nhp | (Sutamai) Event: ‘The Maiden Detective in Love’, Part 2

31.

Day two of the detective work—

-Naruse Detective Agency-

Naruse: Today’s request is an investigation into the suspicion of Sakaseki Corporation’s embezzlement.

Rei: Sakaseki Corporations, as in—!

Aoyama: That’s quite another big-name company you got there.

Naruse: You would also look good working in trades, Aoyama. Rigid in the afternoon, and with a flexible approach at night as you carry out attending to the guests, becoming the number one performing employee—

Oh, gosh! My imagination can’t catch a break when I’m with you ♡

Rei: Does it stop working when you’re not together?

Naruse: It’s always on, running 24/7, obviously!

My mornings start off with a perfectly cold greeting from the Aoyama Itsuki of my heart!

Rei: So it’s not a sweet good morning or anything, huh…

Naruse: Girl, you don’t get it at all.

Pay attention, okay? What’s important in a fantasy love is a touch of reality! Now note that down in your heart!

Aoyama: Moving back on track. We’re talking the Sakaseki Corporations here—a major enterprise—so how did you get hold of this request?

Naruse: Hmph. We private detectives make our living in this desert of a city. You can’t survive without all kinds of connections on you ♪

Aoyama: For all your delusions and whatnot, your job is sound and secure, huh.

Naruse: Not like you didn’t already know that ♡

Aoyama: …

Naruse: That being said, we’ll be meeting with the informant shortly.

Aoyama: And the details of this informant?

Naruse: Oh, right, about that. He’s someone you guys know—

(*Gasp*! Now is the chance for ‘Step Three’, isn’t it?)

……

Rei: Naruse-san?

Naruse: I-It’s nothing! It’s a secret, is what! Yes, a secret!

Aoyama: What?

Rei: A secret?

Naruse: Anyhow, let’s get going!

Rei: (???)

* * *

-Traditional Restaurant-

Hiyama: I’ve been waiting.

Rei: Hiyama-san!?

Hiyama: Izumi, and Aoyama too, I see.

I assume that means the NCD are also involved in this matter then.

Naruse: They’re just my seasonal little helpers.

Naruse-san shifted his gaze towards us.

Naruse: Our informant this time is him.

Hiyama: I’m pleased to know that you’re relying on me.

I’ve been thinking of how I want to return the favour for that matter the other day.

Naruse: It was intel that I wanted off my hands, so I’m glad if it was of use to you in some way.

Hiyama: You do good work, Naruse. I’ll have to get you to let me call on you from now on as well whenever I need to.

Naruse: Of course ♪ It’s a principle of mine to not turn down a request from a handsome man.

Rei: (… The client for the search for the cat was a granny who lived by herself.)

I replayed the exchange that had passed on when we went to hand over lil Colin whom we had found.

You could gather from their topic of conversation that Naruse-san regularly visited that granny and kept her company.

Rei: (He may say it so that it sounds like he only helps out good-looking men…)

(But I’m positive that there’s something also resembling a warm sentiment in his basis for taking on a job.)

33.

-Traditional Restaurant-

Rei: (Still, Naruse-san and Hiyama-san knew each other through their work, huh.)

(Well, I guess it’s not unusual seeing as they’re a detective and informant…)

Naruse: That aside… you look lovely even in that traditional garment.

Hiyama: Thanks. Someone I’m familiar with picked it out for me.

Rei: (I wonder if it’s Kagura-san? Probably it… since it really does suit him to a tee.)

Aoyama: Does this restaurant perhaps have a dress code?

Hiyama: No, I actually had a work-related tea ceremony before coming here.

It’s nothing more than a coincidence that this confidential talk came up after that.

But it’s a rather fitting outfit, don’t you reckon?

Rei: As in the kimono matches the place?

Hiyama: When speaking of a ‘confidential talk’, then it has to be “Echigo-ya and the Dishonest Magistrate”.

All three: Huh??

Rei: (… So basically, Hiyama-san’s train of thought goes something like—)

(Wearing a traditional outfit at another matter = secretly offering up information at a restaurant = a confidential talk = ??? = “Echigo-ya and the Dishonest Magistrate” = going all in with the kimono look!)

(Is that right??)

Naruse: (I did think how sometimes the conversation goes down a strange path when talking to him, but this person really can have his head in the clouds…)

(His well-sculpted face and the flawless manner in which he carries out his job—)

(Even the way he naturally comes off as asserting his superiority is something I had believed to be more or less my type, but…)

Hiyama: Izumi.

