Pathway to Japanese Literature

"When it was reported that Mars was approaching, what indeed was concealed within the memo left behind by the elderly Mars researcher who had been brutally murdered on a solitary island in the South Seas?" This is the world’s greatest and most terrifying horror!

South of Chichijima Island, “Hey, Steward. “Has this steamship lost its gasoline coupons or something?” “Huh? Did you say gasoline coupons?”

The steward, still holding the aluminum tray laden with liquor bottles, looked at my face—I was listlessly leaning against the ship’s railing—with a bewildered expression, “I deeply apologize for this. “No matter what you say, this steamship is unlike a one-yen taxi—we don’t use something like gasoline here, so…”

Seizing the moment as if I had been waiting for just that opening, I retorted. “But you said this steamship was supposed to depart at nine o’clock this morning—look, it’s almost eleven now and there’s still no sign of leaving! So maybe you’ve lost your gasoline coupons after all…” “Whoa there, no need to say any more,” the steward said, gesturing with his free hand as if to cover my mouth. “No, you’re absolutely right. The sudden delay in departure is due to a slight circumstance, you see.”

“What’s the reason? “I haven’t heard a thing about this!”

And I snapped. “Oh, not at all. “That is most regrettable.”

“The reason being—” Just as he was saying this, the steward suddenly cut off his words and pointed over the railing toward the pier. “Ah! That very reason has now appeared over there.” “Look! They’re now coming up the bridge toward us.” With that, the steward smirked slyly and formed an unpleasant grin.

“What, the bridge—?” I twisted my body and looked toward the bridge. And I exclaimed “Oh!” under my breath. Could they be father and daughter?—At first, that’s what I thought.

A young woman in a beautifully fitted pink Western-style dress supported the arm of a portly old gentleman nearing sixty from his side as they ascended the bridge.

That old gentleman’s face was one I felt I had seen somewhere before. But instead of recalling it, I found my attention stolen by the young woman at his side. (What a remarkable woman) Having departed Tokyo Bay and journeyed across this desolate sea—devoid of even a Ginza Street—all the way to Chichijima Island near the southern tip of the Bonin Islands, any young woman should have appeared beautiful by default under such circumstances. Yet even without making such an allowance, she was undeniably beautiful.

“Who are those latecomers?”

Without taking my eyes off the woman, I asked the steward.

“That is Dr. Todoroki, renowned for his Mars research.” “You’re not familiar with him, Mr. Osumi?” When he said that, I immediately understood. That’s right—it was precisely Dr. Todoroki, who maintained an observatory in Hino on the outskirts of Tokyo.

“The rest of Dr.Todoroki’s party besides those two are already properly aboard this steamship, you see.” “However, when Dr.Todoroki was leaving the inn this morning, he was taken ill, which is why boarding was delayed so much.” “Is that woman Dr.Todoroki’s daughter?”

“Well, I couldn’t say. I don’t know about such personal matters, but she does seem quite the beauty. Heh heh heh...” The steward gave another unpleasant smirk and walked off toward the far end of the deck. From inside the ship, four or five young men appeared to greet Dr. Todoroki and, taking over from the young woman, supported him inside. I felt a twinge of envy toward those men. Yet when Dr. Todoroki and that beautiful woman passed by my cabin and entered the adjacent room right afterward, I must confess my heart began fluttering with unexpected joy. Though I should note—when passing before me, that woman maintained an air of aloof composure.

The ship had begun to move, kicking up waves, without my noticing.

So it was that we finally left Futami Port on Chichijima Island behind and hastened toward our destination: Karyo Island.

Karyo Island! That was my place of assignment.

I—Keizo Osumi, Bachelor of Science—was now en route to assume my post at the earthquake observatory on Karyo Island. At that observatory, my senior Iijima-kun had been engaged in submarine earthquake observations until his unfortunate sudden passing not long prior. As these observations permitted not a single day’s neglect, I had been urgently dispatched.

