Vol 7 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 7 Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Thus, we soon found Ginji-san Sunday afternoon, at around 4pht when I took a step out from the door and was about to ride onIt was from Major

“Ginji-san, Mori-san, Conductor and Marienkhof-shi+ are together with e I only intend to chat with everyone Oh, remember to buy some beer”

But I’ht when I was about to protest, the phone line got cut off It appeared everyone forgot that I was still in high school, though there were tiet

Leaving aside the fact that I’ed, Conductor and Marienkhof-shi+ should be the names of some other homeless folks That’s what they would casually call each other Right, if Ginji-san’s really Yui-san’s dad, he probably has a real name

I would behim later, and I had to be cautious when I affirm this

Are you Katsuragi Genji?

I bought cans of coffee from the convenience shop, and went towards the station The world under the railas a strange world; every 30 seconds, the train could be heard passing by above, and there were a lot of small bars and stalls cramped there The sun had yet to set, andstench fro at the trash, a large number of abandoned, rusted bicycles, ho like the precipitate of the city All these scenes hastened a pedestrian’s footsteps

However, the situation today differed slightly There was the face of an elest the hoe suit and a helmet

“Vice Admiral Fujishi+ma! Over here!”

Major spotted me opposite the road, and waved ataway turned to look atstares, I pulled the collar of my jumper, and hurried across the road

“Everyone, please have so I opened for the Ginji-san

“Why isn’t it beer?” “Well, good for this cold weather”

“Why are you treating us now, Naru to end up homeless anytime soon?”

“You can follow Hiro and be a gigolo yourself, guhaha”

I was flanked by two men, and they ribbed me Conductor-shi+’s was dressed in a suit, his hair a color of black sesaht be mistaken for a salaryman The one with the little beer bottle behind his overalls was probably Marienkhof-shi+ I could only obtain a vague impression of everyone, but everyone could re on?

“Narue next?”

“The payout was 24 tied the Chinese ”

“Gamble? I’m not a race horse!”

“Eh? You aren’t talking about that today?” “We heard from Major that you’ll provide us some intel”

Shocked, I turned to Major He see furiously with Ginji-san and Mori-san, and only for a h the stare under the visor, I could tell he wantedather the homeless Left with no choice, I could only speak up

“Eh, there hasn’t beenCoalition the last time, Hiro—”

I made up some heroics, and peeked aside at Ginji-san Really, I couldn’t help but be curious about what they were talking about

“…I see Those living in the park and under the bridge were already wiped out nobody heard any gunshots, so we can’t tell the gun make from the sounds and the frequency there—”

“Who’s able to tell! It’s not like everyone’s a military nut like you” Ginji-san noted

“And it’s so dark Who’s able to tell whether it’s an air gun or soot hit by nails”

Mori-san rubbed his shoulders as he answered,

“Let’s go check the scene of the crime Do you knohat shoes and equipment orn?’

“As we said, it’s too dark, and we can’t see”

“We’re not soldiers Who cares about such things?”

“In that case, can everyone please carrying this recorder along with you”

Major see with the homeless, and Ginji-san cautiously inspected the watch-sized recorder Major took out from his backpack

“What’s this? How many microphones have you set up inside?”

“16 directional les; it’s my best work”

“This is too much cost If you want to mass produce this, you should modulate the recorder and the power source at least”

“Your thoughts are really profit-oriented, Ginji-san I never thought of that”

“How about using the electronetic reception from before?”

“Ohh, that can work”

It sounded as though they were happily chatting I approached Major silently, pretending to be interested in the conversation, and stared at the devices in their hands”

“…Ginji-san, you see before?”

It was a straightforward question Major inadvertently stared right at me; it was a taboo to ask a homeless’ past

But Ginji-san merely snorted, and answered,

“It was a long tih, and I can’t catch up to Hitoshi+ now”

“But the thought process will never age It’s after hearing your words that I’ht be a good idea Though this will delay my time as a NEET…”

Hearing these words, I suppressed the shock and conflicted feelings within inally declared that he would keep repeating his year until he couldn’t, drop out and becoh ere talking about so Major Hitoshi+ No, the i wasn’t about Major, but to hear out from Ginji-san

“Do you kno to make a recorder, Ginji-san?”

