Kami-sama no Memochou Vol 4 Chapter 3

That time, Hirasaka Renji was just fifteen, recently graduating from middle school. He did not continue his studies at a high school, but formed a juvenile delinquents’ gang known as the ‘Shura-dou’. It’s hard to imagine that the name was thought of by a city boy, and was said to be taken from a yakuza movie starring Aikawa Shou[1].

”In any case, that guy is super strong, as he’s one of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

One of the most experienced persons in Hirasaka-gumi— Pole said that to me.

”He might even be scarier than Sou-san. Because he fights with a smile.”

”I’m not too familiar with matters that happened during that period of time.” Hiro-san answered on the driver’s seat.

We were on our way back to Hanamura Ramen from Hirasaka-gumi. As he was too tall, Pole’s head b.u.mped onto the top of the vice-driver’s seat.

On the other hand, Alice and I sat at the back with a wall of dolls between us while the both of us stayed silent.

”At least Ojiki still went to high school.” Pole said.

”Just for a year. And I mixed with Tetsu right after that…… Hirasaka-gumi had already been founded that time.”

”The delinquents nearby weren’t originally in any gang at all, as they still thought that forming a gang is stupid.”

That’s true. It’s still fine if it’s the early Chiba and Kanagawa districts, but such an era is already over. Forming a gang would usually require an imaginary enemy, but the adults don’t even have the time to be children’s enemies anymore.

”But Hirasaka-san kept saying something like ‘Let’s help the others’, and everyone were like, ‘What are you talking about?’, but the ones who didn’t listen to him would be badly beaten up.”

Pole wasn’t a member of Shura-dou himself, so he was quite displeased with Hirasaka Renji who barged in his territory, but actually he was just a drop out complaining at a convenience store.

And just at that moment, another problematic issue arose from Osaka.

”I heard that Sou-san lived with a woman when he first came to Tokyo.”

”Ehhhhhhhhh!” And he actually lived together with a woman? My previous impressions of him collapsed completely. I wonder how that guy is before his girlfriend. Or perhaps he still had his brows locked constantly?

”Ah, I’ve heard about that a bit……” Hiro-san suddenly interjected. “He depended on women before this as well, and she’s a lady working at a pub or something. As the shop that his girlfriend worked at clashed with Renji’s team, Yondaime dashed over there…… Something like that.”

”Ah, that’s not right. I heard that they didn’t clas.h.!.+” Pole corrected at a side. “I heard it from Sou-san after that as well. He ran over to the place that Shura-dou gathered and took revenge after that, teaching them a lesson, asking them if they’re idiots, leading so much people and actually daring to make trouble at a shop that had the support of yakuza.”

”Isn’t that just a clas.h.!.+” Hiro-san couldn’t help but do a tsukkomi on him.

”But Hirasaka-san was quite forgiving. After that, the two of them started to cooperate, chasing away the delinquents from the gang called G.o.douda or something away, taking charge on the shop themselves.”

How is that possible— If I’m not too familiar with Yondaime, I would probably have such a reaction. Logically, how would a bunch of kids dare to look for trouble with the yakuza, s.n.a.t.c.hing away part of their territory in the end?

”I heard that Sou-san seemed to have some relations with a house intermediary who did quite a lot of dodgy business. I’m not sure as I’m not really bright, but it seems like they tinkered with the data of land or the building, and took charge of the shop in the end.”

Indeed, tricks like this again. I don’t know how he feels himself, but he really has the potential to be the intelligent-type yakuza.

”And then, he formed a gang with Hirasaka-san. Ever since Sou-san got serious, our territory increased rapidly. The name of the gang changed after that, and we rented an office as well.”

”That’s right, I was always curious about this, but why the name Hirasaka?” Hiro-san inquired.

”Sou-san said something like companies still keep their name after they are merged……”

Wow! That seems to be a very commercialized reason. As expected of Yondaime.

”And also, I heard that Hirasaka-san said that the name Hinamura is fine as well, but Sou-san hates his own surname.”

It is said that Yondaime’s family at Osaka is an old yakuza gang doing business on the road, probably using the name Hinamura-gumi, Hinamura Clan or the like? If so, not wanting to use the word Hinamura is quite understandable.

”However, the sake cup was half filled when they underwent the ritual, so there’s no such thing as one who is on the top. We were present when they underwent the ritual as well, and we felt that we’d probably be unbeatable as long as the two are here. Plus, it seems like Sou-san and Hirasaka-san didn’t only share sake, they exchanged something important as well.”

”…… Something important?” I muttered the words again.

”As for what it is, the both of them won’t tell us at all, so we all say that it’s a ‘super sake ritual’. All of these are legends, you can only say that they’re legends.”

Sake thicker than one’s blood…… And a certain thing even thicker than that that ties the two of them together.

I tried to recall the taste of cola that remained on my lips, and the ritual sake that had already turned faint.

”I heard Renji say something about this as well.”

Hiro-san’s voice was sweet but clouded.

”I asked him what kind of important thing that is, but he said that it’s a formless thing that people can’t see so easily. And Tetsu said in the end: ‘Are you guys gay?’, while Renji said while laughing as well: ‘A relations.h.i.+p closer than bein’ gay.’, making Yondaime extremely annoyed, and they got in a fight, spilling the ramen, causing everyone to be scolded to death by Min-san.”

So such a scene once appeared behind the portiere…… A dream from a long time ago.

”But……” Pole lowered his voice. “The two had already done things to this extent, why did they……?”

In the end, I still couldn’t tell Yondaime this—

Meeting Renji-san at Ueno before this, and the fact that he told me not to get near the livehouse.

Even if it is already certain that he is Yondaime’s past companion, Hirasaka Renji…… No, it should be because it is already certain, I cannot speak it out.

Why did Renji-san— A person who once created Hirasaka-gumi along with Yondaime, do such a thing?

”You guys in the gang, does anyone know the reason Hirasaka Renji left Tokyo?”

Alice kept her chin buried in Mr. Capybara from just now, but suddenly inquired, breaking the silence. I was taken aback, and stared at her face separated by the mocha bear.

”…… No. Nee-san, do you know about it?”

”I do not know right now either. Besides, Hirasaka Renji already left Tokyo when I got to know Yondaime. But I know the way— including which grave I should dig.”

