Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru - Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

I picked up a little girl, and then I was fired 

In a narrow alley with few pedestrians walking by, there was a girl abandoned in a cardboard box, sleeping inside it. 

Not a kitten, not a puppy, but a girl. I pried aside the long peach-colored hair that was tied in twintails, and with a light breathing sound, a young sleeping face appeared before me. 

"…What am I supposed to do with this?" 

To be honest, I could only smell trouble. The reason why I entered an alley with few people was simply because the apple fell out of the bag. I guessed someone would retort that it’s too much of a coincidence, but I happened to have the power, the ?nature of getting involved in trouble?. 

“Well, there’s no running away from this.” 

Based on my experience, once I got into trouble, it would continue to tangle with me until I resolved it. In that case, the best way to go about resolving it was to solve it as soon as as possible. 

And due to this hazardous nature of mine, I often traveled overseas to gain some linguistic ability. I could talk to her easily, even in this situation. 

"Oyy, you alive?" 

I poked at the girl’s cheek. 

Mn mn, the mochi-like cheek sucked in my index finger. 

"……Nnn, ……nnnn." 

The newspapers wrapped over her rustled, and she twitched about. Once again, I poked her cheek from the side. Twitch, poke, twitch, poke, this happened a few more times?? 

"Nn?, who…?" 

The girl quickly rubbed her eyes, sat up, turned her head at a right angle, and met my eyes. 

The feisty large eyes were accompanied with long eyelashes. She’s probably about twelve, thirteen, or so. She had the impression of a cute girl, and I could predict that she would become a beauty in the future. 

And right when I stared at this girl, 

"??I see," 

The girl hastily closed her eyes, as though she had realized something. 

"I was attacked." 

I had a bad feeling about this for some reason, but I decided to ask for the time being. 

"By who?" 

"By you!" 

The girl glared at me. Those eyes were showing some tears. 

"You can play with my body all you want, but you’re completely mistaken if you think you can dominate my heart!" 

That’s quite the quick suspicion…That's unreasonable. 

"You brought me to this back alley…you’re the worst! You monster!" 

You’re the one sleeping here by yourself, right? Seriously, my head hurts. 

"Say, I don’t have any interest in kids." 

"! Wh-who’s the kid!" 

"You, you." 

The girl wanted to grab my collar, but due to the massive height difference, I didn’t feel intimidated at all. 

"Grrr, uryyaaa! Take this!" 

She jumped up, reached her fingers out, and started poking at my face. Was she trying to blind me or something? Such a terrifying little girl. 

"I’m not a little girl! I’m a young girl!" 

"Ah, yes yes. Now calm down a little." 

I grabbed the girl by her wrists to control her. 

"Now that, we should first introduce ourselves. I’m Kimihiko Kimizuka…and you?" 

"I’m…" 

The girl then frowned for a moment, 

"……Alicia?" 

"Why is it a question? Did you come from some strange wonderland?" 

"I’m hungry." 

"That’s way too great of a topic change." 

Are you actually Snow White?  So I thought as I passed an apple I just bought to Alicia. She munched on it, and started to look around. 

"Where is this place?" 

"You’re asking where this is? Isn’t this where you decided to sleep?" 

"…………" 

Again, I had a bad feeling about this…and that premonition soon came to pass several seconds later. 

"…I don’t know." 

As expected. It seemed she wasn’t just a lost kid, or a kid with no home to return to.. 

"Amnesia." 

I said, and the girl finally showed an uneasy look, her eyes wandered about. 

I asked her many questions, such as her parents’ names, her birth location, birthday, friends, what she ate yesterday, and many more, but the girl just shook her head. 

"But I remember that I’m seventeen this year." 

"You’re definitely mistaken, so hurry up and forget about it." 

"…Where are you looking at to say that?" 

"It’s fine. You’ll grow up well when the time comes." 

Speaking of which, it’s not the time for jokes. I should hurry up and resolve this problem. 

"Once you’re done, I’ll take you to the police." 

Alicia reached out for the third apple, probably because she was completely famished, and then, 

"…Oy oy, this is some luck." 

The skies that were clear till this point suddenly gave way to rain. Goodness, I guess I have no choice now. 

"Let’s go." 

"Heh?" 

I led Alicia by the hands, and went towards the house where Siesta awaited. 

"Listen up, please remain quiet." 

I turned the doorknob, and said this to Alica. 

"Is there anyone else other than a wolf here?" 

"Don’t always think of people as monsters. I’m Kimizuka, Kimihiko Kimizuka." 

I picked up a little girl of unknown origin, and I wondered what Siesta would say. 

Anyway, we should have a shower, and dry off our clothes while we’re at it. I should then bring her to the police, and that should be fine. I quietly walked down the corridor, and led Alicia to the bathroom. 

"But we’re completely soaked.." 

"Yes, it’s really uncomfortable." 

I removed my shirt at the changing ara, and Alicia was about to pull up her one-piece dress from the top, when?? 

"!?!? Why do you look like we’re going to bath together!?" 

"Are you an idiot? Didn’t I tell you not to be loud?" 

"It happened so naturally, I nearly got fooled!" 

"I said I don’t have interest in kids like you." 

"Wha……!" 

Alicia’s face turned completely red like a cooked octopus. 

"Assistant, are you back?" 

I could hear Siesta’s voice from the living room afar. Looks like I had to get her to bathe first, huh. 

"Alicia, once you’re done, use the clothes over there." 

I said that, took a towel to wipe my head, and went to the living room alone. 

"Welcome back. It’s raining out there." 

"Ahh, it happened so suddenly…anyway, what are you doing?" 

Siesta was in a wheelchair, at the kitchen linked to the living room, holding a bowl for some reason and mixing the dough inside. She’s good at housework, but it’s rare to see her cook something. Her in an apron really was a refreshing sight. 

"I thought about making apple pie. It’s rare for you to suggest that you would buy something." 

So Siesta said as she happily continued moving her hand. 

"…Ah?" 

I had completely forgotten. Alicia ate all the apples… 

"Erm, well, Siesta, actually…" 

"Fufu, well? I suppose since you are rather fond of me, I think it is my responsibility as the one being liked to do some things for you, more or like." 

Uh oh, now it’s more inappropriate for me to talk. Why did she have to show such a slightly happy look? Didn’t she usually view me as a flea or something…? 

"But good timing of you to return. Now then, where are the apples?" 

"Ah, actually…" 

"Kimizuka?" 

I heard a third voice. There’s only one other person in this house I could think of. 

"Do you have a smaller towel?" 

Alicia, wrapped in a bath towel, poked her head out of the door.. 

I see. I see. I see. 

I glanced aside at Siesta, who appeared to have understood everything, and then our eyes met. It felt like an eternity passed, for a long silence occurred, and soon, I received the expected word from Siesta. 

"????Lolicon." 

I guess I’m fired as the assistant today, huh? 

A new case that started from a Shuraba 

"I understand the situation." 

Siesta sat up from the bed, saying so, but she gave me a condescending look while she sipped her tea.. 

"Darjeeling? It smells nice." 

"Yes, it really goes well with apple pie.” 

I ended up digging my own grave while trying to appease her. It’s doomsday. 

"You don’t have to think about seeing me in an apron once again." 

"Oy oy you’re kidding right? I live for those kinds of things. That’s too sad.." 

"…Those words annoy me somewhat. It looks like I still have room to grow as a person, even as an extrovert." 

"It’s an assistant’s job to ensure that his employer grows mentally…I’m sorry, I got too greedy, so please keep the gun back. I’m really sorry." 

I knelt down by the bed and swore to make up for her as I lowered my head in the face of the gun pointed at me. 

"It’s surprising, Kimizuka. You have a girlfriend." 

And the person who started this entire trouble?Alicia, was eating apple pie at the table (without apples) as she chimed in. There’s no girlfriend in the world who would point a gun, right ? 

"Speaking of which, you could have brought her to me right from the beginning." 

Siesta quickly kept the gun, and gestured for me to lift my head. 

"A amnesiac lost girl. This is where a detective has to step in, right?" 

…That’s true. Now that she mentioned it, yeah. 

"You say you’re called Alicia, huh?" 

Siesta sat up from the bed, and said to Alicia. 

"You can’t remember your real name, or anything else?" 

"…Hm, I remember that I’m seventeen this year though." 

"I see, so you’re seven." 

"Seventeen!" 

Alicia slammed the table and stood up. I think she’s probably at the age where she wanted to be seen as an adult. 

"Well, in fact, you’re about twelve or thirteen or so. That’s the impression I have from the development of your calves." 

"Assistant, this is not the time to reveal your unique fetishes. No ordinary person can determine other people’s ages from the growth of the calves." 

"! So Kimizuka, you weren’t looking at my chest in the back alley, but my calves!?" 

"Actually, I did see your chest, and then I went all ‘ah yes, seventeen is a lie’." 

"W-what, that scared me? So you’re looking at the chest~ thank goodness…not!" 

"Assistant, please limit your sexual harrassment to Charl alone." 

I could practically hear a loud retort from a blond beauty in a distant country. 

…It’s not the time for that though. 

"So Alicia, I shall be responsible for identifying who you are." 

Siesta went back to the main topic at hand, and said to Alicia. 

"But this won’t be free." 

"Oy Siesta, you’re charging a kid?" 

"It doesn't matter at all. A child is still a person, a human," 

And also,  Siesta continued, 

"I think an act of goodwill with no strings attached is the most unbelievable thing." 

…That, well, that’s true. Human relationships are just 99? of trust and 1? of scheming. That’s how Siesta and I continued our journey until this day. 

"Then, what do you want me to do?" 

Alicia most probably wouldn't be able to pay. She looked like she's lacking in clothes, food and housing. Now, what would this famous detective ask for as a price? 

"Alicia, I want you to take over my work. I promise to give you food, clothes and shelter." 

"A detective's work?" 

Alicia tilted her head. 

"……Siesta, you know that's too heavy a burden for Alicia, right?" 

"So you say, but look," 

Siesta pointed at her injured legs. Oh, so the famous detective's on vacation now, huh? 

"So I'll be the detective, and Alicia will be the assistant…" 

"No, well, actually, you know, you do have the face of an assistant after all." 

"That's unreasonable." 

"But I'm not confident, even though I've been made a detective all of a sudden…" 

"As long as you become the detective, you can use the assistant however you want." 

"Yahoo! I'll do it! I'll be the famous detective!" 

"This has been the worst trade deal in the history of trade deals, maybe ever." 

Let me correct myself. My relationship with Siesta was 1% trust and 99% scheming. 

"Now then, what do I have to do exactly…" 

Alicia asked Siesta, and right at that moment, as though preplanned, 

"It looks like Jack the Ripper has revived." 

