A Midsummer's Equation

TWENTY-EIGHT

“Good morning.” Yukawa walked in just as Narumi was placing dishes on his breakfast tray.

She turned and smiled. “Did you sleep well?”

“I slept, but I wouldn’t say well. Might’ve had a bit too much wine last night.” The physicist’s face was drawn tighter around the eyes than usual. She poured him some tea, and he nodded in thanks, reaching for the cup.

“Are you going to see the boat today as well, Professor?”

Yukawa raised an eyebrow at her. “What do you mean by ‘as well’? Is someone else going?”

Kneeling by the low table, Narumi straightened her back a little. “Our group has been invited to an informational meeting on the research boat.”

“Your group? Oh, right. Save the Cove.” Yukawa took a sip of his miso soup. “I can’t see what good seeing it will do you, though.”

“I think it will be very interesting to see what kind of equipment DESMEC plans on using in their survey. That’s a big part of what this is all about.”

“You mean you want to see whether their devices are going to disturb the ocean floor, is that it?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re wasting your time,” Yukawa said. “I can tell you right now the ocean floor will be disturbed. All seeing the boat is going to do is get you angry. Unless of course you’re really willing to put scientific development and humanity’s future on the scales against environmental protection.”

“We’re certainly open to that, but I think we can do better than either-or. Why can’t we have both?”

“Development and protection?” Yukawa chuckled.

“What’s so funny? You think I’m being idealistic.”

“I see no harm in pursuing ideals,” Yukawa said, his smile fading. “But I have a hard time taking you seriously because I don’t get the sense you have much respect for science.”

Narumi glared at him. “Why not?”

“You may be an expert in environmental protection policy, but when it comes to science, you’re an amateur. How much do you actually know about undersea resource development? If you truly want to come up with a solution that allows both, you’ll need to have the same amount of knowledge and experience with both. It’s arrogant to think that knowing only one is sufficient. Only by respecting the other side’s work and way of thinking can you open a path for compromise.” Yukawa turned back to his tray and poured a dollop of sticky natto beans on his rice. “Don’t you agree?”

Narumi frowned. “So, what,” she finally said. “You think we shouldn’t go see the boat?”

“I don’t think it will do you any good, unless you radically change the way you’re thinking about this problem,” Yukawa said, using the tips of his chopsticks to deftly dissect his broiled fish. “But, if you have it in your heart to truly understand the other side, then I think going to see the boat is a great idea. With the right frame of mind, you can glean a lot from observing. And I’m sure that having a firsthand appreciation for the various technologies that have been developed for undersea resource development will serve you well someday.”

Narumi felt her hands clench into fists. Ever since she had heard about the plan to visit the boat, her head been filled with ways to find problems with the development. It had never once crossed her mind to try to appreciate the technology for what it was.

“Kyohei tells me that your father used to work at a company in Tokyo?” Yukawa asked, changing the subject.

“Yes?” Narumi said, lifting an eyebrow.

“What was the company called?”

“Arima Engines.”

“A leading manufacturer of engine components. With him for a father, I’d think you’d have a healthy appreciation for technology.”

“I don’t see how the two are related, honestly.”

“It’s related because it’s part of your experience. Observation won’t get you anywhere if you don’t bring all of your experience to bear.” Yukawa’s eyes shifted to look behind her and his face brightened. “Good morning!”

Narumi turned to see Kyohei walk into the dining room. He was carrying a cup of yogurt in his hand.

“Morning, Kyohei.”

Kyohei looked between her and Yukawa, then asked, “What are you two talking about?”

“Narumi was considering joining me today on an expedition of sorts. I was just giving her some pointers,” Yukawa said.

“An expedition? Can I come too?”

“It’s on a boat,” Yukawa said.

Kyohei’s face fell. “Oh.” He pulled a cushion over and sat down next to them.

Narumi stood. “I’ll see you later, then,” she said to Yukawa.

“I thought you might have reconsidered going.”

“After you’ve given me such wonderful advice? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Yukawa smiled at that, but said nothing.

Narumi started to leave, then a thought occurred to her. “What exactly did you talk about with your friend from Tokyo?”

Yukawa’s chopsticks stopped in midair. “You’re referring to the phone call?”

“Yes. He was calling about Mr. Tsukahara, I’m guessing. Detective Kusanagi, wasn’t it?”

“You’re curious.”

“A little, sure. He was our guest. And I heard that Mr. Tsukahara used to be a homicide detective.”

Yukawa looked up at her. “Curious and well informed. That bit of information hasn’t been in the newspaper.”

“An old classmate is a local detective. He’s been on the case from the very beginning. He was here around lunchtime yesterday—I think he was still in the lobby when you came back.”

“Ah, I do recall a young detective there.”

“So how did you learn about Mr. Tsukahara being a detective? Your friend?”

“Indeed,” Yukawa replied. “Kusanagi is a homicide detective himself, so he knew Tsukahara, even though they were many years apart.”

Kyohei sat looking between the two of them, a mystified look on his face. He didn’t appear to be following the conversation.

“So what does Tokyo think about what happened?” Narumi asked, ignoring her cousin for the time being. “And why did Detective Kusanagi call you about it, Professor?”

A wry smile came to Yukawa’s lips. “Well, I could tell you why Kusanagi called me, but it’s a bit of a long story. Suffice it to say he just called to see how things were going. Of course, Kusanagi often has ulterior motives for the things he does. Actually, often isn’t quite right. Always is the word I was looking for. He always has an ulterior motive.”

Narumi furrowed her brows and shook her head. “I don’t follow.”

“I rarely do myself,” Yukawa said with a smile. “At any rate, with regards to what Tokyo thinks about this case, I’m afraid I can’t say, because they didn’t tell me. Still, I get the feeling that there are concerns. For example, there’s the question of why Mr. Tsukahara came to Hari Cove. Was it to attend the hearing on undersea resource development, or did he just stop by the hearing, having some other, primary reason for being here?”

“Like what?”

“Maybe your classmate hasn’t told you, but just before Mr. Tsukahara attended the hearing, he paid a visit to some summer homes in East Hari. Apparently, a murderer who Mr. Tsukahara once arrested had a house there.”

“A murderer?” Narumi tensed. “Who?”

“I didn’t get the name. I’ll ask next time I hear from him, if you really want to know.”

“No.” Narumi shook her head. “It’s okay.”

“Very well. As for me, I hope that they clear this case up quickly. It’s hard to focus on my work with the local police nosing around and friends from Tokyo calling me all the time. Do you know what accounts for most research delays? Interruptions that have nothing to do with the research whatsoever.”

He directed the last half of what he said toward Kyohei.

Out of the corner of her eye, Narumi saw Kyohei nod, as though the professor had spoken some deep truth. Shrugging, she left the dining room and headed back toward the kitchen.