”Sou-san would promptly beat people up when he hears Hirasaka-san’s name, so n.o.body dares to ask him…… Perhaps— they were already enemies when they parted five years ago?”

”I am not sure about this as well.”

Alice’s words stopped there, and only a dark silence was left after that.

A truth that only the detective can find— However, there is no reason for her to verify, because n.o.body made such a request.

”Ojiki, so sorry for asking you to send me here.”

Pole immediately bowed deeply after walking out from the car parked before the ramen shop, b.u.mping into the top of the car in the end.

As for why we let him tag along, it was because Pole said that he had something to do at Hanamura Ramen when we was about to leave. At first, he still refused when Hiro-san asked him if he wantsd a lift, but since we have something to ask him along the way as well, we just dragged him into the car. Even so, what business does he have? I thought while looking at the huge silhouette that pa.s.sed through the portiere.

”It is so hot that I feel like I am going to get cooked.”

Alice frowned while looking at the hot air that entered from the seams of the door. Though the sun was about to set, the asphalt road was emitting large amounts of heat stored before this, causing it to feel much hotter than noon. It seems like the ramen shop would be packed with people who want to eat ice cream tonight as well. Even the seats formed of overturned beer crates were full of people outside the ramen shop.

”Narumi, help me to order red bean ice cream from Master. And also, though I have no intention to have dinner right now, order cold tsukemen without the ramen if she wishes for me to eat. Hiro, remember to move my good friends back to the office.”

When I walked down the car while holding Alice’s hand, I heard a commotion from the ramen shop. Turning around to have a look, the surprising thing was that Pole actually kneeled down before the portiere. The salarymen customers stood up while holding their bowls, distancing themselves from Pole.

”…… A- Ah, you can’t do this, at a place like this…… I- In any case, can you go to the seats at the back first? I’ll get you an ice cream.”

Ayaka, who was serving the customers outside, seemed to be struggling, showing me a troubled expression, but I was so surprised that I couldn’t move as well.

”What is the meaning of this? There are other customers over here, you’ll trouble the others like this!”

Min-san frowned at the other side of the counter. After that, Pole raised his head.

”Hirasaka-san came back.”

Min-san just moved her face slightly.

”He’s now the gang’s enemy.”

”So what? Who cares about the idiotic fights of you kids?”

”No matter how great Sou-san is, if he goes against Hirasaka-san, who knows how the results will be. And we don’t wish to see them fighting each other as well.”

Min-san stood behind the Chinese frying pan emitting fire and smoke with her head lowered in silence.

”But Sou-san said that this is an internal problem of the gang, and said that he’s not asking for Nee-san and the others’ help. He might have already found out Hirasaka-san’s current location, thinking of ending the past grudges alone. If his opponent is Hirasaka-san, I think that it’s hard for Sou-san to get out without a scratch as well.”

I gulped.

”If it’s Master, you’ll definitely be able to stop Hirasaka-san and Sou-san, so please!”

”Why must I do such a thing? What are you thinking? Idiot!”

Words that sounded extremely cold and cruel. Even I almost felt like adding some words after Pole.

”But Master is stronger than them both, and n.o.body else can stop them at all.”

”I still have other customers, so stop fussing. And aren’t you a bit mistaken? I’m a ramen shop owner.”

Min-san’s answer was quite justified, and she handed the Chinese fried rice to Ayaka. “Sorry for the wait~” Ayaka served the food outside with a look of fear.

”If Sou or Renji comes to the shop, I’ll treat them to ramen and ice cream as well. If they have anything to say, I’ll listen, but if they continue to do these useless matters, I’ll beat them up— this probably counts as my job. However……”

Min-san finally turned her gaze to Pole— or I should say, Alice and I, Hiro-san on the driver’s seat, Yondaime at a faraway place separated by the railways and the station, or perhaps Renji-san somewhere in Tokyo? That moment, Min-san’s gaze was soft like candy made of white snow.

”Isn’t bringing them here your job?”

Pole’s hands fell onto the asphalt road with a thud. Alice looked at the large, downcast silhouette.

”Let’s go, we have our work to do.”

Alice pulled on my sleeve, and we walked towards the back of the ramen shop. Alice stood while holding the tray to her chest, looking at us with a confused gaze. However, Ayaka was much stronger than me, and she walked to Pole’s side with her head lowered.

”E- Erm…… Do you want to order anything? I’ll get another beer crate for you to sit on.”

As Alice forcedly pulled on me to go forward, that was all I heard. The two of us walked silently on the emergency backstairs, letting the lights, steamy air, sounds of conversation and the fragrance of soup fade gradually.

Such a kind place was here from the past until now, so there should have been a place for Renji-san here once before as well.

And he actually had to abandon such a place— What in the world happened?

Alice stepped into the office that had the air-conditioner going strong, causing gooseb.u.mps to rise at once, and immediately collapsed on her bed. Since she went out for so long, perhaps she already reached her limits?

After the process of moving the dolls was complete, Alice just turned around to look at Hiro-san.

”It is fine now. Please tell Master for me: Very sorry for troubling her.”

Hiro-san, who seemed to be convinced, nodded in response, and returned to the entrance after placing the dolls by the bed.

”I’ll go to Yondaime’s again for a spin.”

Hiro-san turned again.

”I’ll reaffirm if he’s truly not going to give the detective a request. Yondaime’s mind is full of the hereditary genes of the yakuza, so it’s easy for him to think of useless matters like the gang’s pride and the like. Actually, he’s already busy with his job, so let us NEETs handle the troublesome matters.”

”As you wish.”

Alice’s answer was unexpectedly cold. My thoughts were the same as Hiro-san’s, thinking that Alice should be like this as well.

”Ahh— Blast! That Tetsu, not knowing where he ran off to at these times! It should be his turn to appear.”

If Tetsu-senpai is here, even if he goes to beat Yondaime up— No, that would probably make matters more serious. But in incidents of violence like this, his absence is quite troubling.

”Alice, don’t force yourself as well.”

Hiro-san reminded her while putting on his shoes.

”I have never forced myself in my whole life.”

Alice raised her body by supporting her hands on the bed, answering softly.

It seems like letting her calm down would be better. As I was about to follow Hiro-san out of the room, a shrill voice came from behind.

”Why are even you going out? Come and kneel over here.”

Alice was buried in a pile of dolls while being covered in a blanket. As her eyes were somewhat foggy, I could only do as she said, kneeling down by the bed.

