V1C1 Part2

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“I have a request for you.”

A few minutes later, Natsunagi — who just returned from the washroom — took a seat in front of my desk and turned to face me.

“First off, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“I want you to apologize for soiling my fingers.”

“You want me to apologize!?”

How is this fair? Even if you gathered every bit of unfairness in this world, it still wouldn’t amount to the insanity here.

“I’d like to send those words right back at you!”

“What? You’re acting as if you didn’t enjoy that just now.”

That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!

What’s with this girl? Did she come here expecting some manzai comedy duo from a man she’s just met?

“What about you? Would you be fine with a total stranger doing that to you?”

“Eh…? T-That’s…”

Just as I thought Natsunagi’s eyes began to wander, she replied.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t want someone doing that to me. So that’s normal…”

“Huh? Why are you blushing a little? And what do you mean “normal”?”

Wait, her super sadist persona completely vanished for a second there. In fact, I’m starting to suspect she’s the exact opposite.

…I guess I should confirm then.

“Instead of being loved1?”

“I want to love.”

“Instead of being tied down?

“I want to be tied up…”

“Money’s tight this month.”

“I can lend you some. How much do you need?”

“A complete masochist…”

“Wh—!”

Natsunagi stammered, dumbfounded by the fact thrown in her face.

Seriously, where did all that force from the girl earlier go?

“Y-You’re wrong! I’m not into that stuff! …More importantly, can you please not throw off the conversation like that? I came here because I have a request for you!”

Whether it was anger, shyness, or the afterschool sunset— her cheeks were dyed a slight red before she slammed the desk and stood up. Mhm, I see. It looks like bullish is her default stance.

I spent a moment taking deep breaths before Natusnagi finished.

“There’s a person I’m looking for.”

She said looking at me, completely serious.

Hmm, a missing person. That’s why she wants a famous detective.

“You’re Kimizuka Kimihiko… aren’t you?”

…Geez, she won’t let me go unless I answer huh.

“Yes. My family name has been Kimizuka since before I was born, and my name has been Kimihiko since the day I was born.”

“You’re a famous detective, aren’t you?”

“Sadly my grandfather was not a famous detective and I don’t have any experience in taking weird drugs that make me look like a child again2. You’re mistaking me for someone else.”

”Mistaking you?”

Natsunagi’s eyebrows twitched and shot up in response.

“Have you seen the paper?”

“The newspaper?”

I said, searching my memory… but, I have no idea what exactly Natsunagi is trying to point out here.

“The evening paper from three days ago. “Purse-snatcher caught thanks to a high school boy” it said.”

“Ohh, that.”

“Yeah, that — if I thought this would end with an “oh that” then I wouldn’t have done all this.”

As she said that, Natsunagi turned her schoolbag upside down and spilled its contents on the floor.

“All of them are articles about you.”

They were a large number of newspaper article clippings.

“…You’ve done your research.”

Plastered on the front of these articles were pictures of my face and name. Yeah, I really have no idea what she means by “have you seen the paper”.

“Let’s see, “Super high school boy prevents wire transfer fraud!”, “Looking for a pet? Look no further than young man K as he finds a lost kitten yet again!”, “Two lives saved in the middle of a lifesaving specialist’s school commute.” — If you are trying to tell me you aren’t a famous detective, then who the hell are you?”

This is my current daily life. I’m already used to it, this disposition for getting into trouble.

It’d be nice to not always have to have the famous detective title — but I get what she’s trying to say.

“Those are exaggerated. Don’t overestimate me.”

Whenever I encounter a case — and am lucky enough to solve it — it’s thanks solely to my natural disposition. That’s right, it’s not like I have some kind of special skill or anything.

There was a time where I put too much trust in my experience, and I was shown what a useless piece of crap it all was. I was taught that first hand one year ago.

That’s why I don’t want to be overestimated again. Sorry, I’m not a detective anymore — right now, an ordinary comfortable life is surely what suits me best.

“Very modest of you.”

“Well thanks.”

“I wasn’t complimenting you.”

“You weren’t?”

“Why should I praise someone who doesn’t have a proper grasp of their own ability?”

I see, that was her own attempt at sarcasm just now.

“I think it’s strange for a complete stranger to judge my ability when I can’t even judge it myself.”

“You think you know yourself best? That’s what they call arrogance.”

Natsunagi crossed her arms around her chest and let out a “Hmph”.

“Subjective opinions are the most unreliable thing in the world. What’s most important is always the objective truth.”

She pulled me towards herself.

Her moist lips were suddenly in front of me. Her breath was both sweet and warm.

Her piercing ruby eyes focused directly at my glabella.

“The one who solved these cases is certainly you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think of them as achievements, results are results and strangers are free to have their own opinion, no?”

That honest and arrogant look in her eyes felt very familiar — like someone who’s no longer around anymore.

“…You said you were looking for someone right?”

This close contact really is a bit much.

I took my hand and pushed Natsunagi’s shoulder away and stood facing each other.

“I am but…”

I have to admit, that was easier than I thought.

It’s not like I’m saying this out of pride, but I didn’t think Natsunagi’s words were especially moving, and I didn’t plan on losing an argument.

It’s just that now that I’ve seen that face, there’s no use in fighting back.

Good grief, I’ve really been trained huh.

“Will you be my detective?”

Suddenly Natsunagi’s face lit up in surprise. Seeing this I thought she looked surprisingly childish as her facial expression repeatedly changed like a little girl’s.

“No, I won’t be a detective. But—”

“But?”

“I don’t mind being an assistant.”

I said, as Natsunagi muttered “what’s that supposed to mean?” and cracked a wry smile.

Sorry, but that’s been my position since 4 years ago now.

“So? Who’s this person you’re looking for?”

Thinking that a missing person wouldn’t take too much time, I stretched my arms as Natsunagi replied seriously.

“No clue, I don’t know. I want you to find who exactly I’m looking for.”

I see, that makes sense. That’s a fitting problem for a girl who said “subjective opinions are the most unreliable thing in the world”.”

Reference to a 90’s J-Pop song “Aisareru Yori Aishitai”. Video, Lyrics (w/ English & Romaji). This is the plot of Case Closed (also known as Detective Conan)

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