(Sutamai) 'Tonight, You and I Will Unravel a Mystery ♥', Part 4

[nhp]

EVENT STORY INDEX

25.

 

-European Manor: Hall-

 

Rei: D-Did you figure something out, Yui-san?

 

Yui: Yeah.

The second “Mi” from the top—this “E” piano key is the only one with this engraved character. 

In all likelihood, it’s telling us to get rid of the two horizontal lines from the letter “E” to make it an “L”.

 

Natsume: So that means it’s not “ADEEE” but......

 

Shindo: ...... ADELE. So what you’re saying is that the riddle spells out that doll’s name.

 

Yui: Exactly.

 

Rei: So does that mean the doll is the key to finding out where the drugs are hidden!?

 

Yui: No.

Helman Paul’s diary was locked away in the drawer in the underground library.

And with Shindo-san’s help, I was able to grasp bits and pieces of its contents.

Turns out, it’s pretty much confirmed that he went from drowning himself in the pain of writing to overdosing on drugs.

 

Rei: !

 

Kaname: Hmmm...... So you helped him read it.

 

Shindo: ...... When we get back, I’m going to tally up everything and outright demand from Kujo the additional charges for the overtime work.

I never overlook a reason to inflate a sum of money once I’ve left it to accumulate after all.

 

Yui: Taking that into account, it’s only natural to assume that he obtained the drugs for the purpose of self-use.

Thus, it’s hard to believe that he would purposefully leave behind hints in this sort of manner for a second party to find.

 

Sugano: So what you’re saying is......

 

Makoto: That there’s a high chance of this being the thing that “your side” is looking for.

 

Shindo: ......

 

Yui: Whether there’s a letter or something crammed inside...

Or if that doll itself holds any meaning......

It’s better to get the original recipient in question to have a look at it once first.

 

Kaname: ...... Is it okay if we take this with us?

 

Seki: There’s no reason for us to confiscate it if it’s unrelated to the drugs.

But we’ll have you let us examine it a little afterwards. If there is a chance that it has something to do with the drugs then by all means, send it our way.

 

Kaname: ...... Got it.

 

Sugano: Well, I’ll be~ You were totally the great detective there, Yui-san!

 

Aoyama: So now all that’s left is what we’re looking for, huh......

 

Yui: I also have a theory regarding that matter.

 

Rei: Huh?

 

Yui: It’s here.

 
 

Yui-san gave the piano a few knocks.

 
 

Yui: I suggest that you have a real good look inside.

 

Aoyama: Inside?

 

Rei: (Even if you say that, the support bar for the piano’s lid is broken so we can’t really see inside......)

 
 

Holding the light in one hand, I moved my face closer and somehow managed to peer into the piano.

 
 

Rei: (Guh, there’s so much dust!!)

 

Aoyama: Do you see anything?

 

Natsume: Nope, nothing......

 

Rei: Aah...... Aaahh......

ATCHOO!!

 

[POOF]

 

Aoyama & Natsume: PFFUAH!?

 

Rei: Oh no.

 
 

The dust that was blown away the moment I sneezed ended up assaulting Aoyama-san and Natsume-kun’s face.

 
 

Rei: S-Sorry!

 

Natsume: Oh, man...... I think some of it got into my mouth......

 

Aoyama: Izumi...... You better prepare yourself later.

 

Rei: T-That was an unfortunate accident just now!!

 

Seki: There doesn’t appear to be anything inside, Yui......?

 

Yui: ...... When I examined the dust covering this piano, there was a slight reaction in the reagent coming from a portion of it.

 

Natsume: !?

 

Rei: ...... N-Natsume-kun, just now, you said that some of it went into your mouth!

 

Yui: No need to worry.

Although the drug is mixed in with the dust, it won’t have any effect on your body seeing as there's only a small trace of it.

I tested the dust on the windowsills and sofas in the room, and from a number of places, and none of them produced a reaction.

So even if, for example, a portion of it was circulating in the air...

It’s safe to say that it won’t have any effect on our body amounting to the degree at which we’ve been inside here for today’s investigation. 

 

Sugano: If that’s what Yui-san says, then there’s no mistaking it~

Thank God.