Alice pressed the doll of Mr. Capybara that I bought for her before her chest, hiding half of her face, making me feel that her gaze was even sharper, strongly fixing me there like a nail made of ice.

”The job that I accepted from Yondaime was only to make the wanted fliers of the T-s.h.i.+rt thefts.”

Alice looked at me with a gaze as though she was typing with only her thumb.

”The task has already been completely. The man who was caught was confirmed by you as well, confirmed to be in the criminal organization. The current me is only one of the eyes drifting in the vast sea of information, without power or a will, so I have no obligation to answer your questions. But I still have to ask: ‘What do you know?’”

I suddenly felt a sense of weakness, almost collapsing on the floor. I tried to support myself with my palms, trying not to fall, but I really couldn’t meet Alice’s gaze. Though the air-conditioner was going strong, my neck felt really hot.

”Perhaps you did not realize yourself, but you are among the few who can look into Hinamura Souichirou’s eyes directly, but you did not dare to look at him directly today. What happened at Ueno? What are you concealing?”

That moment, words flashed past my mind. I thought, how nice it would be if I could cry or fly into a temper right now? However, I could not find a reason to do so.

Because I lack the courage, I did not speak.

”To know is to die.”

Alice’s words pierced into my heart, while I could only raise my head after her words.

”That part of you has long died, and n.o.body can heal it, but I am a NEET detective, a messenger of the deceased. If you wish to share death, I can do it.”

In my trembling lips, my frozen words gradually thawed.

I should have learnt a lot of lessons already. Not saying anything— that is a matter that hurts the people around us the most, and even I was once one of the victims. However, I still had to be reminded by Alice till this extent, or I would only continue to cower in my own small world.

”…… I met…… Hirasaka Renji.”

I spoke those words after some effort, and tightly bit my lip.

Alice just placed her doll on her knee. The blackness that lingered in her eyes— I think that is a color that anyone who once looked at the sky alone in a silent night saw it before.

Thus, I told her about all that had occurred, including the fact that I met Renji-san at the location where I headed to on Yondaime’s request. Which means, those were not coincidences at all. It is certain that Renji-san and I will meet, and we did indeed meet twice.

Being close friends in the past— Renji-san told me, he returned to Tokyo just to beat up his previous sworn brother to pieces. When he said that, it was like his eyes were sucking all shadows in it.

”…… I don’t know what he is planning to do, but……”

That person— seems very sad.

Having to play the fool or beating people up, if he doesn’t do one of those two, he probably can’t continue to breathe— that was what his expression said.

Even after I spoke of what I knew, Alice still maintained the silence for quite some time. The doll that I bought her was clamped between her knees, thus being flattened and changing shape. Her gaze contained neither reproach nor lament—

It was just understanding.

”Dr. Pepper……”

After a long, cold silence, Alice finally spoke.

”…… Get one for me.”

I took out a red can so cold that it almost stuck onto my fingers from the fridge, and after handing it to Alice, she did something that she never once did to me before.

After taking a sip, she pa.s.sed the can to me.

”You drink it as well, all of the rest.”

I was troubled, breathless and couldn’t speak. After drinking a small sip of the beverage, its taste mixed with the taste of the cola that I shared with Renji-san in my memory.

As I slowly drank in small sips, the bubbles had long dispersed when the can became light. Thus, I drank the remaining in one go, and felt the taste of sweetness and spice trickling down the interior of my throat.

I stood up while holding the can, feeling as though Alice’s blood was silently absorbed into my body from my gut, and couldn’t look into her eyes at all.

”I’m sorry…… And thank you.”

”The one that you should apologize to should not be me, should it?”

”That’s true.”

”No matter, I do not wish for my a.s.sistant to keep being so useless as well. Treating this like I am training a dog, even if I have to do it a hundred or a thousand times, I will still teach you the same thing.”

”I will try my best.”

”No matter how hard I try to take root, grow buds and spread the tender leaves of words, the real world that I can come in contact with is still limited, after all.”

That moment, a trace of moistness finally surfaced in Alice’s eyes.

”And you are a part of that limited world.”

I nodded.

If we cannot express things in word, we can only wait for our world to wither away in those small palms.

They must be expressed in words.

After I walked out of the detective agency, and was walking on the dark emergency backstairs, it was coincidentally the closing time of Hanamaru Ramen. Min-san took off her tanktop, her upper body wrapped only with a white saras.h.i.+, and was was.h.i.+ng a large pot, while Ayaka who had long removed her ap.r.o.n was scrubbing the floor in the kitchen.

That’s right, I wonder what happened to Pole after that. He didn’t use violence or cry while begging, did he?

”He ate five bowls of ramen and went back on Hiro’s car.”

”Is that so…… That’s fine.”

Having a healthy appet.i.te is a proof of health, I suppose? While thinking of that, I suddenly realized that I was quite hungry as well. Unfortunately, drinking a can of Dr. Pepper cannot sate my hunger at all. The shop already closed for the day? I originally wanted to go back after eating a bowl of ramen. I looked at the large pot that was still smoking while touching my stomach. Perhaps my expression that time was somewhat sorrowful, as Min-san spoke after she noticed it.

”Huh, so you’re hungry?”

”Err…… That’s right….. Lately, my sister keeps coming back rather late, so there isn’t any dinner.”

”That’s fine. Why don’t you take this back?”

Min-san tossed a food container with three soy eggs in it to me.

”Err….. Thank you.”

”Don’t you give it to your sister! You eat them all up.”

”Expired food again! I’m very sorry, but I’m not a rubbish bin!”

”At least rubbish bins can still be used to pickle vegetables or let children play hide-and-seek in.”

”Min-san, aren’t you treating me especially cold these days?”

”It’s late now, hurry up and send Ayaka back properly!”

She actually didn’t even listen!

As I was squatting down on the asphalt road before the ramen shop in frustration, chewing on the extremely salty soy eggs, Ayaka walked out as she finished cleaning up. “Min-san, good night—!”

”Be careful! See you tomorrow!” Min-san waved behind the portiere.

”It’s fine even if you don’t wait for me!”

Looking rather happy, Ayaka pranced around me while walking.

”Well, I’m going to the station anyway.”

”But this is the first time you sent me there!”