I glanced aside at the recorder in Major’s hand, and nonchalantly asked,

“I can, but it’s not in my expertise”

“E-erm, your expertise?”

“Making spare parts for cameras”

I gulped It was as Yui-san told us, that he worked in a spare parts factory

“You also mentioned cost and such…were you the owner of a co?”

“I did run a business before alright But why do you seeh you know?”

“E-erhed a few times to hide the aardness It appeared I asked too ht of it”

“If there’s so you want to ask, do it”

My voice was frozen deep withinsome pain I barely forced myself to s it

I glanced at Major, and found that he had already slipped off to the abandoned bicycles where Mori-san, Conductor and Marienkhof were, explaining how easy it was to picklock the the investigation

Again, I faced Ginji-san, and quietly inhaled

One day, I would have to state the truth to hiain his trust and continue with the investigation than find definite proof on hi about Yui-san

“Erm, actually, I’m the assistant to a private detective”

“I know, and so?”

Ah, I guessed so He knew my name after all

“A while back, our agency had a customer called Natsuki Yui-san She’s an artiste Her actual nai Yuina…she requested us to search for her father”

I stopped, and watched Ginji-san’s expression However, his face only showed a stoic look

“Katsuragi Keiji, that’s the name of the father she told us”

Again, I paused, waiting for Ginji-san to reply However, he would not say anything, and I could only hear the noise froroundvehicles, and countless footsteps

“Yui-san said that she once saw you when she went fil at the park She suspected that you’re her father”

“I don’t know”

Ginji-san sounded as though he was crushi+ng a ball of dirt onto the wall I was certain that this man was Yui-san’s father”

“Yui-san says that she wants to be reunited with you”

“I have no daughter”

“Just meet and have a talk”

“I told you I don’t know”

“Yui-san said that she doesn’t hate her father She just wants to ht, she said that she can help repay the debt”

Ginji-san threw the eot up, and wrapped the muffler around his neck

“Thank you for the invite, but I’”

”Wait! Please wait!”

I wanted to give chase after Ginji-san only, to hit h onto the bicycle, and nearly toppled over an entire row of theed to hold onto it

“Ginji-san, where are you staying right now?”

“I don’t have a place to stay Are you an idiot?”

“I-I know that That’s not what I ain”

I couldn’t allow the conversation to end in such dire situation Even though I felt that I could be rejected, I had to seize my only chance

“Go ask Hitoshi+”

Ginji-san straggled a trolley of dirty bags, and went towards the shadows under the bridge For every step he took, I felt the silhouette of his back shrinking Thus, I could only stopthe bicycle and watch him leave beyond the horizon

Ginji-san’s departing footsteps were finally overcome by the noises of the train

I inadvertently hugged myself and shi+vered Was the sudden cold due to the buildings, or because I just recalled that it was Winter already?

“Ginji-san left already?”

I turned to look at the source of the voice, and found that Mori-san and the others were already behind me

“It’s rare to have a young guest treat us, and he went off”

“That ”

“I never saw him smile before”

“When was that tiency in all our stead, and we treated him? Even then, he wouldn’t smile…”

“Let’s have a bet! First to make Ginji-san smile will take all”

“That’ll be a huge wager!”

The old rinned

The trio probably sensed that Ginji-san and I were talking about so serious, but nobody asked us Everyone’s deliberate obliviousness gave uess would be si ith vacuu?

Immediately afterwards, someone tapped me on the shoulder I turned around, and found Major with his goggles and hel on with innocent eyes

“The sudden investigation failed?”

“Well, yeah…” I lowered ed to bring Ginji-san to o back to the park now, can he? Hasn’t the construction work started?”

