The Gate of Sorrows Read Free

went way back. Kotaro was an expert at dealing with Aunt Hanako.
    “I’m no wiz. I know as much as most people.”
    “But you’ve got a part-time job at a computer company. Mama said so.”
    “Mama” was Kotaro’s mother, Asako. Kotaro’s father, Takayuki, was of course “Papa” to Aunt Hanako. Yet she addressed her own daughter, Mika’s mother, as Takako- san . She “san”-ed her own daughter. It was bizarre.
    “It’s not a computer company. It’s not like I’m coding and stuff like that.”
    “But ‘computer’ means ‘program,’ doesn’t it?”
    “PCs won’t run without a program, but they’re not the same thing. What I’m trying to say is, I’m not working at the kind of company you think I am. So what’s going on with Mika anyway?” Kotaro knew that without regular prompting, Aunt Hanako was liable to forget what she set out to say in the first place.
    Hanako’s eyes narrowed, as though what she was about to say next were dangerous information. “Someone’s been writing things about Mika in the dark.”
    If Kotaro’s parents had been listening in, they probably would’ve thought Hanako was talking about graffiti someone was leaving at night.
    But Kotaro was a 21st-century boy. The Internet had been part of his life since he could remember. He knew instantly what Aunt Hanako was trying to say.
    “On a dark website?”
    Her eyes opened wide with excitement. “Yes, that’s right. What you said.”
    “Was it something mean? Aunty, did you hear this from Mika?”
    “Oh no, she hasn’t said a thing to me. But the school called Takako-san yesterday afternoon. She gave me the short version after she got back. I’m not sure I understood it.”
    So it had something to do with computers, and that’s why she came to me.
    Kotaro stood for a moment, thinking. He’d definitely be late if he hung around much longer.
    “Listen Auntie, I have to get going, but here’s some advice. I don’t think Mika will say anything to you about this, so it would be better if you play dumb.”
    “But the school called Takako-san in for a conference. It sounds very serious to me.”
    “Schools are scared to handle stuff by themselves these days. They call parents about every little thing, just to cover their rears. Did Mika go to school today?”
    “Yes, she did.”
    “Then you don’t have to worry. Maybe Kazumi knows what’s going on. I’ll ask her when I get home. Confidentially, of course.”
    “Oh? But … I don’t know …”
    Hanako hated loose ends. She didn’t seem keen on this course of action. Kotaro gave her his biggest smile.
    “She’ll be fine, I’m telling you. Mika’s training hard. Kazumi told me she might even play in the regionals. Not many first-year players are that good.”
    “Yes, she’s just like Takeshi. Sports were always his strong point.”
    Takeshi was Mika’s father. He and Takako had divorced soon after Mika was born. Hanako, however, had been very partial to him and never missed a chance to bring him up.
    “Well, I better get going.”
    “Take care. Study hard.”
    Kotaro mounted his bike and took off. Just before he reached the corner he turned to see Hanako going into the house. He wondered why she insisted on wearing heavy clogs when all she could talk about was how bad her knees were. What if she fell down, broke a bone, and ended up bedridden?
    It was the 15th of December. The year was practically gone. The wind cut like a knife out of a clear blue sky. Winter was Kotaro’s favorite season. It was perfect for a bike sprint, much better than spring or autumn.
    But the morning’s mood had turned a little heavy. Aunt Hanako had been wrong in thinking Kotaro worked at a computer company. But if someone was spreading rumors about Mika online, Hanako was right to bring the problem to him.
    Was someone bullying Mika on a dark site?
    He had to find out. Seigo would know what to do.

    Kotaro was nineteen years and three months old. He was a freshman education