No, there should be five or six more times now. Before the winter break, I was always free, and Ayaka—

”Ah, s- sorry, perhaps this isn’t the first time you sent me?”

Ayaka opened her arms and blocked me.

”Ah, no. Actually, I’m much more considerate that you think, Ayaka.”

”N- n.o.body said that Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun isn’t considerate or doesn’t work or does work sloppily……”

”I never said that as well.”

Ayaka laughed while escaping about five steps in front of me, turned around and said while walking backwards:

”Is that so…… So this isn’t the first time, then…… I’m even happier!”

Her words did indeed make me happy, but I still couldn’t accept it. Though Ayaka’s face was somewhat dim below the streetlights at night, she was unbearably dazzling to me, causing me to be unable to look at her directly.

Ayaka lost a lot of things in the incident that happened last winter, including the memories when we first met. Even so, she still returned to Hanamaru Ramen, returning to my side.

The Ayaka right now can already face the matters that had turned into nothingness with a smile, but if it were to be me, I probably couldn’t do it. That was why I felt that she was dazzling.

”But…… It’s fine that you’re okay, because you looked terrible when you returned to the ramen shop just now, Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun.”

”R- Really?”

It seems like I’m really easily read. This is not a good situation.

”But you looked much better after returning from Alice’s place.”

”Mnn……”

So sorry, I’m a simple man.

”If it were to be me, I probably can’t do it. I don’t know what I have to do for Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun to be willing to confide so many things in me. So Alice is really great!”

”Erm…… Well……”

Can you please not speak as though I’m a troublesome rare beast?

”I’m just a student working part time at a ramen shop, so I don’t understand things that are too hard. That can’t be helped as well.”

”It’s not much, Alice didn’t do anything special as well. She just treated me to a can of Dr. Pepper. After taking a sip, she gave the rest to me. To be honest, it doesn’t really taste good and felt sorrowful, but well, it’s like I just calmed down.”

”Ehhhhh—!?”

Ayaka suddenly made a pose of surrender, looking extremely taken aback. Her way of expressing her shock was still the same as the time before she lost her memories.

”You were forced to drink it all? The one that Alice took a sip out of?”

”Eh? Mnn, that’s right.”

”T- T- That! Tha- That won’t do! Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun, what were you thinking!”

Ayaka suddenly approached, frantically hitting my arm. What the heck? What happened?

”Please take out your phone and call Alice!”

Ayaka’s expression scared me, so I hurriedly called Alice as she instructed me to. As soon as the call went through, the phone was immediately s.n.a.t.c.hed away by her.

”Is it Alice? It’s me, Ayaka! I heard from Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun about the matter that you lethim drink Dr. Pepper!”

Ayaka started to lecture her through the phone:

”Listen closely, even if it’s indirect, things that can’t be done just can’t! Don’t you realize that Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun touched the can that you drank from with his mouth? Think about it in detail what that means!”

I finally understood the topic that they were talking about and fell into a daze. Ayaka pressed my cellphone on my ear in anger.

’Narumi! You- You shameless fool!’

Again? If you didn’t notice from the start, why don’t you just be ignorant about this forever!

After I was scolded by Alice with tons of incomprehensible words, Ayaka finally hung up for me and stuffed the phone into my pocket.

”Fujis.h.i.+ma-kun, please take more notice of these things as well!”

”Okay, fine….. But is this really a matter that you have to mind so much? Like Tetsu-senpai and Major, they steal my ramen from a side when they don’t have money on them as well!”

”But Alice is a girl!”

On the course of being scolded, we unknowingly arrived at the station. Coincidentally, a bus was flas.h.i.+ng its blinding backlights as well, and was about to stop by the road. Though Ayaka seemed to have something more to say, she just sprinted towards the station after a goodbye in the end. The large, dusty bus sprayed out exhaust gas on my face, and it gradually left while going along the river.

Today was a long day. The me right now shouldn’t actually be a character who lives in the dreams of the capybaras at the Ueno zoo, right? And perhaps I was about to be eaten by the tapirs as well. While imagining idiotic matters, I walked towards the dark streets with my back to the rivers.

It was already past midnight when I finally returned home. Though it was the last attack of the day— as soon as I walked into the entrance, I was given a punch by my sister.

”Though n.o.body cares how long you don’t go home or which street you die of starvation on, you should at least handle the clothes that you wash. How long did you hang them there for? And also, remember to clean up the house!”

While rubbing on the bruise on my head, I walked to my bedroom on the second floor. The bed was piled up with underwear with square pegs sill on them, s.h.i.+rts, towels and other garments. When I saw the scene, lethargy because of overwork for the day (probably) caused my brain that was in denial to spread to my eyelids, neck, shoulders, arms, abdomen, thighs, calves and other locations, making me collapse directly into the hill of clothes. I can’t go on. Though I haven’t bathed or brushed my teeth, and was quite hungry as well…… Good night, I’m going to sleep.

However, the touch of protruding threads on my face caused my nearly closed eyes to open once more.

It was a white T-s.h.i.+rt. Only the collar and the sleeves were black, while the shoulder and abdomen part were spread with colorful, radial embroidery. It was the s.h.i.+rt that Renji-san wore that time. Ah, I brought it back for was.h.i.+ng.

I pushed the other clothing away, lying down on my bed and spread the T-s.h.i.+rt open under the lights. I remember that he said that this is a very important s.h.i.+rt, so I must return it to him. But how can I meet that person again? Besides, I don’t even know if he would contact me again. Since Renji-san kept investigating Yondaime, learning of our relations.h.i.+p is only a matter of time.

Knowing that I am a person helping Hirasaka-gumi.

Him and I— are actually enemies.

After some thought, I realized that this was the point that I was so worried of— I do not wish to go against that person. This is different from the time when I fought Tetsu-senpai, because it’s obvious that Renji-san is deliberately making trouble. Because of that, it made me feel even sadder.

But the saddest person would probably be—

As I was about to throw the T-s.h.i.+rt aside, I suddenly saw something with the corner of my eye. On a triangular hanger not far from me, there was a black T-s.h.i.+rt. Hirasaka-gumi’s uniform.

”Ahh……”

I sprang upwards, taking the black and white s.h.i.+rts, spreading them open.

