Komatsu, Kiyotaka, and Ensho visited the Takamiya residence under the pretext of thanking him for hosting the unveiling party. Naturally, their true objective was to probe into Takamiya’s rare jewel. However, since it involved his deceased son, it was an extremely delicate subject.
Komatsu nervously sipped his tea. He was sitting next to Kiyotaka on a sofa in the reception room. A smiling Takamiya sat opposite them.
“The party was a success,” Takamiya said. “I had a great time too, since I wasn’t expecting to see the guest of honor himself. I felt very fortunate.”
“Like I said, don’t call me that,” said Ensho.
As usual, the painter stood leaning against the wall. Are you the kiddo’s bodyguard or something? Komatsu thought.
Takamiya looked at Ensho with a slight smile, then returned his gaze to Kiyotaka. “By the way, is there another reason for your visit?”
Komatsu choked on his tea. Kiyotaka, on the other hand, placed his cup on its saucer and nodded. “I’d like to inquire about the rare jewel in your possession.”
Takamiya’s lips remained curved in a smile. “I thought so.”
“You were already aware?”
“I was startled that night when Yilin asked me about a rare gemstone. However, it wasn’t because of her. It was you, Kiyotaka. You were staring so intently at my face. So I was caught off guard when she asked about the Sun-Drop’s whereabouts instead.”
“At the time, I only wanted to know if you possessed a rare jewel, but now, the situation has changed. Although, speaking of the Sun-Drop...” Kiyotaka clasped his hands in his lap. “I hear it originally went missing before Ailee purchased it, and it was your son who somehow managed to acquire it and sell it to her.” Komatsu’s investigation following Yilin’s formal request had turned up this information.
Takamiya said nothing and merely waited for Kiyotaka to continue.
“Mr. Jing’s late wife, Keqing, also loved gems and was jealous that Ailee had obtained the Sun-Drop. That made me wonder: Did Keqing also ask your son to procure a rare jewel for her?”
Takamiya heaved a sigh. “Before I respond, let me ask, how much do you know about my son?”
“Well...Tadaya Takamiya served as a director at your company while also dealing in the jewelry trade. He also had an extramarital relationship with a hostess at a high-end club, with whom he had a son.”
Takamiya laughed bitterly. “Hearing that, you must think Tadaya was a terrible prodigal son. But he actually wasn’t. He was a pitiful child who couldn’t do anything he wanted to.”
“What do you mean?” Komatsu furrowed his brow.
“My son loved stones from a young age. Not just gemstones but even raw ores and minerals. Just as I love paintings, he was fascinated by stones and wanted to become a jeweler. However, I opposed him, yelling, ‘You’re supposed to take over the family business!’”
“Did he rebel?” Kiyotaka asked.
Takamiya shook his head. “He was a timid boy, so he quietly obeyed. His marriage was an arranged one for the purpose of expanding the company. His partner was a sophisticated and charming young lady, so I thought he would’ve been grateful to me.” He lowered his gaze. “But that wasn’t the case. My quiet, unassuming son was attracted to a strong-willed, flashy woman. As the saying goes, people want what they don’t have. I do not know how that woman felt about my son, but he seemed to be truly in love with her.”
He paused before continuing.
“When someone spends their days unable to do as they please, they stray from their path. My son began buying jewels in secret. The first time was during a business trip to India, when he found a good bargain. He was the type to devote his passion to finding and researching stones rather than holding on to them long term. He probably found it exhilarating to profit from selling gems he’d thoroughly examined. That was when he found his calling as a jewelry dealer. He found a fellow enthusiast, and the two of them worked together.”
Takamiya gazed at a framed photo sitting atop a chest of drawers, a distant look in his eyes.
“My quiet son became talkative whenever stones were mentioned. He spoke so fervently. ‘Stones possess powerful energy.’ ‘Stones choose their owners.’ He must’ve gotten too absorbed. Eventually, he got involved in backroom deals and even smuggling.”