“No, he’ll coh”

Major started to explain the situation of the park to me

The construction started 4 days back There were still many homeless huts in the park, and they started work in a soroups increasing the frequency of protests that the construction work got delayed again At this point, the park was fenced up, and the plan to ain

“Hercules can’t possibly give up on its business plans just because of some protets, and it’s now the cooldown phase They’ll start work again, so Ginji-san had to move away before then”

“That’ll be bad If they move, how can I find them?’

“Don’t worry”

Major tapped me on the shoulder

“I’ve grasped the waste recycling company and the shops Ginji-san frequent, and I have Mori-san’s contact, so I’ll be able to find out where everyone lives Also, for the ti around specific places”

“Eh?” I stared at Major’s face Specific places here would refer to the places the homeless stayed at “Why patrol? Because of this request?”

“What are you saying now? I’ on the one who shot the homeless”

“Ah…”

I glanced aside to peek at the three old erly

“I investigated all the places this week, and obtained lots of evidence”

Major took out a few transparent plastic bags filled with BB bullets and dirt-covered metal scraps

“These aren’t things any ordinary person will throw Must be soaamers, I’ll be able to catch him soon”

I felt so out who shot the hoood terms with Ginji-san and the others, and he naturally would be angry about it

But despite this, it wasn’t like Major

…Why was Major not being himself?

I shook hts What did I know about Major? We only knew each other for ency How could I possibly understand the passions and darkness hidden inside his diminutive body

“…Anything I can help with?”

Major stopped, and turned his head back

“I can’t ask you for help, Vice Admiral Fujishi+ma This isn’t a request”

“I know it isn’t, but—” I was at a momentary loss of words, and tried to find excuses, “Anyway, I just hope that you’ll let me participate If we can nab the culprit…it’ll be like owing a favour, but I guess Ginji-san would beto talk to me”

It was an excuse based on the heart But actually, what I was really curious as Major being so anxious?’

“Vice Adanizational theory by General Hans von Seeckt?”

“No, I don’t” I muttered Why this out of a sudden

“Your lack of hard work really is soulations of the Treaty of Versailles to downsize the ence and indoed to rebuild the Ger a pillar of civilian governance He resisted defied Hitler until the very end”

“W-wait, Major Don’t make a speech in the ”

Major ignored ers in front of me

“According to Seeckt, soldiers can be classified into 4 different kinds The lazy and s and s and stupid” For every category he listed, Major bent a finger

“…Ah”

“The lazy and smart ones are suited to lead the frontlines Scared of death, that guy will try his best to think of a way to win easily For exaory The Major’s a camp commander”

In other words, a willing NEET Anyhat’s Major talking about? Did this have to do with me?”

“The hardworking and smart are more inclined to be advsiors They need sness to work hard for the preparationsFor example, Yondaime’s this kind of person”

Really? Right when I was being sceptical, Major pointed at my nose

“As for the lazy idiots, they’re suited to be co, and just need to nod and what others say In other words, you’re the type of person, Vice Admiral”

I gulped, unable to refute In any case, I let Major finish what he wanted to say

But despite this, I cautiously asked,

“…Then, what about the fourth kind? The hardworking idiots?”

“it’s better if they don’t exist They work for the wrong purpose, and only serve to spread the dao fro idiot”

I knew I shouldn’t have asked…feeling limp, I sat down on the backseat of a bicycle

“Well, only the japanese would have known of such stupid words Guess it’s made up”

“What’s with the long talk then!? You wasted my time!”

Major waved at me, and left I watched hiain sat back on the back seat of the abandoned bicycle Looking back, I found the 3 other ho shadows of the bicycle and I fell onto the railway A chilling wind ruffled the convenience store bag

I buttoned up my duffle coat, and stood up

I waited until the following day, after school, before deciding to give Yui-san a call

She’s the client this time, and no matter the outcome, I had to report to her However, when I went to ‘Hana to talk to ot out of the classroom

“Sorry, I’m on the road now!”

