Gray Life (5)

"What are you talking about?"

"The matter you're investigating, Oreki."

"You... know about it?"

"Mm. I'm very interested in it."

"...The Sign of Four?"

Only then did Oreki notice the book in Shiina Hiyori's hands.

A Sherlock Holmes story.

It seemed she was a mystery fan, too.

"If that's the case, why don't you tell me what you know?"

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

Shiina Hiyori brought her hands together.

Then she said:

"Oreki, you're investigating a case, aren't you?"

"More specifically, I think it's a theft that happened at the art museum. You went to the museum first, then to the surveillance room."

"But it seems like it's not that simple."

Oreki felt as if he'd found a kindred spirit.

He nodded.

"Just as you said."

"It's a troublesome matter."

"And I can't help feeling there's a lot more involved behind the scenes..."

Shiina Hiyori was delighted.

Cases that happened in real life were more interesting than novels.

But novels needed logic.

Reality didn't need much logic.

Sometimes, the cases that happened could leave people scratching their heads.

There were plenty of examples...

But for now, they should discuss the matter at hand.

"Detectives often need assistants. Oreki, would you let me be your assistant?"

"Huh?"

Looking at Shiina Hiyori's shining eyes,

Oreki didn't know what to say.

Shiina Hiyori was a student in Class C, wasn't she?

Judging from their previous conversation...

She also seemed to be one of Ryuen Kakeru's faction.

Wait...

Maybe...

Ryuen Kakeru had already unified Class C.

Was it a reign of terror?

Or...

I'd better keep a closer eye on Class C, too.

Oreki thought.

"Um, Oreki?"

"Oh, sorry."

Oreki snapped out of his daze.

He looked at Shiina Hiyori.

"Was there something you wanted?"

"You haven't answered my question from earlier."

"...Mm. If you're willing."

Oreki had been worrying about a lack of manpower.

Sakayanagi could provide, at most, a little help.

Karuizawa Kei...

Well, it might be a bit much to ask of her.

After all, Karuizawa Kei wasn't good at this sort of thing.

He'd have her keep an eye on Kiyoko instead. They needed someone for that, anyway.

Besides, Kiyoko had already won over Sakura Airi.

Though he wasn't certain yet,

that was more or less the case...

It was clear from Sakura Airi's behavior.

"Then I look forward to working with you."

Shiina Hiyori bowed politely.

As expected of a literary girl.

"Not at all. I'm the one who should say that."

Oreki replied courteously.

He picked up the xiaolongbao and left the restaurant.

Shiina Hiyori seemed to have something else to do,

so she didn't leave with Oreki.

Are they drawn to each other?

Oreki shook his head.

Troublesome...

He'd only helped solve one matter, yet it had drawn so many people's attention.

Nine thirty.

If he didn't get back to the dorm soon, he'd get a warning.

"Brrring—"

The phone in Oreki's pocket started ringing.

"Who's calling at this hour?"

He held a xiaolongbao between his teeth, then pinned his phone between his shoulder and ear.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Oreki."

"Sakayanagi?"

"Mm, it's me."

"Even if you say that, I can't say I'm happy."

"That's harsh. I helped you not long ago, didn't I?"

"Weren't you the one who asked me to solve this case?"

"That's true, too."

"Exactly, right?"

"Mhm."

"So? Why are you calling so late?"

"You haven't forgotten what holiday it is today, have you?"

"?"

Oreki started to say something, then stopped.

White Day was March fourteenth.

That was still eleven days away.

What else was there...

"The Cherry Blossom Festival?"

"No. Also, the Cherry Blossom Festival is from late March to April."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"...The Doll Festival?"

"Correct."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Oreki asked in return.

He knew about the Doll Festival.

It was a traditional Japanese holiday for girls.

On that day, parents displayed dolls and decorations, praying for their daughters to grow up healthy.

Although it wasn't a national holiday, it had a strong cultural presence.

"My father's at a shop near you."

"Hm?"

"He's picking out a doll."

"No, that's not what I'm asking."

"Then what is it?"

"...Why are you telling me this?"

"Didn't I tell you before?"

"Tell me what?"

"I can't believe you forgot so soon, Oreki."

"Forgot wha... Oh."

Oreki remembered.

Sakayanagi's father wanted to meet him.

Oreki had made an excuse the last time.

And quite a few things had happened since then.

Gradually, he'd forgotten all about it.

It couldn't be helped.

"So?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean. Come to my house with my father. Are you willing or not?"

"Yeah, yeah, I understand."

"Good... See you later, Houtarou."

"Don't call me that."

"Brrring—"

Before Oreki could finish, Sakayanagi hung up.

She really did whatever she pleased.

He shook his head helplessly.

Every day, there was one thing or another.

"Troublesome... And there are so many shops nearby. Which one is it?"

Sakayanagi had just mentioned the Doll Festival.

And...

Her father was on his way to buy a doll.

That narrowed down quite a few shops.

According to the information on his phone...

There were three shops nearby that sold dolls.

They couldn't compare to the shops outside the school,

but some stores still sold holiday goods.

Oreki thought it over for a while.

Then he put his phone in his pocket and rode his bicycle to the shop to the west.

It took about ten minutes.

"Just as I thought..."

When he saw Sakayanagi's father, Oreki stopped his bicycle.

He straightened his collar a little.

"Sorry to bother you."

"Houtarou? I see... Arisu asked you to come, didn't she?"

"Just as you said."

"Haha... My daughter must give you quite a bit of trouble, doesn't she?"

"No, no, nothing like that."

"You don't have to be so formal with me, Houtarou."

Sakayanagi's Father patted Oreki on the back warmly.

Oreki felt awkward.

"...Is that so? Then I'll take you up on your offer..."

"By the way, which doll do you think would be suitable?"

"This one?"

"Don't worry. Just tell me what you think, Houtarou."

"Then..."

Oreki hesitated.

Choosing something a girl would like wasn't exactly his strong suit.

"This one..."

He pointed with his right hand to the doll on the far left.

A pink checkered outfit.

A slightly round face.

And a small folding fan.

"Hmm, it looks nice."

"Does it?"

"That's the one."

As he spoke, Sakayanagi's Father walked over to the shopkeeper.

After buying it,

he smiled at Oreki.

"Houtarou, would you like to spend the night at our place today?"

They have the same smile. Guess it runs in the family, being father and daughter...

Oreki thought.

--To be continued