Summary

In Chapter 50, Mikami entered the Secretariat office to find the lamp outside of Captain Tsujiuchi’s office lit. Mikami began to walk to the captain’s office when Ishii, sitting nearby, asked what he wanted. Mikami said he urgently needed to speak to the captain. Ishii demanded Mikami relay the information to him first. Mikami bowed to Ishii then walked toward the captain’s office. Ishii tried to stop Mikami’s physical progress, but he successfully knocked on the door. Tsujiuchi told him to come inside. Ishii grabbed Mikami, begging him to stop, but Mikami pushed open the door.

Mikami entered Tsujiuchi’s office. He mentally noted that the room’s air “felt alien” (337). Tsujiuchi remembered Mikami’s name and position and greeted him. Ishii suddenly opened the door, apologizing for Mikami’s intrusion and offering to escort him out. Despite multiple attempts...