The swallowtail b.u.t.terfly emblem printed in front of the black T-s.h.i.+rt and the embroidery on Renji-san’s s.h.i.+rt— after the two overlapped, I finally realized it. This isn’t a radial embroidery at all, but is actually a part of the swallowtail b.u.t.terfly emblem. Perhaps this is an incomplete work? As a lot of colored threads must be used, such a mystifying state that looks like fireworks would be presented if the product hasn’t been finished yet.

This s.h.i.+rt is important— I remember that Renji-san once said that.

He was probably referring to this, right? The ‘thing most important to each other’ that Yondaime and Renji-san exchanged. Because Yondaime’s tailoring skills are great, he made this himself…… But that doesn’t seem right. According to Hiro-san it is something formless that people can’t see so easily.

How confusing. I placed the two s.h.i.+rts on my knee and lied down again.

’I thought that no matter how long I live, I probably won’t be able to have a more important friend than that guy.’

The words that Renji-san said and the taste of the cola that we drank kept swirling in my mind.

If that’s true—

The person who is the saddest should be Yondaime, right?

Because he hid the matter of the storeroom key for quite some time as well. I think he is a calm person who would think carefully of all possibilities before taking an appropriate action, and might even be a more suitable candidate to be a detective than me. But such a person actually……

Perhaps he did not wish to believe such a truth? I hope that’s so.

If so, what should I do then?

I already reached my limits when I thought about that. The lethargy frozen in my body started to thaw, a.s.saulting my eyelids like an avalanche caused when spring arrives. I slept so well that I didn’t even dream.

After noon next day, the weather gradually turned bad, and the wind started to strengthen as well. It felt like there would be a thunderstorm after noon. Because of that, I placed the T-s.h.i.+rt that Renji-san asked me to keep into two layers of plastic bags and kept it in my backpack, walking outside after that. Just updating the promotional website of the band and the blog took me the whole morning, so it wasn’t too long until the appointed time for a meeting.

Yondaime stayed at the innermost room of the Hirasaka-gumi office— a storeroom having beds, not-too-tall moveable bookshelves, desks, chairs and other articles kept messily in the room. He was typing on the keyboard while talking on the phone. Before this, Yondaime was clueless about the usage of computers, but after I gave him some lessons, he improved so much that he could handle the computer of his own gang. That was why the time he stayed in the room increased quite a lot recently, allowing us to meet alone. That would be a great opportunity.

”Aren’t you going to a CD firm four in the afternoon? You’re going with the designer, right? Don’t come here if you don’t have any business to do with me.”

After hanging up, Yondaime continued to type with his eyes glued to the monitor. Grasping even my own schedule, he’s such a scary person.

”I have some business with you!”

”If it’s about Renji, I don’t want to listen. Hiro came over here and made a huge fuss yesterday, so you’re probably lectured by Alice as well, right? This is none of your busine—“

”I met Renji-san.”

While I was thinking that Yondaime’s seat turned around, I was grabbed on the collar the next instant and was flung to the wall. The eyes of a wolf blazing with strong flames of fury appeared before me.

”When? Where?”

”…… Very…… Sorry…… For not telling you this, but……”

”I’m asking you when and where you met him!”

”About Renji-san…… Yondaime probably didn’t request anything to Alice, right? So I don’t have any reason to tell you about this.”

Vigorous pain caused my vision to blur, and my legs were already touching air. Yondaime lifted me, causing the back of my head to hit the wall behind.

”Enough with the chatter! Speak!”

”Then please…… Request…… Al- ice……” My voice was disconnected. “We are detectives, and we exist just for these times.”

Yondaime flung me to the bed.

”Stop the fuss! How can I allow a matter of my kin to spread like this!”

”Aren’t I one of your kin as well!”

I unconsciously raised my voice in answer, causing my hurt throat to ache and then cough vigorously.

”So you can’t say anything to me? Aren’t you and Renji-san companions? I heard that even the sake that you shared was equal, but what happened after that? Did you really break off all relations with him?”

”That’s right, it happened long ago. We aren’t brothers anymore.”

”Why!?”

”Because of a failure to keep promises, it’s the same for the both of us. That’s why Renji couldn’t stay in the gang anymore, that’s all. If he’s still hating me until now, that’s fine, I’ll just kill him!”

”Renji-san—“

Hates him? He still hates Yondaime right now?

I don’t understand. I don’t even know what happened, so how could I understand how much sorrow was engraved in the eyes hidden below the goggles-styled sungla.s.ses?

However, when I spread out the item covered in a plastic from my backpack, it was like cracks appeared on Yondaime’s face.

”You probably know this T-s.h.i.+rt, right? Renji-san forgot to take it away. We just met each other in coincidence, so I almost didn’t ask him anything, but…… But that person said that this s.h.i.+rt is very important, and that I must return it to him.”

Yondaime heaved a large sigh and leaned on the back of the seat, while I crossed the bed to sit by Yondaime.

”I heard that you exchanged things important to each other, right? Was this s.h.i.+rt sewn by you?”

”Who did you hear this from?”

Pole once said that this had almost turned into a legend now, while Hiro-san knows it as well.

Yondaime threw his cellphone to the bed and spat out: “Useless.”

”It’s not something that is visible at all. It’s something done just for looks, and Renji should have forgotten it long ago.”

So the T-s.h.i.+rt is indeed not it? But I still continued.

”But wasn’t this sewn by Yondaime? It’s the emblem of the gang!”

”It was not me.”

Is it possible that he just doesn’t want to admit it? However, Yondaime pointed at the abdomen and shoulders part of the T-s.h.i.+rt in my hands and said:

”Look closely. The pattern on the side abdomen is 1.3 times larger than the part of the shoulders, and so that the tone of the colors would look the same, the arrangement of the embroidery has some changes, and it’s formed by uploading the pattern of the embroidery into a computer and enlarging it. How could I do such a thing?”

I looked at the unfinished emblem in a daze, and looked at Yondaime’s face after that.

Yondaime was right. To Yondaime, who did not know how to use a computer before I taught him to, it’s impossible for him to do such an embroidery. However—

Yondaime indeed knows about the embroidery on the T-s.h.i.+rt.

”The person who sewn this was a woman called Hison.”

Yondaime turned his face away.

…… A woman? And Hison…... Is she a Korean? She’s…… the person living together with Yondaime, his girlfriend?

”This woman isn’t here anymore. I couldn’t protect her, and Renji couldn’t do that as well. That’s all.”