Karyo Island was said to be a truly desolate small island, quite contrary to its name. I had volunteered for the assignment out of sympathy for my mentor who was greatly troubled because none of my colleagues wanted to go there, and also due to the reckless impulsiveness of youth. However, even before the steamship reached Chichijima Island, I had already been seized by a longing to return to Tokyo and stroll through Ginza—from that point onward I remained utterly dispirited—yet here on this very Chichijima Island, I never could have anticipated that thanks to that woman I would unexpectedly regain my vigor.

Given how things looked, those people were probably going to land on Karyo Island as well. When I thought that, I couldn't help feeling as though I'd boarded a treasure ship bound for paradise. However, this turned out to be a colossal misapprehension - for in truth, at that very moment, I had boarded a hell-bound ship of fate destined to encounter the most terrifying ordeal imaginable, a realization that came to me only much later.

A deck swept by a cool breeze “Oh! So you’re Professor Kaseya’s student?”

It was the following morning when Dr. Todoroki—seated beside me on rattan chairs cooled by the ocean breeze—spoke in a booming voice worthy of his vigorous reputation. We had already exchanged introductions. “Kaseya and I attended the same middle school—though I was four years his senior—and I know him well,” he declared. “I’d been studying Mars even back then, but that runt was always sneering at my work.” His voice took on a mocking falsetto: “‘If you keep gawking at Mars like that, Mr. Todoroki, the Martians will snatch you away one day!’ That’s the sort of spiteful jab he’d throw at me.” He erupted into laughter—a deep, rumbling “Ha ha ha!”

I had never dreamed I would hear stories about my mentor’s youth while being rocked by Pacific waves. “Dr. Todoroki, is this trip for your Mars research again?” “What sort of question is that?” “Oh—if I’m mistaken, please forgive me!”

“Ha ha ha! What do you mean, ‘different’? I absolutely never travel or spend money on anything unrelated to Mars, I tell you. Don’t you know? On May 18th, Mars makes its closest approach to Earth, I tell you. Therefore, I must conduct various fascinating observations timed to this event, I tell you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t squander money and time voyaging to some backwater like Karyo Island, I tell you.”

“Ah! So Dr. Todoroki’s party is indeed heading to Karyo Island as well, just like me?” In my excessive joy, I had inadvertently spoken too loudly, causing Dr. Todoroki to roll his eyes sharply behind his glasses. “Excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but—”

It was her voice. I started. What a wonderful perfume—the scent emanating from her body stirred my very insides. “Hmm? What is it, Shimizu?” “Would this be the bag you told me to bring earlier?” “Ah, that’s the one. Leave it there. On that chair—” “Understood. Then I’ll place it here.”

She nodded to me and withdrew to the cabin. I was seized by an impulse to chase after her from behind and bring her back. “Would that lady be your esteemed daughter, Dr. Todoroki?”

I resolutely released the arrow of a crucial question.

“Who?” “Ah, that woman?” “That is my assistant, Shimizu, Bachelor of Science.”

So she was his assistant? Shimizu, Bachelor of Science—ah yes, now that I thought of it, I did recall seeing her name occasionally appearing in newspapers alongside the doctor’s.

Dr. Todoroki, completely unconcerned with the turmoil within my heart, “Hey, you. “Even if you’re researching earthquakes, you’ll never become a great scholar if you swallow Professor Kaseya’s theories whole like that.” “Even Professor Kaseya himself is no different.” “Even though I’ve gone out of my way to advise him for ages, since he refuses to heed my counsel, he’s still just some mediocre scholar.” Dr. Todoroki bluntly stated what he wanted to say and maintained a perfectly calm expression. Hearing my mentor being disparaged, I couldn’t remain calm inside.

“What exactly was this advice you just mentioned giving to Professor Kaseya?”

“That, you see.” “That is—” Dr. Todoroki began, then cut himself off. “Since you’re one of Kaseya’s disciples, even if I explained it to you, you likely wouldn’t grasp it.” “I’ve recently changed my ways—unlike before, I’ve resolved not to waste breath on trivial matters.” “Instead, I’ve switched to grasping tangible evidence and declaring ‘Here—look closely! This is how it stands!’” “So this trip—is it also meant to photograph things like the Martian canals and show us concrete proof?”

