elikaska

[elikaska]

Hello! I just saw your translation of the final chapter from Housekisho Richard's novel and I'm absolutely happy omg I'm crying of happiness plss I've never read the novel but i want to know if you know where i can read it in english? Do you translate them? I just found your profile so I'm not sure about it yet :,)

If you want volumes 1–10, you can download them from this page:

https://server.elscione.com/Officially%20Translated%20Light%20Novels/The%20Case%20Files%20of%20Jeweler%20Richard/

Or you can buy them online or in a bookstore.

As for volumes 11–15, I'm currently translating volume 12 little by little. I also found volume 11 and 13 in Chinese, but unfortunately, I can't give you a working link – you'd need to log into the LOFTER site/app, and registering there is difficult without a Chinese phone number. If I have time, I can translate some parts of volume 11. However, it's supposed to be officially released in a few months, so I'm not sure it's really necessary.

[elikaska]

SPOILERS - The Case Files of Jeweler Richard - Volume 15

Here is the translation of the last chapter that was published. It's not the entire chapter, just a small but important part because I don't have the capacity for the whole chapter yet. I should mention that the translation might not be perfect since neither English nor Japanese is my native language, but I did my best to make it understandable. Enjoy reading it and thank you!"

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The modest party also served as a celebration of Seigi’s recovery. Mrs. Tanimoto had arrived from Okayama Prefecture right after the accident, and Haruyoshi Shimomura was there too—he had led a powerful choir in a huge Catholic cathedral, and the video of that event had apparently gone viral. There was also a somewhat pale British gentleman named Henry, supposedly a friend of theirs. A man named Saul showed up as well, apparently the teacher (or Mister) of both Richard and Seigi, accompanied by a lady who was clearly Saul’s acquaintance. Although not everyone treated Minoru warmly, he was glad that everyone had gathered to celebrate Seigi’s healing together.

Seigi, impeccably dressed in a new suit, was energetically running around among the guests as always, graciously attending to everyone. On his sleeves, he wore blue-purple gemstone cufflinks—the very ones he had earlier placed into Minoru’s hand. When he spotted Minoru, he waved.

“Hey, Minoru, Nakata-san looks really great today,” Ryota exclaimed.

“…He always looks great, doesn’t he?” Minoru chimed in.

“Maybe it’s just me, but there’s a different energy about him today,” Ryota said.

“I think so too,” Maririn agreed.

Maririn suddenly joined them, and Ryota smiled awkwardly. Although none of them ever spoke about it openly, all three knew well that Maririn harbored unrequited feelings for Seigi. His hospitalization had made them forget about it for a while, but Ryota considered it a topic better left unspoken.

The trio watched Seigi intently, frowning thoughtfully.

“…What’s different about him?”

“The way he carries himself… it’s just different.”

“Yeah, but what exactly? I can’t put my finger on it.”

“I don’t think he’s changed that much…”

“That’s classic—when you’re around someone for too long, you stop noticing.”

“Maybe he’s a bit nervous? Because of that Mr. Shaul? I heard he’s some big boss.”

As Minoru and the others pondered, someone stepped out of the villa.

“Wow, an angel,” Ryota muttered.

Minoru had the same impression for a moment. It was Richard, dressed in a spring suit of soft colors. Cherry blossoms from the nearby alley floated through the air, swirling around his golden hair.

“…No way. Mr. Richard has a completely different aura too.”

“Yeah, I notice it as well. That’s the look he gets when he manages to get up on time.”

“Really? He has trouble waking up?”

“Uh, uh, pretend you didn’t hear that.”

While the trio chatted animatedly, a sharp sound rang out—like someone repeatedly tapping a spoon against a glass. Seigi held a tall glass and clinked it to get everyone’s attention. All eyes turned to him. Seigi smiled confidently.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Seigi Nakata. At the end of last year, I caused you all a lot of worry. Thanks to you, I’ve recovered and can work normally again. I would like to thank all of you gathered here with a short speech.”

“Hooray!” Haruyoshi Shimomura cheered. Seigi smiled shyly. Richard watched quietly.

In the garden, where the breeze occasionally stirred, Seigi continued.

“It’s been almost a year since I moved to this city. But when I think about it, it all actually started ten years ago when I was twenty-one. That was when I first met all of you. From my first meeting with Richard, through the part-time job at the jewelry store, to becoming an assistant—step by step, I changed into the person I am now. Maybe it’s bold to say, but I like to call it growth—even though, honestly, it’s more of a transformation. Slowly but surely, I reshaped myself—I became who I am today. These have been the most interesting ten years of my life. I will continue to change like a flowing river, but I won’t be afraid—I will grow, rejoice, and of course, always be careful when crossing the street. That will never change. I’m not perfect, but I’d be very happy if you continue to trust me.”