Another voice cut in. I felt a chill, and hastily turned behind to look? 

"Fuubi-san? Why are you here…aren't you supposed to return to Japan?" 

The policewoman I was acquainted with, Fuubi Kase, sat on the sofa and continued smoking her cigar. 

"Ahh, I remember I got some things to settle. Speaking of which, it looks like you two had a kid without me knowing." 

Fuubi-san looked at Siesta and me, and then she looked towards Alicia. 

"Are your eyes rotten?" 

"Your eyes are rotten." 

Siesta and I retorted in unison. What kind of relationship did she think Siesta and I have? Goodness…and she's not quitting her smoking addiction either. 

"So what do you want? What do you mean by Jack the Ripper is revived?" 

"Yeah, there was another victim who had his heart ripped out yesterday. Similar modus operandi." 

"That, can't be." 

No, it's impossible, right? Obviously Jack the Ripper??Cerberus was killed by Hel back then. 

"Hel." 

Siesta, who had sat upright, narrowed her eyes. 

"Is that so…" 

So Hel took over for Cerberus and continued to hunt for hearts. She's trying to revive that ?biological weapon?. 

"Seems like you have an answer. Perfect, it so happens that I have intel that might be useful in pursuing the culprit." 

And it seems like it has something to do with that little Miss there,  Fuubi-san continued. It seemed she heard about Alicia taking over this job, and that's why she came over with this task prepared for us. 

"It is just a rumour at this point, but there seems to be something in London that can be used to defeat ?SPES?." 

Oh, so there's a handy item lying around?  I exchanged looks with Siesta, and we prompted Fuubi-san to say the name of that secret tool. 

"It seems they call it the Sapphire Eye." 

The Daily life of the substitute detective Alicia 

The next day. 

"We'll be off then!" 

We were on a street in downtown, and there was a girl walking along, pointing forward. 

And on the other hand, I subtly arched my back while I followed my new employer. 

"Come on, have a little enthusiasm!" 

"You’re the one who’s too enthusiastic." 

"Heh?" 

Heh? For what? Don’t tilt your head so cutely. 

"I’m talking about your getup." 

Alicia was basically dressed in the costume of a famous detective. A plain trench coat, a deerstalker, and a cigar-like stick, or more like a candy stick. 

"You’re paying too much attention to your image." 

"But Siesta-san used these things, right?" 

You too Siesta? That’s quite a history for a famous detective. 

"Speaking of which, you really want to be a substitute detective, huh?" 

"Of course!" 

Alicia put her hands on her hips, looking gleeful. 

Yep, in the end, the result of our conversation was that ?in exchange for Alicia getting food, clothes and shelter, she was going to do the detective's job in Siesta’s stead. 

And at this point, we’re looking for the ?Sapphire Eye? Fuubi-san mentioned. I didn’t really know the details, but we had to first get out there to investigate, so we went off to do some scouting. 

"Anyway, let’s go!" 

Alicia declared with much enthusiasm, and suddenly disappeared from my sights. 

"Huh?……oy, wait!" 

Before I knew it, Alicia was racing down the asphalt at full sprint for some reason. I hastily gave chase for about a hundred meters, before I finally caught up. 

"……Haa……haa, why did you start sprinting…" 

But Alicia ignored my grumbles, and then, 

"Running is fun." 

She’s so excited, as though she ran along the shore for the first time in her life. Her smile’s as dazzling as the summer sun…but I really hoped she would spare some thought for me. 

"…Say, you’re a girl from some wonderland who doesn’t even know where she’s from. It’s great to have a strong curiosity, but I hope you can be patient and listen to me." 

I showed a wry smile, and put my hand on Alicia’s head. 

"And that red haired police officer said so, didn’t she? Security around here isn’t good. You’re not allowed to go around alone." 

According to Siesta’s hypothesis, it seemed Hel was most likely in London, and took Cerberus’ place in attacking this city. Most importantly, I didn’t know if Siesta or I would be targeted by Hel…thus there’s a need for us to act cautiously. 

"I get that, I get that, so don’t treat me like a kid!" 

She’s basically saying what a kid would say. 

"Right right, good kid. Let’s go then." 

"Hmm…anyway, why must you hold my hand? I got bluffed by such a natural action again!" 

"Alright Alicia, hold my hand when you cross the road." 

"Do I not look thirteen here!? Ah no, I’m seventeen!…probably." 

It seemed she had amnesia about that too? She just muttered the last bit softly without any confidence. 

"Hmm, I think you’re about this age." 

Once we crossed the road, Alicia went straight to a shop window, saw herself in the reflection, and pinched her marshmallow-like cheeks, tilting her head with intrigue. 

"Alright let’s go. If Siesta knows that we’re just loitering around, she’s going to roast my ass again…………ahh" 

"……What ass? And what do you mean, ‘again’? What do you two normally do……" 

We had just an interesting conversation, and for reasons unknown, we first arrived at a gemstone shop. 

Of course, it wasn’t my suggestion. This rookie famous detective suggested that we should look for a sapphire here. It’s just that simple. 

Immediately after entering the shop, Alicia ran off. She was like a cat who had seen something glittering. 

"Kimizuka! Found it!" 

She yelled at me, looking completely excited. The surrounding onlookers giggled, and I really hoped she would stop. 

"……Ah, I see." 

The gemstones giving off a sea-like blue were in different orders of magnitude than I had imagined. 

"Case closed!" 

Alicia gave a peace sign victoriously, “We shall pay in cash!” and then she said to the staff. 

"Wait wait! You’re buying this for me!?" 

"We’re not buying?" 

"We don’t have the money!" 

"……Kimizuka, are you poor?" 

Shut up. Don’t give me such a look of pity. 

"And it’s just an ordinary gemstone. We’re looking for something else…most probably in the underground black market or something." 

"Underground…I get it!" 

Alicia immediately grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the shop. 

"You definitely don’t understand! You don’t understand, so stop…" 

And again I was dragged along at full sprint. We arrived at the underground, as I had said??a shop in the basement of an old multi-tenant building in the middle of an alley. There’s just a suspicious aura to it, and once we opened the heavy doors, I could see dried plants and various fragrances hanging on the steel racks. A male staff with nail piercings on his face gnawed at a pipe and exhaled. 

"This is definitely the place!" 

"Your brain’s definitely in the wrong place." 

…Anyway, how are you so lively? Don’t you know your situation now? 

Just yesterday, she was so shaken when she realized she lost her memories, yet she had completely accepted the work of a famous detective, and welcomed her new self. This might be better for her heart though, rather than to continue to be dejected…. 

"Nn, this seems sweet." 

"Oy fall back, don’t go there!" 

I hastily dragged her back to the surface. We’d been holding hands the entire time… 

"Haa, I’m tired." 

I felt like I was babysitting rather than investigating. Alicia didn’t notice my suffering at all, for she ran off before me. 

"It’s so fun." 

"Yep, fun." 

I really couldn’t say anything sarcastic when she beamed away. 

"It’s been a while since I got to go out." 

"I see," 

……Hm, been a while? What’s going on? 

"Eh?" 

Alicia then noticed something amiss in her words, for she stopped, and frowned. 

"Huh, why do I think it is a rare moment?" 

"Maybe it’s because you’ve been staying at a certain house the entire time? Maybe a hospital?" 

Maybe while she was hospitalized, she got to leave her ward due to certain situations, walked around the streets, and fell over…if that’s the case, the situation would be a little different. Should I have a look at the hospital? 

"Hmm, I don’t know…for some reason, when I try to think about it…" 

She didn’t seem to be lying. Maybe I should observe her for the time being? 

"You don’t have to force yourself to remember." 

This case might be solved on its own as time passed. Once Siesta recovered, we would be able to do many more things. 

"Ah" 

Alicia’s migraine seemed to be cured, for she scampered off in another direction.. 

"What are you looking at?" 

It was an open air stall. There were mats laid out on the stone pavement, and some handmade accessories were laid out.. 

"This" 

Alicia pointed at a Sapphire…or rather, a ring with a blue stone resembling it. 

"It looks like it, but it’s a little different." 

I couldn’t say that it was a ‘fake’ in front of the owner, so I could only keep it vague. 

"I see. That’s not it either?" 

Alicia clearly lowered her shoulders dejectedly. She’s really quite the expressive girl. 

"Well, it’s not going to be found that easily after all." 

I said such simple consolation to her. 

But this might be a fact??we’re not going to find the Sapphire Eye. No, truth be told, it’s fine that we couldn’t find it. 

In that case, why did Siesta leave this job to Alicia??that’s just the 1% of scheming. She wanted Alicia to abandon all her worries and rely on us. She wanted Alicia to look for the Sapphire Eye in her stead, and also to give an equal value by providing food, clothes, and shelter??so she just used what Fuubi-san mentioned. Siesta’s being quite honest too, and could actually be considerate for others. 

"We should head back home now…eh, where is she?" 

And like before, Alicia was gone before I knew it. 

"Looks like finding her would be more difficult than the Sapphire…" 

I asked the owner using eye contact, and she pointed to my left. 

"……Dammit, I forgot." 

One chore leaves and another chore arrives. Looks like the busy days will continue. 

The law forbids underaged drinking and smoking. 

"Now then, let’s have a toast to Siesta’s complete recovery." 

We’re at a table in a dining bar, uplifting BGM being played. Siesta, I, and Alicia toasted to each other. 

Time passed, and it’s been two weeks since that intense battle against that Hel…and my encounter with Alicia. Siesta removed the cast from her legs, and she had no difficulty walking. We had a party on this day to celebrate her recovery, since daytime till now. 

"…Well, I forgot how many times we toasted each other." 

Including all the other shops we visited, this was the fourth one, if I remembered correctly. My stomach already couldn’t handle it, but the famous detectives didn’t seem to have had enough as they stared at the menu. I thought this would be the last cup. 

"But there seems to be something you’ll like." 

"I see. Please order one for me." 

I didn’t look at the menu, and handed it over to Siesta, seated opposite me. 

"Hm, but it’s 9pm…Siesta, nothing too spicy please.” 

"Ah, it really is. Any spicy food, I won’t be able to sleep with a tummy ache." 

"If I actually ate it, I’ll have diarrhea in three hours." 

"I really wouldn’t have noticed it if you hadn’t said so. That’s weird." 

"Alright, take some stomach medication first. You’ll be eating anyway, right?" 

"Got it. I’ll have some." 

Siesta nodded, and had some medication. At the same time, I raised my hand to call for the waiter. 

"But well, you look as scary as A-un breathing." 

For some reason, Alicia, who was seated opposite me, looked annoyed as she stared at me. 