Rei: Yeah?

Hiyama: Speaking of Echigo-ya, how would you respond to the line, “You, sir, are quite the felon indeed”?

Rei: Excuse me!?

Hiyama: …

Rei: (… W-Wait, does that mean… he wants my answer as ‘Echigo-ya’?)

Ugh…

“Nay, my lord, certainly not as much as you are! Gehehehe”.

Hiyama: Your skit is pretty good.

Rei: I’m flattered you think so…

Naruse: (Being an airhead in that respect too—don’t you have too much power here!? That gap in personality—! No, please! I’m weak against that sort of thing!)

Aoyama: Can we get down to business already?

Naruse: Oh, yes, of course—Hiyama-san.

Hiyama: Let us commence this talk in confidence then, shall we?

36.

-Traditional Restaurant-

Hiyama: There’s no doubt that Sakaseki Corporations is pouring the funds into ‘Lyco Productions’, a mid-end showbiz firm.

But not all the executives in the company are aware of the embezzlement in this situation.

I can attest up to that much.

Naruse: I’m just going to flat out ask, but is this intel highly credible?

Hiyama: I said that this was me returning the favour for the information the other day. I don’t take half measures in my job.

Naruse: Thanks. I suppose this means we’ll need to look into Lyco Productions as soon as possible.

I took out my phone and did a search for Lyco Productions.

Rei: (Oh!)

An article titled, ‘A juicy talk between some of the hottest actors on screen!’ was trending.

Rei: Um, so hey, Kyosuke-kun recently did a magazine interview with an actor from Lyco Productions.

Aoyama: What nice timing.

Rei: Right! He may be getting wind of rumours in the industry that outsiders would have a hard time latching on to, so I’ll try giving him a call.

The timing really couldn’t have been any better as it turned out that Kyosuke-kun had the day off today, and it ended with him offering to provide us information.

* * *

-Traditional Restaurant: Walkway-

Before leaving the restaurant, I went to do my business in the bathroom, and just as I was making my way back—

Hiyama: Miss.

Rei: Oh, Hiyama-san. Is everyone already hanging tight outside then?

Hiyama: No, I wanted to have a word with just the two of us, so I was waiting here.

Rei: Huh?

Hiyama: I realise that what I’m about to say is needless advice, but…

You would do best not to pry too far into the matter of Lyco Productions.

Rei: !

Hiyama: I’ve heard the gist of things. This isn’t directly related to your work in the NCD, right?

The instant a questionable trail in the flow of funds connected to the entertainment industry popped up, there became a high possibility of criminal activity being in the play.

While the steps to be taken to gather information doesn’t present any problem, you should refrain from breaking into the scene.

I don’t want to have to see you get hurt, after all.

Rei: !

My heart was on the cusp of giving out a thump at those straightforward words.

But before it could finish letting out more than a ‘th—’, I reigned in my own emotions with a “hold it there partner!”.

Rei: (This is Hiyama-san we’re dealing with here, so he’s got to be implying that it wouldn’t make him happy to see someone he knows getting injured… Yeah, that’s it.)

Hiyama: Though I reckon even with me warning you, you wouldn’t abandon your duties just like that.

Perhaps that’s why I can’t help but want to take care of you.

Rei: W-What…

Hiyama-san had stopped talking, and was staring intensely at my face.

Hiyama: ……

Rei: (L-Like, the rest of that t-t-thump I cut off earlier is totally going to come out if you suddenly go quiet…)

I was aware that he was just a cluelessly upfront person.

That there was probably no deep meaning to it.

But even then, as I looked up the correct definition for the term ‘to take care of’ inside my head, I…

Rei: T-Thank you for your utmost concern!

You’re that whatchamacallit character, aren’t you! You know, not the corrupt official but the righteous one!

(The heck is a ‘righteous’ official??)

Hiyama: Righteous…

Rei: A-Ahaha… S-Sorry, I kind of said something weird…

Hiyama: ……

… No, you can hardly leave off with only saying that.

Rei: Huh?

Hiyama: You’re a wicked Echigo-ya for making me have these feelings, Miss.

Rei: (S-Someone—! Please give me an antidote against this person’s obliviousness!!)

40.

-Makoto’s House: Living Room-

Kyosuke: Come on in. I’ve been waiting for you guys.

Rei: Sorry for the short notice. You’re a real lifesaver if you could help us out.

Kyosuke: If it’s something I can assist with, then don’t hold back and say whatever it is.

Rei: Thanks!

Naruse: You’re just about as handsome as seen on TV.

Kyosuke: Haha. You’re embarrassing me, but thanks.

Makoto: Seems like we have an unfamiliar face here.

Rei: Oh, Makoto-san! Hello. This person is—

Naruse: I’m Naruse Akira. Nice to meet you.

Naruse-san held out his business card with his work smile switched on.

Makoto: A detective, huh.

Naruse: I’ve read all your works, Mr Makoto Tsuduki.

I must say, I’m able to discover new feelings from within myself at your original take on the inner workings of the mind.

There’s an enjoyment to be had aside from simply digesting the story.

As one of your readers, I’m eagerly awaiting your next publication as well.

Makoto: ……

Naruse: Please reach out to me any time at all if you’re ever in need of material for your writing. I accommodate for a wide range of requests.

Makoto: … Sure.

Rei: (I thought this too with Kujo-san, but boy is he smoothe in doing business.)

(Actually, does he plan on remaining professional in front of Makoto-san?)

Naruse: Still… what a fine man you are.

Makoto: … Pardon?

Naruse: I can also feel the sensuality oozing out from your writing in that stiff expression of yours.

Makoto: What…

Naruse: You’re a different kind of cold and distant to Aoyama, huh. Oh, how it tickles my maiden heart.

Aoyama: Don’t call yourself a maiden.

Makoto: … I see. So you’re the type to express yourself in unique ways. How fascinating.

Kyosuke: That’s a bit rude to say to someone you just met, Brother…

Naruse: It doesn’t bother me. It’s not like I’m keeping my search radar for good-looking men a secret either.

Rei: (That radar’s performance seems to be way up there…)

43.

-Makoto’s House: Living Room-

Kyosuke: About Lyco Productions, I’ve also discussed it with Brother, and there’s a little something there that’s caught our attention.

Makoto: Last year, during the project for a film adaptation, there was a staff who proposed funds outside of the contract’s formal budget.

Kyosuke: I quote, “I’ll pay you, so I’d like for the original creator to request to cast a new talent from Lyco Productions”.

Aoyama: Have we got any information on this person?

Makoto: At most, I believe I’ve still got their business card.

Kyosuke: Unfortunately for us.

Makoto: They rubbed me the wrong way, so I haven’t seen them since.

Makoto-san handed over the business card in question to Naruse-san.

Naruse: ‘Kimura Kazuhiro’…

Kyosuke: He’s currently the chief of the management team.

The shady rumours surrounding him in the industry are on the rise as much as his social status is.

Rei: So something like… he’s paying out the production team and pushing for the actors he’s in charge of?

Kyosuke: There is that, but I’d say the infamous one is his unscrupulous connections.

Aoyama: So basically, he’s got ties to the mafia or gang groups, huh.

Naruse: This is starting to go down a nasty route.

Aoyama: The part where he’s personally using the funds coming in from Sakaseki Corporations is what’s nagging at me.

Rei: Seeing as he’s merely an employee and not an executive, even if he is running in the same circle.

Makoto: He was overly insistent that we keep the matter of the bribery hushed.

I reckon it’s reasonable to assume that his foul play stands independent from the firm.

Aoyama: So in other words, Kimura has some sort of private connection making him move around the funds…

And there’s a high chance that he’s reaping the benefits together with this connection of his.

Rei: If we speculate from the information we have so far…

Then Kimura is working with someone in the underground society, and is extorting money from the staff at Sakaseki Corporations?

Aoyama: It’s a realistic line to be thinking along.

Naruse: We’re narrowing down our target of investigation to this Kimura.

Rei: Got it! I’ll try browsing around anything social media related first. If we can get a grasp on his movements to a certain extent, then…

Kyosuke: In that case, wanna take a shot at infiltrating the exclusive club he frequents?

I can get us through with my face and be your guide.

46.

-Downtown-

11pm—

The time when the neon flashes of the bustling streets became rampant with desire.

-High-end Club-

Kyosuke: Look, there—the person wearing a turtleneck sweater at the entrance.

Rei: It’s the same face as the one in the photo uploaded online!

Aoyama: No mistake about it. That’s Kimura, alright. We’ll monitor him as we keep up the talk.

Rei: Got it!

Naruse: The girl with Kimura-san… is a beauty, huh.

Naruse-san then looked at me.

Naruse: I’m sure you’d also look good with that sort of soft and airy hairstyle, in your own way.