Just as Minoru was about to applaud, Seigi hesitated and said, “Uh.” It seemed he wasn’t finished yet. Minoru expected him to introduce the new villa owners, but Seigi just ran his hand through his hair and went on:

“And one more very personal thing. I want to take this opportunity to thank my superior and colleague, Richard. Thank you so much for everything. The fact that I’m here today is undoubtedly thanks to you.”

Seigi bowed—and this time applause broke out. Then Richard stepped forward.

Seigi looked at him in surprise, while Richard stood three steps away, smiling.

“Thank you for the introduction. I’m Richard. I think everyone here knows me well, so there’s no need for a long introduction. I’d also like to say a few words. It’s been ten years since we met—a nice anniversary, don’t you think? Seigi, turn to me.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Will you marry me?”

“What?” Minoru gasped. Ryota made the same sound. Only Maririn remained calm. Seigi Nakata stared at him with wide eyes.

“What…?”

Richard knelt on one knee beside the bewildered Seigi. He smiled and spoke again:

“They say shorter speeches are better, but since you probably didn’t hear me, I’ll repeat it. Seigi, spend the rest of your life with me. I know it’ll probably happen anyway, but after everything we’ve been through, I realized it’s better to make things official. It’s true that here we can only register a partnership at the municipal level, and I’m not even a Japanese citizen, so it has no legal weight—but it’s better than nothing. Please, marry me.”

“You don’t have to say it three times!”

“Then please answer me!”

“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you! But… wait a moment!”

Seigi put down his glass on the nearest table and started patting his body as if something was burning him. Minoru understood he was searching for something. Richard smiled amusedly.

“…Aren’t you going to at least hug me?”

“I will! But just wait a bit!”

From his left pocket, Seigi pulled out a small jewelry box. He opened it—inside was a ring.

This time it was Seigi who knelt���not because of a proposal, but because his knees gave out. He stared at Richard.

“I bought exactly the same one…!”

Now it was Richard’s turn to widen his eyes. He looked at the ring Seigi held, then at his own, then back at Seigi, and finally glanced at someone next to Minoru. Seigi looked the same way.

They both shouted simultaneously:

“Mister!”

“Mr. Saul!”

The gentleman with chocolate-colored skin pursed his lips slightly as if to whistle, then looked away as if he knew nothing about it. It seemed they had both ordered the same ring from the same person, at the same time, with the same intention.

Seigi grabbed his head as if saying, “No way,” and Richard put his hand on his forehead as if he had a headache. They stood still for a moment, clearly stunned, then looked at each other and quietly embraced.

Applause broke out. Minoru glanced at Maririn. She clapped with such a stone-faced intensity it was almost comical. Minoru wasn’t to be outdone and clapped as well.

As the guests’ attention shifted from just Seigi to “Seigi and Richard,” Minoru had little chance to approach Seigi. The adults immediately swarmed him with congratulations:

“Congratulations!”

“We knew, but still—congratulations!”

“It wasn’t necessary, but we’re glad you decided.”

Everyone had their own way of expressing joy, and in the confusion, it was simply impossible to reach him.

Meanwhile, Minoru and Ryota took the opportunity to stuff themselves with delicious food. Maririn went to congratulate Seigi, then “pestered” Richard for a long time, but eventually returned to talking with Octavia. When Seigi was free for a moment, Minoru quickly ran up to him.

“Seigi-san.”

“Hi, Minoru-kun. Haha… That didn’t go as cool as I wanted at all.”

“That doesn’t matter at all. It’s not about style in moments like this.”

“Thanks.”

Minoru looked at the ring shining on Seigi’s finger. Seigi brought his hand closer so Minoru could take a better look. The stone was an elongated rectangle with colors Minoru had never seen before—half was a vivid yellow, the other a deep ocean blue.

“That’s… a strange stone. Is it the one you showed me once in the cafeteria, the watermelon… or something?”

“Do you remember the watermelon tourmaline I showed you? That’s amazing—you have a great memory! But no, this is a different stone. Hey, Richard, show yours too! I want Minoru-kun to see it.”

Richard, who had just been talking with Mrs. Tanimoto, bowed slightly and came over. On his left ring finger was a ring. He smiled and held out his hand next to Seigi’s.

“Look.”

“Wow…”

Richard’s stone was oval-shaped, but the colors were the same as Seigi’s—one half a pale greenish yellow, the other a dark blue.

“Did they used to be one piece?”

“According to our wise, kind, and extremely discreet mister, they are completely different stones. Mine is from Minas Gerais in Brazil, Seigi’s from Sri Lanka.”