"Eh, what’s with this sense of telepathy…Kimizuka, you left everything to Siesta-san, and Siesta-san willingly listens to Kimizuka…" 

I see. Any bystander looking at this would think the interaction Siesta and I just had was a little strange. We’ve been together for three years though. We naturally left the decision making, the basis of them, to each other. In other words?? 

"We trust the other more than we trust ourselves." 

I muttered unwittingly.. 

"…In other words, an idiot couple…" 

"Excuse, we’ll like to have an additional order." 

The moment Alicia muttered something, thud , Siesta immediately stuffed Alicia’s mouth with her right hand, and ignored the fact that Alicia was struggling next to her as she calmly placed an order. I guess a famous detective wouldn’t spare kids either… 

"Haa, that was unbearable…I thought I was going to die…" 

Alicia was released from her bonds after Siesta made her order, and inhaled hard.. 

"It’s your fault for making a fool of an adult." 

"I don’t want to hear that from you when you’re not acting like an adult!…haa, I’m thirsty." 

Alicia raised the glass next to her, gulped it down, 

"Hey Kimizuka, what is this Cinderella?" 

It seemed she didn’t have enough, and she flipped the drinks menu, and asked me. 

"Hmm? Ahh, that’s the name of a cocktail. It doesn’t contain alcohol, so kids can drink it too." 

"But I’m seventeen, I’m not a kid anymore." 

"Seventeen year olds can’t drink alcohol either." 

"I’ll drink that Cinderella then!" 

“Excuse me!” Alicia raised her hand to call for the waiter…sigh, her emotions are a roller coaster as usual. 

So over the past two weeks, I and the substitute detective Alicia received various requests in London. They weren’t anything particularly significant, but my partner’s Alicia, who followed her own feelings to act. It’s a different suffering from when I was Siesta’s partner…every day was just getting involved in a hundred troubles while trying to solve one problem. 

"What is it?" 

Alicia seemed to have noticed my stare, and tilted her head. 

"It’s nothing. Anyway, I was thinking it’s great that you found a place you belong to.” 

Over the past two weeks of suffering, we still accomplished something. Alicia wouldn’t be staying at the apartment Siesta and I stayed at, and she would be staying at a certain church. They had a charity drive going on there for orphans, and since Alicia had nowhere to go to, she would be staying there instead. 

"Well, it’s just a treatment of the symptoms. The core problem won’t be solved since we still don’t know anything about Alicia’s memories and identity." 

Siesta said as she stopped cutting her roast beef. She probably couldn’t accept that she didn’t solve the case perfectly, but she couldn’t act as she had been injured. Well, it’s more than enough that she managed to negotiate with the church behind our backs. 

"I went to the church yesterday. It was really fun." 

Alicia seemed to be somewhat understanding, and she looked towards Siesta. 

"There are orphans other than me over there. I'll be playing with them. It feels like a school, somehow." 

Alicia said, bared her white teeth at us, and gave us a peace sign. Siesta seemed speechless when she saw this, and she smiled.. 

"School, huh…it’s been a while since I’ve been there." 

I remembered my last memory of it was back in eighth grade, during that culture festival. Back then, I was also dragged along by Siesta. 

"Why are you looking at me?" 

Siesta narrowed her eyes unhappily. 

"The crepes and the takoyaki were delicious, right?" 

"I just remember that I had a tummy ache." 

"Ahh, you were stuck in the toilet, right?" 

"And I remember you peeped at me…" 

"You got scared by a haunted house." 

Don’t remember anything unnecessary now. And, what, I remembered we were dragged into a wedding cosplay or something…well, that’s not a good memory. It’s a black history, a black history. 

"But that ribbon seems to suit you." 

I remembered the sight of Siesta with the red ribbon, looking like a katyusha. 

"You were so mesmerized after all." 

"I wasn't mesmerized. Just a little mesmerized." 

"Assistant, watch your Japanese." 

Siesta wiped her lips with a napkin as she retorted. 

Hm, did I say something weird? 

"A ribbon? Sounds nice." 

Alicia shook her legs front and back. It seemed even a girl from a wonderland was of the age where she wanted to dress up. 

"I’ll get you one next time." 

"Really!? Yay!" 

Alicia couldn’t contain her excitement when Siesta said so, and her legs flailed faster than before? 

"I want to tie one, and then…! ……I want to go to a real school." 

She showed a disappointed smile as she muttered so. 

Alicia lost her past memories, but looking at what she said, it seemed she had never been to school before. She seemed to realize this when she unwittingly blurted so. 

I couldn’t say anything to console Alicia, but Siesta seemed to be thinking of something, and she narrowed her blue eyes. 

"What?" 

That gloomy atmosphere happened for just an instant, and Alicia quickly raised her cup again to finish off the glass. 

"I don’t mind. I got something else to do." 

"The detective's job?" 

"Yes" 

I don’t have time to go to school,  Alicia said, and nodded, 

"You say that, but it doesn’t look like you found the Sapphire Eye yet." 

Siesta said, her face showing a little competitive smile. 

Yes, over the past two weeks, Alicia and I managed to solve a few very simple cases, like finding pets or something, but we made no progress pertaining to the most crucial of them all, the Sapphire Eye. 

It seemed Siesta never really wanted Alicia to solve this case, and the words she said were probably to ease the mood that had suddenly turned gloomy?most probably. 

"…I-I know that. I just have to find it." 

Mmm, Alicia’s cheeks puffed immediately. Are you some instant boiler? 

"Oy oy, are you intending to look for it now?" 

"You don’t have to come along, Kimizuka." 

"It’s dark out there. There will be monsters." 

"…I’ll go back. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.." 

The way she backtracked that quickly was somewhat adorable. 

"……Ahem. Anyway, I’ll definitely find it tomorrow!" 

Alicia pointed her index finger at Siesta and me, and then turned to leave. 

"She left without drinking her cocktail." 

Well, there’s probably another chance. I finished my remaining drink, and relaxed. 

"She does seem like a troublesome child." 

Siesta then put another glass before me, having ordered it without my knowledge. 

"These two weeks have been tiring, no?" 

"I guess…well, I don’t think you’re in the position to say that." 

Siesta and Alicia had starkly different personalities and attitudes, but both of them were the type to wear me out. 

"…But what do we do about Alicia after this?" 

I asked in an ambiguous manner while Alicia wasn’t around. Siesta however would understand what I was implying. 

"I never am one to give up on what I am looking for." 

"……I see." 

Siesta had completely recovered, which meant that we’re about to prepare for battle against Hel again. In other words, we had to say goodbye to Alicia. 

But Siesta shook her head. She chose to help a girl in trouble, rather than to defeat the great savage. 

"I can’t stop until I find out her age, her birthplace, and her real name?we have to fulfill the requestor’s wish no matter what." 

Siesta smiled, saying so. 

It’s a little frantic, but it seemed our peaceful daily life would continue for a little longer. 

"We’ll stay in London for a little longer." 

"Yeah, just the two of us living together." 

Siesta put her lips at the glass, the white throat let out a gulp, and her gesture looked so alluring. 

"What?" 

"…Nothing. I just find it a little peaceful." 

It’s been almost three years. Siesta and I lived a life of pursuing ?SPES?, or sometimes, getting hunted. Those were the tumultuous days we had. We had to cross the desert while lacking water, had to picnic and sleep in a hurricane, and there were countless situations when we had to settle our personal needs in the wild. Such were the wild, dazzling three years, and every day, I?? 

"You seem nostalgic." 

Siesta poked her finger at my face, and she looked like a hunter who had found an appropriate prey to tease…seriously, it looked like she had seen through my heart or something. That’s the part I hated about you. 

"I’m not." 

I picked up the glass Siesta put on the table, gulped it?and, 

"Ugh!……Oy, isn’t this wine!" 

Dammit, it’s bitter…it’s my first time drinking… 

"Oy, we’re underaged, aren’t we?" 

"What underaged people will bring such a thing?" 

Siesta said as she glanced aside at my waist. I couldn’t deny that though. 

"It’s a celebration of my complete recovery. Accompany me until the very end." 

Siesta said as she shook her glass. The way she shook the red wine made it look like she’s done it before. 

"Is that something anyone underaged should say?" 

"What about you? Are you drinking it?" 

"No, I…" 

"You will repay me for that, right?" 

Siesta moved her little mouth. 

Repayment. In other words, she was referring to the apple pie, it seemed. 

"So you will listen to me, of course?" 

Siesta tilted her head slightly. 

Her cheeks were red. She might be a little drunk, and those eyes were a little moist. 

She looked a little younger than she usually was. 

"…Just one glass." 

How was I supposed to refuse after seeing such a face? 

I hoped I would remember today 

"And then, actually, I was so young, I accidentally swallowed the watermelon seeds, and I was so restless thinking what would happen if they grew in my stomach?" 

We left the bar, and returned home. 

Siesta’s face was completely red, unlike the impression her white skin would give, and she sat like a girl, knees on the bed, her just recovered body bouncing up and down on the bed. She was dressed in a bathrobe, just like me, and as she jumped about, the girls parts too shook massively. 

No actually, the reason why they seemed to be shaking might be because my head was shaking. 

……I couldn't understand. I was in a mess. I too was drunk after all. 

I remembered that back at the restaurant, where I could see the night, I said "Just one glass,” and then I promised again…about ten times or so, and we even crossed our arms together to toast? Hm, I couldn’t remember…. 

"Assistant? Are you listening to me?" 

"Yeah, I’m listening. We’re talking about whether a watermelon is a vegetable or a fruit, right?" 

"Yes yes. I asked to buy a watermelon at a greengrocer, and was shocked when he brought me a vinegar squid." 

I tried my best to move my dulled head, and continued to nod while chatting with Siesta, sitting opposite me. 

I felt like we had strangely changed frequencies, and that I heard something rather stupid, but that Siesta…that flawless, poised, stronger famous detective in history couldn’t possibly mention such a meaningless conversation. 

She’s definitely talking about something really great. I looked at her eyes and listened seriously. She closed her eyelids, like she’s about to fall asleep, and the usual aloof image was all gone. 

“Say, why are you so far away from me?" 

Siesta pursed her lips, as though she was pouting. 

For some reason, it felt like I was the one who did something wrong. 

"Come here, come here." 

"…To the bed?" 

"Yes. Shall we have a talk here?" 

Well…what should I do? 

A young boy and a young girl on the bed together. Well, actually, is it really fine, in many ways? 

I tried to grab the remaining pinch of sanity and thoughts?? 

"You won’t?" 

"Eh, no problems." 

That’s the only answer I could derive so I got no choice. I went with the result of my thoughts, and scurried onto the bed Siesta was on. 

…Was there a need to be this quick?  I had a sudden thought, but I immediately forgot about it. 

"Fufu, it is our first time sleeping together." 

And soon, Siesta slid over next to me.. 

