Although it was a bit anticlimactic, I believe he truly killed her. Also, the one in the tree was probably the little sister's spirit. They do that in manga sometimes.
I agree with anonymous, that was Naoko, but it really happened fast
could you please look more forward into the manga? is not finish yet!
and anyway that girl had supernatural power.. so its obvious that the case will be finish really fast. use your head!
I agree with Anonymous. I felt that the conclusion was incredibly dull compared to the pain Kuze was feeling throughout the whole story. I was expecting him to almost beat the killer to death and Fuyuki would have then stopped him or he would have regained control over himself after a while. But I suppose the point is to show that he has somewhat gotten over the past and the guilt and is able to think rationally in that situation. I also think the girl in the tree is Naoko's spirit or embodiment of some kind. I wonder what happens next in the story :)
I actually think there's more to the case than what people originally thought. I think he thought he killed her, but something might've happened afterwards.... We never saw a full scene of her death.
i agree to ''crazy people''
Am i the only one who thinks that the whole crime was solved a bit to quickly i have a small feeling that he isn't the real killer.. Also that stalker on top of the tree was quite suspicious... It seams like a girl? Ghost? Human?
....
I should really stop reading more into the manga :3