“From Ratnapura,” Seigi clarified.

Minoru had no idea where exactly that was, but evidently, these were stones from different parts of the world. Sri Lanka and Brazil are completely different countries. Minoru blinked—how could they look so similar?

Richard spoke: “Both these stones are bi-colored sapphires. Sapphire, like garnet or tourmaline, is a gemstone that can come in various colors, but sometimes one forms that carries multiple shades at once. In Sri Lanka, they call them ‘Maggal Gar.’”

“Maggal Gar?”

“Which means…”

“‘Marriage stone,’” Seigi interrupted Richard.

Seigi grinned at him as if teasing.

You knew I was going to propose. This is payback for stealing my moment."

“I just wanted to save you the long preparation. I’ll listen to your speech calmly at home.”

With arms outstretched, they looked at each other and laughed.

[elikaska]

TRANSLATION OF VOLUME 12/11 OF THE CASE FILES OF JEWELER RICHARD

This is the translation of the 12th volume (or 11th, if we don't count volume 10.5) of The Case Files of Jeweler Richard. I discovered this volume on a Chinese website. The translation there is not yet complete; it currently ends at the fourth chapter, so it's uncertain if it will ever be fully completed.

My own translation may not be 100% accurate, sometimes I used a translator (And English is not my first language either) , but I hope it is still understandable and readable. Once the official English translation is released, I will probably delete this one. The next part might be released sometime during the next week if I have time. Enjoy reading 🤗

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Case 1: The Boy and the Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (1 PART)

"I know it sounds awful... I know it sounds awful, but... you could have died today."

The aunt with a ponytail and glasses said it, staring intently into Minoru’s face.

It’s one of the oldest memories Minoru has.

It happened in the summer when he was four, maybe five years old.

What he was doing that afternoon, Minoru remembers perfectly well. He was playing catch with his father in the park, but his father had to leave early, so Minoru was walking home alone. He kicked the ball, and it bounced off a brick wall, rolling into the street. Minoru ran after it to pick it up when suddenly a small white car screeched to a halt right in front of him with a piercing “screech.”

The cicadas, whose chirping filled the air, seemed to fall silent in that moment.

Minoru didn’t understand what was happening; he just stood there, clutching the ball to his chest. A woman with a stern expression leapt out of the car and shouted at him:

“Where are your parents? Where are your mom and dad?”

She spoke in a way Minoru had only heard on TV.

He knew his parents didn’t like him talking to strangers, so he stayed quiet. But the woman didn’t stop. She looked like she might burst into tears, and Minoru didn’t know what to do. He was afraid of someone so upset they might cry and unsure how to respond.

In the end, he gave in and led her to his house.

The car followed slowly behind him and stopped in front of their home. The woman bowed deeply to Minoru’s mother and mumbled something incomprehensible. After a brief conversation, his mother’s expression shifted, and Minoru realized he’d messed up. His mother yelled at him:

“Why did you even go there?”

That was the first time he understood he’d done something he shouldn’t have. Still, it felt strange to him that a stranger was in their house. Everything around him seemed impossibly distant, and all he could do was stare blankly.

The woman kept bowing and apologizing to his mother. His mother returned the bows. Minoru watched them until he noticed the woman giving him a stern look, which startled him. He’d thought that since she’d apologized to his mother, his mistake didn’t matter anymore—but he was wrong.

The woman knelt down in front of him so their eyes were level and said:

“You could have died today.”

She repeated “I know it sounds awful” twice as a preface, but to Minoru, it didn’t feel terrible or strange.

He didn’t understand what she meant.

What does it mean to “be dead”?

He understood life—it’s when your heart beats and you breathe. His heart was beating, he was breathing, and there was no sign that would stop.

But what would happen if he were dead?

Almost ten years have passed since then, and now, at thirteen, Minoru sometimes thinks about it. Whether it’s a spring day like today or when he’s walking home from school on the first day of middle school.

“Welcome. Welcome—”

“Brr-brr, brr-brr,” rang out every time someone entered the drugstore. The shop was on the first floor of a building in front of the station, wedged tightly between a convenience store and a flower shop.

The cashier with brown hair behind the counter glanced up at the entrance when the sound chimed. Minoru, hidden behind the shelves, slipped past his notice. Cotton swabs, lipsticks, band-aids—everything was piled haphazardly in the corner. At just 155 cm tall, Minoru crouched slightly and vanished into the shadow of the shelf.

No one saw him.

No one.

Minoru swallowed hard. His heart pounded so fiercely he could feel it in his ears.

“Brr-brr,” it sounded again.

“Welcome—”

Minoru swiftly reached out and grabbed a pack of band-aids—a small plastic bag priced at 100 yen. He stuffed it into the pocket of his school uniform.

