Killed Again, Mr. Detective. Episode 4: The Kowloon Hotel Murder, Part 1

The episode opens with Sakuya flustered by Lilithea's casual nudity in their shared room, a stark, comedic contrast to the brewing storm outside. His discomfort is palpable, a human detail amidst the escalating tension. Lilithea, ever serene, seems oblivious to the effect she has, simply preparing for their stay. This small, intimate moment grounds the characters before the chaos begins.

Sakuya and Lilithea explore the hotel lobby, a space both grand and unnerving, filled with intricate carvings and menacing taxidermy. The silence is heavy, broken only by the storm, emphasizing their isolation. At the front desk, Iriya Utaki, the owner's granddaughter, is more concerned with her phone than her duties, informing them of the film crew's presence. The hotel, with its strange decor and inattentive staff, immediately signals something amiss.

The calm breaks with the energetic entrance of Yuriyu Haigamine, Sakuya's former student, dressed as a high school detective. She is overjoyed to see her mentor, gushing about her major role in the sequel to 'High School Detective Uzura,' filming at the hotel. While excited, Yuriyu also hints at unsettling rumors among the crew, shifting the mood from cheerful reunion to subtle apprehension. Her youthful exuberance provides a fragile shield against the building dread.

Detective Sozorogi arrives, weary and irritable, his presence confirming the seriousness of the situation. He reveals a threatening letter, crudely fashioned from magazine cut-outs, warning of a 'Werewolf Bellboy' who will slaughter everyone. The classic mystery trope of the anonymous threat is immediately recognized by Sakuya, adding a layer of meta-commentary to the unfolding events. Yuriyu is both terrified and thrilled, while Lilithea notes the theatrical language, suggesting a motive beyond simple malice.

The hotel owner, Chou, enters with an intimidating presence, immediately asserting his authority and disdain for the police. He vehemently forbids the mention of 'Kutou' or 'Werewolf Bellboy,' citing bad luck and offended spirits. His superstitious fervor is intense, threatening to expel the entire film crew if such talk continues. Chou's rigid adherence to tradition creates an oppressive atmosphere, hinting at a past trauma that governs his every action.

Yuriyu, her dreams of fame threatened, tearfully pleads with Sakuya to investigate and protect the set. Her trust in his abilities, despite his self-proclaimed bad luck, weighs on him. Sakuya reluctantly agrees, feeling a sense of responsibility toward his former student. His acceptance marks the point of no return, fully entangling him in the hotel's dangers.

Filming resumes, with Yuriyu channeling her detective persona, while Sakuya and Lilithea observe from above. Sakuya voices his concern about their 'closed circle' predicament, a classic mystery setup. They meet Sho Shirasaki, a stuntman aspiring to direct, who offers his behind-the-scenes footage as a potential investigative tool. Sho's genuine nature offers a brief respite from the growing tension, a moment of normalcy in an increasingly abnormal situation.

Jungo Nakuji, Yuriyu's flamboyant manager, arrives, loudly asserting his presence before becoming uncomfortably fixated on Lilithea. His aggressive flirtation and offer of a contract are met with Lilithea's characteristic impassiveness, much to Sakuya's growing annoyance. Nakuji's self-serving performance reveals a predatory side, adding another unpleasant element to the hotel's already tense dynamics. His lack of subtlety makes him an immediate, though perhaps too obvious, target.

Yuriyu returns with grave news: the storm has washed out the roads and severed communications, trapping everyone inside. Sakuya recognizes the dire implications of this 'closed circle' situation, a concept usually confined to fiction. The realization that escape is impossible heightens the dread, with the roaring storm outside mirroring their internal terror. The hotel has become a cage, and the killer is inside.

Sakuya returns to Utaki, hoping for information about the hotel's history. She translates a scroll of ancient warnings, detailing gruesome punishments for breaking traditions. The imagery of dragons and tigers is disturbing, especially alongside the 'Werewolf' threat. Utaki explains her grandfather's reliance on feng shui and charms to ward off evil, a desperate attempt to protect the hotel from unseen forces. The past and present converge, hinting at an evil deeply rooted in the hotel's very foundations.

Sakuya begins his solo patrol, flashlight beam cutting through the hotel's long, dark hallways. The eerie taxidermy animals, particularly bears and wolves, seem to snarl from the walls, making him jump at every shadow. He tries to quell his fear with humor, but the atmosphere is too heavy, too unsettling. Rounding a corner, he finds a peculiar figure sitting calmly in a window, reading a children's book.

The figure is Kyu Kanasino, a manga artist specializing in horror, who seems disturbingly at ease with the hotel's 'scent of death.' Kyu reveals the hotel's dark secret: the 'Little Kowloon' murder case from 20 years ago, where an entire family was slaughtered, their throats bitten out. This unsolved crime, and the legend of the inhuman killer, directly links to the 'Werewolf Bellboy' threat. Kyu's detached, artistic fascination with the macabre offers a chilling counterpoint to Sakuya's growing horror.

Leaving Kyu, Sakuya's mind races with the newly unearthed history, confirming his deepest fears. His dread solidifies into chilling reality when his flashlight illuminates a fresh trail of blood on the red carpet. His heart pounds as he follows the gruesome path, his hands shaking, each step deepening the certainty of what he will find. The trail leads him into a darkened room, filled with more unsettling animal trophies.

At the end of the blood trail stands the 'Werewolf Bellboy,' a terrifying figure in a wolf mask, wielding a large blade. Sakuya is paralyzed, his fear freezing him in place as the killer advances. A frantic chase ensues, Sakuya desperately trying to escape through the dark, unfamiliar hallways. Trapped in a storage room, the killer lunges, brutally stabbing Sakuya in the chest. His life drains away, leaving him motionless and alone, the killer's indifferent departure a chilling finality.

Sakuya awakens with a jolt, finding himself in his hotel room, Lilithea calmly overseeing his recovery. He realizes she has revived him, her 'lap pillow' technique a familiar, if unsettling, comfort. Disoriented but alive, he quickly recounts his harrowing, fatal encounter with the 'Werewolf Bellboy.' The revival is a deus ex machina, but one that only underscores the supernatural elements at play.

Sakuya and Lilithea rush to the lobby, where chaos has erupted, crew members shouting in panic. Yuriyu is terrified, clinging to the director, as Sakuya pushes through the crowd. In the center of the room, a horrifying spectacle awaits: Jungo Nakuji's severed head, grotesquely displayed in the open mouth of the large dragon statue. Blood drips from the statue's teeth, confirming the 'Werewolf Bellboy's' deadly intentions are real, and the killing has truly begun.