Kiyotaka gave a solemn nod.
After a period of silence, Takamiya looked at the appraiser and said, “Kiyotaka, there was a minor inaccuracy in what you said earlier.”
“What was it?”
“I believe the request came from Mr. Jing, not Keqing. He asked for an ‘exceptionally rare gem’ for his wife.”
Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes. Komatsu gulped.
“What did your son prepare for him?” Kiyotaka asked.
“The Orlov.”
Komatsu stared blankly, unfamiliar with the name. Kiyotaka’s eyes, on the other hand, widened as he murmured, “It can’t be...”
“What’s that?” Ensho asked.
Kiyotaka sighed. “So that’s what happened.”
“Uh, are you gonna explain?” said Ensho, annoyed.
Kiyotaka ignored the painter as he gathered his thoughts. He folded his arms and fell silent. Then, he looked up. “I’d like to speak with Mr. Jing.”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was now late September. Yilin was visiting Nanzen-ji Temple with Kiyotaka, Aoi, Ensho, and Komatsu. They’d been heading to the rental property where Yilin’s relatives were vacationing, but Kiyotaka had suggested stopping by the temple since they still had time to kill.
Yilin stood in awe before the Sanmon gate, one of Kyoto’s Three Great Gates. Farther on, as they were visiting the main building, they passed the head priest’s quarters. Kiyotaka and Ensho exchanged glances and chuckled, much to Yilin’s confusion.
Komatsu looked around, equally perplexed. “What were you guys laughing at? Did something happen?”
“No.” Kiyotaka shook his head. “I was simply reminded of the time I met a corrupt priest right here.”
“A corrupt priest?” Ensho retorted. “Says the blackhearted rich kid.”
“I won’t deny it.”
From the sound of it, this was where Kiyotaka and Ensho had first met.
“Oh!” Aoi clapped her hands together. “That was when the head priest called Holmes a sheltered boy, right?”
“Wait, really?” Ensho couldn’t help but grin.
Kiyotaka facepalmed, and everyone laughed as they headed to the aqueduct.
Yilin gazed up at the brick bridge. Its beautiful arches were reminiscent of European ruins. “It’s lovely,” she murmured.
Unfortunately, the scene’s splendor was diminished by the fact that it looked like it could rain at any moment. The overcast sky seemed to mirror Yilin’s gloomy mood.
Kiyotaka scheduled a call with my father and arranged to meet with my aunts and uncles. What is he planning to talk about?
“Well then, shall we be on our way?” Kiyotaka asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oh, yes,” she replied.
The group left Nanzen-ji Temple.
As they walked through the residential area, Komatsu murmured, “There are a lot of luxury vacation homes near Nanzen-ji, huh?”
“Indeed,” said Kiyotaka, who was leading the way. “Some of them belong to people on the list of wealthiest individuals.”
There were also retreats here for Japan’s top corporations, as well as properties managed by real estate companies that rented mansions to the rich. Yilin’s relatives were such customers.
“Here it is,” Kiyotaka said, stopping in front of a temple-style entrance.
Yilin froze at the thought that her relatives were beyond this gate. Her hand trembled as she reached for the intercom button. She turned around to face Kiyotaka. “Um, they know we’re coming, right?”
“Yes.” Kiyotaka smiled. “I spoke with Mr. Jing and told him I wished to hear his sisters’ sides of the story as well. He said, ‘Please do,’ and arranged an appointment for us.”
Yilin had already heard this. “Right,” she said with a gulp.
“You’re certainly allowed to be present, but since the appointment was made under my name, I’ll ring the intercom.” Kiyotaka pressed the button without hesitation.
The gate opened as if their arrival had been anticipated, and a servant emerged from the house.
“Miss Yilin, Mr. Kiyotaka, we’ve been expecting you,” he said in stilted Japanese. “Please follow me.” He bowed.
As they passed through the gate, it began to rain.