One Week Later
Welcome back... you annoying genius
August 19
After an entire week without seeing Shin...
Work finally ended.
There wasn't much reason to stay out.
No simulations.
No new memories.
So Orion and I headed home.
...
Then I saw him.
Shin.
...
OH MY GOD.
HE'S BACK.
Looks like the police finally got tired of dragging him in every day.
Before I could even say anything...
He suddenly hugged me.
...
Huh?
He looked exhausted.
Really exhausted.
...
Poor Shin.
There, there.
I'm just glad you're back.
I admitted that I'd wanted to see him.
...
And naturally...
He teased me immediately.
Ugh.
Typical Shin.
That's not what I meant!
You completely ruined the reunion.
Can't you take one day off from teasing me?
After that, we got back to business.
Apparently, Ikki had already told him I'd been investigating while he was away.
I crossed my arms proudly.
Then I told him everything I'd learned.
Everything Orion and I had discovered.
...
Well...
I couldn't exactly say "we."
Can't exactly explain that there's a spirit living in my head.
After listening quietly...
Shin looked at me and said...
"That's it?"
...
EXCUSE ME?!
WE DID OUR BEST!
AT LEAST APPRECIATE THE EFFORT!
THIS ISN'T A COMPETITION, YOU SADISTIC, KISS-STEALING PERVERT!
Instead of apologizing...
He casually handed me everyone's contact information.
...
Wait.
Even Ukyo's?!
Seriously?!
Apparently...
He'd even managed to get the owner's phone number from Waka.
...
Wait what?!
When I asked the manager...
He refused to tell me anything!
But he gave it to you?!
That stingy middle-aged man!
Why did he give them to you?!
How?!
A bribe?
A trade?
Blackmail?
A secret handshake?
...
Turns out...
Shin simply lied.
...
I...
Honestly wasn't even surprised anymore.
That's just Shin.
He told the manager that the owner had accidentally left something behind at the lounge.
Then volunteered to return it himself.
...
Playing the role of a good Samaritan?
Since when?
That's how he tricked the manager into giving him the contact information.
...
Unbelievable.
That sneaky little devil.
Then he mentioned something else.
Apparently...
I should look forward to tomorrow.
...
What?
While dealing with the police...
He'd apparently found a clue explaining why everyone suspected him so strongly.
Naturally...
I asked what it was.
His answer?
"It's a secret."
...
OH, COME ON, SHIN.
I swear...
You're going to give me gray hair before this mystery is over.
At least he promised he'd show me tomorrow.
...
Phew.
Then...
I saw it.
That smirk.
...
The devil smirk.
I immediately had a bad feeling.
Shin quietly told me...
That he didn't push me.
And if I couldn't believe that...
Then none of this would work.
...
Well...
That part was easy.
I already believe him.
One hundred percent.
He looked genuinely surprised.
I don't even know why.
I just do.
Someone else is responsible.
...
But who?
Is that what tomorrow is about?
Then...
Shin casually dropped another bomb.
He already has an idea who the culprit might be.
...
WHAT?!
WHO?!
He said he still needed proof.
And before anything else...
The owner had to make the first move.
...
Wait.
Why the owner?
...
Just what exactly are you planning, you devil?