When Yondaime stopped talking, I couldn’t continue my questions as well. It’s the same for the questions about Renji-san and that woman. After that, there was a soft silence, as though the floorboards in the room were layered with chilly mercury.

”Can you contact Renji?”

I didn’t realize that it was a question directed at me for a moment.

”…… Eh? Ah…… Well……”

If I shake my head right now, it seems like even my bones would be bitten to pieces by him.

”He doesn’t have a phone, but I told him my number before this.”

”Tell me if he calls. I want to kill him.”

I couldn’t help but gulp, but I truly shook my head in refusal.

”No.”

Yondaime glared at me with his mouth closed.

”Renji-san…… is a friend that I met coincidentally at Harajuku and reunited at Ueno, that’s all. To me……”

”Stop your blabbering. Don’t you know that he’s going against us?”

”I will reconfirm this with Renji-san myself. I still don’t wish to believe this.”

”You just met him twice, so what do you know?”

”Didn’t you refuse to believe this at first as well, Yondaime? That was why you hid the matter of the storeroom key.”

After I finished speaking, my vision immediately shook vigorously. An impact caused hot air to be spat out from my mouth, my body was bent into half, and I finally felt the vigorous pain on my abdomen that moment. Yondaime’s iron punch had landed on my stomach, making me feel nauseous, and could only suppress the pain while trembling with one hand on the bed.

”You just need to do your own job. Tell Alice and Hiro about this as well!”

After that, Yondaime walked out of the room. The room was filled with a powdered darkness and solemnity, but I lied down on the bed, unable to move for quite some time.

I searched for the T-s.h.i.+rt that I kept for Renji-san.

My job—

Pretending that I cannot see a dark world like this, only looking at the silhouette of the band that is about to step into the spotlight, and then awaiting Yondaime to break Renji-san— Or Renji-san to break Yondaime to a state impossible to save, and only wait. Is this really my job?

I definitely won’t stand for such a thing!

”So this is the building of Sou-san’s office? That’s cool!”

Mika-san looked at the signboard of Hirasaka Office hung on the building, crying out in excitement. She was the young female event planner. She wore a tight fitting s.h.i.+rt and a miniskirt, making me regret a lot that I asked to meet her before the office. But Mika-san did wish to see what kind of place Hirasaka-gumi is, so it couldn’t be helped. After all, the CD firm that we were going to was quite near, so meeting here was quite convenient as well.

”And we have bodyguards as well! Fujis.h.i.+ma-san, you’re really awesome! You’re giving off the presence of a bigshot!”

”Not really, this is…… Well……” I turned around in a headache.

”Yes sir! We will protect Aniki and the client!” “We shall now hone our manly aura!”

They were the number one in height, Pole, and the number one in width, Rocky, from Hirasaka-gumi. If the two take action at the same time, they might be able to block even nuclear bombs, but they were extremely visible. Added with the fact that they were forbidden to wear their black T-s.h.i.+rt uniform, the two of them wore idiotic clothes with ‘Courage’ ‘Chivalry’ and the like on it. How can I bring these kind of people out to the streets? However, the two said that it was an order from their leader, completely refusing to leave. Yondaime thought that I might already be treated as one of the accomplices helping Hirasaka-gumi by Renji-san and the others, so going out might be dangerous. Treating me so coldly before this but doing this right now, I really don’t know what he’s thinking of.

In any case, he’s just too much of a busybody— And there isn’t just me today as well.

”Erm…… We’re visiting companies and shops today. They’ll be scared, so please don’t follow us.”

”We’ll definitely do our job as a bodyguard properly!” “We’ll definitely glare at them until they don’t dare to say even one word!”

I didn’t even want to answer them. When we visited Tower Records, I took the chance to slip away with Mika-san, successfully throwing Pole and Rocky off our track.

”Aniki! Where are you, Aniki!” “Idiot, calm down. Hurry up and ask the shopkeepers!”

”W- What’s the matter? What are you looking for?”

”Fujis.h.i.+ma, Fujis.h.i.+ma Narumi! What? Type? What type?”

”Aniki should be, erm…… the same type as Takeuchi Riki-san and Aikawa Shou-san!”

”…… I- Is that so? Then he might be in the drama, songs, or movie soundtrack department……”

”Okay, let’s go to the drama department!” “Aniki isn’t here!” “You guys, actually lying to us!”

The people at Tower, so sorry. We hurriedly dashed into a door with ‘Staff Only’ writted on it, and could finally greet the person in charge of indie bands peacefully. And of course, we escaped from the scene from the back door after our discussion ended as well. Judging from the two’s brains, thinking of a solution like calling us directly would probably take half a day.

”Is it really fine leaving the bodyguards there?”

Instead of saying that she was worried, Mika-san looked more disappointed instead. Is bringing hooligans around really so fun?

”It’s okay, the people in the gang are just too worried. I’m just a high schooler working part time.”

”But Fujis.h.i.+ma-san is indeed talented, so it’s really too much of a pity for you to be a student working part time. To be honest, are you interested in jobs like this after you graduate?”

When Mika-san said that, we were just pa.s.sing by a crowded station, making me stare at her as I thought I heard wrong.

”We’re going to the company making merchandise, and they’re interested in the T-s.h.i.+rts with the band logo on it as well. The black thrush can be sold as a cartoon character as well…… And then, some blogs are really interested as well.”

”Isn’t that just fine? I just wrote all of the things that happened on it.”

”But for example, the capybara article, all of the workers in our company laughed so much about it! I thought that it was content completely unrelated to the band, making me worry while laughing, but it actually had some connections in the end, giving me a huge shock!”

It’s an official blog informing the others of the event news after all……

”You’re probably suited for writing essays, huh?”

”Huh? Erm……”

…… Aren’t I more suited for becoming a salaryman? That was just a conclusion in comparism, but I never thought of such a thing before— never thinking that I might have other choices other than becoming a NEET.

”I can understand the gang worrying for you. If anything happens to Fujis.h.i.+ma-san, they’ll be very troubled.”

”Not really, they just like to play yakuza games. I’m not a bigshot that needs bodyguards to protect me.”

However, my opinion seemed to be wrong. I should have trusted Yondaime’s intuition instead.

After pa.s.sing the s.h.i.+njuku south exit, the pedestrians on the street decreased visibly. I heard that the company making merchandise made merchandise of characters of game companies as well, and its structure was quite large. I never thought that it would be near the neighboring Hachimanjuu[2], a peaceful area unlike commercial districts.

