The Beika City Library case wrapped up swiftly.
Tsugawa Gosugi confessed readily, answering every police question about his crimes.
The news sparked a firestorm when it hit the papers.
Beika Library, a decades-old institution, had welcomed countless visitors… The idea that its head librarian used books to smuggle drugs and killed an employee who uncovered it sent chills through the community.
"Eri-nee, what's tomorrow's date?"
"It should be the 7th."
"May?"
"No, April."
Evening settled over the dinner table as Hayato Masaki and Kisaki Eri shared this exchange.
Eri's grip tightened slightly on her glass.
Her brows furrowed subtly, eyes on Hayato, tinged with concern.
"Hayato-kun."
"What's up?"
"Are you under a lot of stress lately?"
"…"
Hayato's expression paused.
Eri ventured cautiously, "You've been forgetting the date a lot recently."
"…Maybe I'm just short on rest. Been brainstorming for the new book."
"Didn't your last one just come out? No need to push so hard."
Eri's tone softened, her voice warm with care. "And you've been reading psychology books lately. Is something troubling you?"
"Not exactly troubling," Hayato said, meeting her gaze. After a moment's thought, he opted for honesty. "But I've been struggling to track dates… I can't figure out what tomorrow or the day after will be."
"That's… Is there anything else off?"
"Nope."
Hayato smiled lightly. "It's not a big deal, really. Just can't pin down future dates. Checking my phone each morning works fine."
"No, you should get that looked at," Eri said, shaking her head.
The news caught her off guard, but she kept her face neutral to avoid stressing him.
Her expression grew heavier, her eyes softening with affection. "If you weren't concerned, you wouldn't be secretly reading all those therapy books."
"…"
"Maybe we should see a doctor. I'll find time tomorrow, and we can go together, okay?"
"But you've got cases piling up, Eri-nee. You're swamped, right?"
As Eri opened her mouth to protest, Hayato smiled. "I'll see a doctor. Got any psychologists you recommend? I've been reading and thinking hypnosis therapy might help."
"I'll ask around for a good one," Eri said, relieved he wasn't avoiding treatment. She grabbed her phone to check for reputable psychologists.
Hayato smiled, waiting.
He'd been steering toward this moment for a while.
Time orientation disorder—he knew that'd likely be the diagnosis.
Hayato didn't hide his date confusion to justify his dive into psychology books and make it seem natural.
Plus, he needed a psychologist to discuss hypnosis with.
Self-study couldn't match professional insight.
Finding a reliable hypnotist wasn't easy, though, and he needed a plausible reason.
Soon after, Eri hung up. "The psychiatry department at Beika Yakushino Hospital has a doctor named Kazato Kyosuke. He's well-regarded in the field," she said, meeting Hayato's eyes. "Even some police consult him."
"Kazato Kyosuke?"
"Are you okay with that, Hayato-kun? I can have a friend book a slot."
"Yeah, let's do tomorrow at 3 p.m."
"Got it."
Eri was decisive but always considered Hayato's input.
"No need to worry too much, Eri-nee," Hayato said, seeing her concern.
---
Kazato Kyosuke cut a polished figure.
In his thirties, fit, dressed impeccably in a suit for work, he left a strong impression.
"Kazato-san," Hayato greeted.
"Yes, Masaki-san, please sit," Kazato said with a smile, guiding him to a chair before sitting with a file.
"I heard the basics over the phone. Your issue is trouble tracking date changes, correct?"
"Right. I can't accurately predict what comes after today. To me, tomorrow feels like April 8th."
"I see…" Kazato's calm didn't waver. "Is it only long-term dates you struggle with? Can you handle short-term time, like day versus night or morning versus afternoon?"
"No issues there. I know an hour from now is 4 p.m."
"Anything else bothering you or feeling off in daily life?"
"Nope."
"Well, the only symptom is impaired time perception of longer time units," Kazato noted in the file, then looked up. "Do you ever struggle to focus, notice memory lapses, or have trouble understanding others?"
"Not at all," Hayato said, smiling easily, relaxed in the therapy room. "I'm fully aware of my state, and my memory's as sharp as ever, Kazato-san."
"Alright. Mind a thorough check-up?"
"What kind?"
