Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru - Volume 5 - Chapter 33

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A certain boy’s recollections.

"I’ve always wondered why you’re so bad at working with others."

Siesta sighed behind me as we walked down the path under the setting sun. As far as walking speed was concerned, we both knew that we couldn’t even match each other for pace…but I guess that's not what Siesta wanted to say.

We were returning from a mission that I splendidly failed, and there’s only one reason for that. Charlotte Arisaka Anderson, who joined the mission this time, was hopelessly incompatible with me. No matter how many times I was scolded for repeating the same mistake, the situation would never change until the cause was removed.

"I haven't walked beside anyone for a long time. It's too much of a hurdle for me to walk alongside someone now."

About a year ago, before Siesta took me on this journey around the world…I, unfortunately, didn't have anyone I could call a friend. I was born with this annoying nature of getting into trouble. People always stayed away from me, and fifteen years passed before I realized it.

"Are you okay with things as they are?"

"My will has nothing to do with it."

So I said, but there had been times when I wanted to change something. Even now, at fifteen years, I would sometimes sigh and wonder if I could simply live a more decent life. Still, as long as I have this nature, I couldn’t stand next to anyone, and no one could walk next to me.

"Well, I'm used to it now."

I chuckled as I stepped on the asphalt. I never had my parents since birth, let alone friends. So I had to gain life skills on my own since my childhood.

"But sometimes there's nothing you can do on your own. Today is no different."

Siesta spoke from behind me, as though she’s telling me to join her. Today, I had trouble getting along with Charl and almost got hit by an enemy bullet. Even so, Siesta came to my rescue in the end.

"You never know when you might lose me, you know?"

…You're the one who brought me on this journey, and now you're suddenly being irresponsible.

"However, if I were to make friends with them, there's a possibility that they'll be in danger."

Considering my nature, there’s a high chance of that. It’s not that I had resigned myself to this, but that I simply realized it. I didn’t need a companion to walk beside me.

"Where are you going?"

I realized Siesta's voice was coming from behind me.

"Are you a fool?"

I heard a voice to my left.

"It's this easy to stand next to someone."

Two black shadows stretched out in the orange of the sunset, staining the pavement.

"Of course, I'm not your lover, and I'm sure I'm not your friend. I don't even know if it's appropriate to call me a friend."

But, Siesta said, looking forward.

"I'm standing next to you now."

The orange light shone gently through her silvery-white hair. I couldn't help but glance at Siesta's sidelong face, she looked so dignified and more beautiful than any masterpiece or sculpture.

"Someday you'll have a friend, too."

Then Siesta turned to me and gave a gentle smile.

"And I'm sure that someday you'll be able to accomplish something together."

…I didn’t know, I couldn’t imagine myself doing so. Maybe it’s just due to my nature, and even if I did get a bunch of friends like Siesta said, they'll be a bunch of weirdos.