We turned left at Meiji Street, and was pa.s.sing by Wins, a horse betting company. As it was a normal day, it was rather dark and empty, without any other pedestrians there except for us. Even so, I didn’t notice the gradually approaching footsteps as I was thinking of what Mika-san said.

All of a sudden, silhouettes appeared at both of our sides, and started to chase us. I stopped because of a bad feeling and pulled on the string of Mika-san’s handbag.

”Eh? What—“

As Mika-san was turning around, I felt a huge impact on my abdomen. I nearly fell down, but my shoulders were forcibly grabbed and pulled up. What came into my view was a black uniform with a white swallowtail b.u.t.terfly emblem printed on it, frizzy long hair bleached blonde with the black visible that looked like pudding, a muddy gaze and noserings. The person who seemed to be a delinquent wore a nauseating smile, and caught hold of my s.h.i.+rt, adding a kick on my abdomen with his kneecap.

”— Ugh!”

As my body bent in pain, my back was a.s.saulted with a follow-up attack that seemed to have been from an elbow, and I could only squat down on the road. I was about to guard with my arms, but was kicked by my opponent on my side abdomen through the cracks, making me feel that my gastric juices were about to spill out.

”S- Stop that! What are you doing!”

I suddenly heard Mika-san’s wails, and tried to stand up. My arms seemed to be bleeding because they scratched the asphalt road. In my vision that blurred because of pain, I saw a handbag and high heeled shoes flying away, while Mika-san’s small body could not be seen as she was pressed down by two men in black s.h.i.+rts. I only understood on that moment that there were actually three a.s.saulters.

”Y- You guys! Let go!”

I shouted with blood mixed in my saliva while preparing to grab the man from his back, but was kicked on my head, and I collapsed into a garden by the road. Only swallowtail b.u.t.terfly emblems came into my view— it’s them, the ones who stole the uniforms and made trouble everywhere— Renji-san’s—

I struggled to crawl out from the garden but my neck was immediately grabbed and I was pressed on the scorching road. On the other side of my view, I saw Mika-san frantically flailing her hands with her mouth covered. It looked like she was hurt somewhere, as the blood flowing to her neck stained her s.h.i.+rt red.

”What now? Should we break a few bones first?”

”Aren’t these two in charge of promotion? Shouldn’t we make them unable to talk?”

”What should we do if we kill them accidentally? Hirasaka-san didn’t tell us to do things till this extent.”

”Then let’s just hospitalize them for two months.”

The black s.h.i.+rted men spoke chilling words while wearing ominous smiles. While feeling that the heat in my body seemed to be flowing out from my body along with the blood on my hand, I understood one thing.

They came for Mika-san and I— Which means, we were followed, and might already be targeted from the moment we walked out from the Hirasaka-gumi office. Yondaime’s worries were accurate. I underestimated our enemies too much, and that was how I ended up like. I was forced to stand after my hand was twisted to my back, the joints of my shoulders screeching. As I was about to call out for help, the tip of a shoe flew towards my mouth once again, while the taste of blood covered my cry. The sounds of Mika-san’s sobbing pierced into my ears. What am I doing? Go! Struggle! Must I keep getting beaten up like this!? Severe pain surged from my scapula to the top of my head, crus.h.i.+ng my resolution. Once again, I collapsed on the road stained red because of my blood, while the ringing noise of my bones seemed to have came into my ears through my muscles.

All of a sudden, the weight restraining me disappeared.

The ground shook. A shadow flew and fell by my side. It was one of the nasty men in black T-s.h.i.+rts— he lied there with the whites of his eyes showing.

I looked upwards in surprise, and half of my vision blocked by blood was carved open by the strong sunlight. The silhouette of a large person blocked the sunlight, standing between Mika-san and I.

”You guys, what are you doing in front of the holy Wins?”

Strong muscles caused the back of the s.h.i.+rt to appear tight, while his arms were thick and st.u.r.dy like wires used in lifts. Horse magazines and pac.h.i.n.ko magazines were stuffed in the back pocket of the creased jeans.

”Oi, Narumi. I don’t think I saw these guys before, are they new members?”

”Tetsu…… Senpai!?”

I made an odd cry. The face that turned around to look at me was indeed Tetsu-senpai’s.

”Why are you fighting with the men in Hirasaka-gumi at a place like this in broad daylight? Is it because of that? Being unpopular with girls, so you guys are letting it out on Narumi—“

The man on the right who was holding Mika-san twisted her hand to an unnatural direction in tension, while Mika-san, whose mouth was covered, twisted her face because of the severe pain and moaned. That moment, Tetsu-senpai’s fists lashed out, hitting the man’s face accurately with a clear, chilling sound, while the man collapsed on the ground with blood spurting out, releasing his hand grabbing Mika-san as well. On the next instant, the man on the left was punched on the neck and collapsed on the asphalt road as well.

”What the heck! Oi, miss, are you okay? Oi, Narumi, you’re really badly beaten up! Hey, don’t sleep! This lady is bleeding as well, hey! My phone number was cut as I don’t have any money right now, so hurry up and let me borrow your phone. Do we need an ambulance?”

Tetsu-senpai’s slightly rough voice was especially pleasing to the ears that moment, and I never felt that before or after that. Senpai called people after fis.h.i.+ng out my phone from my pocket, and almost directly hauled Mika-san and I towards the direction of the station.

” Niigata Horse Racing Alley is overwhelmingly beautiful. Well, the gra.s.sy lanes seemed to keep extending and extending towards the blue skies! And there wasn’t much of an audience, so it was quite cool. As it was too comfortable, I slept in a sleeping bag for ten days or so in front of their entrance.”

”Tetsu, it seems like you’re already prepared to step into the ranks of vagrants.”

Hiro-san smiled wryly.

”If I lost the last bet yesterday, then I really had to walk back to Tokyo.”

”Why don’t you just live directly in Niigata?”

”I’ll freeze to death in winter.”

As for me— I s.h.i.+vered while sitting down on a hard chair, staring at the door of the treatment room, not in the mood to chatter along with them at all.