Before I knew it, both of us were on the same bed, sharing a blanket. 

"You’re inches from me." 

Siesta looked towards me, who was next to her. 

The room was a little dark, but I could somehow make out her face. 

"Yes, you do have a forgettable face if two days have passed." 

"Your opinion won’t change even if you’re drunk?" 

"Fufu, it is fun to bully you." 

"Ah yes, a missy with an abusive streak has appeared." 

"But you like to be bullied by me, no?" 

"Don’t label me with such a weird characteristic!" 

"Then shall I never bully again for the rest of my life?" 

"…………" 

"Shall I never talk to you again?" 

"…………" 

"You’re really interesting." 

"……Shut up." 

"That bullied face of yours is a little cute." 

"You’re not praising me at all!" 

"Though I will forget about it in two days." 

"We’re back at this again!?" 

I inadvertently turned towards Siesta. 

"But." 

But I could only see her sidelong face looking at the ceiling. 

"I’ll definitely never forget the three years I spent with you." 

The grim look on her face was something I probably would never forget in my entire life. 

"Fufu, this topic does seem a little serious now." 

Siesta reverted to that drunk look however, and she turned towards me. 

"If you’re never serious, what’s there left of you?" 

I missed my chance to turn away, and could only face Siesta. 

"How rude. What kind of person do you think I am?" 

A pragmatic person? 

Maybe I should call her a rational, famous detective. 

"Then, once in a while." 

Siesta closed in on me. 

Our noses were several centimeters away from each other, or rather, our lips were almost touching. Most of our bodies were clinging onto each other, and I could feel her heartbeat through the large lumps of her chest. 

"??Shall we do something foolish once in a while?" 

Once I heard that, my body heated up. 

Speaking of which, she did mention something about the three great desires. 

"Siesta, …" 

Before I knew it, I was already on Siesta. 

"……Assistant." 

Siesta then closed her eyes. 

I made up my mind, brought my face and lips towards her, closer, closer? 

After the tension in the middle of the night, the memories the next morning made me want to die 

"Fuu, I wanna die." 

The next morning, I woke up, had a brief recollection, and naturally said those words. 

First of all, my head hurt. I guess I was really drunk. I was physically, and mentally having a headache, and what caused this feeling was the existence of a certain famous detective breathing slightly next to me. 

It’s said that after overcoming alcohol, I would forget some things the next morning…but unfortunately, my mind completely remembered the tomfoolery yesterday. 

"Ugh, I wanna die…" 

It was the first time I consumed alcohol, there was so much tension in the middle of the night, and I did something so embarrassing, I wanted to die. What was me yesterday thinking…what was I thinking, snuggling onto the bed with Siesta…and after that…. 

"Uggghhh." 

I felt various emotions and the contents in my stomach rose up, and I was a little nauseous. I covered my mouth, and was about to get off the bed, 

"…………" 

However, I ended up meeting an awake Siesta in the eyes. We stared at each other for a while, and blinked away. 

"……Good morning." 

"…………" 

I tried to greet her, but there wasn’t a response. 

Instead, Siesta covered the blanket over her head, checked something, and poked her head out again. She had a poker face, and she was being her usual self, if I had to say so…but for some reason, it felt somewhat scary. 

"Good morning." 

Siesta finally answered, ensured that her bathrobe was wrapped completely, and took a little silver attache case from the suitcase she always carried. 

I couldn’t see anything as she had turned her back on me, but she probably took out something from the case, right? So I thought, and then Siesta turned towards me. 

"Assistant, put your arm out." 

"Before you say that, please put away that large syringe!" 

Siesta was holding a large syringe in her hand, and there was fluid leaking from the tip of the needle. 

"It’s fine. The pain will last for an instant." 

"I refuse! I did say I want to die, but I really don’t want to die!" 

"I won’t kill you. Injecting this syringe can temporarily erase a person’s memories." 

"You’ve got to be joking! Is that one of your ?seven tools? !?" 

"Not at all. Do you not remember? We caught that ?Toilet Bound Hanako-san? at the culture festival. This contains some substances that are a little similar to that drug." 

U-uh oh…she’s not guaranteeing the effects, right…. 

"It’s fine. This is a refined version that was experimented countless times, and will not harm anyone." 

"Wait a sec, was I the test subject!? I felt like I’ve been forgetting some things recently. Is this the reason!?" 

I couldn’t just dismiss it as a joke. I ran out of the room in my bathrobe…but, 

"You’re not getting away." 

"Gu, ahh." 

Siesta leapt and got onto my back, suppressing me.. 

"Now then, arm out. Forget everything about yesterday…about me yesterday." 

I really couldn’t resist a serious Siesta, and the needle kept approaching my right arm? 

Ding dong!  But right before that, the doorbell chimed. 

"……Looks like someone’s here." 

"…………" 

"You’re not welcoming the guest?" 

"Tch." 

"Don’t click your tongue." 

Your characterisation is ruined here. 

Siesta reluctantly got off of me, or so it seemed, and went to the door. 

"Yes." 

And appearing outside the door was, 

"I heard a really loud commotion. Did something happen?" 

It was the substitute detective, Alicia. 

“Well, whatever,” she muttered so, put her hands on her hips, and said to us. 

"Mission complete." 

Alicia looked at us with glee. She held a little bag in her hand.. 

Mission complete?wait, did she really find the Sapphire Eye after that? 

Did Alicia really find it, when even Siesta didn’t really think she could find it? 

"This is it." 

Alicia handed the bag to me. Inside it was? 

"An eyepatch?" 

It was a plain, ordinary black eyepatch that wasn’t appropriate for this topic. 

But Alicia proudly said, 

"This is the really important eye, right?" 

She said, pointing at my left eye. 

"You can’t heal if you don’t wear an eyepatch." 

Alicia straightened her back, and put the eyepatch over my left eye. 

"…You noticed?" 

"Of course. We’ve been working together over the past two weeks after all." 

I didn’t really intend to hide this fact from Alicia?but when I battled Hel, I injured my left eye. It didn’t really hinder my daily life, but my vision was impaired, and I often lost Alicia on the streets. 

"We don’t know if the mysterious eye actually exists, but your eye does, and that’s more important." 

It seemed I had a little misunderstanding about Alicia. The expressive girl was just doing so as a facade. Surely, inside her?? 

"This is my answer." 

Alicia looked towards Siesta. 

"Is this correct?" 

So, that’s how it was? That was the question Siesta posed to Alicia right from the beginning. She wanted to know what answer Alicia would have for something that didn’t exist. After a short silence, Kaguya-hime of the bamboo cutter finally answered. 

"Th-that is correct." 

Siesta’s eyes wavered about in disbelief. 

"You’re really bad at lying." 

At that moment, the substitute detective surpassed the famous detective. 

The turning point of everything. 

"There’s no way I can be aware of everything." 

It’s rare to see Siesta show such a bitter look, and she walked beside me. 

After that incident, I went to the supermarket with Siesta, whose legs had recovered. 

"It’s been a while since I saw that face of yours." 

The apparently perfect superhuman of a famous detective might unexpectedly have lots of weaknesses. 

"……Shut up." 

It’s rare to see her so listless. Maybe a role reversal once in a while might not be a bad thing after all, right? 

"Are you that happy to receive a present from a younger girl?" 

Siesta stared at the eyepatch over my left eye. And right when I was about to refute that, 

"…No, sorry, I didn’t mean that." 

Siesta instinctively hunched her back, and her voice contained some lack of confidence. 

"I’m just ashamed that I never noticed your eye like that." 

"Is that so." 

For a moment, I thought about what I should say. 

"Well, somehow, you’re an ordinary human." 

And I said that as a matter of fact. 

"You’re normal. You’re a human who can be affected by little emotions. Thank goodness." 

"…I see." 

Siesta showed a faint smile, and nodded twice, thrice. 

We continued walking for a little longer, and Siesta suddenly stopped. She was looking at an advert of a livehouse leading to the underground?the name wasn’t stated, but there seemed to be a guest from Japan. 

"Siesta?" 

"……It’s nothing." 

Siesta shook her head, and walked forward again. 

"Not yet." 

"……?" 

I was about to ask the meaning of her words, and then, 

The phone in my pocket vibrated. I had a look, and saw that it was an international call. I wondered what it was, picked up the call, and heard a familiar voice. 

“Yo shitty brat. Looks like you survived, somehow.” 

That’s the tone of a middle aged uncle. She’s rather pretty, but maybe this was the reason why the guys stayed away from her. If I said that though, I would be dissected . 

"Fuubi-san, you should have said those words when we met." 

Speaking of which, Siesta and I got gravely injured because you brought the case of Jack the Ripper to us. You never mentioned this when you slipped into our room though. 

In hindsight, that was so unreasonable, and I wanted to grumble a little more?? 

“Huh? When did we meet?” 

The voice I heard from the phone wasn’t one that was teasing me, but was of complete skepticism. 

"No, what are you saying now? Didn’t you meet us two weeks ago and mentioned about the Sapphire Eye?" 

“? The only time I met you was when we talked about Jack the Ripper. Did you mistake me for someone else?” 

At that moment, I felt goosebumps all over me. 

“I heard that you got into a really terrible situation after that, so I called.” 

She’s kidding, right? Oy, then, who was that? That person so similar to Fuubi-san…no, it’s weird if I thought about it. When she showed up, she was holding the Zippo she already passed to me. 

“Hello hello? Kimizuka? Oy.” 

The voice from the phone gradually faded from me. 

My bad feeling became belief, and it raced through my entire body. 

"Assistant." 

Siesta probably understood what the call was about, and she nodded with a grim look. 

The Fuubi-san we met during our second encounter in London was a fake. 

The only one who could freely change the appearance?was none other than Cerberus. 

Famous detective??famous detective 

The day after we had the call with the real Fuubi-san. 

"But we saw that Cerberus was definitely killed by Hel before us, right??" 

We were in a room at our detective office, our residence. 

Siesta and I had curry as we sorted out everything that had happened in the city. 

"This carrot is hard like iron." 

"It’s a mistake to let me cook." 

"Why do you seem so proud about that?" 

"Well, I can’t find the chopper I usually use." 

"…And that’s why the vegetables are torn so messily." 

Well well, this isn’t the time to discuss this. 

"It’s as you said, Cerberus. It should be an indisputable fact." 

"So what about that fake Fuubi-san? If we’re talking about transformation, there’s that Cerberus…" 

"Which opinion are you more inclined to?" 

…She said that, but both of them were conflicting. 

We did see Cerberus die before us, or so it seemed. But then it’d mean that we don’t know who this fake Fuubi was.. 

"And thus, both can be seen as correct, or rather, incorrect." 

"Some theology?" 

"Don’t interrupt." 