No one was nearby.

His heart thumped as loudly as ever.

Minoru tried to act casual as he walked down the drugstore aisle. If he could just leave like this without any trouble, everything would be fine. He wasn’t sure what “fine” really meant, but it’s what he wanted.

In the narrow store, he moved with purpose, passing the shelf with lipsticks and the corner with shampoos and conditioners, heading straight for the automatic doors.

“Ah!”

“Oops!”

Minoru bumped into someone. It was a tall man in a light gray suit, wearing a pale purple tie with an odd sheen.

“Sorry,” Minoru muttered under his breath and quickly turned away. He just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. A magazine rack, which no one ever bought from, blocked his path.

Two more steps, and he’d be outside.

Then:

“Wait a minute. That kid. Wait.”

The cashier, who’d been repeating “Welcome” like a robot, looked at Minoru. He stepped out from behind the counter and hurried over. Minoru froze, as if turned to stone, and the cashier spoke to him flatly:

“Can I check your pocket?”

“…What?”

“Show me what’s in your pocket.”

“…Why?”

“Well, you know.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The cashier pointed to a corner of the store, right behind Minoru.

“There’s a camera back there.”

“…”

“Take it out. Now.”

His voice was cold and sharp, like that of some deity.

Minoru reached into his pocket and felt around with his fingers.

But…

“…What? Wait, uh…”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s… nothing there.”

“Can I see?”

“…”

Minoru opened his pocket and showed it to the approaching cashier. There was nothing inside—just fabric and seams. It looked like a black hole.

The cashier and Minoru locked eyes. Whatever was supposed to be there had vanished. Completely. An old man waiting at the register cleared his throat: “Ahem, ahem.” The cashier scratched his brown hair awkwardly and mumbled, “That’s odd.”

“I must’ve been mistaken…?”

Minoru stood alone in the middle of the store as the cashier returned to the counter and began serving customers.

Nothing sounded better.

Minoru nearly collapsed, leaning against the wall, when he suddenly felt someone staring at him. He turned slowly—and sure enough, someone was watching.

In the narrow shop, by the shelf with shampoos and conditioners, stood the man with the pale purple tie, holding something in his right hand.

Like a magician unveiling a trick, the man slowly revealed what he held:

A small plastic bag—the band-aid wrapper.

“…!”

Minoru held his breath, bolted out, and started running.

“Brr-brr, brr-brr,” the sound trailed after him from a distance.

As he ran, it hit him:

He’d been seen. That man had seen everything. He’d watched him do it, and during their collision, he’d taken the band-aids from his pocket. There was no other explanation.

But why? Minoru didn’t understand.

A thief boss, a crook, someone from the underworld—dark thoughts raced through his mind. If someone could so discreetly steal from his pocket, they could do far worse. Maybe sneak up behind him, rest a hand on his shoulder, and threaten, “I saw everything, so listen to me,” or something like that.

Minoru dashed across the pedestrian crossing, leapt over the muddy river, rounded the corner by the convenience store, and kept running. He ran until he was out of breath, until he stopped.

When he reached a slope with a view of the sea, he glanced around in a panic.

No one was following him.

The man in the suit was nowhere in sight.

“…Haah… ha…”

Minoru panted heavily.

Then he trudged on, his legs barely holding him up. His whole body felt like lead. Thinking it over, he didn’t get why he’d stolen those band-aids. He had no injuries, no need for them. Yet he *had* to have them, as if he’d die without them. Just like back then, when they’d said, “You could have been dead today,” he’d felt detached, like he was floating—and suddenly they were in his pocket.

“…”

His mind was foggy, and when the haze cleared, he felt wretched. He walked home quietly at dusk under a cloudy sky. People walking dogs and high schoolers in uniforms from the local private school passed him now and then.

Minoru’s house stood exactly between two major train stations. It was an equal distance to each, and he always had to climb uphill.

All around were luxurious homes.

On Yamate hill, once called “Bluff” [1], it was supposed to be one of the most prestigious areas in the city where Minoru lived. It wasn’t just the charm of the old Western houses—once homes to sailors, now tourist attractions—but also the current land prices. A short walk away, you’d find all sorts of grand villas: a three-story house with a massive glass wall, a home with a big garage and electric gates, or one styled like a mountain lodge with a parking lot where a pickup truck sat towing a small boat.

Everyone here was wealthy.

Minoru’s house was the exception.

Down a narrow path between the luxurious homes, he reached the place.

A vast, empty lot overgrown with wild grass and bushes.

It looked like an abandoned patch of land where plants did whatever they pleased.

