“Thank you for the past month,” said Yilin. “It was an incredibly educational experience that changed my outlook on life. I’m truly grateful.”
It was the end of September. As the grandfather clock gonged seven times in the background, Yilin bowed deeply.
“Thank you for all your hard work,” said Kiyotaka.
“Yes, thank you for everything,” said Aoi.
The couple bowed back to her.
“I had an easy time thanks to you,” added the manager, Takeshi Yagashira, scratching his head bashfully. He was an author, and the addition of Yilin to the roster had allowed him to focus on his writing.
“I’m glad I could be of help,” Yilin replied with a smile.
“Oh, right,” said Aoi. “You’re free tonight, yes?”
Yilin nodded. Kura was throwing her a farewell party today. When asked what she wanted to eat, she’d replied that she would rather spend the evening in the store than go to a restaurant. She’d only been expecting a few snacks and a bottle of wine, but after Aoi and Kiyotaka washed their hands, they began laying out tiered bento boxes on the table.
“Huh? What are those?” Yilin asked.
“I prepared them with Aoi,” said Kiyotaka.
“Oh, but I only made the rice balls and rolled omelets,” Aoi added.
The boxes were packed with deep-fried chicken and shrimp, Hamburg steak, rolled omelets, octopus-shaped sausages, steamed vegetables, bite-sized rice balls, and sandwiches.
Yilin gasped. Suddenly, the front door opened, ringing the chime.
Didn’t we finish closing the store? Yilin turned around in surprise and saw Komatsu and Ensho standing there. The detective carried a bottle of champagne, while the painter held a bouquet of bright-red roses. Yilin’s eyes widened further.
“Oh, this is from Holmes and Aoi,” Ensho clarified, sensing her stare. “I just picked it up for them.”
Yilin smiled and nodded.
Komatsu patted Ensho on the back. “Hey, how about handing it to her yourself?”
“Why would I do that? It was Aoi who worked with her, not me.” He curtly passed the flowers to Aoi.
Aoi walked up to Yilin and said, “Once again, thank you for the past month.”
“Thank you,” Yilin replied, feeling her eyes begin to tear up as she accepted the bouquet.
“Oh, right,” said Kiyotaka. “Would we be able to request your help again if we find ourselves short-staffed?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, everyone, please wash your hands before sitting down,” said Aoi. “Let’s have a toast.”
She really is like a mom, Yilin thought, smiling as she went to the kitchenette.
Kiyotaka, Aoi, Yilin, and Ensho sat on the sofas, while Komatsu and the manager sat at the counter. After confirming that everyone was ready, Kiyotaka stood up to uncork the champagne and pour it into their glasses. His smooth movements made Yilin think, He’s like a living work of art.
Once all of the glasses were filled, Kiyotaka shifted his gaze to Aoi, who timidly picked up hers.
“Thank you for your hard work, Yilin,” she said. “We hope you enjoy your university life. Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses.
After taking a sip of her champagne, Yilin reached for one of the small rice balls Aoi had made. Surprisingly, Kiyotaka and Ensho had already secured their own. She giggled and took a bite. The seasoned rice ball was filled with various ingredients.
“It’s delicious, Aoi,” she and Kiyotaka both said. Much to her dismay, Kiyotaka had beaten her to it by a split second.
“Oh, kiddo, I’ve been meaning to ask...” said Komatsu.
“What is it?” Kiyotaka replied.
“Where is that cursed jewel now? The Black Orlov, I mean.”
Everyone froze and turned their attention to Kiyotaka.
“Please keep this between us,” Kiyotaka prefaced. “I was curious too, so I asked about it a few days later. Apparently it’s in Takamiya’s possession.”
“Huh?!” everyone exclaimed in unison.
“Is he all right?” Aoi asked, worried.
Kiyotaka chuckled. “He’s had it for twenty-three years now. I assume he’s fine.”
“Does he even know it’s cursed?” Ensho asked with a strained smile.
“He said he was aware of its reputation when he decided to take ownership of it. At the time, he said, ‘I’ve already lost everything. If it wants to take me to the underworld, then so be it.’ It’s said that jewels choose their owners. The Black Orlov must have approved of Takamiya.”
Yilin thought back to her dance with Takamiya. The old man had said the same thing: “A jewel chooses its owner.” Perhaps his words had felt so convincing because he himself had been chosen by one.
