Chapter 2.5 (1/2)

Part 5

Vivid, s.h.i.+ny red was poured into glossy, white teacups. Contrary to the nigiri tea from before, the candy tea was mild.

Yumiko’s face beamed with the most beautiful smile since she had come to this house. She drank the hot black tea with a satisfied expression.

The secret box placed in front of her was no longer a perfect geometric shape of a cuboid after several locks being unlocked, but turned out to be a complex, irregular shape.

According to Kujou, there was only one lock left.

However, the last lock could not be opened by normal means. All the techniques that had been used would not work.

After multiple incorrect trials, Yumiko’s endeavors were in vain, and she still could not open the last lock.

“I see… Maybe you are not able to open this lock right now,but you will definitely be able to do so when the time comes. Please do not give up until the last moment.”

Although Yumiko was already satisfied for being able to solve the secret box to this extent, she tried to control her thoughts at Kujou’s words, and decided to wait for when “the time” would be while taking a breath.

“What is your opinion on youkai?”

She was about to place the teacup back to the table, but when hearing that sudden question, her hand stopped.

“Yo, youkai? I think… They are not all bad. But they are something terrible which will harm humans. That’s why I’m in such a bad situation right now… Kujou, you are a detective who handles occult cases, right? So, of course, you believe in the existence of youkai? ”

Being asked, Kujou placed the teapot onto the table, and slowly opened his mouth.

“Yes. I believe. There are many youkai existing in j.a.pan since a long time ago; however, I think they have changed a lot.”

She tilted her head because she did not understand what Kujou had just said.

Although Kujou realized it, his phone received a message before he could explain in detail.

“Excuse me.”

While speaking, Kujou checked his messages quickly.

Then he knitted his brows at the end of the message.

“… I see…”

“What happened?”

Tightening his expression, Kujou told her.

“All the mysteries had been solved. ”

Yumiko caught her breath slightly at the word “mysteries.”

Her tiny change could not escape from Kujou’s acute discernment.

“Please don’t worry. It is possible to find your disappeared mother. And at the same time, I will exorcise the youkai that possess you.”

“Eh!? Really!?”

“Yes. I will solve all your requests.”

Kujou smiled after speaking.

Then he answered the call from Akira.

“Hey, kid. How are you?”

“What!? What do you mean by ‘How are you?’ Idiot!!”

Yumiko showed a wry smile at the usual loud voice leaking out from the speaker.

“It sounds like you are fine. That’s better than anything.”

“I am really tired!! I was investigating all the time after that. Although I went to the dessert stores with Yui, I haven’t had a single bite of anything!!”

“Is miss Yui satisfied?”

Akira breathed out and answered with his powerless voice.

“… Extremely satisfied…”

“Oh. Then that’s enough.”

Kujou’s voice was noticeably cheerful.

“By the way, where are you guys right now?”