It sprawled over fifty meters wide and long, and in the center stood a building that looked more like an town hall than a house. A three-story shadow in Western style. Rumor had it it wasn’t a typical “foreigner’s house” but something newer—just neighborhood gossip. It dated back to a time with electricity and plumbing, perhaps the work of some rich person from the Showa period [2], built in a Western design.

But no one had ever seen anyone living there. No gardener tended the grounds. Nothing suggested it was occupied.

There were ghost stories, but since no one had seen any, Minoru didn’t believe them.

Anyway, Minoru’s house stood right next to this old mansion.

The mansion’s property looked like something from a fairy tale, encircled by an iron fence taller than an adult. Except in one corner by the street, where a small house stood instead of the fence. Two stories, two rooms per floor—more like a storage shed than a home. It was a few meters from the locked gate, so tourists sometimes mistook it for a gatehouse and stopped there.

That was Minoru’s house.

Minoru stared quietly at the yellow front door with its wooden pattern.

He could picture the inside instantly. Open the door, and you’re in the kitchen; to the left, a toilet and bathroom; to the right, a room stuffed with white translucent garbage bags. Upstairs was the room where he and his mother slept—she was probably sleeping there now. More translucent bags were scattered around, as if guarding something.

He wanted to throw them out, but every time he touched them, his mother got angry. Minoru had no clue what was inside, but she refused to let anything go.

Lately, his mother just slept. She was rarely awake, which suited Minoru fine. When she was up, she rambled incoherently, and it wasn’t clear if she even recognized him. Only when Fukuda from the child consultation center visited did she pull herself together, get dressed, and say, “It’s fine” or “No problem.” Otherwise, she seemed to merge with the pile of bags, slowly wasting away. She hadn’t been to a hospital in ages. “If she sleeps, she’ll get better bit by bit,” they’d told Minoru, but he knew it was a lie. She’d been like this since elementary school, and if she hadn’t improved, something was wrong.

“…”

Minoru decided not to go inside. Instead, he circled around to the back of the house.

There was a small door leading to the old mansion.

Why was there a door about his height between his house and the mansion? It was locked, but by stacking three blue buckets from the 100-yen store that sat behind the house, he could climb over.

The buckets were on the ground; Minoru lifted a leg and swung over. The knee of his school uniform scraped against the door’s sharp edge, but he made it across.

He landed on the mansion’s grass like a wrestler hitting the mat, then brushed off his clothes and stood up.

The mansion’s yard was bigger than the gardens of the surrounding luxurious homes—big enough to walk a dog, maybe, but it was choked with wild growth, so that wasn’t possible. Trees towered over the roof, mid-sized ones had a tropical vibe, and low bushes sprawled like a chaotic hedge. Countless green plants of all kinds. Though the sun hadn’t set, it was dark as night here, the whole yard cloaked in the giant shadow of the trees.

In the dim light, Minoru stood and looked around.

That mysterious man from the drugstore couldn’t have followed him here.

No one, nothing in the world, could bother him here.

It was far quieter than home.

“Even if someone died here, no one would know,” Minoru often thought.

If a ghost showed up, it might be someone who’d died here. What if he found a body? The quiet town would buzz to life—police, TV crews, everything would change, and maybe his mother would snap out of it a little.

That thought cheered him up slightly.

Though he knew it’d never happen.

With a rustle, he waded through the plants, sat under his favorite tallest tree, and hugged his knees. When the cherry blossoms began to fall, it was still chilly, but in his winter clothes, he didn’t mind. To get his spring clothes, he’d have to clear out the garbage bags on the second floor and open the closet. His mother would need to get out of bed, which would make her worse, so he stuck to winter gear until summer.

“I hope this spring stays cool,” he thought, looking up.

Then he noticed.

The old mansion looked different than usual.

The shutters—wooden boards that usually covered all the windows—were off in several spots.

On the three-story building, on the second floor near his house, you could see inside.

A quiet bell rang in Minoru’s heart. Why? Who? What happened? Or was there more to it?

“…Ah.”

Minoru let out a breath without meaning to.

Inside the old mansion, right there in the house, was something.

Even faintly, he saw a silhouette.

Golden hair, pale blue eyes like wisps of light.

A beautiful, perfectly symmetrical profile, like it didn’t belong to this world.

The silhouette darted from right to left and vanished.

“G-ghost!”

The moment he said it, he clapped his hands over his mouth. That figure might appear behind him, showing a face of stunning beauty. But what if the other half was decayed? Because it was a ghost—

Minoru stood and wanted to slip back as quietly as possible. Fast, faster, even faster.

Climbing back over the door, he landed behind his house and badly scraped his right knee on the edge. He felt the uniform tear his skin. He touched it—it was wet.

He was bleeding. It stung.