As Mika-san was so hurt that she couldn’t walk, Tetsu-senpai asked Hiro-san to fetch us, sending Mika-san to the hospital nearest to us after that, which would be the large hospital that Ayaka lived in before this. My injuries weren’t too serious, but Mika-san’s treatment hasn’t ended yet. Being bathed in the smell of disinfectants all around us, I felt a pain as though my whole body was flattened.

”Well…… I was already used to sleeping on a pile of horse betting coupons. When I went back to Tokyo, I was unconsciously attracted nearby Wins again, and in the end, I noticed Narumi with an unfamiliar woman being beaten half to death by people in the gang. Tell me, how can you do a tsukkomi on him in such a situation?”

”Narumi-kun, it’s fortunate that your luck is good……”

Hiro-san said in a sighing tone and looked at me.

That’s right, it was just good luck. If Tetsu-senpai wasn’t there that time— How would the situation turn out? I tightly held my arm bandaged because of my injuries.

I was too naive. Saying something prideful like ’I count as a person in the gang as well’ to Yondaime, I actually dared to think that I wouldn’t get involved in acts of violence?

”Then what now? Why didn’t you contact Yondaime? Isn’t this a dispute in the gang?”

”Ahhh…… Well…...” Hiro-san winked at me. As Tetsu-senpai was completely clueless about the situation, he thought that the men in black s.h.i.+rts were members of Hirasaka-gumi.

I really didn’t want to explain, and informing Yondaime of such an incident made me feel downcast as well.

However, both of them were still my jobs.

I told Tetsu-senpai about the ins and outs of the matter, and it was already twilight when the three of us walked out of the hospital. On the way to the parking lot, we did not say even one word. Hiro-san’s expression was quite heavy as well, as it was the first time I told him the fact that I actually met Renji-san some time ago.

Hiro-san finally spoke when we were in a traffic jam while pa.s.sing through Meiji Street.

”I’m going to the hospital tomorrow as well. What about you, Narumi-kun?”

Sitting by the driver’s seat, I looked at the band-aids and bandages covering my hand and shook my head.

Just to be safe, Mika-san had to stay in the hospital for one day for further observation, as it seemed like she had symptoms of internal hemorrhage. The one who listened to the doctor’s report was Hiro-san, so I wasn’t too sure about the details. As it would complicate matters if I, as a high school student, appear, I just stayed at the waiting area like a turtle.

I really don’t know how I am going to face Mika-san now.

I heard Tetsu-senpai heave a long sigh on the back seat.

”It seems like things are turning out to be quite troublesome! Speaking of which, why didn’t Yondaime ask for my help? If he just told me about this, I’d have dashed back here immediately.”

”I gave you quite a few calls! Running off to a faraway place like Niigata, and your phone number was cut as well!”

Hiro-san repeatedly pounded on the steering wheel.

”Well, that’s true. Ahahaha…… Hiro, why did you do a tsukkomi on me! Isn’t that Narumi’s job……? Oi, Narumi, what’s wrong with you? You don’t look too good. Is your head hurt as well?”

”…… How can I still look good……?”

Even I felt unmotivated when I heard the weak voice that I spoke with.

”Why does this guy look so dejected?”

”Probably because a girl saw him looking weak?”

Of course not! However…… That might have a slight truth in it.

”I just feel like…… I’m just all talk and no action.”

”You’re talking about this only now? Narumi doesn’t have any strong points other than his talk, everyone knows about that!”

”Hey, Tetsu, don’t speak of things so plainly! Narumi-kun is about to cry now.”

Hiro-san, you’re cruel as well! I hugged my knees on the seat.

Hiro-san suggested to pa.s.s the message to Yondaime in my stead, but I shook my head in refusal. Tetsu-senpai is right. If I don’t even dare to speak out loud, I’d really become a useless person. I must do this myself. But what to do after that?

”Narumi-kun, are you still going on with the job? I suggest that it’s better for you to stop.”

I shook my head in response, but actually, I know that it’s just a useless show of strength.

”…… Hmm, is that so? Then I won’t say anything more. After all, it’s Narumi-kun’s own decision.”

I thought to myself, what did I decide?

When I used my hands to cover my face, the injuries on my neck and my hands started to ache faintly.

Those people took action because of Renji-san’s orders. The fact stuck in the depths of my throat.

Up till yesterday, I kept wis.h.i.+ng to convince Yondaime to request Alice to handle the case. Now that the time for the concert is approaching, it is a very important time to Yondaime, and I think that he doesn’t have the time to handle such troublesome matters as well. If he acts recklessly, his credibility will be doubted as well.

But if he hands the case to the detective— Not only Alice, even Tetsu-senpai, Hiro-san and Major could help. The problem is, the stubborn NEETs could only pretend that nothing happened before that. Actually, it was a matter of personal pride as well, as the small, comfortable world that is direct, and does not ask the others of their privacy has a delicate balance, so that’s why it turned out like this.

But even if Yondaime hands the case to Alice right now, so what? If Renji-san isn’t caught, the case cannot be closed. But if it’s for a result like this— Can I still continue the job as an a.s.sistant detective?

You just met twice, what do you know? Yondaime’s voice resounded by my ears again. That’s right. That person is just an enemy— how nice if I could just think like that?

The disputes in my head did not have any trace of loosening, and I heard Tetsu-senpai’s mumblings that moment.

”Oi, Narumi. Renji…… Does he look okay?”

I couldn’t raise my head at all. Meeting senpai’s gaze if I turned around, facing his gentle words…… It scared me.

”That guy’s view of money is almost zero. Does he look like he’s still eating right? Or does he still like to crack lame jokes like before?”

”…… That’s right.”

I squeezed out an answer in a hoa.r.s.e voice with some effort.

”That’s fine. No matter how bad his environment is, it’s unreasonable no matter how you look at eat……”

I felt Tetsu-senpai forcefully press his fist on the back of my seat.

”It’s fine as long as we’re still alive. We can still fight.”

…… That was what Narumi told me! Hearing Tetsu-senpai’s last words almost made me cry.

As long as…… We’re still alive.

When I got down from the car at the charged parking lot near Hanamaru Ramen, I met Major coincidentally. “Eh? So it wasn’t Vice Admiral Fujis.h.i.+ma who got hospitalized?”

How can anyone say such a thing to the others straight on!

”Oh, Tetsu-san, so you’re really back? How’s the Niigata Horce Racing Alley?”

Major repeatedly shook his military backpack almost twice the size of his small body, walking to t