“He didn’t publicize it because people would covet it out of curiosity, needlessly creating more victims,” Kiyotaka continued.
“That makes sense,” said Aoi. “Um, did you see it, Holmes?”
“No, he wouldn’t let me.”
“Wait, did you actually ask him to show it to you?”
“Yes.” Kiyotaka nodded nonchalantly. “If you had the opportunity to see such a powerful gem, wouldn’t you want to?”
“Y-You shouldn’t. What if something happens to you?”
“I’m not its owner, so it’s fine.”
Yilin’s expression relaxed as she watched their exchange.
“They flirt every chance they get,” Ensho muttered, annoyed.
Later, when Kiyotaka and Aoi stood up to prepare dessert, Yilin turned to Ensho and bowed. “Um, thank you for coming today.”
“Eh.” Ensho shrugged. “I’m only here to drink.”
Yilin giggled and whispered, “After everything that just happened, I finally understand why I fell in love with you.”
Ensho looked at her in silence.
“I was always lonely, so I was hopelessly drawn to the sense of isolation you carried within you. I thought you might be able to understand me.” She smiled shyly. “But now I realize I was never alone. There were people who truly cared about me.”
After learning the truth from her father, Yilin had called her nanny.
“You were my grandmother all along... Thank you for everything.”
She’d heard crying on the other end of the line.
“Zhilin has always cared about you,” her grandmother had said in a hoarse voice.
Yilin couldn’t stop her tears from falling. She’d promised to meet with them once everything settled down.
“Good for you,” said Ensho.
“Yeah.” Yilin blushed. “One of the reasons I came to Kyoto...was to confront you with my feelings and get properly rejected so that I could move on.”
Indeed, Yilin had come to Japan prepared for rejection. She’d wanted to learn about Aoi and be utterly overwhelmed by her charm. At first, she’d thought Aoi was a nice girl, but she’d been frustrated because she couldn’t understand why Kiyotaka and Ensho loved her. Now, she was fully aware of the appeal: Aoi was incredibly warm and accepting. But even knowing her charm, Yilin didn’t feel crushed. Instead, she felt inspired to become like her. That was one of the wonderful things about Aoi too.
“But things have changed?” Ensho asked.
“Right. I don’t really understand my feelings anymore. I want to take some time to sort them out. So, um, sorry.” She bowed.
Ensho blinked. “Huh? Why does it feel like I’m the one getting rejected?”
“That’s not it. What I mean is, um, I’m sorry for following you around...”
“Eh, it’s whatever.” He put his hands on his hips, exasperated.
“Have you sorted out your own feelings?” Yilin asked.
Ensho shifted his gaze to Kiyotaka and Aoi, who were in the kitchenette. He squinted as though he were looking at something dazzling. “I’m the same as you. The sorting starts now.”
“I see. You know, I found myself wishing I had a mother like Aoi. Have you had that thought too?” Yilin asked jokingly.
Ensho froze, his eyes wide.
The unexpected reaction left Yilin bewildered. “Um, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Ensho said, snapping out of his daze.
Kiyotaka and Aoi emerged from the kitchenette, Kiyotaka carrying a large cake while Aoi brought the plates. The cake had lit candles and a chocolate plaque that said “Happy Birthday Yilin.”
“It might have to be a belated birthday, though,” Aoi said with a mischievous laugh.
Yilin stood up, startled. “Huh? How did you know?”
Kiyotaka placed the cake on the table and held up an index finger. “We celebrated your birthday at the Shanghai hotel, remember? That was also at the end of September, so I thought it must be close.”
“Happy birthday, Yilin,” said Aoi.
It had indeed been her birthday just the other day. She’d been able to talk to her nanny on the phone, so it’d already been a happy birthday for her. She’d never expected Aoi and Kiyotaka to celebrate with her as well. Tears welled in her eyes.
“Thank you,” said Yilin. “It kind of feels like you’re my parents.”
Kiyotaka and Aoi looked at each other and chuckled.
“Well then, it’s time to make a wish and blow out the candles,” said Aoi.
Yilin pressed a finger to the corners of her eyes and nodded.
Until now, I always put myself last. My life was withering away. Going forward, I want to value myself more—together with my wonderful friends, she thought as she blew out the candle flames.
As everyone clapped for her, she shyly murmured, “Thank you.”