A Chain of Train Deaths

The Hayate becomes a moving crime scene where concealed bodies, competing investigations, and missed chances prevent any participant from restoring order.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Hidden Body

The First Hidden Body A death concealed The Wolf’s confrontation with Nanao ends in a fatal fall and broken neck. Nanao hides the body in a seat, hoping the death will go unnoticed until he reaches a station. His attempt to make the corpse appear asleep creates new risks: passengers pass nearby, and the body becomes a clue that the Prince later recognizes.

Little Minegishi’s Death

Little Minegishi’s Death A mystery without wounds Tangerine and Lemon discover that Little Minegishi has died, though they find no obvious injury. Exhaustion, poisoning, and shock are considered, but no explanation is established at the time. The corpse makes a routine rescue impossible to report and exposes the killers to Minegishi’s retaliation. Later, the Hornet’s method provides a plausible explanation for the unexplained death.

The Toilets Become a Cache

The Toilets Become a Cache Evidence accumulates Kimura, Lemon, and Tangerine end up hidden in the same train toilet after shootings and attempts to conceal bodies. Nanao later adds Tangerine to the growing sequence of deaths. The compartment becomes a compressed record of failed plans. At Morioka, Minegishi’s men search the train, and the bodies make clear that the apparent business dispute has become a lethal conspiracy.

Soon after Ueno, in the gangway

During the early hours of the train journey

Between Omiya and the final approach to Morioka