“The Martian canals? “Ha ha ha! How could there be such things as Martian canals?” “The notion that Mars has canals—they probably think those dark streaks visible on its surface are canals—but that’s a grave mistake.” “Mars isn’t some primitive world where they’d need ship-like contraptions for transportation!” “Those who smugly espouse the canal theory based on Earthly common sense are nothing but utter fools who don’t know their place!” Dr. Todoroki’s tone was so forceful that one would hardly think him an old man.

“Then what on earth are those canal-like black streaks?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Well.” “Even if I explained what those black streaks are, you still wouldn’t believe me.” “As I said earlier, I’ve resolved to stop talking for now. Instead, I’ll bring something tangible before Earth’s people and declare—‘Look! This is Martian culture.’” “There—then you’d have no choice but to believe me!”

Martian culture! It was not an uncivilized Mars that required ship-like contraptions for transportation! Beneath Dr. Todoroki’s words, there seemed to lurk a secret reality that spelled no peace for us Earthlings. What exactly could Dr. Todoroki possibly know?

The Secret of Mars When the eccentric Dr. Todoroki displayed an attitude of refusing to speak about Mars' secrets, I conversely found myself unable to endure leaving that information unearthed at any cost. Moreover, I even sensed there would be no chance to hear of it apart from this very moment.

“Say, Dr.Todoroki.” “Earlier when you stated we seismologists must consider Mars to prevent mistakes - I sensed such an implication - does this contain any error?” I had particular reasons for this inquiry and deliberately adopted an indirect phrasing.

“There is absolutely no mistake in what I say.” “Kaseya did not believe that.” “That man is a fool beyond his mere appearance.” “But Dr. Todoroki, I can’t believe it either.” “Why would Earth’s submarine earthquakes have any connection to Mars?” “If they’re related to Mars, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to be connected to the Moon, which is much closer to Earth?” “Don’t talk nonsense. Are there living creatures on the Moon?” “That’s not even worth considering.”

“So does that mean there are living creatures on Mars?” I seized the moment to press further.

Dr.Todoroki groaned. I had struck a nerve. My chest pounded like frantic temple bells.

“Indeed, living creatures exist on Mars.” “Since there are living creatures, there must naturally be a culture.” “Well then, I’ll tell you one thing.” “Regarding those dark streaks called Martian canals that you mentioned earlier—according to my research, those are power transmission routes.” “If we were to look for something similar here on Earth, they would correspond to things like power lines or gas pipes.” “But on Mars, they don’t use electricity or gas as their power source.” “They utilize a certain force hundreds of millions of times greater than those as their energy source.” “Well? Do you grasp this?”

Dr. Todoroki said something outlandish. Could an immensely powerful power source—hundreds of millions of times greater than electricity or gas—truly exist in this universe? I was so taken aback that I couldn’t immediately respond, and Dr. Todoroki spoke again.

“Why do you think those power transmission routes form a network?” “To gather the power source in one place whenever needed.” “At the intersections where those routes converge from all directions—east, west, south, north—a force beyond human comprehension amasses itself.” “What could Martian organisms possibly use such an immense power source for?” “That’s just it. “The application is what troubles me.” “By my observations, they haven’t yet finished building these transmission routes.” “Once completed—what purpose they’ll serve...even I cannot begin to guess.” “But this much I can say,” Dr.Todoroki continued gravely, “Such concentration of power is orders of magnitude beyond what Mars itself could ever require.” “My calculations show a mechanism that gathers at those intersections—in an instant—more energy than Martians could expend in a thousand years.” “The mere thought sends chills crawling down my spine.”

Dr. Todoroki’s complexion, in the warm air, turned as pale as someone emerging from an icehouse. The “canals” of Mars, harboring an inscrutable mystery!

