"Am I going to have to find Sherlock Holmes to prove my innocence?"
Just because Chihaya Kaiser felt nothing about a breakup didn't mean others were as open-minded, able to easily let go of a past relationship—especially one they'd hoped would lead to marriage for ten years.
Beneath the azure sky, the clouds were like wisps of cotton.
On such a clear day, it would be far too unseemly for a flower of blood to bloom at school.
He wasn't sure just how much pain Yanami Anna had been in moments ago, but in the end, it was he who, for the sake of a quest, had torn down her self-deception and the false construct she'd built to protect her pride.
Hearing his words, Yanami Anna finally stopped crying. The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile.
"Sherlock Holmes? I don't think a case like this would need a great detective. It would be cleared up in a snap."
"It's hard to say."
Chihaya Kaiser countered, "Even if the police thought I had nothing to do with it, what if everyone at school believed I said something that made you take your own life? There'd be no way for me to clear my name."
"No, it's precisely because of what you said, you horrible guy, that I realized... you actually reject people's love letters properly.
But I got nothing. Not even a formal rejection. And on top of that, I have to be dragged along by those two to witness their love, to watch them be all lovey-dovey."
Yanami Anna pointed a finger at the boy, her gaze cunning, her smile tinged with helplessness.
"So, if I really did take my own life, you'd definitely be the first person held responsible."
"Then I'd better go find Sherlock Holmes. He's the only one who can prove my innocence.
Or maybe I should look for Conan and the sleeping Kogoro Mouri?"
Chihaya Kaiser walked past her. He felt deep down that she was a real pain. Once she paid him back, he was determined not to get involved with her ever again.
He glanced at Yanami Anna. The corners of her eyes were still a little red, but her emotions had stabilized.
The two of them walked back to the classroom, one behind the other, completely silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
It had to be said, of the three quests Chihaya Kaiser had completed so far, two were related to Yanami Anna. Although the reward was a bit less, only ten thousand yen, it still counted toward his quest total.
Adding the two quests that had already been issued, he now had five quest points.
If he saved up a bit more, he'd have ten.
Soon, very soon, he'd be able to get a touch of the fantastical and obtain the lucky coin.
They followed the fire escape back to the school building's main corridor and turned toward their classroom. They occasionally ran into classmates, who would now and then cast glances their way.
When they returned to the classroom, the atmosphere seemed a bit strange. Everyone looked at them in unison, lowering their voices as they talked.
He went back to his seat and saw Nukumizu chatting with another female classmate. He thought her name was something like Lemon; they had never spoken, but she seemed to be good at sports.
After she left, Chihaya Kaiser turned around, sitting backward on his stool, and asked Nukumizu.
"You're in the literature club?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah." Nukumizu was startled but quickly calmed down.
It wasn't the first time they'd spoken. As fellow literature enthusiasts, they would occasionally exchange a few words.
"I was thinking of borrowing some books from the literature club. Would you mind taking me for a visit sometime?" Chihaya Kaiser needed to save money lately, which meant cutting his light novel budget and switching to traditional literature.
Nukumizu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Today? I'm not sure about that. I'd probably have to ask the club president. Can you wait until I've asked?"
"No rush. Just lending me a few books to read sometime would be great. I need some text to pass the time."
Chihaya Kaiser had his part-time photography job tonight, so he obviously couldn't go for a visit right away. His schedule was tight, with no room to waste.
"In that case, you can borrow this book for now."
He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, closing his eyes for a moment as he pulled a novel from his desk. It was wrapped in a wood-colored book cover as a disguise.
"Is that okay?" Chihaya Kaiser glanced at it.
"It's fine, I've already finished it." Nukumizu recalled the discussion he'd heard in the classroom earlier and wondered whether he should tell him.
About ten minutes ago, a photo of him and Yanami Anna coming down from the rooftop, one after the other, had apparently been spread through a bunch of group chats.