“…”

If he’d stolen those band-aids, he could’ve used them now, he thought. Though he was glad he hadn’t taken them in the end, he couldn’t shake the light feeling of holding them in his hand.

“…I’m home.”

He opened the front door, but no one answered. Washing his knee with the shower in the bathroom, still no reply came. Yet he sensed someone was there. His mother was probably asleep upstairs.

Maybe someday he’d steal something small, something he really liked, and someone would catch him, Minoru thought.

And whatever it was, it probably wouldn’t be anything more “useless” than himself.

[To be continued]

---

Translator’s Notes:

[1]: “Bluff” is a term used in Japan for hilly districts where Western immigrants once lived, such as in Yokohama.

[2]: The Showa period (1926–1989) is an era in Japanese history marked by modernization.

---

[elikaska]

SPOILERS – The Case Files of Jeweler Richard – Volume 15

Note: This translation might not be entirely accurate (if you notice any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct them).

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2. Confession and Pendant (3)

I’ve heard that the Marine Tower was built in the shape of a lighthouse. Right after I enrolled, I went up there for a social studies field trip.

Maririn exhaled white breath into her hands and rubbed her fingers together. She didn’t want to wear gloves. During her modeling days, she’d been complimented many times on the beauty of her fingers. She wanted to show off everything that could be her charm, and if she couldn’t use it here, there was no point. Under her duffel coat, her thick winter skirt swayed.

The person Maririn was waiting for arrived at 7:02.

“Shiki-san, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, I haven’t been waiting long. I just got here.”

Nakata Seigi didn’t point out that it was a lie. Maririn had been standing under the cold sky for fifteen minutes. In the way he didn’t tease her or press her about it, Maririn felt Seigi’s sincerity.

The Marine Tower closes at 6 p.m., and after that, it opens for nighttime viewing. Everywhere was filled with couples. The neon signs of nearby shops shone colorfully.

First, Maririn bowed her head.

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.”

“No, thank you for agreeing to meet at such a late hour. I know you have work on Saturdays; Minoru probably told you. I’m sorry for making you go out of your way.”

“Not at all.”

Maririn lifted her face and tidied her hair.

Nakata Seigi was wearing a suit under his winter coat. He looked more like a mature adult than usual when acting as Minoru’s guardian; he was handsome and proper.

Since Seigi didn’t try to close the five-step distance between them, Maririn looked straight into his eyes and said,

“Um… I think I already know what you’re going to say, but please let me say this.”

“Yes.”

“I have feelings for you! Would you go out with me?”

Maririn spoke with all her heart, as if offering her words to him.

It was a line more clichéd and laughable than any she had ever heard, but it was the one she had chosen after much thought.

When it became clear that Maririn wouldn’t say anything more, Nakata Seigi nodded slightly.

Then he bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry.”

Before Seigi raised his head, Maririn closed her eyes tightly for a moment. Calm down, calm down, she told herself. She couldn’t afford to lose her composure, no matter what she said or did. That was something only ordinary children did, and Maririn didn’t want to be an ordinary child.

With a faint smile, Maririn spoke.

“May I ask for the reason? Of course, you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.”

Without showing any particular concern, Seigi answered in a calm tone.

“Because I have someone I like.”

Maririn clenched her back teeth. Seigi continued quietly.

“I have someone I like, so I can’t date you, Shiki-san. I’m sorry.”

Seigi didn’t mention the name, but Maririn pictured the face of his “someone.” It was a beautiful face—like something an artist had assembled by gathering all the beautiful things in the world and arranging them in perfect harmony—intelligent, fluent in Japanese, gentle-mannered, kind, with no flaws. Not the first love rival I should be fighting, Maririn almost laughed. At least not the love rival I should encounter in my first love, but rather a final boss I should face after gaining much more experience in love. That’s what it was.

The fact that her mind already recognized everything as past events made Maririn feel both amused and sad.

Realizing that not much time was left, Maririn threw words at Seigi.

“Can you be happy with that person?”

“Yes. I’m happy now, and I think I’ve already received a lifetime’s worth of happiness. I even want to make them happy.”

It was a model answer. Maririn dreamed a little, wishing that such words had been said to her. It would have been so happy, joyful, fulfilling, dreamlike—and truly a dream.

Maririn tried to force a smile, putting strength into the corners of her mouth. A model’s greatest weapon is her smile. But she couldn’t smile properly. With a distorted expression, Maririn spoke, hoping that the eyeliner and eyeshadow she had applied lightly hadn’t smudged.

“I wish I had been born fifteen years earlier. It’s regrettable. Truly regrettable. But I understood. Thank you for your reply.”

“Shiki-san.”