 

Kyosuke: Yeah, thankfully...... I was thinking that maybe that was also the reason why my brother started feeling worse.

 

Makoto: (...... In the end, it all seemed to work out for the best. But if it was circulating in the air...... Then that would’ve been my downfall.)

(It might be necessary to be even more prudent in regard to allowing Kyosuke to come along next time......)

(...... But coming from a research-gathering standpoint, this harvest was't all that bad......)

 

Arakida: (Sensei is taking notes at an amazing speed......)

 

Yui: Nevertheless, while it was miniscule, the dust within this piano still did produce a relatively notable reaction.

 

Seki: ...... So it’s this, huh.

 

Yui: Even if we consider that the piano hasn’t been tuned, the sounds it produces are odd no matter how you look at it.

If the “large amount of drugs” that we’re looking for does in fact exist, then......

It’s most likely inside this piano.

 

 

27.

 

-European Manor-

 
 

We received permission from the owner of said piano, and...

It was decided that it would be taken into custody of the Narcotics Control Department. Thus, the investigation ended without accident.

Leaving behind Seki-san and Aoyama-san, who were waiting on the piano retrieval team to arrive at the manor, the rest of us withdrew from the premise.

For Yui-san and I who came along with Aoyama-san in his car......

 

-Inside the Car-

 

 

Miyase: Well then, let us depart.

 

Rei: Sorry, and thanks a bunch!

 
 

We ended up catching a lift part-way in the Kujo family car that came to pick up Kaname-kun and Shindo-san.

 
 

Rei: ...... But honestly speaking, that was quite an amazing manor.

Of course, that also goes for the trick mechanisms, but the number of rooms in that place...... All the doors that were lined up in a row looked like they came right out of a dream.

 

Yui: And even with that many lined up, each room had its own completely different set of tricks prepared.

It doesn’t leave any visitors feeling bored.

He was apparently a man quite affluent in the spirit of indulging others.

 

Rei: Indulging......

(Well, I guess Yui-san really did look like he was having fun solving the riddles......)

 

Kaname: Well, you’ve got a point there.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a place with more rooms than the Kujo mansion.

 

Rei: The Kujo mansion is also considerably large...... The second floor might as well be a complete open land.

 

Kaname: The second floor has quite a lot of rooms that are forbidden to enter, so there are a fair few that I don’t know much about or what they’re even used for.

Have you ever been in all the rooms, Kiyoshi-san?

 

Shindo: What’s the point of going into every room that you have no business with?

In the first place...... nearly practically all of them are locked.

 

Miyase: That is true. On the whole, I’m in charge of the keys.

But there are a number of rooms that only Kujo-san can open.

 

Yui: That is most intriguing. Are they Kujo Soma’s secret rooms?

 

Rei: Kujo-san’s secret rooms......

(Those words somewhat make my heart pound from excitement... and for a different reason......)

 

Kaname: ...... It’s undeniable that Kujo-san’s information gathering is abnormally fast.

There might be a room or something that serves that purpose.

 

Yui: For gathering information, I see.

 

Kaname: For example, something like a monitor room for checking the footage from the surveillance cameras throughout the city?

 

Rei: Ahaha! It certainly sounds like you’ve been reading one too many novels......

(...... Wait. If it’s Kujo-san, then I get a feeling like that wouldn’t be out of the question for him......)

......

 

 

Kaname: You don’t have to dwell on it with such a serious expression since I was 90% kidding.

 

Rei: Wait, then how am I supposed to take in the other 10%!?

 

Yui: ...... That’s what he’s saying, but what’s the truth?

 

Miyase: Well now, who knows?

 

Shindo: ......

 

 

28.

 

-Several days later-

 

-Investigation & Planning Division-

 

Seki: ...... We found our loot under the piano’s soundboard.

 

Rei: !!

 

Seki: At first glance, it was an ordinary grand piano.

But inside it, there were missing parts that definitely should’ve been there.

It seems like there were strange compartments that shouldn’t have existed either.

Perhaps it was originally made to “store things”.

 

Imaoji: But the particulars behind him obtaining that piano and around when...

It’s not something we can find out now that his wife has passed away.