Somehow influenced by Dr.Todoroki，a chill ran down my back. “So，Dr.Todoroki—does that mean Martian organisms are far more intelligent than us Earthlings?” “Of course. “That’s why Earthly scholarship remains futile if conducted while ignoring Martian life，I tell you. “Fail to factor Martian power into your seismology too，and you’ll spawn catastrophically flawed conclusions，I tell you.” Wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief，Dr.Todoroki continued，“Ah—I’ve spoken rashly. “I shall cease here. “Karyo Island’s observations may yet reveal something to astonish mankind. “When that day comes，I’ll share another intriguing tale with you.”

After that, Dr. Todoroki stopped talking altogether. Then Dr. Todoroki took out the documents he had been sitting on and, facing the sea, began reading intently.

Having lost my conversation partner, I had no choice but to sit next to Dr. Todoroki and, while gazing at the glistening sea, began reviewing in my mind the uncanny secrets of Mars we had discussed earlier. But before long, I began to feel drowsy and drifted into a light sleep.

I don’t know how long I slept, but I was awakened by some sudden noise. As my consciousness grew clearer, I noticed the sound of bag clasps coming from beside me. I casually looked in the direction of the sound. Dr. Todoroki had turned his back and was busily organizing the contents of his bag. Most of them appeared to be manuscript papers thoroughly soiled by hand oils. As I continued watching Dr. Todoroki’s hands, he eventually stacked the documents neatly inside the bag, started to close the lid—when suddenly, as if remembering something he had forgotten—he reached into his pocket, pulled out a large pistol, and gripped it tightly in his right hand.

Seeing that, I was astonished to the point where my heart stopped. Somehow, I felt an ominous sense that the muzzle of that pistol was about to turn toward me at any moment.

But that ended up being a baseless fear. Dr. Todoroki quietly slipped the pistol beneath the documents, closed the bag’s lid, and snapped the clasps shut with a click. I stroked my chest in relief.

The Mysterious Incident on the Isolated Island

The steamship, after dropping us off at Karyo Island, hurriedly departed offshore as if in a panic.

The desolate scenery of Karyo Island seemed only to intensify the savagery of my emotions.

In contrast, I found myself valuing Sachiko Shimizu—the lovely scientist with whom I'd grown close through our shipboard conversations—even more highly. Ever since beginning my observations on the island, Sachiko would time her arrival to coincide with my evening docking of the observation skiff, never failing to meet me at the water's edge.

It was about a week after I had crossed over to the island. That evening, as the observation skiff approached the coast, Sachiko’s nimble figure in Western attire emerged from behind a hill.

“Welcome back, Mr. Osumi.” As I disembarked from the skiff, Sachiko rushed over to my side and said, “Today’s observation went well despite the waves. It must have been tough.”

As Sachiko said this and approached with a smile on her sun-tanned cheeks, I found all the day’s hardships vanishing from my mind in an instant.

“Ms. Sachiko.” “You’ll be pleased to hear.” “Today I managed to record an extraordinarily significant submarine earthquake.” “I was utterly astonished, I must say.” “Small earthquakes keep occurring incessantly in this seabed area.” “Oh my, how astonishing.” “So have you already reached a conclusion about why those submarine earthquakes happen?” “Oh no, not at all.” “Regarding that conclusion, our institute headquarters has been conducting exhaustive discussions, but it remains unresolved.” “It couldn’t possibly be solved through my own efforts alone.”

“Mr. Osumi, have you ever considered the influence of Mars?”

“Huh? The influence of Mars?” “Ahahaha! So you’re one of Dr. Todoroki’s disciples too, aren’t you?” “No, there’s absolutely no connection between Mars and submarine earthquakes,” I declared—yet even as I said this, I was suddenly overcome by a peculiar sensation.

"But... Wait a minute—since investigating various causes for these submarine earthquakes hasn’t yielded any answers—perhaps I really should research whether Martian influence could be involved."

“Hohoho! Mr. Osumi has finally succumbed to my mentor’s influence, hohoho!”

Sachiko laughed out loud, as if she found it utterly amusing. “Ahahaha.” “It seems I’ve finally become a captive of Mars too, haven’t I?” “However, living on a remote island like this with you all—relatives from Mars—it’s inevitable that one would end up like that, isn’t it?” “No—the fact that I haven’t been devoured by Martian creatures yet might be my only stroke of luck.”