“Please let me say a little more,” Maririn signaled with her hand to stop Seigi.

“What I wanted to say isn’t just what I said earlier. I wanted to thank you, Nakata-san. No matter what the result of my confession was, I wanted to properly express my gratitude.”

“To me? For what?”

Suddenly, Maririn spread both her arms and legs wide. It was a pose like the big character often seen in SNS accounts of travelers crossing borders between countries.

Then she smiled brightly. Tears streamed down her face from the momentum.

“I’m a middle school student, so I’ve grown taller since we first met!”

“…”

“People also say that my facial structure is becoming more adult-like.”

“…”

“But more than anything, I’m often told things like ‘You’ve changed recently,’ ‘Your expressions have improved,’ ‘Your smile is wonderful.’ Since I fell in love with you, Nakata-san, I’ve been growing more and more!”

Seigi looked straight at Maririn.

Maririn smiled with all her might, tears still flowing. She stopped the big character pose, stood at attention, and bowed deeply again. It was a deep bow.

“Thank you so much for helping me grow this much. I had no idea that falling in love could be so fun, painful, and wonderful. No matter how much I thank you, it’s not enough. Thank you very much.”

“…Shiki-san.”

“Thank you for giving me your time. I pray for the future happiness of you and the person you like.”

Maririn raised her face once, smiled brightly, and then bowed again.

After a brief silence, Seigi nodded and looked at Maririn again.

“Thank you. I pray for your happiness and success too, Shiki-san. If you ever have any troubles, feel free to contact me anytime. I can’t be your lover, but I intend to be your cheerleader.”

“Is there any chance of moving up from cheerleader to lover?”

“No.”

“I thought so.”

Maririn laughed, and Seigi laughed too.

Then Seigi made a slightly awkward face and searched his pocket. Maririn blinked.

“What is it?”

“Actually, I have something from Joachim-san for you, Shiki-san. Is it okay if I give it to you now?”

“Huh? Kim-san didn’t mention anything about that.”

“He wanted to surprise you. There’s a letter too.”

“Sorry about this timing,” he said, and Seigi moved a little closer to Maririn, holding out a small box. It was flat and long. Thinking it might be a pendant, she opened the box and, as expected, it was. Inside was a letter folded long and narrow along the box. It was written in English with lively handwriting. She quickly read it through.

To my dear Maririn, Ciao! Are you well? When I was in Yokohama, I couldn’t do anything, but I’m sending you this charm. For my cute, hardworking Maririn, my heart will always be with you, even in tough times! From your soulmate, Kim.

Maririn could only blink for a while.

Inside the box was a pendant with a small gemstone on a platinum chain. It was shaped like a drop, a pale blue color.

With the distance of five steps between them again, Seigi spoke in a slightly brighter tone.

“That’s aquamarine, a gemstone. It was also used as a charm by sailors, so it has many meanings that encourage challenges. Joaquim-san asked me to find it, and I think it suits you, Shiki-san.”

“Did you find it for me, Nakata-san?”

“It was work, but I searched seriously.”

Maririn took the pendant out of the box. The chain was long enough to sit between the collarbones, and the pale aquamarine was elegantly set. Maririn narrowed her eyes at the sparkle of the gemstone illuminated by the neon lights. Her vision blurred slightly.

“I should call to thank him.”

“Please do.”

After saying that, Seigi made a slightly apologetic face and bowed to Maririn.

“Sorry, the timing for giving this to you is the worst. Kim-san might scold me.”

“Not at all. I think it would be more awkward to give it to me after I’ve been rejected, saying ‘Oh, by the way, this.’ You’re not wrong, Nakata-san.”

“…Thank you. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ll keep growing from now on.”

Maririn smiled brightly. It was her best smile, conveying that she could take on anything.

Seigi nodded and held out his hand.

“…”

After a moment of surprise, Maririn reached out her hand in return.

The two shook hands firmly and then walked off in their respective directions, leaving the Marine Tower behind.

When Maririn entered the fast-food restaurant, she immediately made a mess of her face upon seeing Minoru and burst into tears with a “Waaah!” Her crying was so loud that it drew the attention of everyone in the store.

Minoru hurried over, but Maririn said nothing and went straight to the fast-food counter. She told the bewildered female staff,

“I’d like a large shake, large fries, nuggets, a regular burger, and three of the limited-time apple pies! Mustard sauce, please. Also, a salad and lemon soda. No dressing.”

After saying that and paying, Maririn started crying again, this time a bit quieter. She sat down at the table as Minoru guided her.

Without asking about the result or if she was okay, Minoru just stayed by her side, and then Maririn lifted her face, grabbed a bunch of the store’s paper napkins, and wiped her face vigorously, declaring,

“I’m going to eat a lot today! We’ll talk after that!”

