Chapter 49

**Chapter 49** is the forty-ninth chapter of the *Dead Mount Death Play* manga.

## Official Blurb

As the dust settles, it seems like Kuon Higuro has slipped away...but others might have a lead on the identity of his employer!

## Synopsis

The combined damage of multiple stab wounds and electric shocks proves too much for Momoya Agakura, who passes out on the floor—though Takumi Kuruya, from his high perch, cannot tell if he is unconscious or dead. Xiaoyu Lei briefly puzzles over what precisely Misaki Sakimiya did: he knows she instructed him to stab her through the bely, and he knows the shapes and sounds he saw and heard resembled a colony of bats, but he cannot yet reconcile the two pieces of information.

It hits Takumi that Kuon Higuro must still be armed with a gun—however, when he calls down a warning to Misaki, Misaki nonchalantly says Higuro already made his escape. Takumi yelps.

Having absconded to the safety of nearby metro station, Higuro strolls through its long walkways and collects his bearings. In his appreciation for Momoya serving as a useful distraction, he simultaneously hopes they can work together again should Momoya win—and promises not to let Momoya's sacrifice go to waste should Momoya lose. He then realizes he forgot to switch off his signal jammer when a nearby woman complains of a dropped call; upon turning the jammer off, he takes out his smartphone to make a call of his own.

While walking with Danjō Tozawa down a corridor of the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Ranmaru Yatsu feels his cell phone vibrate. He takes out his phone to look at the caller ID, tells Tozawa it is a personal call, and tucks his phone into his breast pocket with the excuse that he is "still on the job." His phone continues vibrating against his chest.

Over in the Phantom Solitaire special investigation HQ room, Tsubaki Iwanome is not amused by Miyabi Hosorogi's implication of Iwanome's close colleagues as suspects alongside the rest of the police force. Hosorogi points out that upon joining the police force, one is inherently close to "the entire organization"—just as close to 'faceless resident officers' as one's own partner of several years. Therefore, when 'the police' is suspect, the whole force is suspect.

Even more convinced Hosorogi is the Hosorogi he has always known, Iwanome vocally refuses to think of Hosorogi as dead; the 'old Hosorogi' lives on between them, and he will not let that Hosorogi die so easily. He then asks one final question: with Hosorogi's logic in mind, can he be certain Iwanomne is neither spy no mastermind? Hosorogi replies he would personally shoot Iwanome in such a circumstance. The call ends.

Since the number Hosorogi used is blocked, Iwanome comments he will not be able to call Hosorogi back. Kōzaburō Arase suggests issuing a warrant to release the number; when Iwanome points out this would undoubtedly catch the traitors' attention, Arase expresses relief that Iwanome is still the manager he has always known. The moment is interrupted by another call from another blocked number. Iwanome accepts the call, thinking the caller is Hosorogi—instead, he is greeted by Tena Sorimura.

Solitaire claims he has information on the 'mastermind' Iwanome and Officer Hosorogi were discussing. As Iwanome spins on the spot, the implication Sorimura must be listening in having not escaped him, Sorimura further offers 'hard evidence' for his claims.

In the torture building, with the real Polka Shinoyama over his shoulder, Corpse God announces he has ended the call. Hosorogi thanks him and Sayo Shinoyama for their assistance, a bit dismayed he had to resort to involving them both following the police visit. Sayo deems Hosorogi cruel for leading Iwanome to believe he is still alive, but Hosorogi feels he has achieved the 'decent death' he never thought humans could have.

Still roaming the metro system, Higuro once again tries calling his contact; though he knows the contact dislikes being called at work, he wills the other to pick up as a matter of urgency.

Yatsu's phone rings again while Yatsu and Tozawa are sat reviewing papers at a couch. Tozawa asks for a second time if Yatsu should not pick it up; caving, Yatsu insists it is likely a personal call and steps out of the room for privacy. Tozawa frowns as he leaves.

Arase, following Ianome at a brisk pace through the corridors, asks if Iwanome believes Solitaire's words. Iwanome says he does not, but—as Hosorogi once told him—the words of others having meaning regardless of their truth. So saying, he stops to knock at a door—but upon hearing a voice speaking, he motions Arase to keep quiet so they can both listen.

As Higuro exclaims, "Oh, you finally picked up," Yatsu concurrently reminds his caller not to call him at work.

Higuro apologizes that he has priority information related to the 'protection of Sabaramond', prompting his interlocutor to exclaim, "Did you find something out? Higuro!" At Higuro's name being spoken out loud, Iwanome's face grows grim. Higuro continues that the high school girl in the hideout bent the laws of nature, or so he believes; despite his conclusively killing her, she came back to life. He adds that he tussled with 'Shinoyama' and that the Shinoyamas likely have his face and name; at this, his contact assures him he will shield him from the Shinoyamas under Sabaramond's protection.

Having heard enough, Iwanome enters the room—and Chief Superintendent Habaki exclaims, "What are you doing here?" to Higuro's confusion. Iwanome says he never thought someone who was like family to him might betray him, and—though he admits to having just committed the same blunder—remarks one would have to be 'braindead' to utter the name of a secret contact out loud over the phone.

Meanwhile, in a corridor, Yatsu chastises his sister Kochou Eightport for calling him at work; he cannot speak with tabloid writers in a precinct so cavalierly. Eightport insists she may have found something related to his work and passes along something the chief editor of the *Weekly Dry* has told her: a sole officer called Habaki received a suspicious promotion after Hosorogi died—the same Habaki who is now chief superintendent.

Although Yatsu falters at doubting the same man who saved Iwanome from being fired, he agrees he cannot dismiss information from her chief editor and says he will personally call Iwanome. A resident officer walks past; Yatsu trails off, glancing back to watch the man continues on his way, singing the children's song Furusato under his breath.

In the metro, still holding his phone to his ear, Higuro gives the brunette girl in front of him a quizzical look when she begins singing Furusato mid-verse.

While rain continues lashing down outside Higuro's hideout, Misaki fetches Takumi from the rafter beam and puts him down near Xiaoyu. With Momoya yet to move—and no one inclined to move him—Takumi lets out a sigh and wonders if the crisis is finally over. The torrent, at least, shows no sign of stopping. It drowns out the final line of Furusato, as sung by a crowd assembling outside the hideout—a crowd whose members all carry Fire-breathing Bug's signature umbrella.

## Trivia

Cultural References

* Furusato is a Japanese children's song that was written in 1914 and continues to be taught in public schools.

Referbacks

* The brunette high school girl in front of Higuro can be assumed to be the same girl with the Fire-breathing Bug raincoat who had her fortune told in Chapter 29 and spoke with Yatsu and Tozawa in Chapter 33/
* Previous appearances of the Fire-breathing Bug have also involved him singing children's songs, such as Chapter 17 and Chapter 23.