I had intended it as a jest. I had expected Sachiko to respond with her usual soft chuckle, but contrary to my hopes, no such laughter came from her.

I raised my eyes and looked in Sachiko’s direction. At that moment, I thought, "Oh?" Sachiko suddenly turned pale for some reason，her lips quivering uncontrollably.

“Ms. Sachiko, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” “Is something wrong with your body?”

Sachiko shook her head wildly from side to side, denying this. "Th-then wh-what's wrong?"

“Shh—”

Sachiko placed her index finger vertically against her lips, signaling him not to say anything. I nodded in understanding, but my heart was suddenly gripped by unease.

(Let’s go over there.) Sachiko’s eyes said as much.

We walked side by side toward the hill where a large palm tree towered. The setting sun clung stubbornly to the western horizon, its glare still blazing fiercely as it dyed the vast hills blood-red.

“What on earth is wrong, Ms. Sachiko?”

I could no longer endure it and called out to Sachiko. "Well... it's something terribly strange and frightening."

With that, she cautiously looked around her surroundings and stopped speaking.

“What… What’s so strange and terrifying?” “Well… I’ll only tell *you*.” “You mustn’t tell anyone—absolutely.” “And don’t mention it to Dr. Todoroki.” “Yes, I won’t say a word—if you tell me not to.” “What on earth happened?”

Sachiko walked in silence across the sandy ground for a while, but suddenly clung to my waist, "I saw where the corpses are buried, Mr. Osumi."

“What do you mean, corpses?”

I was startled. But the terror I felt then was nothing compared to what was to come. “And where exactly are those corpses buried?”

“In the sandy plain right behind the hut where I’m staying—at the base where three palm trees are clustered together.”

“What’s wrong? Maybe that’s a burial mound or something—the locals might have buried their dead there, don’t you think?” “No, no, that’s not it,” Sachiko said, clinging even tighter to my arm. “Mr. Osumi, those corpses—they’re dismembered as if dissected. Arms and legs scattered everywhere.”

“What? Dismembered corpses?”

I was so astonished that my breath caught. “Yes, they’re dismembered corpses.” “I don’t want this.” “What should I do?” “What should we do—” I didn’t know what to do either. Who would bury dismembered corpses in a place like that? “Why haven’t you reported that to Dr. Todoroki?” “Dr. Todoroki would investigate and take care of it for you.”

“Well, you see, Mr.Osumi,” she said with a deeply troubled expression,“Dr.Todoroki has been acting rather strangely lately.” “So I couldn’t possibly mention such a thing to him.” “What? Dr.Todoroki is acting strange?” “How is he acting strange?”

I asked in return, but at that moment, something flashed through my mind like lightning. That was about the pistol Dr. Todoroki carried, which I had seen on the deck some time ago. Could Dr. Todoroki have killed someone with that pistol? What could be the motive for murder on this remote, isolated island? Or was this perhaps my own overactive imagination running wild?

Cannibalistic fiend.

According to Sachiko’s account, over the past two or three days, that normally composed Dr. Todoroki had been acting restlessly for some reason. And he had suddenly started forgetting things. When she paid attention, his speech would become strangely tangled, and at times, he would stare at Sachiko with a truly inexplicable look in his eyes.

As I listened to her account, my suspicion that Dr. Todoroki was involved in murder grew increasingly stronger. “Hey, Ms. Sachiko—do you know who was killed?”

“Well…” she said, shaking her head. “I was so shocked when I saw the corpses that I just left right away. I don’t know whose corpses they were or anything like that.” “Hmm,” I groaned in my best detective manner. And with genuine seriousness, I recalled each and every one of the Sherlock Holmes detective novels I had avidly read, racking my brains to see if any of them held something useful for this situation.