Siesta stabbed a spoonful of potatoes into my mouth. I see, this is a failure. 

"So, what if the real identity of that fake policewoman was Hel?" 

"Hel? She doesn’t have a transformation ability…" 

"?Androids?," 

Siesta interrupted, 

"?Androids? are existences created from a certain core. Anyone who inherits that core can obtain a special ability." 

"So, you’re referring to what Hel dug out from Cerberus’ left chest, that black stone-like thing?" 

"Good observation. You can assume that Hel obtained Cerberus’ ability at that given moment." 

"Then Cerberus died, Hel inherited that ability to transform, became Fuubi-san, and interacted with us?" 

In that case, it would explain why there were still hearts being hunted even after Cerberus died. 

But in that case, why did Hel come to us? 

She showed up in front of Siesta, me, and Alicia. She basically indicated that she was the culprit behind all the murders, and informed us of the ?Sapphire Eye?. Was she taunting us…no, if I think about it normally, there’s a very high chance that it’s a trap. 

"I don’t understand what the truth is exactly…but the thing we have to do remains unchanged. We have to end this spat of serial murders." 

Yeah, of course. We just had to defeat Hel. 

"On a side note, what is the common point between all the victims this time? Are they similar to the modus operandi by Cerberus?" 

"Yes. It attacked passers-by without warning.." 

A fourth victim was claimed last night, so Siesta chimed. 

"So the purpose of taking the heart was to revive the ?biological weapon? ?" 

"Who knows? It can be for herself." 

"Herself?…Ahh, I get it." 

Of course. Hel’s heart was stabbed through by her own sword in her final battle against Siesta. 

"So Hel might be looking for a new heart for herself." 

"Can they really swap parts like they’re dolls or something?" 

"Of course." 

Siesta said as though it was a matter of fact. 

"Our enemies are ?Androids?." 

…Well, yeah, we’ve been fighting monsters right from the start. 

"Speaking of which, I didn’t think you would investigate this much in a single day." 

After the call with Fuubi-san ended yesterday, Siesta disappeared into the streets…and only returned with intel at tonight’s dinner. 

"It was a little difficult to proceed due to the restriction of news. I would have realized earlier if I could move over the past two weeks." 

"Don’t mind. You should rest and recover when you’re hurt. Otherwise, once in a while, you’re…" 

I stopped talking midway through, and Siesta looked at me. 

"No, it’s nothing." 

I wolfed down the curry to try and misdirect her. 

What if you ruin yourself?but to her, such a worry was merely a hassle. 

"It seems like we’ll be busy starting tomorrow." 

So I decided to say something to ease the mood of the situation. 

"Yes, but when that happens…" 

It’s rare to see Siesta dither with her words, but I knew what she wanted to say without her continuing so. 

"It’s about Alicia, right?" 

We found a place for Alicia to stay at for the time being, but this didn’t mean that we solved all the problems, of course. We had to continue our battle against Hel, so that meant that Alicia’s issue would have to be an afterthought. That’s what Siesta was worried about. 

"You don’t have to worry about me." 

It’s true that if she says so, we can sort out our priorities accordingly… 

"……! Alicia, when did you show up!?" 

I realized then that Alicia was to my left, munching the curry I made. 

"It doesn’t sound like a sound you make when eating curry." 

And then I remembered that I had an eyepatch over my left eye. I had forgotten that my vision was impaired. 

"Did you wash your hands?" 

"Don’t treat me like a kid. I washed to the point of nearly erasing my fingerprints." 

"Are you a wanted criminal?" 

"Anyway." 

Alicia went back to the topic at hand. 

"You don’t have to worry about me. You should prioritize the victims instead." 

Alicia sounded unexpectedly calm (though it’d be rude to say this, it seemed), and said that it’s more important to deal with the incidents in the city compared to hers. 

"Alicia, what are you thinking?" 

However, Siesta gave Alicia a suspicious look. 

"You came all the way here just to say something obvious?" 

……For some reason, the room temperature dropped by two degrees or so. 

Alicia then defiantly  leaned over the table, and looked directly at Siesta. 

"Please let me assist in this case." 

"I knew you would say that, but absolutely not." 

"Why?" 

"It’s too dangerous. There are already four dead." 

"But Kimizuka and I did solve cases over the past two weeks." 

"Like looking for cats, and returning wallets to the police?" 

"T-the size of the case doesn’t matter!" 

"You’re just twisting facts." 

"Twisted facts are still facts!" 

Both their arguments were like a horizon??but they got increasingly closer, and their noses were almost touching, even though Siesta never moved a millimeter away from her position. 

"Calm down a little." 

I grabbed Alicia’s little shoulder, and had her sit down. 

"…I’m a detective too." 

Alicia lowered her shoulders disappointedly after she had lost this debate to Siesta. 

"Alicia, you’re just a substitute detective." 

But Siesta didn’t hold back, and calmly narrated the fact. 

"I’m recovered right now, so you don’t have to step in." 

"…Oy Siesta, aren’t you going overboard?" 

Siesta was right, but the correct reasoning was not always the most appropriate. 

"What, are you standing by her side?" 

"I didn’t say that." 

"Ahh, I guess that is to be expected of you, lolicon…really. The chopper is gone." 

"I said I’m not. And don’t look for such a dangerous thing in this situation." 

"Then what? You prefer that child who’s playing detective over the past two weeks compared to me, whom you spent three years with…?" 

She might have noticed then that she went overboard. 

"Siesta, what is it?" 

Siesta’s acting weird on this day. 

…No, it’s not just today. It’s been recent. 

It felt like she was anxious about something. Whenever she showed such signs, she would suddenly act honest, and even seem to fawn around with me. She also had been acting alone with increasing frequencies, even though she did act alone behind my back. What’s she hiding from me? 

"It’s nothing. Nothing at all." 

Siesta stood in the kitchen, and did not look back as she said so to me. She wouldn’t tell me anything after all…but that was the relationship we established till this point. As long as we didn’t die behind each other’s back?that was the promise we made back then, but this was a great improvement. 

"So be it then." 

Alicia stood up, and gave Siesta a determined look. 

"I’ll act in my own way." 

In a certain sense, she was bidding farewell to Siesta, but the real meaning was that a new detective was born. 

"I’ll definitely solve this case. Then, I??" 

Alicia then bit her lips. 

"Alicia?" 

I asked, “It’s nothing.” and she shook her head. Why was it that neither detective would answer the assistant’s questions……. 

"But that’s all I have to say. I’ll be relying on you tomorrow, Kimizuka." 

I was suddenly asked to do something. After the harsh training of my employer every day however, 

"Ahh I get it. Understood, understood." 

Anyway, I instinctively answered with such a dull reply. 

"Yay! Now Kimizuka will continue to be my assistant!" 

"…………Eh?" 

Siesta said that, and she inadvertently looked towards Alicia and me. 

No, while I too was going all “Eh?” it was Siesta who actually blurted so. 

"No, assistant’s, mine……mine…………" 

But she didn’t say anything more, and she just kept opening and closing her mouth, little by little. 

And right at that moment, 

"A siren?" 

I could hear an urgent siren blare race across outside. 

It signified that the fifth victim’s heart was taken by Hel. 

People call it Jack the Devil 

It seemed even though there was so much attention, the crimes were escalated, and the news was restricted. There was a fifth victim in this strange spate of serial murders, and the modern incarnation of Jack the Ripper?? ?Jack the Devil?, was revealed to all. 

The reason for that was because while the four prior cases occurred in the middle of the night, this incident happened earlier, with many more witnesses. Most importantly, the victim here was a famous young female representative of this area. 

This charismatic beauty of a female politician was brutally murdered, and the paparazzi started to cover this sensational incident. 

"…So this is the result?" 

We were in the house of the fifth victim, but there were reporters armed with cameras, surrounding the large mansion. I did drop by, thinking that I could obtain a hint or something…but this was way too much. 

"Even though at this time…" 

Alicia saw that the paparazzi didn't care about the feelings of the victim's family, and she clenched her fists as she stood next to me. 

They madly pressed the doorbell, as though they were trying to wreck it, and slammed at the door…and finally, someone might have lost patience, for the door was opened. A frail lady of about sixty years old exited, and the reporters hastily surrounded her. 

"Kimizuka, that's…" 

"Yeah, most likely the mom." 

The female, who was most likely the mother of the victim, was swamped by the cameras, and shrivelled a little. 

"……Excuse me. If you have anything to say……" 

Nevertheless, the paparazzi continued to press on with the questions, and the sight of it seemed like she was the culprit instead. 

"Kimizuka……" 

Alicia gently tugged at my sleeve. 

"Yeah, I get it." 

Was there anything I could do to chase them away?  So I wondered, and then, 

Bam, a dry gunshot could be heard from afar. 

And right on cue, the paparazzi scurried off towards where the gunshot was just to obtain the latest scoop. Dozens of seconds later, there was no one else but us. 

"They sure are pragmatic." 

They were like pests leaping towards bait. Such unbelievable animalistic instincts could actually be used like this. That really was to be expected of our extraordinary famous detective. 

"I really have to hand it to you??Siesta." 

"Do you want to return to me?" 

Siesta stood next to me without me knowing, and side-eyed me as she asked so. 

But I didn't remember breaking our relationship as partners. 

"……Thanks." 

Leaving aside the fact that our relationship got a little awkward, Alicia too muttered her thanks. 

"I didn't do this for anyone in particular." 

"You aren't being honest." 

Ah yeah, I used to have this said about me. I never thought I would hear these words from her instead. 

"Ah." 

Alicia seemed to have realized something, for she let out a short cry. When I turned back however, she was nowhere to be seen??and instead, she was at the entrance, hugging the woman who was once surrounded by the paparazzi. 

"Both of you, hurry!" 

Alicia called for us. 

She probably collapsed after she was released from her stress…Siesta and I carried her by her shoulders, and led her into the house. 

"My apologies for causing you trouble." 

We were at the living room, and the woman seemed to have regained some strength after a little rest, for she lowered her head towards us. 

"Ah, tea…" 

"No, that's—" 

And then, she stumbled as she tried to get up from the sofa. 

"Are you alright?" 

Alicia, seated next to the woman, supported her back onto the sofa, and they sat opposite Siesta and me. 

"I’m sorry. It happened so accidentally, and I was at a loss of what to do…" 

So the woman said as she looked at the photo frame next to her. On the photo was her and her daughter?the victim in this incident. They were standing together, smiling. 

"My husband died in an accident long ago, and that child always suffered…but she always said ‘if I can earn lots of money, I can ensure that your life is easier, mom’…and she really stood out. She built such a house too. To me, it is a waste for that child to remain by my side, my pride…" 

The woman let out a sob as she said so. Next to her, Alicia patted her back. 

