Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru - Volume 3 - Chapter 1.1

Six years ago, Yui 

"Never ever let go of this left eye, no matter what." 

It was after I woke up from the surgery when I was asleep. 

Mom said to me while I was lying on the bed. 

"No matter who tries to take it away, you mustn’t listen to them…protect it well.” 

It was a stricter tone and expression than usual. 

But she gently reached her hand out and touched my left eye that’s covered under the eyepatch. 

"Does that mean I'm so cute and adorable that kidnappers all over the world are targeting me?" 

"Our daughter is hardier than we assumed right after a surgery…" 

She then put her hand on her head for some reason and sighed. 

What’s wrong with her? 

"Papa, please say something." 

And then, mom turned to dad. 

"My daughter is so adorable.” 

"Our daughter is like this because the father raised her like this…" 

Mom sighed once again. 

Yes, papa really doted on me. When I said I wanted bread, he would buy cake. When I said I wanted a bicycle, he bought a cruise ship as a present. Thanks to that, I learned how to sail a ship even when I was little. 

Well, I never learned how to ride a bicycle though. 

"But Yui, you can't remain like that in the future, you know?" 

Mom said to me once again. 

That face wasn't one of anger though. 

But it was a sad, anxious expression. 

"You need to go outside…okay?" 

The 'outside' mom spoke of was exactly as implied, and I knew that even when I was little. She always said this to me. 

"Go out and make friends." 

Yes, I had no friends. 

Truth be told, I never really attended school either. 

"…It’s fine. It’s not fun to talk to everyone." 

Children were inclined to exclude others who were different. 

I was different from everyone, for I couldn’t see anything in my left eye since I was born. 

And also, another reason might be because my family’s too rich. 

There was always an invisible line between me and everyone…and I couldn’t cross the line. I was always beyond this wall of air. 

"Nothing else matters as long as I have you, mom, dad." 

Again I said these words on this day, and covered the blanket over my head. 

"But we can’t always be protecting you." 

Mom sighed hard, sounding rather dumbfounded. 

And because I was wise, I knew how to react. 

"…Will you leave me?" 

I poked my face out from beneath the blanket, and said with a sweet voice. 

"D-don’t give me such a teary look, Yui?" 

And then mom hugged me. 

Yes, actually, mom’s the one who doted on me most. I managed to bluff her so easily…maybe I’m unexpectedly suited to be an idol. 

"Yui." 

Dad called for my name. 

He put his hand on mom’s shoulder, and gently pulled her away from me, 

"It’s about time to remove this bandage." 

He was aware that I was discreetly avoiding the topic. 

"…Yes." 

I was overwhelmed by that serious look—nervously put my hand on the white bandage above my left eye, and opened it. 

"Here, have a look." 

Dad then handed over a mirror, and I, 

"So pretty…" 

The blue eye dazzled like a sapphire, and I couldn’t help but voice my amazement. 

This prosthetic eye was obtained by my parents for my sake. 

"This eye really suits you, Yui. That’s why I want you to shine before others, in a beautiful dress, and sparkle like this blue jewel.” 

Saying that, dad showed a serious expression completely unlike before. 

"This blue eye shall light up your life, Yui. I’m sure it’ll allow you to find what’s important." 

So,  he looked and me, 

"Never ever let go of this left eye, no matter what." 

He solemnly said the same words mom did. 

"…Papa, don’t steal the spotlight." 

"I think this is the most appropriate moment for a father to show his dignity." 

Mom squinted her eyes unhappily, and dad nodded with a serious look. 

They’re such an intimate couple. 

I wished I had a friend to chat with, like them…someday. 

That was a joke. I just needed them alone. 

That’s why— 

"No, these words didn’t really hit me." 

""Ehh…"" 

That’s how I ended off. 

But…even then, I still hoped that one day. 

I could go to the outside world—and have friends who could accept me for who I was, without me having to hide any secrets or agenda. Maybe I could live every day happily then. 

Fufu, that’s what I thought when I looked at this blue eye. 

Then, let’s set one big goal. 

And maybe I should aim to be an idol, as I just thought of.