 

Yui: And his daughter kept a distance from the manor.

So it seems like she hardly visited home.

 

Aoyama: We have no choice but to retrace the origins of the piano from the thing itself.

 

Seki: Yeah. We’re talking about it being a long time ago so it might prove difficult to trace, but......

Can I leave you two in charge of it, Aoyama? Natsume?

 

Aoyama & Natsume: Roger that.

 

Rei: What about the matter of Helman Paul’s death being a cold case?

 

Seki: Right. The diary that was also found in the manor became our deciding factor.

We’ve concluded that his demise was a suicide from drug abuse.

...... Hattori-san had already extensively looked into it.

And it seems like he was just waiting on that one final piece of evidence to confirm it all.

 

Rei: That’s...... impressive of him, or how should I put it......

 

Seki: Having said that, there’s still a bit left before we can fully close off the case.

But it’s a really big deal that that quantity of drugs wasn’t passed into the hands of smugglers.

Everyone here did a fantastic job.

 

Rei: (That’s such a relief......)

 

Natsume: ...... Oh, by the way.

That doll that Kaname-kun and the others took home with them...

So it was the “wedding present” after all?

 

Seki: Yeah. I haven’t heard the details, but......

Looks like it was what they were searching for in the end.

 

Yui: ...... I see.

 

 

29.

 

-At the same time-

 

-Kujo Household: Living Room-

 

[CLICK]

 

Kujo: ......

 

Kaname: ...... Oh.

 

Kirishima: Kujo-san! How’d it go?

 

Shindo: Have you finished talking on the phone?

 

Kujo: ...... I have formally received consent concerning the transfer of legal rights for the property.

 

Kirishima: Whoo hoo! You did it!

 

Miyase: Truly a job well done everyone. I shall prepare a cup of tea for you straight away, Kujo-san. 

 

Kujo: Yes, if you could.

 

Kirishima: But still, man...... The pattern on the doll’s dress was a music sheet? And that song was a message?

Writers sure think up hard stuff.

 

Kaname: So what song was it after all?

 

Kujo: ...... The song is said to be written by a certain German composer who prayed for his daughter’s happiness upon her birth.

 

Miyase: ......

 

Kujo: He was as stubborn as his daughter had outright said that he was.

Even if his personality had allowed him to wholeheartedly celebrate, there was no familial bond between them.

And yet, he reached the decision to prepare that doll in advance anyway.

That’s an aspect of human nature that can’t be understood from any literary work.

 

Kaname: ...... If that’s the case, then the same goes for the riddle with the piano.

He probably prepared that in the hope that she would play it.

 

Miyase: That could be so.

It does appear that his daughter is familiar with German musical notation as it was part of her involvement with club activities during her school years.

 

Kaname: But...... in the end, he wasn’t able to give it to her...

... That something that he had prepared and worked so hard at being honest with himself on.

 

Shindo: ......

 

Miyase: ......

 

 

Kirishima: ...... Then that’s great news!

 

Miyase: Huh?

 

Kujo: ......

 

Kaname: Koya-kun...... Have you been listening at all?

 

Shindo: It’s no use Kaname.

Even if he was listening, I doubt this anthropoid would be able to understand such delicate human emotions.

 

Kirishima: Damn you piss me off with every little thing......

Who you telling “and throw boy” to! I ain't so happy as to be jumping around playing!

 

• Ruijinen (anthropoid AKA an ape) is what Shindo uses to call Kirishima. Kirishima hears this as “runrun-jin” (meaning a happy/bouncy/spirited person). I changed it around a bit in English so that it would flow better. 

 

Kaname: ...... An anthropoid.

 

Kirishima: I dunno anything about delicate feelings or whatever, but is it really something to be making a troubled face over?

He wasn’t able to hand it to her himself, but thanks to you guys, it was properly delivered right?

 

Kaname: !

 

Miyase: ......

 

Kirishima: So ain’t that great news!

 

Shindo: ......

 

Kujo: ...... That’s right.

 

Miyase: Yes. It’s just as Kirishima-san says.

 

Kaname: ...... Sometimes, I think you’re an amazing idiot, Koya-kun.