Eventually, I pulled Sachiko close and asked. “Hey, has anyone gone missing lately?” “People who have gone missing? Well, as for such things—” She had only gotten that far when—startled by something—Sachiko suddenly let out a sharp cry and widened her eyes like saucers. “What’s wrong? Ms. Sachiko. If you’ve realized something, please tell me.” “Ms. Sachiko.” “If you figure it out, please tell me.” “Oh, what should I do?” she cried out, clinging to my chest. “It’s Maria! Maria hasn’t shown her face anywhere today.” “Ah, Maria.” “That was that girl’s corpse.”

“Who’s Maria?” “She’s the indigenous maid who takes care of Dr. Todoroki and me.” “Oh, what should I do?” “That such a gentle, kind girl was killed… Who could have done such a thing?” “Even if the murderer were executed, I could never forgive them.” Sachiko seemed utterly convinced that Maria had been murdered.

I fought to suppress my shock while frantically trying to piece together a logical framework in my mind. Dr. Todoroki shot the maid Maria with his pistol, dismembered her corpse, and buried the remains out back. Could such a thing truly be possible? What possible motive could there be for murder? That the gentle Dr. Todoroki would commit such an act was something I simply couldn't bring myself to accept. Perhaps some unimaginable motive lay hidden there—but for now, it remained utterly beyond my grasp.

Looking back now, I think it would have been best if I had gone straight to the corpse burial site at that moment to investigate exactly how many people had been murdered. However, I didn’t notice that and resolved to investigate Dr. Todoroki’s room. That was because I wanted to find the pistol that Dr. Todoroki had stored in his bag. This was because I thought that if Dr. Todoroki had committed murder, there would be some evidence left behind—such as a decrease in the number of bullets in the pistol or the barrel being fouled with gunpowder residue.

When I asked Sachiko whether Dr. Todoroki was in his cabin or not, she informed me that he had gotten ready earlier and left for town. Now was the time—I had confirmed that Dr. Todoroki was indeed away.

Seizing the opportunity, I decided to sneak into the cabin. Then Sachiko suggested that until my investigation was concluded and some conclusion had been reached regarding Dr. Todoroki’s actions, she should not return to the cabin but instead go stay with a colleague’s place. Sachiko naturally agreed to my proposal, so I promised we would meet again and parted ways with her.

Unintentionally, I found myself mimicking a detective and embarking on an adventure. As I approached the cabin, though the surroundings had grown thoroughly dim in the evening gloom, not a single light burned inside. Dr. Todoroki’s absence was now certain. I deftly climbed through the window and slipped into the building. In the tomblike interior, treading heavily on floorboards that creaked with each step, I inched toward Dr. Todoroki’s room—my nerves fraying with every movement. Even knowing the doctor was gone, I couldn’t suppress the dread that some murderous creature beyond imagining lurked within those walls, poised to leap at me with a guttural roar.

Indeed, I couldn’t help but feel that an eerie aura hung thick within the room.

However, I was able to enter Dr. Todoroki’s room surprisingly easily. The room measured about ten tsubo in size—roughly thirty-three square meters—with boxes containing various instruments haphazardly lining every corner. On the table lay reference books and notebooks stacked in towering piles. Dr. Todoroki’s helmet-like hat hung on the wall.

The briefcase I sought proved maddeningly elusive. For a moment I feared Dr. Todoroki might have taken it when he left, feeling a stab of disappointment, but as I kept combing through every corner, I found the briefcase concealed behind a large emptied crate from unpacking. With my heart racing, I hastily pulled out the briefcase, set it on the desk, and opened it. The lock hadn't been fastened. Inside lay documents stacked and crammed in their usual manner. From beneath them, I at last extracted the pistol I recognized.

Immediately, I broke open the pistol and checked the bullets.

“Oh, the bullets haven’t decreased at all.” My expectations were betrayed. I shone the handheld lamp’s light into the gun barrel, but the inside was clean.

This is strange. The pistol hasn’t been fired even once recently!

While feeling disappointed, I couldn’t help but feel pleased that Dr. Todoroki had been cleared of murder suspicion.

However, the case had reached a dead end. Thinking this wouldn't do, I began meticulously examining the contents of Dr. Todoroki's briefcase once more.