"On the day of the incident." 

But while she was crying, Siesta asked, 

"Did your daughter look strange in any way?" 

Her face was calm, and her face devoid of expression. Siesta was focused on finishing her work as though it was something she should do. 

"…Siesta, you." 

Yeah, I was wrong. She lured the paparazzi away not to help this woman??but so that nobody could disturb her while she questioned. 

I should have known. That was how Siesta did it. Such was the way of a rational famous detective who would spare no emotion. 

"That day…no, nothing out of the ordinary. She just left home…" 

The mother wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and answered with some pain. 

"Then, we might be able to see something from your daughter’s corpse?" 

"Siesta." 

I stopped her from saying anymore. Siesta glanced at me, and was silent. 

"I couldn’t do anything for that child." 

The mother blurted. 

"She kept working, not asking for anything in return. I didn’t think it would be that painful." 

I never thought of it at all.  So she said, and tears flowed . 

And in turn, neither Siesta…nor I who stopped her, could say anything in return. 

"That’s not, true." 

The sobbing voice quivered, so I thought it was from the mother. 

But on a closer look, I found that it was from the person next to her. 

"There is no one-sided relationship of receiving grace, or to be the one receiving all the time." 

Alicia stood up with tears in her eyes, and told the mother. 

"If you say that you are receiving your daughter’s grace?then you definitely gave lots to your daughter! Am I right!?" 

Human thoughts clearly worked in both ways. That was definitely how it should be. There was no proof, and in other words, it was not convincing in the slightest?but Alicia said these words with all the emotions inside her. 

She was the complete opposite of Siesta, and I too surely wouldn’t be able to do so. Alicia reached out towards the one who needed help. 

"…Thank you." 

The woman stood up, and gently hugged Alicia. 

"For some reason, I feel like I was scolded by my own daughter." 

Henceforth, till forever 

"Just now." 

We were on our way back. After a long silence, Siesta finally said, 

"Why did you stop me?" 

Siesta seemed to question me about why I stopped her from asking. She was asking why as an assistant, I had to stop her from doing her work. 

"Truth be told, the entire chain of incidents was spontaneous. In that case, it’s meaningless to ask if she did anything different from usual." 

"That might be the case for the first four incidents, but it doesn’t mean the fifth is the same. Even if we do exclude other situations, I had to answer that question." 

"So why did you mention the corpse? If you ask her if she could realize anything after seeing the corpse…" 

"For the same reason. The fact that the heart was removed aside, there might be some important points only family could detect. You blatantly obstructed that chance of affirming so." 

Siesta gave me a frustrated look. 

She was merely stating the correct things from the rational, objective perspective. That was just being correct however. There were things out there that could not be salvaged just by being correct. 

…No, I wouldn’t say that I completely agreed with that assessment. In fact, I was saved countless times by Siesta’s justice. 

But that wasn’t all to it. There were things to be prioritized other than being correct?and I realized there were people who had such a thought process. 

That was why I was lost. I wondered what I should do. 

"I’ll do anything to defeat Hel. I will nab her no matter the means. This is what I think." 

But,  so she said, 

"You’re different from me." 

Siesta suddenly told me with a despondent tone. 

"Siesta, I…" 

"Even though I only trusted you." 

Her eyelids and long eyelashes dropped. The blue eyes beneath them faltered slightly. 

It was an anguished expression, as though she had given up on something. 

I wanted to tell her this was not the case…but I couldn’t say that. 

"I’m going back for today." 

Siesta said, and slowly took a step forward. 

"Siesta……" 

"See you later." 

My outstretched hand lingered in limbo, and Siesta went to the apartment alone. 

"…………………No, we’re going to the same place." 

Seemed like it would be a really awkward night, and so I let out a sigh under the sunset. 

"And stop hiding and come out already, Alicia." 

I looked to the gap between the buildings, and called out to the famous detective who was bad at trailing. 

"Ah, you found me?" 

That’s weird…she actually tilted her head, and we ended up walking together. 

"But well, it happens often." 

Alicia might have seen Siesta and I have a little quarrel, so I told her not to mind for the time being. 

"We’ve been travelling together for three years, so an argument or two does happen. Actually, it’d be strange if there isn’t. To be honest, her personality and lifestyle are different from mine, and even I’m amazed by how we managed to spend three years together. She always takes naps, and she has such a habit, yet she says I’m bad at waking up, so this kind of argument is just all in a day’s work…well this might be the first time we’re arguing for real, but well, they say that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so maybe we can use this chance to improve our understanding of each other. No, I don’t really want us to understand each other more, erm, but well…" 

"Woah, you’re really bothered by this……" 

Alicia gave me a stunned look. 

"You’re looking so uneasy, and even your true thoughts are leaking out." 

"……Let’s not talk about this." 

Alicia showed me such a look, so I had no choice but to erase that segment from my memories. 

"Ah, speaking of which." 

And then, I thought of something, so I reached into my pants pocket. 

"Woah." 

"Don’t get any funny ideas. Take this." 

I took out something, and handed it to Alicia. 

"Eh, this??back then?" 

Alicia looked at the ring I put on her palm, and stared at it. 

It was something we discovered from a stall while looking for the ?Sapphire Eye?, a ring with a blue stone. 

"Well, how do I put it? It’s not to repay this." 

I pointed at the eyepatch over my left eye. 

So I said, but it’s like a toy. I didn’t really hope that she would have some big reaction, 

"??I’m happy." 

Alicia closed her eyes, and put the ring before her chest. 

"……Alicia?" 

The little body appeared to quiver. 

"This is the first time I have received a present from anyone." 

"Alicia, are you talking about your memories?" 

But Alicia shook her head. 

"But I have a feeling that I…was a bad girl before I lost my memories." 

Alicia gave a bitter smile. 

She implied that she was at fault, not because of the environment. Alicia was asking herself as to why she never received a present in her life. 

Faced with such self-deprecation, I unwittingly reached out towards Alicia’s head…only to stop inches from that. 

I didn’t have the right to do that. I thought I should at least try to pass it off as a joke. 

"You’re making it sound like you aren’t a bad kid." 

"H-haa!? I’m a really good kid now! I’m a lively, cute, honest kid everyone loves!" 

"That’s funny." 

"That’s not funny!" 

Alicia flailed her hands to hit me. I didn’t defend, and took them in the chest. 

Self proclaimed, seventeen years old. Appearance, thirteen years old. Mental age, seven years old. 

I had a certain thought in the face of this intriguing famous detective, and looked at her. 

"……Hey." 

And once she stopped the attack that had no damage, I sensed a soft voice at my chest. 

"Put on the ring for me." 

The owner of the voice looked up at me, and basically fawned about. 

"Me?" 

"You, Kimizuka." 

"Onto you?" 

"Onto me." 

…That was beyond my expectations. I scratched my head skeptically, and Alicia put the ring in my other hand. She faced me, and showed the back of her hand. 

"Why the left." 

"I’ll be angry if you put it wrongly." 

You’re kidding, right? Why does it look like a proposal? 

"…Just a fake one. A fake one." 

I had no choice but to kneel down, and lifted Alicia’s small left hand. 

"Please say an oath." 

"Why do you have to be the pastor." 

"Fufu." 

Couldn’t she just show a normal, cute smile? Seriously. 

I coughed twice, thrice, and said a faux oath. 

"Well, how does it go? Henceforth, till forever? Please continue to take care of me, maybe that’s how it goes." 

What was I asked to do anyway? Don’t think too hard about it. 

"Feels like you’re not putting in the effort." 

"Shut up. Don’t get greedy." 

I put the ring through Alicia’s ring finger, and right at that moment. 

"I guessed I was too harsh." 

I heard a certain familiar voice, so I turned around to see an ever familiar girl??she looked down at the ground, and quickly muttered something. 

"Well, even now, I do think that my thoughts aren’t wrong, and I don’t think it is something to be changed. Right as I have my own justice, you have your own views. It is to be expected…and since we have to work as partners, it is very necessary to reconcile each other’s philosophies…in other words, I should not be imposing my thoughts onto you. I suppose it was a momentary lapse to use some terms unbefitting your expectations. No, I say so, but you do have some parts you need to reflect upon…ah, no, I do not wish to mention the prior topic again…" 

She showed the ugly state of a certain familiar person, seemed to have made up her mind, and lifted her hand. There’s no need to mention what appeared in her sights however. 

After what felt like an eternity of silence, she smiled and said, 

"I wish you two happiness.” 

It was then that I thought there were smiles that could kill. 

"Kimizuka, thank you for everything till now." 

"Ahh, guess I’ll die." 

I don’t understand you. 

"Oy, Siesta. Are you listening?" 

"…………" 

I was in a dim room, right before night came. 

I was lying on the sofa, and asked Siesta who was on the bed. She’s probably not asleep, and I could hear the blanket ruffling about for quite a while. 

"You can’t hear me? Or what, am I already dead without even realizing it?" 

"…………" 

……This was the situation. 

On a side note, three days passed since that incident…but Siesta’s mood didn’t improve at all. We had been acting separately over the past three days, and we never talked to each other. Siesta was alone, while I was with Alicia, pursuing Hel?? ?Jack the Devil?. It seemed she was a little unhappy that I was Alicia’s assistant. 

"Are you a kid?" 

I too started to feel frustrated, and stupidly blurted, 

"I never thought you would say that when you like kids so much." 

…Huh, finally a response? It seemed that I hadn’t become a ghost yet. 

"I think the assistant who was unjustly ignored for three days is the more pitiful one, you know?" 

"Well, I really never noticed that you are here. I thought you went on a honeymoon after you married a thirteen year old girl." 

"Don’t maintain three days of silence just to make this joke. I thought you were really angry." 

"No, I really am angry." 

Don’t get angry for real. And don’t change character so suddenly. 

"Fufu, in hindsight, that was somewhat interesting. Why did you propose by the roadside?" 

"Don’t make fun of others for proposing. No, that wasn’t even a proposal." 

I did explain many times that I was just fooling around. 

I started to explain again my conversation with Alicia, and how it all started. 

"She never received a present from anyone in her life." 

That was why she was a little excited. That was why, she just wanted to have fun……no, she didn’t know what it was like. The image of Alicia raising her left hand happily over the past three days kept appearing in my life. 

"Say Siesta, you still haven’t found anything about Alicia?" 

We were actually overwhelmed by Hel’s case, but Siesta probably got a clue or so, and I asked. 

"Who knows? I don’t know anything." 

It’s rare for this famous detective. She didn’t actually investigate for real after all huh. 

"But," 

Siesta seemed to sit up. 

"It is fine if you know." 

"What do you mean?" 

I asked, while still lying on the sofa. 

