Gray Life (6)

"Come to think of it, Oreki."

"Yes?"

"Arisu didn't tell you where I was, did she?"

"She didn't."

"I see... It seems I've lost."

"Eh?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

Sakayanagi's father laughed heartily.

He looked quite satisfied.

"Could it be... that you and Sakayanagi made a bet?"

"Just as Arisu said, Oreki. You really are quite clever."

"You flatter me."

"Still, I feel a tiny bit of frustration."

"About what?"

"That you were able to find me so quickly, Oreki."

"As for that... it was just a coincidence..."

"Luck is also a part of one's ability."

"Is that so..."

"Of course. So, how did you know I was here?"

Sakayanagi's father was curious.

He had originally disagreed with Sakayanagi bringing a boy home so early.

But he couldn't win an argument against his daughter.

So, he made a bet with Sakayanagi.

If Oreki found him before ten o'clock, he would agree to his daughter's request.

But he hadn't expected...

He arrived at the shop at nine-thirty.

Oreki found him by nine-forty-five.

By all logic, there were dozens of shops in the vicinity.

Unless he had installed a tracker on him.

Otherwise, it shouldn't have been possible to find him so quickly.

"Today is Doll's Day."

"Yes."

"Since you were still at the shops at this hour, you must have been preparing to buy dolls."

Oreki began to explain his deduction.

"There are many types of dolls. And every shop sells different ones; some only sell the Emperor and Empress, others only the court ladies."

"Those don't take much time to choose."

"Because they only need to be ornate, or look a bit nicer."

"So what was the reason..."

"That led you to still be choosing dolls at that time?"

"I suspect it was because you couldn't choose a suitable doll to serve as a charm for Sakayanagi."

Oreki paused midway.

Presumably, he was waiting for Sakayanagi's father to respond.

"Hmm, indeed, it is just as you say."

"Although I would very much like to take Arisu back to our ancestral home."

"But even I cannot make special exceptions. So, for these few years, she shall remain at school..."

He nodded.

There were many dolls at their ancestral home.

And most of them had been passed down by their ancestors.

Whenever this festival arrived, these dolls would be put to use.

The more prominent the family, the more dolls they used.

Some families even use shelves a dozen layers high to display their dolls.

"However, can you really determine it just from this?"

"Of course not."

Oreki took his phone out of his pocket.

After opening the photo gallery.

He showed one of the pictures to Sakayanagi's father.

It was a map of the school grounds.

There was a line of red text above one of the shops.

"...Crowded?"

"I see."

"At this hour, there are three shops still selling dolls. The one with the most people is the one on the west side."

Oreki put his phone away.

He added:

"Yes, I imagine there are many people in the school just like you."

"Therefore, the place with the most people is where the girl dolls are being sold."

"Which is also where you are."

Sakayanagi's father clapped his hands once.

He said with appreciation:

"Brilliant. Well, looking at it this way, I don't need to worry too much."

Polite and intelligent.

For a boy like this to be associating with his daughter...

Surely, any normal father would have no objections.

Before long.

The two of them arrived at the faculty dormitory by bicycle.

This place was far more luxurious than the student dorms.

"Houtarou."

"Yes."

"You go on up first; I'll be there shortly."

"...Oh."

Although Oreki was a bit puzzled.

He still did as Sakayanagi's father asked.

He pressed the elevator button and headed to the floor where Sakayanagi was.

Sakayanagi's father parked the bicycle.

"How much longer do you intend to hide?"

"..."

"Don't tell me you want me to drag you out?"

"No, no, Chairman."

A middle-aged man emerged from the corner of the wall.

He looked very familiar...

He was... the same person seen earlier at the art museum!

But why would he be here?

"What business do you have at such a late hour?"

"That..."

"If you aren't going to say it, I'll assume you were just passing by."

"I have business! I do..."

The middle-aged man hurriedly stepped forward.

He whispered:

"I believe you should know... about that painting..."

"A forgery."

"...You are absolutely right."

"And?"

"This matter cannot be dragged out for too long. If the police investigating find out..."

"Hmm, and then?"

"We will be—"

"Not 'we', but 'you'."

"But you will be affected too... at least in terms of reputation..."

"Is that so?"

"I beg you! Chairman!"

The middle-aged man was almost kneeling on the ground.

With a face full of pleading, he said:

"I beg you, I will do anything!"

"Anything?"

"Yes, yes, I will do anything!"

"Heh..."

Chairman Sakayanagi smiled and shook his right hand.

As if nothing had happened just a moment ago.

On the other side.

Why go out of your way to a place without surveillance?

Oreki stepped away from the window.

Out of curiosity, he didn't immediately knock on Sakayanagi's door.

Instead, he chose to observe the situation from the hallway window.

But unfortunately.

The view looking down from here was limited.

"..."

Oreki arrived at Sakayanagi's place.

He knocked on the door a few times.

"The door isn't locked."

Sakayanagi's voice came from inside.

"Excuse me..."

Oreki turned the doorknob.

But the moment he stepped inside, he froze in place, unable to speak.

Before Oreki's eyes.

Sakayanagi was sitting on the sofa wrapped only in a bath towel.

Although she was wearing undergarments...

"What, could it be... are you... shy?"

"Not at all..."

"Then why is your face a little red?"

"The cold wind outside froze it."

"Heh..."

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing. By the way, aren't you going to come over and sit?"

"..."

Oreki hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he chose to sit beside Sakayanagi.

The scent of flowers... no, is it her body scent...

He didn't know what body wash Sakayanagi used.

It could also be perfume...

In any case, it was a scent that made one feel very comfortable.

"How is the investigation into that matter going?"

"Which one?"

"Hmm? The one at the art gallery."

"Oh..."

"How is the investigation going?"

"So-so. I'll probably have results by tomorrow... or the day after."

"Is that so..."

"Yes."

Sakayanagi crossed her right leg.

The bath towel draped over her shifted along with the movement.

Her calf, previously hidden from view, was now exposed.

Fair, soft...

It was practically a work of art.

"Do you want to look?"

"!"

Oreki immediately averted his gaze.

That was dangerous.

He had almost fallen into an illusion.

What a terrifying power.

"Oreki... is there someone you like?"

"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

"Pure curiosity."

"...No."

"I see."

"What about you?"

"Do you want to know?"

"I don't."

"If you do, then let's play a little game."

"I don't want to."

"Mm, it's decided then. Let's play together..."

--To be continue