One day, Itsumi asked me to come to the salon after school.
She was there alone, sprawled out on the sofa next to the fireplace. She looked so relieved to see me, I was reminded of a lost child who had finally found her mother.
“Thank you for coming. Please sit down. I’ll make you some black tea. Actually, is chamomile okay? I need something that’ll help me relax.”
“Oh, sure.”
Itsumi disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, and then came back holding the Ginori tea set and tray. On the dessert plate, there was an apple pie with a heap of vanilla ice cream on top.
“I tried making this recipe Akane taught me. But it’s not as good as hers,” she said. She carefully steeped the tea leaves, and then poured the tea into my cup.
“Yesterday,” she said after a pause, “Sonoko was at my house again.”
I had guessed Itsumi had wanted to talk about it after all. Sonoko hadn’t been at the book discussion yesterday, so I thought that might be where she was.
“My mother was out volunteering and my brother was at his after-school club, so neither of them were home. I rushed back home after our book discussion yesterday and saw Sonoko just about to leave through our gate,” Itsumi said with disgust.
“Did you ask your father about it?” I wanted to know.
“I was going to, but didn’t. I want to gather evidence first. Last time he caught me he got angry and told me I was awful for searching through his library.”
“How are you going to find evidence?”
“I’ve actually set up a hidden camera in the library. I’m excited to see what I’ll find.”
Itsumi’s gaunt cheeks twisted into a grin that, suddenly and instantly, crumbled into tears. “Ohh, I hate Sonoko…”
Large teardrops fell from her eyes. That happy family was where she felt she belonged. Sonoko is disgraceful for recklessly trying to destroy that.
“Itsumi…Is there anything I can do to help?” I put my hand on her shoulder as she wiped her tears away with a thin finger.
“Are you worried about me? You’re a wonderful girl, Mirei. Really, you are. Maybe that’s why I feel like I can tell you just about anything. I’m glad I got to talk to you about it.”
She took a long look at me and, as if suddenly remembering something, removed a barrette from her hair. It was black and had a rainbow-colored crystal embedded in it. The sleek Rococo design really set off Itsumi’s chestnut-colored hair.
“This is for you. I think it’ll look better on you.”
“What? No way.” I politely declined, but she pushed the barrette into my hand. I imagine it was very expensive.
“I can’t accept this,” I said.
“I want you to have it. In honor of our friendship.”
With her words, Itsumi had recognized that we were friends and equals, not just a junior and senior in the same school. Those words were far more important to me than an expensive hair accessory.
“Are you really sure I can have it?”
“Yes, go ahead, try it on.”
I pushed my hair back towards my ears and fastened the barrette.
“I knew it would look good on you. Please keep it and think of me.”
Now that I look back, those words sound so ominous. It was as if she were leaving a memento behind.
Itsumi died soon after that.
I continue to feel regretful.
Why didn’t I stop Itsumi when she said she was going to collect evidence? Sonoko is devious, someone who would secretly seduce a friend’s father. Even if Itsumi had found enough evidence to incriminate Sonoko, I should’ve known that Sonoko would have done anything to silence her.
✦ ✦ ✦
One week has passed since Itsumi’s death. Who murdered her? Everyone is searching for the truth. But I know who did it. The person who pushed Itsumi off the terrace is none other than Sonoko Koga.
I can still see it. Itsumi Shiraishi’s corpse lying in a bed of flowers. Her pale hand in the stretcher that took her away. And the lily-of-the-valley she held in her hand.
She must have picked the lily from the flower bed with her last bit of strength.
She was trying to tell me who the murderer was. That the girl who had killed her was the one who smelled of lilies.
✦ ✦ ✦
(The End)
✦ ✦ ✦
Thank you for reading, Mirei Nitani.
It’s nerve-wracking to be the first batter up. Not to mention that you’re a new student here, so that was your first mystery stew reading ever. But I knew you’d be courageous enough to do it, which is why I thought you would be a nice choice to go first.
It was a straightforward story, very “you,” I think. You’re right. Itsumi did seem troubled these past few months. She had this serious scowl on her face every time we met, as if she had been deep in thought. And she was often in a daze in the salon.
I asked her what was wrong many times, but she always just gave me this sad smile and would never tell me anything. Here I am boasting about being her best friend, and yet she wouldn’t even talk to me about what was bothering her.
I’ve never heard those things about Itsumi’s father before. She never talked to me about her family. I only know that she respected her father a lot. She loved him so much that she said she wanted to marry someone like him if she were to settle down and have a family someday. Everyone’s heard her say that more than once, right? She definitely had a “father complex.” It also didn’t help that he really spoiled her.
But then all of this happened. Ahh, I really should have asked her more about it. I feel guilty, ashamed, and terribly angry with myself.
What? You say that she couldn’t tell me certain things because we were so close? Thank you for saying that. You’re right, that’s probably what it was. Perhaps this is territory that best friends, especially, feel they shouldn’t infringe on. That makes me feel a little better.
But still, I’m shocked that you’ve identified the culprit so quickly. I’m sure the rest of you are bursting with questions, but let’s wait until after everyone has read us their stories.
That black barrette in your hair is Itsumi’s “memento,” the one that you just told us about, right? It’s lovely. It looks nice on you. I could see why she wanted you to have it. It looks pretty in your light hair.
Could you show it to us a bit more clearly while you’re still in the light of the reading corner? Oh my, the rhinestones form a flower, don’t they? It really is very nice. Thank you very much.
Well, then, please return to your seat. It’s dark, so please watch your step. Everyone, please give Mirei Nitani a warm round of applause.
✦ ✦ ✦
By the way, how’s the stew? If it’s really that awful, I recommend adding some curry powder or chili paste to give it a little kick. It’s funny. Your other senses become so much sharper in the dark, which makes good things taste better, and bad things taste worse. If the first ingredient added to the stew tastes awful, it will be a disaster from start to finish. But come on, please keep eating.
Well then, I suppose it’s time to move on to the next reading.
Akane Kominami, you’re next. Please head to the reading corner.
* Roughly US $100.