The Eccentric, the Beauty, and the Detective: Kiriki Junka's Mystery Log Volume 1 Chapter 14

It seemed like he finally had taken an interest.

“His name’s Mitsui Kinya, right? And he was with the 1st division of the prefectural police department until six years ago, was it? If 60’s the retirement age, that’d make him 66 now.”

“Have you figured anything out from that?”

“Something from six years ago. Tomorrow is the Saturday, right? The 6th? Is the library open then?”

“Oh yeah, you just moved in. It’ll be open, though it’ll close 2 hours earlier than usual… wait, is there something there?”

“I don’t know. I just want to check something. As the chairman of the detective association, I’ll bring Mr. Mitsui’s secrets to light, or something. You can feel as at ease as a man boarding a boat made of mud.”

It’d sink.

It was May 6th and the short, yet seemingly long period of golden week would end on the following day. Saturday came, and the customers came in without end. Naturally, Mr. Mitsui came too.

My first part-time job was going to end with the feeling that I had gotten lost in an unknown dimension. The tumultuous subspace I experienced was as a result of meeting Mr. Mitsui, and attempting to uncover his true nature. At the end of tomorrow, on the following Monday, I would once more be returned to the repetition of classes every day. When that occurred, Mitsui Kinya, the Chapeau, MIKI FLOWERS, and the purse-snatcher would all walk towards their futures without concern for me. That thought made me feel a little lonely.

Mr. Mitsui left at 2:00 as expected. Once I’d returned home, I reported it to Junka over the phone.

“So, how was it? Did you learn anything at the library?”

“I’m going to the Chapeau tomorrow,” came his evasive answer, “Let’s talk with Mr. Mitsui then, since I’ve never met him before. The only issue is whether or not he’ll talk to me.”

“You’ve found something. Tell me.”

“Tomorrow’s the final day of golden week, isn’t it, Rouji-kun? You should focus on your job without worrying about this little episode, then give me the money that you’ve earned, please.”

Who would do that?

A thought came to mind, “Can I call Iidsan tomorrow? I bet she’ll want to know, too.”

“That’s fine. Actually, she’s our detective association’s secretary, so her attendance is a matter of course.”

And so, we were visited by the 7th of May.

“You did well, boy. I’ve changed my mind about you. Enjoy your last day of work.”

I almost felt some tears welling up when Sakura complimented me with a smile.

“I’d like you to continue to work for us, but you’re still in high school, after all,” spoke Harue heartily.

Her baby was due soon, and Toshiharu stood affectionately close beside her.

“Now then, let’s open!”

The shop got crowded early, it being the end of golden week. Out of all the hundreds of customers I had seen while at work, the many regulars spoke volumes of the truth behind the long history of the shop and how well established it was in the area. I was finally able to take a breather after the breakfast rush. Mitsui Kinya was sat in his otherwise empty four-seater table. Looking at him now made me realise that it was already 11 o’clock. He’d become a human time-piece.

Junka appeared after the lunch rush at 1:45pm. He entered the store, bent forward, making a scissor-like motion with the index and middle fingers of both hands.

Proudly proclaiming, “Ｉ ＡＭ ＡＮ ＡＬＩＥＮ,” while swaggering into the store in a crab-walk, completely red in the face with embarrassment.

Don’t do it, if you’re going to be embarrassed like that.

“Yo, Rouji-kun. You seem to be in high-spirits this shift,” teased Junka.

A little behind him, Nao smiled.

“I’ve come yet again, Suzaku-kun. You’re clearly on the floor today, with that outfit.”

I brought the two to their seats, and the surrounding gazes gathered on Junka. While I’d gotten totally used to it, Junka was still a pretty-boy. I’d started to forget that.

Right beside Mr. Mitsui, the two of them each ordered a cafe au lait. Oh? Learning from Mr. Mitsui, eh?

“Oi, did you come here to relax?” I smacked Junka upside the ear, “Or are you going to solve the puzzle.”

Junka shook his head.

“Let’s leave him be until 2:00 at least.”

Mr. Mitsui sat with his latte, having faced the window since 11:00am. The gravitas of his figure made him difficult to approach.

My eyes fell to my watch as I worked. It was 2 o’clock on the button.

“Excuse me,” Mr. Mitsui hailed me with a raised hand.

“One omelette rice, please.”

I thought for a second that I had misheard him. Mr. Mitsui ordered food for the first time after nothing but cafe au laits for the entirety of golden week.

“One omelette rice, right?”

I gave the order to the manager.

That was when Junka made his move. He stood from his seat, and sat down on the sofa in front of Mr. Mitsui with Nao in tow.

Junka held his hands together on the table, sat directly in front of Mr. Mitsui, who’s eyes went wide.

After that, Junka said something to Mr. Mitsui. Despite Mr. Mitsui’s gravitas, Junka maintained his posture, and spoke directly.

I didn’t have an opportunity to listen to their conversation. I would have had an opportunity to catch some of their conversation when I brought his omelette rice, but they stopped talking when I approached. They resumed their talk when I walked away.

Oi, oi, is that really necessary?

Once he had finished his omelette rice, Mr. Mitsui paid his bill and left. Junka and Nao also gulped down their orders, and also went out of the shop.

In the end, I hadn’t been able to hear anything.

“Thanks for the hard work!”

Sakura patted my shoulder. I had already changed into my regular clothes and was about to head home.

“This is where we part, eh, boy. I’m a little reluctant to let you go.”

“Even though you still call me ‘boy’.”

“Like I’d call a whelp like you by your name. Well… I suppose… Yeah, you did well, Suzaku.”

My chest burned.

“Thank you so much, Senpai.”

I bowed to the husband and wife pair of Toshiharu and Harue as well.

“I was really in your care this time. I’ll come visit the shop again.”

“We’ll welcome you gladly. Be well.”

“Be careful on your way home. Your pay will be deposited in your account, so I’ll be looking forward to your visit”

“Thank you!”

As I made my voyage through the great seas of life, I bid my farewell to the gull I’d happened upon by chance, known as the Chapeau.

It was school again tomorrow. I flopped onto my bead, groaning in exhaustion from the day. Drowsiness invaded my mind, driving all thoughts aside, and I finally fell into a deep slumber… when the tone for an incoming call rang on my cell-phone. I angrily took up the smart phone in my hand, having been awoken from my rest. It was Junka.

“Hello?”

“Yo, Rouji-kun, it’s about Mr. Mitsui…”

I woke up in an instant.

“That’s it. I wanted to ask about that.”

“Then I’m coming over.”

“Can’t you tell me over the phone? I’ve got unlimited hours, so you can hang up and I’ll call you back.”

“It’ll be faster if I come over. I taped the conversation on a field recorder.”

“I see…”

Junka was in my room only five minutes later, docily drinking some coffee.

“There’s a little background noise, but give it a listen.”

He pressed play on his recorder, and I listened intently.

Translator's Note:

I still get half blindsided by the sprinkling of metaphors and elegant writing amid all the casual speech of the characters and Rouji's usual thought process.

Editor’s Note:

The suspense is actually intriguing! Let's see if any of you guessed correctly!

Chapter end