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[ Wonderwall ] - [Oasis ]

Shotaro burst into the meeting room, his presence cutting through the murmur of hushed conversations. Senior Yang, standing at the front with a grave expression, was in the middle of outlining the case details.

"...During the rainy season, two victims were assaulted in the dead of night while alone in isolated areas," Senior Yang continued, his voice somber and authoritative. "The incessant rain provided perfect cover for the attacker, masking his approach. Moreover, the victims' umbrellas severely restricted their visibility, making it almost impossible for them to spot the danger before it was too late."

The forensic scientist added, "The suspect was dressed in a standard raincoat and had his face obscured. Fragments of the plastic raincoat were found under the victims' fingernails, likely remnants from a fierce struggle."

Senior Yang resumed, his tone unwavering, "The victims described the assailant as using a knife to coerce them, leaving them with no chance to resist. They also noted that the attacker appeared to be relatively young—tall and slender. Our analysis suggests that the suspect is probably between 17 and 19 years old, aligning closely with the age of the victims."

The room fell silent as the team absorbed the gravity of the information, the implications weighing heavily on everyone present.

Leader Kim's gaze sharpened as he asked, "What about the corpse we discovered? What's the current perspective on that?"

"We suspect that the corpse might be linked to the rapist cases. Our working theory is that the assailant could be responsible for both incidents."

Shotaro quietly took a seat in the corner, his expression contemplative.

Senior Yang continued, "The evidence suggests that the same individual may be behind both attacks. Shotaro, what's your take on this?"

Shotaro considered the question carefully before speaking. "The victim's parents were both working and couldn't keep track of her whereabouts on the 12th of May. They don't know when she left the house or where she went that day. The only call she made was to her friend, Hari."

Senior Yang's interest piqued. "Hari? Isn't she the girl who was involved in the previous bullying incident?"

"Yes. I've already interviewed Hari regarding the deceased's disappearance," Shotaro said, his tone calm but firm. "On the day in question, the deceased had reached out to Hari, inviting her to spend some time together. Hari, however, was at school and declined the offer. She also asked the deceased not to contact her again after that day."

Shotaro's gaze swept across the room, his voice measured and deliberate. "There's something about the murder case that's been nagging at me. Specifically, the disappearance of the victim's clothes and shoes. Why would the perpetrator go through the trouble of removing these items?"

He paused, allowing the question to linger in the air. "The victim was well-known locally, with numerous relatives and friends. So, removing her clothing and shoes doesn't necessarily serve to obscure her identity. What's the motive behind this meticulous effort? Is there something more to these actions that we're missing?"

The room fell into a contemplative hush as the officers absorbed the weight of Shotaro's observation. After a pause, Senior Yang spoke up, his voice carrying a note of clarity.

"From a psychological perspective, the removal of the victim's clothes serves to further debase her, adding a layer of humiliation to the already heinous act."

Forensic Scientist  interjected, adding a critical detail, "There's another point worth noting. Bits of raincoat were discovered under the victim's nails, Hana's, just as with the previous cases. We analyzed the material and confirmed it's the same raincoat used in both instances."

Shotaro's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. The evidence, stark and precise, painted a grim picture of the situation.

Nodding in acknowledgment, he spoke in a subdued tone, "Understood."

Forensic Scientist  continued, "Additionally, we found synthetic fibers beneath her fingernails, likely from items like face masks. The victim sustained a single, fatal stab wound to the liver. The angle of the wound suggests that the assailant was significantly taller than the deceased. Our estimates place the suspect's height between 178 and 185 centimeters."

As Shotaro flipped open the autopsy report, the stark images of Hana's injuries emerged. The photos revealed bruises and wounds on her wrists, shoulders, and thighs—clear signs of a desperate struggle. The marks bore witness to her valiant resistance against her assailant, a harrowing testament to the violence she endured.

After the meeting adjourned, Shotaro pulled Senior Yang into his office, pouring him a glass of water with a weary smile. "If we don't crack this case soon, we might drown in the flood of criticism coming our way."

Senior Yang took a sip, the cool water doing little to ease his tension. "In cases like these, sticking strictly to traditional methods won't cut it," he began. "Sometimes, we need to dig deeper into -"

"Criminal psychology."

"Exactly," Senior Yang confirmed. "Take this case as an example. We need to understand the motive behind the rapes. There are four main categories of criminal motivation. First, the power-driven criminal, who seeks to assert dominance and control. Second, the emotionally driven criminal, who aims to forge a distorted sense of intimacy. Third, the venting criminal, whose acts are a release of pent-up rage and dissatisfaction. And fourth, the curious criminal, driven by a need to explore sexuality, often seen in younger offenders who commit isolated acts."

Shotaro's eyes swept over the profile, absorbing the details with a sharp focus.

1. **Age and Personality:** The suspect is likely between 17 and 19 years old. He is characterized by his taciturn and introverted nature, making him a cautious and intelligent individual. Despite his efforts to fit in with peers of his age, he struggles significantly to do so.

2. **Appearance:** The suspect is relatively good-looking. This fact may have contributed to his ability to blend into his surroundings unnoticed, as attractive strangers often draw less suspicion.

3. **Educational Background:** The suspect either dropped out of school or attends a technical institution with minimal discipline. His victims, in contrast, come from high schools that are considered prestigious and well-regarded.

4. **Family Dynamics:** The suspect has a dysfunctional family, with a particularly strained relationship with his mother. This turbulent home life is reflected in his actions, as he often inflicts verbal and physical abuse during his assaults.

Shotaro studied the profile, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place. "This profile gives us a clear picture of who we're dealing with," he said, his voice steady with determination. "Now, we need to track down this individual before he can strike again."

The description of the suspect's age, demeanor, and background bore a striking resemblance to someone he saw on the streets sometimes. It was a chilling realization that made him pause, his gaze lingering on the notes. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that this profile might hit closer to home than expected.

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