Then, from the very bottom of the briefcase, a notebook emerged. The notebook had a torn cover. And on its cover was scrawled *Notes for After Death*.

*Notes for After Death*

*Notes for After Death*? What could "after death" mean? Had Dr. Todoroki already resolved to die, and was something resembling a will recorded here? My curiosity reached its peak.

I hurriedly flipped through the pages.

Characters so disordered that they were nearly illegible had been scrawled across the page. While shining the handheld lamp onto the surface of that page, I began reading voraciously. There was something written there like this:

“Notes for After Death: Martian creatures have already declared war against Earth’s humanity. Could their advance force have already reached our planet? The frequent small submarine earthquakes recently detected near Karyō Island—might these tremors originate from Martian vessels striking the Earth’s crust as they arrive? Unlike humanity, which evolved from animals, Martian organisms developed from advanced plant lifeforms, making them incomparably cruel foes requiring extreme caution. Moreover, though small in stature, they possess superior intelligence and control formidable energy sources, having thoroughly surveyed Earth’s geography and culture—truly fearsome beings. If pressed to identify a weakness: Mars’ atmospheric pressure being far lower than Earth’s likely renders their physical forms too fragile for survival here. This mirrors how humans cannot bear the weight of stones measuring hundreds of kilograms. However, should they develop pressure-resistant containment vessels before arriving... that would change everything.”

I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page for some time. What terrifying notes these were! As for these notes suggesting that the Martian creatures I had dismissed as impossible might already be on this very Earth—it was nothing but sheer terror. Truly, Martian creatures might have already arrived on Earth. It said to pay attention to the abnormal submarine earthquakes near Karyō Island—could it be that the Martian vanguard had boarded something like rockets and burrowed into the seabed somewhere around there?

Dr. Todoroki’s memoir continued further. I lowered my eyes to the page again to read further.

At that moment.

At the hut’s entrance, footsteps clattered tumultuously as they approached. There was the clattering sound of a key being turned. Oh no—it seemed Dr. Todoroki had returned.

I closed the notebook in surprise. The sound of the door opening echoed. Thinking this was the end, I stuffed the notebook into the briefcase, tucked it under my arm, and hurried out of the room. Then, through the still-open window, I leaped out of the cabin. A light flared on in Dr.Todoroki’s room.

I quickly moved beneath the window and peered into the room. There were Dr. Todoroki and Sachiko. Why had Sachiko come back here?

At that moment, the light that had just come on went out again.

“Oh, Doctor. Why did you turn off the light?” That was Sachiko’s voice. Her voice was clearly trembling. In response, I heard what sounded like Dr. Todoroki’s voice say something, but it was so unnaturally shriveled and hoarse that I couldn’t make out a single word. Before long came a scream from inside the room like tearing silk. “Oh my, Doctor. Wh-what are you doing?” Then came the sound of objects shattering. A violent struggle erupted.

I was already in a frenzy. After leaping in through the hut’s entrance, I rushed to Dr. Todoroki’s room. “Oh no, you murderer! Heeelp! Oh nooo, Mr. Osumi!”

Sachiko was letting out a soul-rending scream.

I kicked down the door. And twisted the light switch. The room suddenly brightened. “Have some shame, Doctor!” I shouted with all my might at Dr.Todoroki’s back as he pressed Sachiko into the room’s corner. Dr.Todoroki started and turned toward me. Then roared like a beast. He released Sachiko and fully faced me. Simultaneously, a flower vase came flying my way. A radio receiver hurled through the air. A large table whooshed toward me. When that ended, a motor weighing dozens of *kan* sailed over as effortlessly as a wooden crate.

I cried out and dodged. With a violent splintering sound, the motor smashed through the wall. This was terrifying superhuman strength. My courage crumbled at the thought that this could be the arm strength of a sixty-year-old man.

A dreadful premonition

Dr. Todoroki, perhaps thinking he had missed his chance, now grabbed the iron telescope mount and came whirling it toward me with menacing force. “Ah! Look out!”