“Uh, yeah…”

“You eat too, Minoru!”

Minoru nodded frantically and went to the counter to place an additional order.

“Welcome back.”

When Seigi returned to the apartment, he was greeted by Richard’s profile, sitting at the dining table facing him. Unusually, Richard didn’t stand up but was gazing at the jewels lined up on the table. Seigi smiled.

“You’re here.”

“I finished work a bit early today.”

“On my end, work ran late. Minoru said he’s having dinner with friends, so it’s just the two of us tonight.”

“So it seems. When he contacts us by email, I’ll go pick him up by car.”

“Thanks.”

After washing his hands and rinsing his mouth, Seigi sat down opposite Richard.

Watching Richard admire the jewels under the dim light, Seigi thought he looked like a fortune-teller or a magician. After staring at him silently for about a minute, Richard smiled.

“You’re staring so hard, you might bore a hole through me.”

“Was I staring that much?”

“Yes.”

“I was thinking how beautiful they are.”

“Is that so?”

Richard smiled softly and began putting away the jewels. Seigi helped him.

As they efficiently sorted the jewels into small bags, Seigi spoke up.

“Today, I gained some courage.”

“Courage?”

“The courage to face things head-on, to confront them… I wondered if I used to be like that too, and it was dazzling.”

“It amuses me to hear someone younger than me talk about ‘the past.’ From what I know, you’re the most reckless person in the world. You should have plenty of courage to spare.”

“Maybe I did back then, but what about now? Now, I’m afraid of getting hurt.”

“Afraid of getting hurt?”

“Perhaps it’s better to say I’ve become complacent with the status quo. I’ve turned into a cunning adult.”

“I do have some thoughts on that.”

“Right? But today, I thought maybe it’s time to stop that.”

Once all the jewels were put away, and all that was left was to store them in the work bag, Seigi called out.

“Richard.”

Even when their eyes met as Richard looked up, Seigi said nothing for a while. Richard also remained silent.

After a quiet moment, Seigi shrugged.

“…Sorry. I’ll say it tomorrow after all. It’s not something to say at night. It’s better in the daylight. Like with jewels, sunlight is better for everything.”

“Now you’ve made me very curious.”

“I’ll say it properly. Today, I want to fully process what happened today.”

“Is that so?”

Seigi nodded slightly to the wryly smiling Richard. Then he stood up from his chair and picked up the car keys he had placed on the table.

“Where to?”

“I’m going to buy eggs. If I don’t properly make some pudding soon, your stomach’s Sweet King will be angry.”

“It’s not something to rush. Tomorrow would be fine too, wouldn’t it?”

“I have work to take care of tomorrow as well. I’ll be back soon.”

“Developing a habit of running away isn’t good, you know.”

“I’m not running away. I’ve made up my mind too.”

Seigi looked at Richard’s face once more, smiled, and said “I’m off” before leaving the house.

“…Oh dear.”

Richard smiled and quietly resumed cleaning up.

At the supermarket, which was only a 15-minute drive from the apartment, there were still some eggs on special sale, even though it was night. Seigi picked up two packs with a light heart and was about to return to his parked SUV when he noticed something.

Near the road, two brothers were playing. They looked about six or seven years old.

They were jumping on and off the curb that separated the parking lot from the road, occasionally pushing each other. Since neither was carrying anything, their parents were probably nearby, though not in sight.

The headlights of cars passing on the dark road repeatedly illuminated their profiles.

“That’s dangerous.”

When he called out to them, the two children flinched and looked at him, but quickly averted their eyes and started playing again, laughing. He began walking toward them, still holding the bag with the pack of eggs. The children looked a bit troubled, and when they realized he was getting closer, they showed expressions of fear. He stopped and raised both hands.

“I’m not a suspicious person. Are your father or mother nearby? I think it’s dangerous for you two to be alone at night.”

As if his words were the starting signal, the two children started running. He hesitated for a moment whether to chase them or not, then widened his eyes. The children were about to cross the road. Behind them, a tow truck with a car on it was approaching. The driver was looking sideways.

“A car is coming!”

His voice didn’t reach them.

The siblings were timing whether to cross the road or not, and the one with the slightly larger body jumped into the road. The shadow that looked like his younger brother followed. The car, five meters away, didn’t step on the brakes.

He ran.

He grabbed the children’s bodies and pushed them back onto the sidewalk.

There, he fell.

Next to the car that had slammed on the brakes, the eggs in the plastic bag were broken, and their contents were spilling out messily.

【To be continued】

[elikaska]

So...😗 Seigi's dad kicked the bucket. Time to pop the champagne and throw a 'Thanks for dying' party!🥳