Page 299 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Then perhaps he did not know until recently."

"He knew enough to use it."

Mori's expression remained unreadable. Renji watched Haruki's hand settle against the back of the chair — not gripping, anchoring. The disagreement between them had not begun yet. Renji could feel it approaching.

Mori sat back.

"Sota left the orphanage at eighteen. He spent the next decade tracing his mother's work. He found former Accord employees, descendants of witnesses and pieces of Takahara history that should not have survived."

"You covered him up," Haruki said.

"Yes."

"How?"

"We blocked publications. Removed digital records. Pressured employers. Redirected police investigations when his group entered restricted sites."

"Did you kill anyone?"

"No."

"Did others?"

"Yes."

"On your behalf?"

"No."

"Because your secrecy created permission?"

Mori paused.

"Yes."

The honesty was relentless. Haruki stared at him.

"You say that as though confession is accountability."

"No. I say it because denial would insult you."

Mori looked towards Renji.

"When Sota first attempted to release evidence of vampires, we intervened. He had photographs, tissue samples and testimony from two human survivors."

"What happened to them?" Renji asked.

"The witnesses were relocated."

"Willingly?"

"One was."

"And the other?"

"No."

Haruki's jaw tightened.