would the case end so simply?