Our eyes seemed to meet even in the darkness, so I closed my eyes, and asked, 

"Who knows? I don’t know anything.” 

Siesta said the exact same thing she said before. 

At that moment, my phone on the table vibrated. I jolted, and checked the screen. 

"Sorry Siesta. I’ll go out for a bit." 

"Where are you going at such a late time?" 

I kicked the door aside, and said, 

"My fiancee’s in a pinch." 

I don’t mind you laughing at me 

"Alicia!" 

I arrived at the scene, and before me was the worst situation possible. 

Lying in the dark alley, under the blinking lights, were two people. I ran to one of them, Alicia, who had fallen at a closer position. 

"……! You alright!?" 

I carried her up, and noticed she had lots of blood oozing from her right shoulder. But I couldn’t see any other wound?? 

"……Kimi, zuka." 

She was conscious. That’s good, I hurriedly called for an ambulance on the phone. 

"And, he…" 

Alicia pointed with a shaking hand. 

Yes, there was one more person who had collapsed?? 

"The left chest was cut through." 

I looked over, and found that Siesta was resuscitating that person. She probably gave chase after me and caught up. 

"Looks like he lost consciousness, but he’s not in any danger. It’s a police officer." 

There was a gun and a blade nearby. But of course, a police officer would have a bulletproof vest, and thus he managed to avoid injury. 

"Say, assistant." 

"Alicia seems fine. I guess it’s Hel…… ?Jack the Devil? at work here. Thank goodness they’re fine." 

"Assistant." 

"Looks like the ambulance is here. I’ll get on with Alicia…go back and have a rest first." 

I was relieved to hear the ambulance siren, and carried Alicia’s little body. 

"Assistant. Are you fine with that?" 

Siesta made a tragic voice, and I immediately stopped. 

But then, I, 

"Once we get back, let’s have apple pie together, the three of us." 

I merely made such a childish wish. 

"……Kimizuka?" 

Alicia then woke up on the hospital bed, and noticed me by her side. 

"Yo, you awake? Does it hurt anywhere?" 

I asked, and Alicia silently shook her head. 

"Kimizuka, it’s fine…" 

"It’s fine." 

Alicia tried to get up, but I nudged her back onto the back. 

"Didn’t think you would encounter ?Jack the Devil?. The doctor says that you’ll recover completely after some rest. That’s a silver lining." 

I took the cooled apple from the fridge, and peeled it with a knife. 

"The police will be here soon. Well, you’re a victim, so they probably got lots of questions to ask…don’t worry, I’ll be with you. I’ll make sure not to mess up." 

"Kimizuka." 

"Ah, and also, the policeman who collapsed with you managed to survive, it seems. Anyway, we don’t have any more victims after the fifth, so you can relax a …" 

"Kimizuka!" 

Alicia grabbed my right wrist. I felt tense for a moment??but, 

"There’s only an apple core left." 

"…It’s hard to peel an apple." 

I put the very small apple flesh onto the plate. 

"Ah?" 

"You too?" 

I had a sense of deja vu as I picked up with a toothpick, dropping it into Alicia’s mouth. 

"Nn, it’s sweet." 

"Thank goodness you’re honest." 

"Are you saying I’m cute for being honest?" 

"Wait a second, I’ll borrow an earpick." 

"Aren’t you too harsh to someone who’s hurt?" 

"I guess you’re fine if you can joke like this." 

At this point, we sighed in unison.. 

The same old interaction, the same old smile. 

"But anyway, Kimizuka, how did you get there so quickly?" 

Alicia slowly got up, and I sat on a round stool by the bed. 

"Well, I put a tracker on you." 

"Ah, I see." 

"Want more apple?" 

"Yes, ah, but I’ll eat by myself." 

Alicia put the remaining apple into her mouth? 

"……Ack! Did you just say something incredible so casually!?" 

"Don’t spit out what you just ate." 

I wiped the spat food off my face with a tissue. It stinks. 

"What is the tracker!? It’s scary! Stalker!" 

Alicia cupped her shoulders with teary eyes. 

"It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Well, since you always disappear when I don’t pay attention, this was just a countermeasure." 

"Anyway, when did you put it!? And where!?" 

"That’s some surprisingly amazing underwear you have, Alicia." 

"You’re the worst! That’s the worst place I couldn't even think of!" 

Alicia covered her face, and laid sideways on the bed. 

"But thanks to that, you got saved today." 

"…That’s not an immunity to your crime." 

"My bad." 

Alicia pursed her lips, and I popped the little peeled apple into her mouth. 

"And so, what were you doing?" 

At this hour? I asked, looking outside the ward window. 

"…I wanted to stop such a person with such painful thoughts from appearing again." 

I guessed she’s referring to the mother of the fifth victim. Back then, Alicia saved her in a way neither Siesta nor I could do. 

"And that is also my job." 

"…Alicia, why are you working so hard?" 

Why was she so insistent on being a detective? Alicia didn’t have such a duty, and neither Siesta nor I forced her to do it. 

And in fact, the most important thing should be for Alicia to regain her memories. This time though, in this incident relating to ?Jack the Devil?, she acted like the detective role was her priority, as Siesta had initially tasked her, and remained so even though Siesta herself had tried to talk Alicia down. What prompted Alicia to be so motivated? 

"I," 

Alicia muttered, 

"I was always in a dark room. A dark, dark…world without light nor sound." 

I guess…but her memories probably hadn’t returned. It’s just an impression, a subjective thought, and the most important factor to her.. 

"I don’t know anything, and that includes my identity. Every day, I can only wait for every day to pass like this, trapped in such boredom and pain." 

But,  Alicia continued, 

"On a certain day, my vision was opened. Light shone in, and a voice reached me…and then I tasted the sweetness of an apple." 

Alicia looked at the peeled fruit that was of weird shapes, and smiled, 

"So I think maybe I could get a new life. I’ll grab onto that one thread dangling in the endless darkness, keep climbing up, and up??looking forward to the new me there. If I am tasked to be a ?detective?, I shall live to be that." 

That’s what I think,  so Alicia said with a determined look. 

She didn’t look seven, nor did she look thirteen. 

In no way would she lose to Siesta. She was a proud, pretty lady, so I thought. 

"…I feel a little tired." 

But that lasted for just a moment, and soon, Alicia reverted to that childish expression, giving a wry smile. 

"I think we chatted for quite a while." 

"Nn…I feel sleepy, somehow." 

"It’s this late after all." 

Alicia rubbed her eyes, and slowly retreated under the blanket. 

"I’ll be here till morning. Just relax and sleep." 

"Then," 

Alicia reached her left hand from under the futon. 

The ring finger still had that ring on it. 

"Can you hold my hand?" 

I wanted to see her expression when she said this, but unfortunately, she was completely hidden under the blanket. 

"I’ll laugh at you for being childish though." 

"…I don’t mind you laughing at me. Hold it." 

She pouted, yet it sounded like she was fawning around. 

"As you command, famous detective." 

I switched off the lights, held Alicia’s little hand??and had a little sleep. 

An hour later, I regretted my moment of folly. 

I woke up to see wind blowing through the window, and Alicia was nowhere to be seen in the ward room. 

That’s why I had no right to touch her head 

I ran through the streets at night. 

Luckily, I knew where she was. 

I checked the position through my phone, and hurried to that location. 

"Nearby?" 

I arrived at the destination, looked around, but there was no one to be seen. 

I then entered the church with the spiky spire as its characteristic. 

"Can’t see anything…" 

At this time, the inside was dark, and there were no lights. I could only rely on the cellphone lights and continue inside. 

And then, I could vaguely find some light. It should be the moonlight?shining through the stained glass on the church wall, upon a nearby spot. 

I had to find Alicia as soon as possible, so I thought, and the moment I took a step forward. 

I sensed a certain presence. 

It’s not nearby?but the moment I had this thought, the distance was closed in an instant. It’s hard to fight in the darkness. If the enemy had been in ambush nearby, the eyes would already be used to the darkness. The enemy had the advantage. 

"You think so?" 

I put my eyepatch to the right?the left eye’s completely used to the darkness. I then pointed the gun at the person before me. 

"??My loss." 

The enemy obediently raised their hands to surrender in the face of my counterattack. 

"I never thought I would raise the white flag to you. My standards have dropped a little." 

"How about you be happy for your assistant’s growth??Siesta." 

We bantered off each other, and shrugged. 

I lowered my gun, and put my eyepatch back to the original position. My right eye should be used to it soon, more or less. 

"So, why are you here?" 

"That’s my line. Why are you here?" 

Didn’t I tell you to go home and sleep? 

"I was evacuating the crowd. I guessed that Hel might come here, so I had the children leave." 

……Yes, there were staff in this church, along with many orphans. This was the church that took Alicia in. 

"Why do you think Hel would come here.?" 

"Hm? You’re asking a strange question." 

Siesta tilted her head with the usual look. 

"I came here because I want to ask you this question." 

"There’s a lot of things I want to retort, but first of all, how did you know where I am? Did you bug me or something?" 

"That was a joke. I was not looking for you." 

I suppose it is due to the many years of experience , Siesta simply changed the conversation, thought that seemed more terrifying. 

"Now then, next is…" 

"Hey." 

I was about to prepare a new retort, 

"How long are you going to keep this up?" 

Siesta stared at me with her blue eyes. 

She wasn’t angry. 

She seemed sad, reluctant. 

In fact, Siesta was showing the expression she showed days ago, after we argued. 

"You already noticed it too, no?" 

What do you mean?  I tilted my head with a wry smile. 

Goodness, always with the inscrutable words. 

Or was she referring to that? Was she trying to get me to say some intel? 

"?Jack the Devil? is looking for its lost heart. In other words, it’s just targeting hearts." 

Ahh, yeah. All five victims got their hearts gouged out, and a police officer nearly got killed too. 

"Yes, that police officer was injured in the left chest. Might have been killed if not for the bulletproof vest?there’s no doubt he was attacked by Hel." 

But, Siesta continued, 

"What about her??" 

The moonlight shone upon Siesta. The blue eyes stared at me. 

"Why was Alicia injured in the right arm? Why did the police officer shoot her?" 

Ahh, speaking of which, the doctor said that Alicia’s wound was caused by a gunshot. 

But so what about that? Was there a problem? 

I didn’t know. I didn’t understand at all. 

Yeah, more importantly, we should be looking for Alicia. She should be nearby. 

"Was that gunshot not because of proper self-defense?" 

"Move, Siesta. I……" 

I shoved Siesta aside by her shoulders, and went down the red carpet of the church. 

"And there was a blade along with the gun at the scene? Don’t you remember anything?" 

I didn’t know. I couldn't understand at all. I didn’t look to see?if the blade at the scene resembled the chopper that suddenly vanished from our kitchen. 

