Episode 08

**The Assassin** (暗殺者 *Ansatsusha*) is the eighth episode of the *Dead Mount Death Play* anime.

## Official Blurb

Polka is about to resume business as usual when he gets two unexpected houseguests: his niece Sayo and her bodyguard! Do the pair just need a place to crash, or is something more sinister at play? And Inspector Iwanome is still on Polka's track.

## Synopsis

Sayo, having invited herself to the Abandoned Building as its new lodger, tells her "new housemates" Misaki and Takumi that it was nice to meet them. She introduces herself as Polka's niece and her attendant Xiaoyu as—apparently—a trainee butler, something she only learned today. Misaki, unlike Takumi, does not need to introduce herself since Sayo remembers her from brunch.

Corpse God asks why Sayo has come and receives a morose, oblique reply about toasted sharks that Xiaoyu translates: Young Miss Sayo's bedroom and shark memorabilia collection were consumed by the estate fire. He plays a pre-recorded video of Rozan Shinoyama asking Polka to take in Sayo and her bodyguard for now because Polka's bedroom was also incinerated... and *really* because having two Shinoyamas there is *convenient*. The video ends. By *convenient*, Rozan means a convenient reason to deploy his security in the building, i.e., Xiaoyu, and its purlieu, i.e., people whose increased nearby presence Corpse God can detect. He cannot trust ordinary Shinoyama security to protect Polka's life if a Shinoyama is the one demanding its termination—*but*, wonders Corpse God, *what if that Shinoyama is Sayo*?

That would be *convenient*.

Misaki and Takumi leave. Corpse God sleeps on the couch, Sayo behind it courtesy of her shark-shaped sleeping bag. Xiaoyu is already awake when the other two are eventually roused by cheery sunlight streaming through the windowpane. Sayo asks her half-uncle if he finds such nice days invigorating. He supposes he does; she does *not*, though she respects his opinion and bids him good night just as Takumi and Misaki appear in the entryway. Xiaoyu apologetically attributes Sayo's behavior to shock. Despite Sayo obstinately refusing to extricate herself from her sleeping bag and Xiaoyu insisting that he can sleep on his feet, Takumi says he and the others shall prepare rooms for them before nightfall.

Quick as a flash, Xiaoyu has a skillet sizzling over a portable hob. While he sees Sayo's breakfast, he explains that he was chosen to guard Sayo because of their names' similarity. He has also been tasked with assisting Polka, whom he advises not to visit the manor due to the ongoing police investigation.

In the manor's front hall, Arase and spying Kazuki and Shizuki listen to Iwanome questioning a maid about the arsonist. Another maid tells the twins the men are policemen, but they disbelieve her; Iwanome, with his dyed hair, piercings, and host-like clothing, looks the farthest thing from a cop.

Takeru, shadowed by his bodyguards Taipei and Bao, approaches the inspectors and expresses surprise at seeing them since he thought the police finished interrogations the day prior. Iwanome says he and Arase have come from a slightly different department bearing questions for Takeru specifically. Once the five have retired to a private room, Iwanome names Fire-breathing Bug as a suspect in the estate arson. Takeru skeptically supposes that if Iwanome is truthful, they have seen the last of Fire-breathing Bug's crimes.

Iwanome makes no guarantees, so Takeru makes a point of describing how 'anxious' he has been to see the police capture Fire-breathing Bug ever since Bug burned down several buildings that clients had entrusted to Shinoyama Security, thereby tarnishing the company's reputation. Iwanome winces at this and Takeru's follow-up: "Of course, an arrest wouldn't count for much if they escaped from prison" like Phantom Solitaire, who, incidentally, caused Shinoyama Security's stock price to fall when he kidnapped the prime minister—not that Shinoyama Security was even involved. Takeru hopes that Iwanome can guarantee no further stock tumbles.

After exiting the manor, Arase remarks to Iwanome that Takeru's two subordinates are probably killers. The man especially reeked of Arase's ilk: "People who think they can solve any problem with violence. So, what you might call 'scumbags.'" Iwanome merely smiles before instructing Arase to put Pop Tozawa and Yatsu on standby should Comps-3 find itself tangling with the Shinoyamas. It sounds to Arase like Iwanome has a lead, which Iwanome does in the form of a Shinoyama family photograph. Arase quickly recognizes the teenager from the alley—aka Polka Shinoyama, Iwanome says. Rozan's younger son.

Not only was Polka's companion present at the Human Knots scene, but the men involved also had friction with some of the Shinoyama Group. With the past month witnessing a glut of troublemakers making trouble, Iwanome is eager to see whether Polka or Takeru is in the eye of the storm. Takeru watches the detectives leave from an upper-story window and muses aloud that Iwanome is likely incorruptible, given how he and an inspector once "ruffled feathers in the police force." Bao asks if Takeru wants Iwanome "gone" and is told no; what he wants, for now, is to wait and see if Iwanome can uncover Polka's secrets for him. "Of course," Takeru notes, "my grandfather seems to be making moves of his own."

Sayo and Xiaoyu enter an empty room one floor below the common area and are followed by Takumi, Misaki, and Polka, the latter carrying a mattress. Xiaoyu takes the mattress, insists that he will be fine sleeping in the room's cubbyhole, and sees them off with a bright smile and deep bow. Later, after Sayo has fallen asleep, Xiaoyu confirms that his internal microphone is picking up the trio's upstairs conversation: "Polka" and Takumi are discussing how Polka's houseguests should be handled in light of the Fortuneteller Shop's imminent reopening. He exits the corridor not to disturb his mistress when he utters a silent vow: he will expose the Polka Shinoyama "impostor" and his plot for whoever and whatever they are.

*Second episode half (Chapter 22 material) forthcoming.*

## Adapted From

* Chapter 21
* Chapter 22
* Chapter 23 (Comps-3 Polka briefing is adapted from the first few pages)

## Trivia

* The marine laboratory's burned kitchen scene that Sayo alludes to is a scene from *Deep Blue Sea*, a 1999 film that features rampaging genetically-engineered sharks.