I could hear the noise of a road in the background of Yui-san’s voice

“I’ll call you again later Sorry”

I stared at the phone right after the call ended, and reflected onidol, and very busy at that Calling her at this point would be harassing her

I sent her aon Ginji-san It was about how I confronted Ginji-san about Yui-san, only to be denied However, we got intel on his whereabouts, and I would continue to try and convince him These words were difficult to express directly, but after conveying into a e, I could easily send it to her

I rode the bicycle out of school, and the cellphone in my pocket vibrated This time, it’s from Yui-san

“I’ll have so to the ra to hand over to you”

I re over frohed, and closed the phone

I guess I had to explain to her directly after all

There was the silhouette of a tall, lankyto open Black rubber bands were used to roll up his leoods in the cardboard boxes Only Hiro could wear such a striking shi+rt without feeling out of place, and even in the entertainment industry, not many could do so

“Naru person with the request this time?”

Hiro noticed ,

“Alice told ravure photo on Young Ju one day”

Hiro’s the only one in my circle of relations as familiar with the entertain to Hiro, for a ht

“I’ll coet a chance to meet Yui-chan”

“I’hed, and sat in front of the counter “So you aren’t going to be a gigolo leeching on Yi Ling-san now? She’ll be angry knowing that you’re popping by at ‘Hanaht?”

“Ahh, I was shooed out fro’s room” Hiro chuckled, “Well, I know a Chinesein an apartht for ot really bored”

“You’re utterly terrible!”

“No, Narumi-kun, I pale in comparison to you”

What? Don’t say such things that can be misunderstood, okay? However, Hiro went back to the cardboard boxes

“Min-san, do I wash the turtle leg? I can grill the fish jaw”

Hiro shouted into the corridor of the kitchen, and at this moment, a lady with a ponytail showed up fro the broth

“Then you can boil the pork belly—” Min-san instructed, only to stop h and walk out to the kitchen, “…No need for that Why did you enter the kitchen again, you gigolo bastard?’

“No, I just thought I should help you ork”

“You’re no longer an employee And how are you able to just show up in front of me without a care in the world?”

“Why not? That s to you, Min-san”

After that, Hiro got chased out, literally kicked up and sent rolling from the back door I hurried out, and went to the back

“O”

Hiro rubbed his backside, and I helped him up onto the old stack of tires

“That punch froot beaten up by Hong Lei”

“You reap what you sow…”

Didn’t he propose to Min-san? What was he thinking?

“Well, as long as I don’t give up, Min-san will understand s”

“You’re saying such innocent words for a gigolo”

A fu Min-san suddenly rushed out from the back door, and Hiro instinctively raised his hands to protect his head

But Min-san did not show up to beat hie metal bowl on the wooden table between Hiro andout

“Hiro, peel them all! Narumi, don’t you dare help him Let him finish”

And then, she slah force to rattle the entire building

Hiro-san cautiously lowered his aran to happily peel the garlic

It’s a strange relationshi+p between those two nobody around us gave Hiro a chance of succeeding in his pursuit of love, but Min-san never rejected hi of both gaudiness and relief

I felt that Hiro would continue wandering around the irls out there, and occasionally come back to ‘Hanamaru’ from time to time In other words, this is Hiro’s hoht for him, and neither was it the simple apartment of a hostess His home was at Min-san’s shop

Thus—this was the difference between the NEETs and the homeless

“…Did you talk to Ginji-san?”

Hiro stopped, and asked me

“Eh? Ah, yes Sorta”

It seemed Hiro already knew about the request somewhat, and I didn’t have to explain

“Is he really the father?”

