Chapter 5

“—Why’d you go and die first, you moron?” I didn’t have feelings for you or anything. It was the same for you, wasn’t it? You and I weren’t lovers, and I’m sure we weren’t even really friends. We were detective and assistant—just business partners, in an odd way. But… But still… You recruited me, remember? You can’t just die and leave me after that. At least tell me good-bye before you go. “Is that why you came back?” To say good-bye? Or maybe… “I’m looking forward to continuing this relationship.” As Natsunagi spoke, she smoothly stepped away from me. Her face was— No, I really must have been imagining it that time. But I could almost see a faintly familiar hundred-million-watt smile. The detective is already dead After that, Ms. Fuubi came to pick us up, and Natsunagi and I followed her out of the prison. “Did you get to ask your questions?” Hands on the police car’s steering wheel, Ms. Fuubi directed the question at us, in the back seat. “…Yes, more or less.” Natsunagi’s eyes were still red, and I answered for her. “Wow. His lips have gotten surprisingly loose.” “It probably depends on the topic. He won’t say a word about that other subject, will he?” “That other subject” was why Siesta had captured Bat alive on that plane. Ms. Fuubi had taken him into custody after that, but even four years later, she apparently hadn’t managed to get any significant information out of him. Just so you know, ever since Siesta’s death, we’d been in a cease-fire with SPES. Or to be more accurate, they’d stopped going out of their way to fight me. I guess it means I was only ever the ace detective’s flunky as far as they were concerned. Too bad. “Well, I’m glad you two got what you wanted anyway. You’d better be damn grateful to me.” Ms. Fuubi seemed to have forgotten that we had just followed her because she had business here. Either way, I really was damn grateful. There was just one thing, though. A question I couldn’t get out of my mind. “You knew everything to begin with, didn’t you, Ms. Fuubi?” “What’re you talking about?” “About who Natsunagi’s heart belonged to.” “What makes you think that?” “That’s a good question, and I’m not sure how to answer it. Just a vague hunch.” I had nothing solid to base it on. But after she’d brought us right to the man we needed to see, I couldn’t believe that it meant nothing. And if so, then maybe Ms. Fuubi’s objective was— “Natsunagi.” I was positive this was something I needed to say, right now. Still facing forward, I spoke to the girl sitting next to me. “No matter who that heart belongs to, it’s okay for you to live your own life. You don’t have to replace anyone.” I saw Ms. Fuubi’s reflection deflate in the rearview mirror. Sorry, but I’ll leave smiting the pseudohumans to you people. I’m not going to drag Natsunagi into this. I won’t let you make her Siesta’s replacement. “Kimizuka…” When I glanced to the side, Natsunagi was gazing at me, stunned. “What’s wrong?” “…Nothing.” Before long, she shook her head slightly. “—Thanks!” She smiled, like a flower bursting into bloom. “Ahhh, well, that was a lot.” After Ms. Fuubi had dropped us off outside the station, I stretched. I swear. My first proper job in a year…and to make matters worse, it unexpectedly dredged up a bunch of past trauma and random other stuff. I felt like I’d just gotten the beating of my life. “Is it my fault?” Natsunagi peered into my face, unusually apologetic. “I didn’t say that. As a matter of fact, I’m grateful to you.” “Huh…?” Her already large eyes grew even wider. “Thanks to you, well, uh…” Hmm. Even I couldn’t put it into words very well. But when I met Natsunagi, then ended up facing my past again… “I started thinking it wasn’t okay to stay like this.” Or at least, I think I did. I can’t say for sure just yet. “If so, then I—” Natsunagi bit her lip. She seemed to be thinking hard. What was it? Was she still worried about something? I considered asking, but then— “Thanks for today.” —I turned to go, pretending I hadn’t noticed anything. After all, I’d already taken care of Natsunagi’s request. There was no need for me to be involved with her anymore. We should cut ties here and now. Needless to say, Natsunagi and I weren’t lovers, and I’m sure we weren’t even really friends. Detective (stand-in) and client—that was all our relationship was. Now that the request was cleared up, we had no relationship at all. Which meant I needed to leave Natsunagi quickly. She’d managed to get a new life. That meant she shouldn’t be bound by Siesta. And since I could become a trigger that made her think about Siesta, she shouldn’t get involved with me, either. “See you around.” With those thoughts in my mind, I took a step toward the station’s ticket gate— “Wait.” —or tried to, until slim fingers caught my right hand. “…What’s the matter, Natsunagi?” “No, um…” Her fingers were still closed around mine. Her eyes were on the ground; she was opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something, then closing it again. I knew what she wanted to say, what she was trying to be kind enough to say. But I couldn’t let her. This was her life. I couldn’t make her shoulder someone else’s burden. Over our silent heads, an idol song was blaring from the huge screen outside the station. It was probably some sort of promo video. A middle school girl was singing a pop song, winking flirtatiously at the camera. It was also making the silence about 20 percent more awkward. “If you don’t have anything to say, I’m leaving.” “…You’re kind of a jerk, Kimizuka.” That was the third time she’d said that to me. Yeah, I know. Something really glitched out when my personality was created. Sorry about that. Leaving Natsunagi behind, I made another attempt to head for the ticket gate, when— “Excuse me!” —somebody else showed up and stopped me again. I glanced to the side. Natsunagi was there. She’d tilted her head in confusion. It hadn’t been her this time. I looked down slightly, and then the owner of the voice came into view. It was a middle school girl. Her face was half-hidden by a hood, but the eye that peeked out at me was shining a bit too brightly, and the aura around her couldn’t possibly belong to an ordinary person. Actually, I got the feeling I’d seen her somewhere before… Natsunagi and I both looked waaay up, and a very familiar-looking idol was still singing her song on the giant screen. “Um, actually, I’m an idol singer.” Hey, come on, I just finished a job. Why are clients showing up back-to-back like this? …Wait, if there is a reason… I looked over at Natsunagi—at her heart. As it turned out, my sixth sense was right on the money. “I have a problem I’d like an ace detective to solve!” Goddammit. So I have to explain this whole thing again? “Sorry, I’m not actually a detective…” But then— “Yes, I’m sorry; the slacker here is only an assistant.” —Natsunagi sent me a quiet, significant look. She was telling me, This is the path I’ve chosen. “Huh? Then…” “It’s all right, though.” Natsunagi spoke to the bewildered idol. To her new client. “If you need a detective, you’ve found one. I’m the ace detective—Nagisa Natsunagi.” The detective is already dead. But her last wish will never die.