This is the end, I thought. If we were pressed by this monstrous strength, we wouldn't survive. Without realizing it, I found myself gripping Dr. Todoroki's pistol from the briefcase in my right hand. I finally pulled the trigger. A gunshot roared—a single deafening blast! Dr. Todoroki's body swayed unsteadily sideways and then collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Mr. Osumi, you actually came.”

Sachiko rushed over. I was out of breath and couldn’t speak. “I was almost strangled to death by Dr. Todoroki.” “I-I shot Dr. Todoroki!” “It’s all right.” “But it was self-defense, after all.” I approached near where Dr. Todoroki had fallen and knelt down. I shook Dr. Todoroki’s body, but he remained stretched out like a doll. There was a single small bullet hole in his chest. Dr. Todoroki had indeed died.

“I’ve killed the Doctor.”

“Is he really dead?” “Since I shot through his chest, he must be done for.”

With that, I hung my head.

“Oh, Mr. Osumi. Dr. Todoroki’s chest is caving in! Why do you think that is?” “Huh? The Doctor’s chest—” I was startled and looked at Dr. Todoroki’s chest. Sure enough, his white vest was gradually sliding downward. While thinking how strange this was, I pressed on his chest. Then, unexpectedly from the bullet wound, a greenish viscous mucus spurted out with a splurt. We cried “Ah!” and leaped back from his side.

“Strange things do happen, don’t they?” “What’s happening? Why don’t you examine it more closely?”

Urged by Sachiko, I calmly examined Dr. Todoroki’s corpse once more. I removed Dr. Todoroki’s vest. Then I discovered something so strange it was hard to believe. The body of Dr. Todoroki revealed beneath the vest was constructed from hard metal-like plates layered like an insect’s abdomen, while the pistol bullets had utterly destroyed the seams around the area. Beneath it, the familiar greenish mucus was oozing and bubbling.

“This is astonishing! Dr. Todoroki wasn’t human at all!” “Oh my. What in the world could have happened?” Sachiko turned deathly pale and clung to me. At that moment, I remembered Dr. Todoroki’s notebook.

“Ms. Sachiko. Perhaps this is a Martian creature.” “What? A Martian creature?!” “But why would a Martian creature have taken Dr. Todoroki’s form?”

This terrifying question was resolved when I spread open the notebook again and read through the continuation of the earlier notes. That notebook had the following written in it.

“Martian creatures are the evolution of advanced plants, dominate the animals of Mars, and prefer their flesh.” “This is precisely the opposite of our Earth.”

Also, this was written: "When Martian creatures invade Earth, they will first don pressure-resistant shells shaped like humans." This allows them to approach people without arousing suspicion. This is not mere speculation. Indeed, last night I witnessed a suspicious figure peering into my room from outside the window. To my horror, that figure bore an exact replica of my own face. If that was a Martian creature, my life must be in grave danger. For such a being could replace me at any moment to gather intelligence from humankind undetected. But what purpose would raising an alarm serve now? Resistance against the Martian creatures is futile. "Nevertheless, I shall leave this 'Posthumous Memo' behind as reference for any potential contingency."

It was Dr. Todoroki’s invaluable notes. If we hadn’t gotten hold of that, there’s no telling what would have become of Sachiko and me. Though it remains unclear why the Martian creatures evolved from advanced plants, the fact that they are plant-based is proven by the greenish, viscous mucus that emerged from the impostor Doctor’s body. Anyone who doubts this should take a blade of grass from there, twist it, and see what kind of sap comes out.

The Martian creatures had tried to eat Sachiko. Before that, he had first devoured Dr. Todoroki, and then the maid Maria. When we dug up the burial site beneath the three coconut palms behind Dr. Todoroki’s hut—the same spot where Sachiko had discovered the dismembered corpses—what emerged from within were two skeletons: one of an old man and another of a young woman, along with partially eaten limbs.

After this incident was resolved, the relationship between Sachiko and me rapidly grew closer. However, what remained unresolved was the matter of Mars gradually approaching Earth. We two swore to take up Dr. Todoroki's dying wish, barricade ourselves on Karyo Island, and resolutely oppose the Martian creatures.