"I suspect time orientation disorder. It could stem from psychological factors or an organic issue… I suggest a psychological evaluation and neuroimaging to guide treatment," Kazato said, then smiled. "But I lean toward psychological, given your clarity with short-term time and lack of other symptoms."
"Sure, let's do it, Kazato-san."
"No trouble."
Kazato led him for tests.
A head CT and MRI, expedited by Kazato's pull, yielded results startlingly fast.
Half an hour later, they were back in the therapy room.
Kazato studied the reports, pensive.
"Good news—your brain shows no abnormalities," he said. "And the psych eval says you're not overly anxious or stressed. You're remarkably healthy."
"When did you first notice this date issue, Masaki-san?"
"Can't pinpoint it exactly, but I recall past dates fine."
"Hmm…"
Kazato leaned forward, shifting to a conversational tone.
"Let's test it. You think tomorrow's April 8th—why?"
"Well, Kazato-san, in Arabic numerals, 7 comes before 8, right?"
"Yes."
"So, today's April 7th. By that logic, tomorrow's April 8th, no?"
Kazato's brow creased. "But tomorrow's April 13th, Masaki-san."
"…"
Awkward.
Hayato's composure held, though his smile dimmed slightly.
This was why he stuck to "Kazato-san" over "Doctor." He knew this wasn't his fault.
"You're a mystery novelist and occasional detective," Kazato mused hesitantly. "Could your writing process—maybe over-immersing in a role—have planted a psychological suggestion? It sounds odd, but you've heard of actors getting too 'in character' and struggling to snap out, right?"
"I've heard of it," Hayato nodded, then smiled. "You mentioned suggestion. I read about that in some psychology books recently. Isn't that tied to hypnosis therapy?"
"Yes, hypnosis might help. What books have you read, Masaki-san?"
Hayato listed a few titles.
"The market's a mixed bag. Some books touting hypnosis are pseudoscience. The ones you named are solid, though. If you're curious, I can suggest a reading list."
"That'd be great, Kazato-san."
"Now, about time orientation disorder…" Kazato began.
"…"
"I believe 'person,' 'place,' and 'time' anchor us in the world. Person ties to identity, place to society, and time to existence."
"These anchors assign roles. Structuralism says embracing a role lets us fulfill it, completing our purpose."
"Essentially, we grow through our relationship with ourselves. The part that reflects beyond ourselves is the 'self,' the root of personal identity—"
"…"
Time anchors existence.
Hayato's heart stirred at the phrase.
Existence… As a transmigrator, he couldn't forget his outsider status, unable to fully see himself as "native" or wholly embrace existing here.
Maybe that's why this world's erratic time gave him time orientation disorder.
"We should try hypnosis therapy," Kazato concluded.
"Sounds good. But, Kazato-san, can hypnosis induce hallucinations?"
"Theoretically, yes. Modern science only scratches psychology's surface; the subconscious holds vast unknowns," Kazato said, chuckling wryly, likely used to such questions. "But, Masaki-san, don't expect miracles from hypnosis."
"Got it. Let's start."
Hayato's smile was faint, like drifting smoke.
As Kazato prepared to guide him into relaxation, a red glint caught his eye.
Hayato had been releasing hypnotic gas since entering the room.
As Kazato's mind hazed, Hayato shifted from relaxed to a slight forward lean, primed to speak and observe.
"Kazato-san."
"Yes."
"When hypnotized, people are more open to suggestions. Compared to words, do you think visual cues could have a more direct effect?"
---
The hour-long session, excluding tests, wrapped up.
Leaving Beika Yakushino Hospital, Hayato called Kisaki Eri.
He briefly shared the results—simple time orientation disorder, no impact on daily life—easing her worries somewhat.
The talk had been fruitful, so he scheduled weekly sessions with Kazato.
It wasn't even 4:30 p.m. yet.
At a traffic light, Hayato made another call during the red.
"Hey, Yoko?"
"I'm done here. How's your shoot going?"
"Half an hour left?"
"Send me the address. I'll head over—it'll time out about right."
"No trouble."
"Cool, see you soon."
Hanging up, Hayato drove to the location Yoko Okino sent.
The idol had been filming a TV show and, thrilled to wrap early, invited him to that restaurant they'd talked about.
Hayato rarely turned people down.
***
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