Before they returned, everyone in class was discussing how Yanami had been dumped—not by her childhood friend Sousuke, but that she had just confessed to Chihaya Kaiser and been rejected on the spot.
Nukumizu's gaze fell to the side, where the new transfer student, Karen, was pulling Yanami Anna aside with a worried look, whispering something to her.
Watching this tale of youthful romance unfold, he could almost feel the entanglement within it.
Mhm, he wasn't the least bit envious.
Nukumizu pulled out another light novel to pass the lunch break, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the boy's pink hair.
For the past few days, the boy in front of him had been like the center of all the talk. Suddenly, a lot of people had taken a liking to him, and even the teachers spoke to him more kindly.
Time flowed like water, and the afternoon classes passed in a flash.
Chihaya Kaiser didn't bother with a school bag. He placed the borrowed book on top of his camera bag and slung it over his shoulder.
The moment the bell rang, he turned and left.
Following the information from his part-time job group chat, he boarded a train for Akihabara, ready to get to work.
Meanwhile, in Shimokitazawa.
At a live house called STARRY, in one of the backstage dressing rooms, a blonde girl with a side ponytail was tapping her phone screen over and over, dialing a number that would never be answered.
Nijika's fingers kept swiping, her face reflected on the screen, a hint of anxiety in her expression.
"What do we do? Ryo, she's still not picking up. The live show is starting soon, it's going to be a problem without a guitarist, isn't it?"
"Yeah, that is indeed quite troubling."
Ryo didn't look worried at all, sitting on a stool without moving an inch.
She propped herself up with one hand. "I even invited Kaiser to come see today's show."
"Huh? You went to see Kaiser?"
Nijika pouted, put down her phone, and looked at Ryo with a slightly dissatisfied tone.
She poked Ryo's cheek with her finger. "Well, isn't that perfect! We can have Kaiser fill in as the guitarist. Or better yet, why don't we just ask him to join for good?"
"We can't."
Ryo finally put down her phone and looked up, her expression serious as she met the archangel's gaze.
She crossed her legs. "I asked him yesterday. Kaiser refused, so I asked him to come watch us. I wanted to use this as a chance to ask him again."
"Ryo... you!"
She held her breath, a sense of disbelief in her eyes. She hammered Ryo's shoulder with a small fist, her voice rising with agitation.
"Where are we supposed to find a guitarist now, and how are we supposed to convince Kaiser to join the band?"
"Well, I'll try contacting Kita again."
Ryo waved her hand back and forth, the corners of her mouth pushing up into a smile. She looked completely unconcerned, full of confidence.
"Kita is a fan of mine. She'd never just not show up without a reason. If she isn't here, something must have happened."
"What if she really doesn't come?" Nijika clenched her fists, pacing back and forth, so anxious she was about to jump out of the room.
She wanted to ask Kaiser to join the band too, but then Kita suddenly joined, and Ryo didn't say anything, so things got delayed a bit.
"Did Kaiser really give you a clear no?"
"Yeah. Why don't you go ask him, Nijika?" Ryo put on a mischievous smile, fully aware that Kaiser would refuse but suggesting it anyway.
"I'm going out to find a guitarist. No matter what, we have to play this live show. If I really can't find anyone, I'll go beg Kaiser."
Nijika turned and pulled the door open.
"No matter what happens, I'm going to ask Kaiser to join Kessoku Band."
"Alright. I'll contact Kita again."
Watching her disappear behind the door, Ryo looked at her phone. The top contacts were Chihaya Kaiser and Kita.
Her finger slid across the screen and finally pressed confirm. She sent a message to Chihaya Kaiser.
"Don't forget the live show tonight."
______
🎉 BIG NEWS! To celebrate our new story, the director is offering 25% DISCOUNT! Your support means the world <3
When you join, you get instant access to:
✅ Until 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 55 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
Claim your 25% OFF spot and unlock everything now:
👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan