《Imperial M?rchen Detective Record》


 Volume 1 - Prologue

    It was a rare sight.


    I was visiting Jimbocho, a bookstore district built during the reconstruction after the Great Fire in the second year of the Taisho era, when my attention was caught by a female student.


    Kanda was home not only to universities such as Meiji University and Chuo University, but also to many junior high schools and vocational schools, so it wasn¡¯t surprising that there were female students here.


    However, it was unusual to see a girl-yes, a girl who appeared to be only 12 or 13 years old and had graduated from an ordinary elementary school-visiting a bookstore alone, let alone an ordinary bookstore that specialized in Western books written in English, German, French, and Western French. I would say it was very rare.


    The reason I recognized the young girl as a schoolgirl was because she was wearing a white summer sailor suit.


    Until a few years ago, most female students were dressed in Meisen kimono and hakama, but recently, I heard that some girls¡¯ schools started wearing western-style sailor suits or one-piece dresses as school uniforms.


    I didn¡¯t know which girls¡¯ school it was, but the sailor uniform with its big collar seemed a bit large for the girl. Her arms and legs peeking out from the white sleeves and knee-length skirt were thin and unreliable, and seemed to float vaguely among the dark shelves.


    The girl, with long black hair in two buns, took steps forward and stopped to look up at the shelves. She was staring at the book spines at an angle as if she were looking up at the sky, perhaps because she was too short to look at the top shelves.


    What kind of book is she looking for?


    Does she even understand foreign languages?


    Her young profile was so serious that I hesitated to talk to her.


    It seemed I wasn¡¯t the only one who felt this way.


    The boys around me, dressed in western-style clothing and hakama, looked flustered, sneaking glances at the girl and nudging each other with their elbows. I could tell without hearing them whispering to each other, ¡®Talk to her, you do it.¡¯.


    But I had no companion to poke around with, so I looked sideways at the girl and then turned my attention back to the shelves in front of me.


    I was curious, but I didn¡¯t want to get involved.


    My eyes followed the alphabet on the shelf where the German books were placed, and soon I caught the girl reaching for the top shelf. The girl, standing on her tiptoes, didn¡¯t ask anyone to help her, and instead tried to take the book by herself.


    The boys were still not moving. This would be a good opportunity to help her and talk to her.


    I sighed, but I was the one closest to the girl, so I ended up moving.


    ¡°Which book do you want?¡±


    I took a few steps to the girl¡¯s side and called out to her, even though I knew it was rude.


    Immediately, the girl¡¯s shoulders jumped and she looked up at me. The eyes were wide open, like a fawn¡¯s but slightly slanted.


    The border between the luminescence and the pupil fused together in the dimly lit room, and the black eyes, blotting out a weak light, stared at me.


    The girl was stunned for a moment, but then gasped and backed away slightly in alarm. Well, it was natural for her to be wary since she was suddenly approached by a boy she did not know.


    To show that I had no strange intentions, I offered, ¡°I can take the book for you if you want.¡± She hesitated, but answered in a low voice, indicating with the index finger of her right hand, which was extended to the shelf.


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Kinder- und Hausm?rchen¡®¡­¡±


    I was inwardly impressed by the beautiful German pronunciation that came out of the young girl¡¯s mouth.


    Indeed, it was appropriate to be in a foreign book store. Still, what is ¡°Fairy Tales for Children and Families¡±?


    ¡°Do you like Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tales?¡±


    ¡°You know about it?¡±


    The question was directed back at me. The answer was ¡°Yes, I do,¡± but not many people knew the official title of the original, which was generally translated as ¡°Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tales¡± in Japan.


    When I nodded my head in affirmation, the girl¡¯s face lit up. Perhaps she thought she had found a friend, and the look of alarm faded from her eyes.


    I took a book on the top shelf with the title written in gold letters on the book spine and handed it to her, and she thanked me with a smile on her cheeks. The girl¡¯s happy expression made me suddenly interested in the book.


    ¡°You must have loved it so much that you read the original.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a good way to learn German. Besides, I was curious about something.¡±


    ¡°What are you curious about?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I was curious about the sleeping position of Sleeping Beauty.¡±


    ¡°¡­Huh?¡±


    ¡°Because if the prince comes and she¡¯s lying on her face, she¡¯s not going to look good, is she? If you sleep in the same position for a hundred years, you might get irritated and need to turn over in bed. The same goes for kings, queens, dogs, and horses. How did it work if fire and wind disappear?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    The girl who suddenly became talkative and began to speak with great vigor did not stop. She continued to enthusiastically say, ¡°It¡¯s not written in the translation, so I thought the original would have more details.¡±


    While being taken aback by the girl¡¯s momentum, I thought in a corner of my head that she was a strange child.


    The original book probably didn¡¯t go into that much detail either. It was just a story, after all, a children¡¯s book with fairies and magic that couldn¡¯t exist in reality.


    I thought about it, but I felt bad about destroying the sparkle in the girl¡¯s lively eyes and her childlike curiosity.


    ¡°I still think it would be better to tie her legs up with a string to improve her sleep. Just like when a woman binds her legs below the knees so as not to disturb the hem of her kimono when she commits suicide¨C¡°


    ¡°No, wait, you.¡±


    I took back what I said before.


    I hastily interfered.


    The girl¡¯s pale red lips were full of noisy words such as ¡°suicide,¡± and the people around me were looking at her to see what was going on. I held up my index finger in front of her lips.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    The girl seemed to come to her senses and hurriedly held her mouth with both hands. It was a cute gesture, but now that I¡¯d seen her strange side, I couldn¡¯t help but look at her with a complicated expression on my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I have already been warned again and again by my brother¡­¡±


    The girl, red-faced and ashamed, became a little pathetic and smiled to calm herself down.


    ¡°Well, that¡­ I think it¡¯s a very good thing that you are looking it up with interest.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that right?¡±


    The girl¡¯s eyes remained puzzled, but she looked down with an amused look.


    ¡°Thank you very much,¡± she said, smiling and thanking me again, looking her age, and this time she looked cute.


    It was at the end of July 1923 that I met this strange girl.


    About a month later, at 11:58 a.m. on September 1, a violent tremor hit the southern part of the Kanto region.


    It was an unprecedented disaster that later would be called the Great Kanto earthquake. The earthquake devastated the imperial capital of Tokyo, leaving many dead and missing and leaving deep scars both on the city and on the hearts of its people.


    I had no way of knowing at the time that this would be the catalyst for the reconnection of our fates.

 Volume 1 - CH 1

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (1)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    A new world begins


    The world of Kowa, where the Emperor resides


    Shine brightly, land of Yamato!


    Let there be light in the new Tokyo¡­


    The Great Kanto earthquake that occurred in the late Taisho period (1912-1926) inflicted great damage on the Imperial city, Tokyo.


    Not only did buildings collapse due to the tremors, but the severe fires that followed caused even greater damage.


    The number of dead and missing exceeded 100,000, and Tokyo was devastated.


    Under these circumstances, a new cabinet was organized and the Imperial Capital Reconstruction Agency was established.


    Interior Minister¡¯s reconstruction plan adopted the latest urban planning from Europe and the United States. The construction of a modern city that could compete with Europe and the U.S. progressed, with an increase in the number of earthquake-and-fire-resistant buildings, and roads running east-west and north-south through Tokyo were built in anticipation of the automobile age.


    The streets that had retained vestiges of the Edo period were partially destroyed, replaced by Western-style banks, department stores, and orderly streets with buses, and the modernization of the city progressed.


    In the midst of the ongoing reconstruction, Emperor Taisho passed away and was succeeded by the young Crown Prince.


    The new year was changed to ¡°Kowa¡±, and the reconstruction of the Imperial city became even more intense.


    In the spring of the 5th year of Kowa, six and a half years after the earthquake.


    Most of the reconstruction work was completed, and a grand festival was held to celebrate the restoration of the Imperial city.


    Tokyo, which had become a modern city in both name and reality after the civilization of the Taisho eras and modernism of the Meiji eras, was now in full bloom.


    ¡°Wake up, Senzaki!¡±


    With a thick, resonant voice, the uncomfortable blanket was pulled off.


    Senzaki Masato, disturbed from his morning slumber, resisted by burying his face in the kimono that covered him under the blanket, but within a few seconds, the blanket was also removed with great force.


    The morning light shone on his closed eyelids, so he had no choice but to open his eyes in the dazzling light.


    ¡°¡­Good morning, Ichiya.¡±


    While greeting with a thin voice, which was the opposite of the thick voice, he scratched his disordered chestnut-colored hair and got up.


    The cold morning air was coming in through the bust of his worn-out yukata, and he pulled his collar up while cowering from the cold.


    Looking up from under his long bangs, he caught his friend Ichiya Takamasa standing with a stripped-off kimono in his hands.


    Standing nearly six feet tall, he stared down with an air of power befitting a police officer, his profession. He had short-cropped black hair, a dignified brow, and a slightly misty look in his eyes, but he was a very strong and resolute young man with a good manly appearance.


    Despite his stern face, he also had a sensitive heart that was secretly hurt when children cried because they were afraid of him.


    ¡°Really¡­ If you¡¯re that rough, women won¡¯t like you. You need to be gentler.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I guess that means I don¡¯t have to be nice to you, a man.¡±


    ¡°What you do on a daily basis will come out when the time comes, especially in front of a woman. Come on, think of me as a woman.¡±


    ¡°How can I consider a man bigger than me as a woman? Stop talking nonsense and get ready.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about getting ready.¡±


    Masato scratched his white cheeks and let out a wry smile.


    Unlike Ichiya, who was dressed in a light rat-colored suit, he had no plans to go out today when he got himself ready.


    No, not only today, but tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, he had no plans to go out.


    Since he didn¡¯t have a regular job, he didn¡¯t have to get up early in the morning to go to work.


    Last night, he was asked by the waitresses at a cafe in Ningyocho to work as a waiter for the day, but the owner of the cafe quickly kicked him out because the waitresses were making eyes at Masato, who was a waiter, while neglecting the customers. The owner also said, ¡°Please don¡¯t come here anymore.¡±


    Well, after that, the familiar female waitresses gave him some pocket money, so he had enough money for three days¡¯ worth of meals. He wouldn¡¯t have to work for a while.


    Ichiya let out a deep breath as he sat there scratching his head and making his calculations.


    ¡°¡­How long do you intend to keep doing that?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll show my face somewhere the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°You do realize that¡¯s not what I meant, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Ichiya¡¯s voice was laced with bitterness.


    Masato certainly understood what he meant, but he didn¡¯t intend to get it. So, he only put a vague smile on his mouth.


    Ichiya must have also sensed this.


    He wrinkled his brow for a while and kept his mouth shut, but then he said in a low voice.


    ¡°The government building I was supposed to enter¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I believe it caught fire before you got in?¡±


    The government building was later rebuilt without incident, but because it was a new Western-style apartment complex, there was a rush of applicants, and Ichiya, who could not get in, stayed in an apartment for two years.


    ¡°The other day, I was informed that a room is finally available.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s great.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave this apartment next month. I can only let you stay here until the end of the month.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Masato nodded, not particularly surprised.


    Hongo in Masago town, an apartment built around the beginning of the Meiji period, near a university and high school, was the place where Ichiya had lived since he was a student.


    Many students still lived in the old Japanese-style building, which withstood the violent shaking of the earthquake six years ago and survived the fire.


    As a university graduate with no money and no job, Masato was grateful to have been allowed to stay at Ichiya¡¯s apartment.


    It was cramped for two large men around six feet tall to share a room on a four-and-a-half-tatami mat, but Ichiya did not kick him out, despite his complaints.


    Masato thought that the fact that he had to live in an apartment for two years because there were no vacant rooms in the government office building was also an excuse for Ichiya. He stayed in the small, old apartment for the sake of his friend who had nowhere else to go.


    But at last-he seemed to have grown tired of it.


    When Masato easily accepted the situation as a matter of course, Ichiya looked away awkwardly with the wrinkles between his eyebrows deepened.


    Masato smiled inwardly at the apologetic look on his face, and said that he was as good-natured as ever. Well, it was Masato who had taken advantage of the good nature.


    Masato reached over and picked up the pocket watch on his bedside table and opened the lid to reveal a dial.


    ¡°Ichiya, if you don¡¯t leave early, you¡¯ll be late.¡±


    Ichiya¡¯s eyes peeled back as he saw the time indicated by the hands of the clock. He grabbed his hat and bag from the desk in a panic.


    He was about to leave the room with a clatter of the old tatami mats, but just before the sliding door, he turned around and yelled.


    ¡°You too, get ready and find a job! Listen, you have until the end of the month!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I understand.¡±


    Ichiya turned away and walked out, a bitter look on his face.

 Volume 1 - CH 2

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (2)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    Masato laid down on the futon again in the quiet room after the owner had disappeared.


    His scrutinized vision revealed a ceiling with blackened stains floating on it in various places.


    ¨CIt is in the shape of Egeles, isn¡¯t it?


    ¨CNo, no, it must be a western dress with a parasol.


    ¨CWhat? Hey, Senzaki, don¡¯t be insolent.


    ¨COi, Ichiya, what¡¯s insolent about it? You are the one who thinks so, aren¡¯t you?


    On nights when they drank together, they used to joke around, comparing the stain to something. Masato raised himself up with a sense of nostalgia and sat up heavily.


    ¡°Now¡­¡±


    Masato first washed his face, shaved his beard, and freshened up in the communal washroom on the first floor.


    He returned to his room and took a white shirt and suit from the coat of arms hanging over the doorway. The sober but elegant, Ryukyu rat-colored jacket, vest, and pants had been made by a well-known dressmaker in Ginza when he was in college. There was no hesitation in his hand as he tied his tie, creating a beautiful inverted triangle in blue.


    He was taller than the average Japanese man, wore a suit that fit his long arms and legs, and lightly stroked his chestnut-colored hair with perfumed hair oil.


    Just like that, he became a sexy man who women would say, ¡°He looks like he belongs to some noble family,¡± or ¡°He looks like he was raised well.¡± Well, it was not far off the mark.


    When looking into a cloudy mirror, he saw greenish light-brown hazel eyes framed by long eyelashes.


    He had a high, straight nose, clear, double-lined eyes, white skin, and thin lips.


    A young man with a deeply chiseled, uniquely Japanese face was staring back at him.


    ¡°¡­ Are you aiming to be an actor?¡±


    The mirror only smiled back. Masato turned away from the hazel shadows and picked up his hat, which was hanging on the wall.


    Senzaki Masato was not a native Japanese, as his appearance suggested.


    His father was Japanese, but his mother was German.


    While his father was studying in Germany, he met his mother at the residence where he was staying, and the two eventually fell in love.


    Eventually, his mother became pregnant and came to Japan with his father to elope, despite the opposition of her relatives. However, the long trip and the unfamiliar environment in a foreign country damaged her health, and she died two years after giving birth to Masato.


    After that, although raised by his father, his second wife seemed to have difficulty accepting a son who looked like a foreigner. Especially after his half-brother was born.


    Unable to return to Germany, where his mother was born, Masato spent a lonely childhood with nowhere to go.


    He finally left home when he entered high school and lived in a student dormitory. After graduating from university, he did not return home and did not find a job.


    Even now, at the age of twenty-five, he lived in a friend¡¯s apartment and spent his days idly.


    After leaving Ichiya¡¯s apartment, Masato boarded a train at the nearby Masago station.


    Looking out the window, he could see the backs of students in black coats heading in one direction.


    Just ten days ago, the city was crowded with visitors to the Imperial City Revival Festival, when the brightly decorated flower trains were running through the city.


    The train, changing along the way, dropped him off at the Zoshigaya station. From there, he headed west toward Ikebukuro station on foot.


    In Nagasaki, west of Ikebukuro station, rental houses with ateliers had recently been built for artists to live in.


    Originally, a local woman built these houses for her grandson, who aspired to become a painter and his friends. Although there were not so many of them yet, young people who aspired to become artists were beginning to gather here, and the area was becoming a place where a new and free spirit was flowing.


    Masato¡¯s destination was also a mansion where such young artists were gathering.


    In a corner on the outskirts of Nagasaki town, Masato stopped in front of a compound surrounded by an iron fence and hedges. Looking through the iron gate, he could see a lovely-looking Western-style house behind a front yard with green grass.


    Pushing through the gate, which was unlocked during the day, Masato entered and saw a gardener tending to the hedges. He must have remembered the face of men who had visited several times before because he bowed lightly and went back to his work.


    Masato also gave a slight bow and proceeded along the cobblestone pavement between the lawns to the house.


    The two-story wooden building that came into view was new, built after the earthquake, and sprayed with white mortar to prevent fire. The contrast between the rough white walls and the dark green of the entrance door and sliding door, and the dark red of the roof tiles, was beautiful.


    A knock on the front door was soon followed by the appearance of an old man in a black suit.


    ¡°Senzaki-sama, it¡¯s been a long time.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Is Mrs. Otogi here?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Otogi is not here right now. She will be here at noon. Please wait inside.¡±


    The old man, the caretaker of the mansion, opened the door wide and invited him in.


    With a slight lift of his hat and a bob of the head, Masato stepped into the Otogi Salon.

 Volume 1 - CH 3

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (3)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    The owner of the house, Otogi Fumiko, aka Mrs. Otogi, was a well-known businesswoman.


    Her family name before her marriage was Onomura.


    She was born as the eldest daughter of Onomura Kimihiro, the founder of ¡°Onomura Shokai,¡± a trading company that was currently expanding its business with a focus on trade to Europe and South America.


    Founded in the Meiji era (1868-1912), Onomura Shokai was an overseas trading company and was now well-known as Japan¡¯s foremost importer.


    By the time of its current president, Onomura Kosuke, Fumiko¡¯s brother who was five years older, the company had amassed such vast wealth that it was even included in the Imperial Japanese Empire¡¯s Directory of the Rich and Famous.


    Several decades ago, Fumiko was bewitched by Baron Otogi at a garden party, got married, and changed her family name to ¡°Otogi¡±.


    However, within three years of their marriage, the Baron died suddenly, leaving Fumiko a widow. Although she had to give up her baronetcy because she had no heir, Fumiko Otogi was called ¡°Baroness Otogi¡± by those around her.


    After her husband died, Mrs. Otogi used the property she inherited and the dowry from the Onomura family to open a caf¨¦ and milk store in Ginza.


    At first, it was ridiculed as a rich lady¡¯s indulgence, but she had a plan.


    Through the Onomura Trading Company, she purchased Western liquor, coffee, and ingredients for Western pastries from overseas at a lower price than the market price, and offered them at a slightly more reasonable price than other caf¨¦s. The caf¨¦, where customers could enjoy authentic Western liquor and coffee, and the milk fowl, where they could enjoy Western sweets gradually became popular.


    In addition to the products on display in the store, Mrs. Otogi was also particular about other aspects of her business.