“I couldn’t be sure Ginji-san insisted that he didn’t know, that he doesn’t have a daughter Looking at his reaction though, I guess it’s him”

I added on to convince Hiro, and looked down at the ground betweensounds of garlic

“That’s tough”

Hiro muttered I lifted my head

“It’s been 10 years since he left his daughter and ho now”

I too understood this logic Tiather all kinds of precipitates, bury wounds and flaws, and coagulate them It was co the burden of the wounds, all that would be revealed would be more wounds

“Even if Ginji-san’s really Natsuki Yui’s father, the daughter earns enough money for her dad to pay off the debts, and start a new life, it won’t be settled that easily”

I know Right when I was about to answer, I sed back s did Ginji-san have when he left hos did he have when Ithat can of coffe? I didn’t understand anything at all, I guess

I guessed Hiro would be more suited for this case I never heard Hiro mention about his fa around like a drifting plant, and probably understands the houessed he’ll be able to explain the conversation Ginji-san and I had to Yui-san without much difficulty

At this moment, Hiro patted my shoulder,

“But you’re the detective’s assistant, Narumi-kun”

Hearing that, all I could only do was nod deeply I felt asha to toss a hot potato to Hiro

“But Major’s helping with this case, right? Both Tetsu and I aren’t taking action because Alice hasn’t told us to, and it looks like Major has been running around alone I haven’t been able to get him on the phone recently”

“Ah, erm, that’s because”

I explained to Hiro the cases of the ho shot at, and his beautifully shaped eyebrows scowled slightly

“Looks like Major’s involved in soain”

“What was he really serious about? I thought he was joking about the pride of a soldier, but he looked really angry about what the culprit did”

“Really? I always thought he was serious”

“Always? He said that attacking non-combatants is the worst possible criun was used”

“He’s for real, but—”

Hiro stopped peeling the garlic, and his eyes drifted coldly, aimlessly

“I guess this isn’t the only reason as to why he’s so furious”

I followed Hiro’s stare, and the grey sky between the buildings got gloomier

I did see a strange, dangerous presence in Major’s eyes, despite hieneral’s talk

‘Hanamaru’ was at its busiest after 8p the salary frouards, the college students headed for the next stall, the olda block of apartments, and some hoodlum-like property dealers The 5 seats in front of the counter were occupied by the regular customers of drunkards, and the customers unable to enter had to sit on beer crates turned upside down The cold drafts fros blew in, and only a small electric heater provided sohts and red curtains at the doors seens of abating, and Ayaka alone could not cope with the that she illing to hire for 700 Yen per hour[1], Hiro giddily put on the short black apron and ran into the kitchen I guessed the ru women came by later

Yui-san just so happened to show up at the rahts of the shop was a silhouette looking around Looking at the shape of the wool cap, I could tell it was here

“Over here, over here”

I waved s

“Narumi-kun!”

Yui-san called me with a voice audible to everyone else, probably because she was relieved to see er at ed her to a dark corner at the back door, had her sit on the old tires, and peeked into the shop Some customers noticed the back door, but none of them noticed that it was Natsuki Yui

“You can’t be loud now What’ll happen if others notice you?”

“So-sorry”

Yui-san shrank back, lowered her sunglasses slightly, and looked up at rabbed Yui-san by the shoulders just when she wanted to peek into the shop, dragged her back, and had her sit on the tires

“The one who drove you off on that day was your ?”

“A lot of things Is that your boyfriend? It’s a crucial ?”

Ah, I guessed so She’s a rare breed of proper idols in this day and age after all

“Bu-bu-but don’t be h”

“I know I’m the victim here!” Why explain this to me?

The back door suddenly opened, and the humid air suddenly blew at my neck

“Fujishi+ she’ll like to order?”

Yui-san lifted her eyes, and just so happened to exchange looks with Ayaka, poking her head out of the door

“H-huh? E-eh? Th-this is, Natsuki—”

I frantically got to ht

“So-sorry, Ayaka Please pretend that you didn’t see anything”

And appearing beyond Ayaka’s shoulder was Hiro

“I heard Yui-chan showed up? Take my place in the kitchen, Narumi-kun I’ll take over”

“You guys”

While Ayaka and Hiro stood side by side, a terrifying growl could be heard behind therab her two employees by the back of their collars

“No ski the customer’s dishes! She’s not one of our customers!”

Hiro and Ayaka were dragged back into the kitchen, and I really expressedthe back door