 

Kirishima: What’d you say!?

 

Kaname: I’m saying that you’re “an amazing idiot” not that you’re “amazingly an idiot”.

 

Kirishima: That’s the same thing!

You little...... Even though I went and finally complimented you all on a job well done too!

 

Kaname: Wait—cut it out—I can’t breathe......!

 

Shindo: Sigh...... You really are an idiot to the point of it being admirable.

 

Kirishima: What was that!?

 

Shindo: (...... Kaname’s words just now were praising you.)

 

Kujo: ......

 

 

30.

 

-Investigation & Planning Division-

 

Imaoji: ...... But to think that it was Yui-san who apparently played a very active role this time.

 

Rei: You really were amazing, Yui-san!

You were just like a detective from a mystery novel when you were explaining the riddle behind the doll.

 

Natsume: Can’t you switch out jobs? If you’re going from Matori to being a detective, then you have Naruse-san as a previous example.

 

Aoyama: God, don’t bring him up.

 

Yui: If we’re speaking of active roles, then wouldn’t it be Izumi who was moving around the most that day?

 

Rei: Ahahaha...... No, I just wasted energy moving around a lot.

I wasn’t able to unravel a majority of the riddles either so I couldn’t do a single thing.

I went with such high spirits of wanting to be useful, so I’m so ashamed of myself......

 

Seki: That’s not true.

 

Yui: Seki-san is right. Someone who hasn’t done anything wouldn’t be so dirty.

 

Rei: Huh?

 

Aoyama: Oh yeah, you’re definitely dirty.

 

Natsume: You’re filthy alright. You also stuck your head in a strange fireplace after all.

 

Rei: I’ll admit that I’m not clean but can you not just say that in a nicer way?

 

Yui: With academics or sports or anything else, the people who put in that last bit of effort will garner attention easier and receive praise.

However, success is something founded on by past trial and errors.

 

Rei: ...... Trial and errors......

 

Yui: Tsuduki-san’s pointers were a big help.

But I was also able to come to a conclusion thanks to everyone there and their subsequent actions.

If I may personally state my opinion, I don’t believe that there was anyone who didn’t play an active role this time.

 

Rei: ...... Yui-san......

 

Yui: A sense of fulfillment will not always necessarily be had from helping others.

I am thankful that you were there with us for this case, Izumi.

In my eyes, that alone is plenty enough of credit towards you?

 

Rei: ...... Yeah. Thank you so much......

(Oh jeez...... Thanks to Yui-san saying something so nice out of the blue, I’m getting all teary-eyed......)

 

Yui: !! Halt! Stay like that!!

 

Rei: Huh?

 

Natsume & Aoyama: ?

 

Imaoji & Seki: ......?

 
 

Yui-san returned to his Lab with a flourish.

And hastily came back in the next moment.

 
 

Rei: !?

 
 

He propped up what appeared to be a cotton pad directly below my eyes.

 
 

Yui: Come now! Don’t hold yourself back and let the waterworks flow!

 

Seki: ...... Yui.

 

Rei: ...... I was sucked in from it all being too much, but......

God! You had to go and ruin it!!

 

Aoyama: Just when I was silently listening because you were saying something decent for once......

 

Natsume: Kotaro-san is Kotaro-san after all.

 

Imaoji: I’m relieved.

 

Rei: (It was all for naught, but Yui-san really is......)

...... Amazing, isn’t he?

 

Yui: Hm? What was that?

 

Rei: Nope, nothing at all!

 

Seki: ...... This meeting is adjourned.

I hate to keep you all back here for overtime today as well.

But shall we split the work and wrap things up?

 

Everyone: Sure!

 
* * *
 

There are nights when you feel down for not being able to have achieved anything.

There are nights when you feel like crying because you had wanted to be useful.

In order to drown out those types of regrets... 

I carved Yui-san’s powerful words inside me.

“You’re not the only one who can place value upon yourself.”

“You’re not the only one who’s looking at you.”

The day that those words become my saving grace...

I’m sure that there will be many of them ahead of me.

For the wind blowing on this long autumn night of musings...

It carried away with it these whimsical thoughts.

And with no destination in sight, it continued to run its course.