The initial chapters establish a dual narrative focused on the "Snowdrop Incident," a past mass murder.
Chapter 3 introduces **Iwakuni Detective**, the resolute head of Azidic, a detective agency endowed with authority similar to the police. He is depicted in a state of profound confusion and disbelief, having just encountered an unbelievable truth or reality. Despite his initial shock, Iwakuni quickly accepts the new information as fact. Driven by his responsibility to Azidic, he steels his resolve, concluding that he must act and "capture" someone. He immediately contacts the three other detectives who were involved in the original case, signaling a renewed, urgent course of action.
The subsequent chapters (4-8) shift to the perspective of **Kinugawa Mikan**, the in-universe author of a "crime documentary" that frames the story. Kinugawa reveals her ambitious goal: to re-examine the infamous "Snowdrop Incident," a horrific mass murder that claimed the lives of ten top artists. Although the case was officially "resolved" by four Azidic detectives, Kinugawa, who was an "eyewitness" and "party involved," firmly believes that a "new truth" or "different outcome" exists beyond the publicly known facts.
The "Snowdrop Incident" itself was a high-profile tragedy that unfolded over fourteen days, causing significant societal impact. It commenced with a chilling "double locked-room mystery" at the "Snowdrop" ski resort in Nagano Prefecture: a severed head was discovered in an unlocked cottage, while the corresponding body was found in the victim's own securely locked cottage.
Kinugawa Mikan's motivation is rooted in a strong sense of moral obligation to expose the true facts of the case. As a non-police officer, she lacks the authority to officially reopen a resolved investigation. Consequently, she employs the "power of the pen," using her documentary to inform the public. Her primary goal is to generate enough public awareness and pressure to compel the police to launch a re-investigation. Additionally, she challenges her readers to discover her true identity, believing that this revelation will unveil another crucial aspect of the incident.
These chapters set the stage by introducing two characters, Iwakuni and Kinugawa, both seemingly connected to the "Snowdrop Incident" and driven by a conviction that the official truth is incomplete. The narrative moves from Iwakuni's immediate, personal shock and resolve to Kinugawa's broader, public call for justice, establishing a foundation for a detailed re-examination of the complex crime and the pursuit of its hidden realities.