"Say, assistant." 

"! More importantly, let’s hurry and look for Alicia!" 

I wanted to get away from here as soon as possible, to a place where I couldn’t hear Siesta’s voice…! 

"You already knew too, didn’t you?" 

I couldn’t refute the tragic voice behind me, and could only turn back. 

Behind Siesta, deep within the sanctuary, was Saint Maria looking down at me. 

"Is it not the case? The reason why you put a tracker in that ring was?" 

"DON’T SAY IT!" 

My scream echoed cruelly in the sanctuary. 

Yeah, I knew. I knew. 

I already knew that Hel and Alicia were the same person. 

And once again, we started on our journey 

Hel, or in other words, the true form of ?Jack the Devil?, Alicia. I already knew this was the fact, but even until the very end?even though it was just 1%, I acted while trusting her. I didn’t know if it was because of her ability to control other people’s power, or that I just wanted to believe in Alicia. 

But there was one thing certain. Alicia was definitely our enemy. 

"……But, Siesta." 

Even so, I tried to dispute this undeniable fact. 

"If Hel and Alicia are the same person, what’s with the fake Fuubi-san? Didn’t we say she was Hel?" 

Yeah, Alicia was there back then. If that fake was Hel, then that had nothing to do with Alicia… 

"No, Alicia was the Hel who had transformed using Cerberus’ ability. That fake should be a different enemy." 

"……B-but then, that means there isn’t just one enemy who can transform?" 

"It will be appropriate to assume so, yes. That one might be a more troublesome opponent?he might be the boss of them all." 

……! That’s impossible. There’s an enemy in ?SPES? who outranks Hel? 

"But right now, the important thing is Hel. We need to look for her…" 

"It’s Alicia, right!?" 

I grabbed Siesta by the hand right when she was about to turn around. 

"It’s not Hel, it’s Alicia. She, she…" 

I knew that. I already knew that. My brain already understood so. 

But my heart hadn’t accepted it yet. It wasn’t able to recognize the truth. 

"The Hel we fought was injured in the heart. After that, she became ?Jack the Devil?, who hunted human hearts. At the same time, we had a girl of unknown origin appear before us." 

Say, assistant , Siesta said as she turned around. 

"Do you think it was all a coincidence?" 

I let go of Siesta’s hand. 

"…You knew right from the beginning?" 

"No. If I did, there wouldn’t be that many victims…I was suspicious, but at the same time, I couldn’t suspect her." 

So that’s because of her ability at work? Siesta was never one to change her actions based on emotions. When she saw Hel’s……Alicia’s ?eyes?, and when Alicia said those words, there was no reason for us to doubt her. 

Mind control??both Siesta and I were in Alicia’s palm right from the beginning. 

"It’s weird." 

My trembling voice echoed in the silent church.. 

"So what was that? Was Alicia’s smile, crying face, kindness, everything, just our misunderstanding?" 

What about Alicia’s shout? 

When she saved the mother of the fifth victim with her words?was that all a lie? 

"No, I think those were real." 

In that case, there’s still room to save her. 

"That woman was truly saved by Alicia’s words. Did she not say that she was basically lectured by her own daughter?" 

Yes, she did say that with tears. She hugged Alicia, yes?? 

"……!" 

I felt goosebumps all over me, and was unable to stop my groan. 

"At that moment, Alicia…" 

Alicia had the heart of the daughter in her left chest. 

The mother hugged the murderer of her own daughter, like it was her own daughter. 

I really…couldn’t take it. 

I had to hurry, hurry, look for Alicia??and stop her. 

"I’m sorry. I fail as a famous detective." 

There was no need to look, for Alicia herself showed up. She stood at the entrance of the church, giving a tragic smile. 

…But I knew that she would come here. 

Hel lost her heart in the prior battle, and was looking for a new one. She had used up five hearts, and failed to obtain the sixth one not too long ago. She needed to hurry and get a new fresh heart?she knew that even though it was the middle of the night, there would be someone here, so she came here. She was aiming for the hearts of the other orphans who should be her friends. 

"Alicia……" 

I couldn’t move at all, while she slowly approached me. 

But I couldn’t feel any hostility. Alicia stood before Siesta and me. 

"I think there’s another person inside me." 

Alicia put her hand on her left chest. 

"And then, I should be the one ‘inside’?that’s why I didn’t have any memory, and I didn’t know who I am. I was always locked in the darkness." 

Dissociative Identity Disorder??commonly known as multiple personalities. 

It was a kind of self-defence mechanism, after one had suffered unbearable pain and frustration, to dissociate memories and feelings and create another personality to alleviate the burden on the body and mind. 

For example, a child abused since childhood would have psychological trauma, and created another personality to alleviate the hurt in the heart. There were quite a lot of reports all over the world. 

This time?Hel was the main personality, was gravely injured in the prior battle, and her consciousness grew weak. Thus, my guess was that the personality of Alicia appeared. That’s why Alicia didn’t know who she was, and hardly had any memories of the past. 

"That’s why I always said that I’m really seventeen." 

And then, Alicia seemingly deliberately made a monkey face. 

"…Yeah. Sorry that nobody believed you." 

It’s likely that Alicia’s current appearance was a fake image created by Cerberus’ transformation ability which Hel had inherited. Alicia should actually be seventeen years old, the red eyed girl wearing that military uniform. 

"Actually, I already realized that." 

Alicia hushed her voice. 

"But I pretended not to notice it." 

"…Notice what?" 

"That the other me had been causing incidents without me knowing." 

And then, Alicia tugged at her chest, clenching her fist. 

"But why? When I was investigating with you, Kimizuka, I started to think that the culprit was someone else. I can’t help but hope that someone else did it." 

That’s what Alicia said on the ward bed. 

She was trapped in darkness the entire time, and one day, the light finally shone in. She found a new ego before her, a new mission…and she said she wanted to seize everything. Alicia desperately tried to flee the countless hands reaching from the depths of hell. In that case?? 

"Alicia, it’s not your fault." 

I grabbed Alicia by the shoulders. 

"Those eyes may be stained in the blood of others, but they got nothing to do with you!" 

Was it not the case? 

Alicia didn’t do anything bad. 

She was a little stubborn, disobedient, and caused me lots of trouble when we worked together, ?but Alicia’s a kind person. She could celebrate, and also get angry and cry with others. 

It wasn’t just an illusion. It wasn’t just me being biased. These were the true thoughts I had after spending the past few weeks  with her. How could such thoughts be destroyed by that disaster? It's not Alicia’s fault. Alicia didn’t……didn’t… 

"Sorry, Kimizuka. I guess I’m a bad girl after all." 

Alicia cried. 

The large eyes continued to shed tears, and Alicia bit her lips.. 

"You don’t have to do this much just to look for the devil." 

And a tear landed on the ring on her left hand. 

"After all, the devil was already within me to begin with." 

At that moment, Alicia’s ring let out a loud crack. 

The blue gemstone was shattered, and so was the bug I installed inside. 

"Assistant!" 

Siesta immediately shoved me aside. I fell to the floor due to the impact, hastily looked up, and saw that Siesta used both hands to block Alicia’s left arm from swinging a blade down. 

Alicia was holding the fruit knife I used to peel at the hospital. 

"Alicia……" 

The eyes were devoid of color??she was in a trance. Alicia’s consciousness wasn’t inside anymore. That’s how she attacked five people, huh…but anyway, she’s not a match against Siesta; no ordinary person was. 

"I’m sorry." 

Siesta apologized softly, shoved Alicia down, and pinned her. She then aimed the musket at Alicia’s head. 

"Stop, Siesta!" 

Before I knew it, I shoved her aside. 

"……! Are you a fool?! If we don’t end things here…!" 

"Don’t do that! If we settle it like this, Alicia,…Alicia……!" 

"Don’t you know how such emotions will affect important decisions!?" 

"Didn’t you know recently that she’s just human!?" 

Siesta and I pointed guns at each other’s forehead. 

That was the final line we wouldn’t back down from, for both Siesta and me. 

"Oh my, an argument between companions?" 

I heard this voice from someone. I looked around, but I couldn’t find the source…weeks ago, I had a similar experience. 

"Then she shall be left to me." 

At that moment, the collapsed Alicia suddenly vanished from my sight 

"……Chameleon!" 

I stared into the space. I couldn’t see where he was, but I knew he was there. 

"Well, that was hard to find. You escaped from me while I wasn’t noticing, changed your appearance, and even wiped your memory." 

…So that’s how it was? After that initial battle, Hel used Cerberus’ ability to modify her appearance and hide her identity from us, but her body and mind were so affected, she accidentally swapped into Alicia’s personality, wandered the streets of London?and it was then that I found Alicia sleeping in the cardboard box. 

"Looks like there’s a need to treat her. I shall return her to our house." 

"……! Where are you going!?" 

"Why, seven hundred nautical miles from here, in the seas to the North West. There was an island we have as our base. I believe it is appropriate timing, no? If you’re prepared too, how about you visit us?" 

Chameleon declared war on Siesta and me while being affable the entire time. 

"I shall await your arrival then." 

And at the very end, he vanished for real. 

The only ones left behind were Siesta and me. 

There was an empty, heavy silence. 

I lost my companion, the bond I built during this time?I had no right to look at Siesta at this point. 

And then, minutes later, or rather, dozens of minutes later. 

"……!" 

I felt a sharp pain in my back. 

"……I thought you shot me.” 

I turned to look behind, while seated down. Siesta slapped hard at my back. 

"Are you a fool?" 

Ahh, that’s fine. Just scold me all you like, but?? 

"I’m not apologizing." 

I looked away from Siesta, and said with my back turned on her. 

"It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize." 

Unexpectedly however, Siesta leaned on my back, and sat down. 

"You wanted to do the right thing, and I too wanted to do the right thing. You won’t apologize, and I too won’t apologize. It’s fine." 

This is us after all , she said behind me. 

"……So what do we do next?" 

We lost everything, so henceforth, what should we do? 

Once I let out this useless whine, Siesta? 

"First off, let’s go to the supermarket together." 

Calmly. 

She spoke calmly, with that usual tone. 

"And then, we’ll buy the largest, reddest, roundest apples. We’ll use those apples to make apple pies, eat them with the best tea, and two of us. After that, if you say you’re going to do that, both of us shall bathe together…no, with our bath towels on though? Maybe after that, we may order some pizza at night, pour some collar to toast, watch some rented movie overnight, just fall asleep right there, have trouble waking up, and then get into some little argument, live our daily lives, and then?" 

I sensed that the warmth behind me vanished, and turned to look behind. 

Right over there was the partner reaching her hand out to me while I was seated. 

"We’ll go on a journey to save our companion." 

I took that hand without hesitation. 

So that the three of us could walk together once again.