Rei: Huh!? My face is going to break into a grin if you compliment me out of nowhere like that…

Naruse: I’m not giving you a compliment. I’m pointing out the harsh reality of things.

Rei: What…

Naruse: What’s with that updo of yours? There’s not a hint of girlish virtue in it at all.

Rei: I did up my hair simply so that I’d be able to deal with any detective work, like searching for a cat or digging into a person’s background.

Naruse: Oh my… What an adorable way of thinking.

If you ever get sacked from the NCD, then I guess I have no choice but to take you in out of the kindness of my heart.

Rei: I’ll work my butt off with this hairdo so that I don’t get fired!

Naruse: *Giggles* A shame. I’m quite fond of women like you who have guts.

Rei: … I’ve recorded your words in my heart.

Naruse: You better replay it a million times over.

Kyosuke: You two get along well.

Naruse & Rei: Huh?

Aoyama: Gotta hand it to you guys for being able to keep the convo flowing between yourselves. Did you two meet up beforehand or something?

Naruse: Of course not.

Although… it’s a somewhat peculiar feeling when I talk to you.

Rei: Peculiar?

Naruse: It pains me to even say that it makes me feel relaxed… and I don’t want to say that I find it fun either…

Rei: Aren’t you saying it anyway? Ahaha, I’ve noted it down in my heart.

Naruse: *Giggles* Perhaps it’s an easygoing one then.

Kyosuke: I’m sure it’s because you’re both pure girls at heart.

Naruse: … You have my support for life.

Kyosuke: Huh?

Naruse: I’ll pre-order the limited first edition discs of the movies you’re in, even if they’re out-of-this-world expensive.

Aoyama: What the heck…

Kyosuke: Haha, thanks.

Rei: Oh! Kimura has sat down in the sofa seats.

Kyosuke: The woman accompanying him is a fresh actress from Lyco Productions. She even came by my waiting room once before to say hi.

It doesn’t look like he’s brought anyone else with him.

Aoyama: We’ll stand watch for a while.

Rei: Right!

30 minutes later—

Naruse: Oh my, it appears as if they’re getting ready to leave.

Rei: Should we follow them?

Naruse: He was speaking on the phone earlier in the restroom about something that sounded like he was going to meet up with someone after this.

A shady association is one best kept hidden in the dark of the night. If we tail him, we might be able to at least see his other side.

Aoyama: Are you saying… you got hold of such information that time you abruptly stood up from your seat?

Kyosuke: I could take pointers from this. If I ever end up playing the role of a detective or whatever, please let me use you as a reference.

Naruse: By all means. Now then, let’s go after him.

But for you and Tsuduki-kun, girl—this is as far as it gets.

Kyosuke & Rei: What…

Naruse: Aoyama and I alone are more than enough from here on.

It’s not my real intention to seriously get you mixed up in something outrageous.

Especially you, Tsuduki-kun, it’s necessary that we also protect your public image.

Kyosuke: …

Naruse: I’m not going to put you at risk either, girl.

Rei: But this technically counts as work to me, and compared to my everyday job—

Naruse: “It’s less dangerous”—you going to finish that sentence?

Rei: I—! I w-wouldn’t say that…

Naruse: Hear me out here. I’m not leaving you behind because you’re not capable.

It simply goes against my policy to do my job in a way that would deliberately go getting a woman caught up in danger.

Rei: Naruse-san…

Naruse: Right then, dismissed.

Rei: … Understood.

That was all I could say. He had made that upstanding policy of his to be known loud and clear.

Kyosuke: If you want, Rei-san, I can give you a lift—

Woman: EEEEEKKK!!

Rei: !?

Naruse: What in the—!?

50.

-High-end Club-

I looked around for the cause of the disturbance.

And I saw a man in a suit who had gotten closer to where Kimura was, standing to the side of the sofa seats.

He was holding in his hand a knife.

Naruse: That guy—! He’s an employee at Sakaseki Corporations.

Rei: You’re kidding!?

Naruse: There was a photo of his face in the request file as the perpetrator behind the embezzlement.

Kimura: J-Just calm down!

Man: I don’t have any money left to give you! Besides, you were the one to push those women onto me in the first place!!

Even though the trade off was that I could do whatever I like if I signed on to be their sponsor…

You get a kick out of fucking with the mafia and extorting money from me, do you!?

Aoyama: …

Rei: (Aoyama-san?)

He wordlessly got up from his seat, and went to approach the man with the knife in his possession.

Naruse: W-Wait, Aoyama—

Man: Hey! I’ll stab you if you come this way!!

Aoyama: Please calm down. If you’re being threatened by this guy over something, then let’s work things out the correct way.

It won’t be of benefit to you by causing harm to anyone.

Man: SHUT UP!!!

The point of the blade was locked onto Aoyama-san.

Aoyama: …

Rei: (Aoyama-san—!)

Aoyama: Please lower your knife. It’s still not too late to talk things through before you make up your mind… Don’t you think so?

Man: S-SHUT UP!! I’LL KILL YOU ALL!!!

Rei: (Huh—!?)

Kyosuke: …

Naruse: AOYAMA!!

Aoyama: Idiot! Don’t come out!

The tip of the knife glaring with madness—

Naruse: G-Guh!

—pierced Naruse-san in the chest, and his body went limp as it sunk to the floor.

Rei: NARUSE-SAN!!

Kyosuke: !

Man: E-Eep—! W-Wha-Wah…

The man’s knees weakly gave out at what he had just done.

In the midst of turmoil from the screaming of men and women mixed in with the yelling voice of the staff to call the police, Kimura stood there dumbfounded.

Aoyama: Naruse—!

Aoyama-san knelt down beside Naruse-san with a strained expression.

53.

-High-end Club-

Naruse: A-Ao… yama—guh…

Aoyama: Don’t move. I’m going to get a look at your wound now.

Naruse: I-I…

Aoyama: Don’t speak anymore!

Naruse: P-Please… a kiss…

Aoyama: U-Uh… Naruse…

Naruse: Huh, I guess nope.

Aoyama & Rei: !!

Kyosuke: What… He got up…

True to Kyosuke-kun’s murmur of astonishment, Naruse-san nimbly picked himself up.

Aoyama: You, how…

Naruse: Sorry for making you worried, Aoyama.

All the while saying that with a smile, he grabbed the handle of the knife…

And pulled it out with an ease as if a plopping sound effect could be heard going with it.

Aoyama: !?

Following on, Naruse-san reached inside his chest and took out a thick book of some sort.

There was a gaping hole dead centre where the knife had gouged at it.

Aoyama: What is that…

Naruse: It seems like my love for you protected me.

Rei: Your love… What is that book?

Naruse: “Four Simple Steps to Make Your Love Come True ♡ -Upgraded Edition-”.

Kyosuke: To make your love… come true?

Aoyama: In four steps?

Naruse: I’ll explain it properly—once we finish dealing with cleaning up after everything, that is.

56.

-Naruse Detective Agency-

We then underwent some light questioning from the police officers that had rushed onto the scene.

After apologising and saying our thanks to Kyosuke-kun, we parted ways and headed back for the agency.

Aoyama: And? Explain yourself, and keep it short.

Naruse: Oh gosh, that frown of yours is cool as well.

Aoyama: Stop fooling around.

Rei: I’m glad that you’re alright, but I was really scared there for a minute…

Naruse: Honestly, stop making that face. It’s all thanks to this book that I don’t have a scratch on me.

Aoyama: Before and now too—what’s with that book?

Naruse: This, my dear, is…

Naruse-san slowly turned the page of the book with a hole on his lap.

Naruse: Step One, “Make his heart beat faster with some casual physical contact!”

Rei: Huh?

Aoyama: Physical contact…

Naruse: It’s a love spell that I secretly performed ♡

Aoyama: You don’t mean—!

{Flashback}

Naruse: O-Oops! I, like, so tripped again when there’s nothing in my way~!

Aoyama: Oomph—hey! Stop clinging onto me for every single little thing!

{End flashback}

Naruse: Step Two is “Bring up something you want advice on, and aim to quickly close that distance between your hearts ♪”

Aoyama: Something you want advice on…

{Flashback}

Naruse: … Hey, I want your advice on something. It’s really driving me up the wall, and…

Aoyama: What is it? It’s unusual for you to stand on such formality.

{End flashback}

Naruse: Step Three is “Be a mysteriously great woman by putting on a show of having secrets ♪”

Rei: Secrets… Oh!

{Flashback}

Naruse: ……

Rei: Naruse-san?

Naruse: I-It’s nothing! It’s a secret, is what! Yes, a secret!

Aoyama: What?

{End flashback}

Naruse: And Step Four is “Totally become his most closest ally at all times ♪”

Rei: The closest…

Aoyama: Is that why you jumped out in front of the knife?

Naruse: Correct.

… But in that moment, all I wanted to do was protect you.

Aoyama: …

Naruse: I had thought about at least getting a kiss out of it, seeing as I did risk my life and offer up my body and all.

Aoyama: You…

Naruse: Don’t be mad. I said so, didn’t I? That nope, I really couldn’t go through with it.

The feeling of wanting to get rid of that pained expression of yours as fast as possible won out.

Aoyama: ……

Naruse: Plus… the fact that I was able to protect you made me happy more than anything else, and I was more than content with just that.

Aoyama: ……

Rei: Naruse-san…

The term ‘a pure love’ came to my mind.

But it felt like I would have Aoyama-san glaring at me, so I wasn’t going to say it.

Naruse: Though now that I think about it, I feel like I let my biggest chance slip by me.

What do you say, Aoyama? Can you at least pardon a kiss onto someone as fabulously heroic as myself?

Aoyama: ……

60.

-Naruse Detective Agency-

Rei: (W-What exactly does that silence mean?)

Naruse: (Could it be that his feelings are leaning towards the idea that it’s maybe okay to share a kiss with me—)

Aoyama: I know you’re not any broad who would be satisfied with some kiss that’s not coming from the heart…

Naruse: !!

Aoyama: Don’t underestimate your ex-partner, Naruse.

As he said that, he bumped fist with Naruse-san’s shoulder.

That action was done with a strong familiarity, and no doubt, with the perfect amount of force.

I easily pictured inside my head the two of them from the time when they were partners.

Naruse: … Come be my partner again, every now and then.

Aoyama: Can’t make any promises there.

Naruse: Meany *giggles*.

Rei: (Err…)

(All’s well that ends well, I guess?)

It was my first time learning about the reality of working as a detective.

Searching for a cat while taking a stroll through the spring gardens, snooping around students hoping to get married…

And even a dangerous case involving the misuse of funds that went as far as turning into a commotion over attempted murder—

Naruse-san did not place any one of them as being more important above the other.

He faced them all with everything he had, and with care, and while respecting his policies.

Rei: (I’m glad I got to learn about that part of him.)

* * *

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Naruse: Now then! Starting from today, Aoyama and I are partners as fellow narcotics agents!

Aoyama: Don’t just bypass over the whole request we put in for your assistance…

Seki: I’m grateful that you agreed to accept our request, Naruse.

Naruse: Not at all. I don’t dislike rowdy investigations or anything.

I want every one of my handsome men to be happy ♡

Natsume: So it only applies to handsome men then?

Naruse-san gave a short dismissive laugh, and then looked me in the eye.

Naruse: I guess I can let you in the club as well, girl. It’s a reward for your lame hairdo.

Rei: What an honour! Ahaha.

Naruse: But the one I’m always wishing for to be the happiest is you, Aoyama, so don’t you worry.

Aoyama: I’m also praying for your happiness.

Naruse: !!!!

Natsume: What…

Rei: A-Aoyama-san?

Imaoji: I feel like I just witnessed a very fresh reaction…

Naruse: A-Aoyama… just now, w-what did you s-say…

Aoyama: I said that I’m praying for your happiness, Naruse.

Naruse: !!!!!!

Seki: Izumi… did something happen between those two?

Rei: Yeah, a lot went on, but…

Oh! It might be the effect of the steps to love.

Natsume: The steps… to love?

Yui: (Hm? The book on Itsuki’s desk…)

“Four Simple Steps to Make Them Give Up On You ♡ -Upgraded Edition-”

Yui: (What even is that book? There’s not a single brain cell to be found in the title…)

Aoyama: (Step One, “Put them off by suddenly returning a complete one-eighty response ♪”)

Naruse: ……

Rei: Naruse-san? You okay?

Imaoji: He’s completely turned to stone…

Natsume: It’s ‘cause Itsuki-san started being all nice out of nowhere.

Seki: N-Naruse? Are you… alright?

Naruse: … Please just give me a bit of time to catch my breath in another room.

Otherwise, I feel like I’m totally going to faint being next to Aoyama right now.

Aoyama: Get a good rest. A detective’s body is their asset. Take care of yourself.

Naruse: S-Stop it already!! Like, I’m so going to choke from my heart coming out of my mouth!!! I LOVE YOUUU!!!!!

Naruse-san left the room with a face as red as a tomato.

Aoyama: (… That book may be having some effect.)

The capable detective—Naruse Akira.

Even for all his skills, he had not a clue on the whereabouts of his own love.