    The store was built in a modern Western style and furnished with antique furniture. The fashionable female waitresses were not only good-looking, but also educated and could converse with the intellectuals.


    Conversely, the new cafes were opened for the pure enjoyment of coffee, Western liquor, and exotic ambiance, thus attracting new customers.


    As the store¡¯s operations became more successful, support from the Onomura increased, the number of branches grew proportionally, and now the company had five branches in the Imperial city.


    Her quick wit and imposing attitude had made her a household name as a businesswoman.


    She also became a symbol of the aspirations for independent professional women, and since she was once a Baroness, she earned the nickname ¡®The Baroness of Kowa¡¯.


    Masato first met Mrs. Otogi when he visited one of her cafes.


    While talking with the waitress of the caf¨¦, who was an acquaintance of his, she happened to come to the caf¨¦ and spoke to him.


    ¡°Oh my, you have a beautiful face.¡±


    She complimented Masato¡¯s appearance, which was clearly of foreign blood, without any pedantry, and then she murmured, ¡°It would be nice to have some good-looking men,¡± and invited him to work in the caf¨¦.


    ¡°England? Germany? Do you speak the language?¡± She even asked if he spoke foreign languages.


    He tried reciting a poem by Goethe, a German poet, to her great delight. She was so amused that when he improvised a poem with German-sounding words, she praised him, saying, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, you¡¯re a poet.¡±


    In addition to running the caf¨¦, Mrs. Otogi had a deep knowledge of the arts.


    Not only did she love the arts, but she also had a great sense of taste and an eye for finding young talent. She was active in supporting poor artists and opened her villa in Nagasaki to them as a salon.


    The works produced by the artists who commuted to and resided in the villa, commonly known as ¡®Otogi Salon¡¯ were showcased at an exhibition held once every three months to which favorable visitors were invited. Not only that, the works were also displayed in the caf¨¦ and milk fowl that she run, changing from month to month, catching the attention of the many people who visited.


    Being allowed to enter her salon and exhibit their works were a gateway to success for young artists. In the art world, it became a field for finding new buds.


    Since a portion of the profits generated from the sale of the artworks went to the operation of the salon, the burden on her was, in effect, limited to the provision of her villa, caf¨¦, and other locations in Nagasaki.


    This was a truly efficient way to gain connections with up-and-coming artists and the art-loving upper class.


    By chance or good fortune, Masato was recognized by Mrs. Otogi for his talent (or perhaps his good looks) and was allowed access to the salon.


    A curious visit to the salon revealed that there were indeed young artists hanging out and working hard to create works of art.


    Masato himself was only a novice poet, and there was no way he could be as enthusiastic as they were. But, when he was short of money, Otogi Salon became a very helpful place for him.


    He didn¡¯t have to worry about food and sleep if he stayed there, and he did not have friends who urged him to work even if he was reading abundant foreign books in the library. It was such a cozy place that he decided to visit the salon only once a month to prevent himself from getting too comfortable.


    Masato stopped by the study, took out a Western book, and headed for the sunroom at the rear of the building.


    The interior of the sunroom, which opened out onto the full width of the first floor, was quite simple. The dark brown plank flooring, white plaster walls, and pale light-green cleats and latticework were a refreshing design to the eye.


    The brightly lit room, with wicker chairs and a small round table, was a relaxing space.


    Through the slightly open windows, a cool wind breezed in, bringing the green scent of the trees planted in the spacious garden. Mixed in with the scent of young leaves was a faint sweet smell. Perhaps it came from the buds of the roses that were beginning to fizzle.


    The cozy sunroom was popular with the artists who stayed in the salon. Poets and sketchers gathered here, and there were always some people to be seen, but fortunately, no one seemed to be here today.


    Approaching the wicker chaise lounge at the end of the sunroom, the best seat in the house, Masato stopped.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    He thought this place was unoccupied, but apparently, there was a visitor ahead of him.


    In the soft sunlight, a boy was lying on the chaise longue.

 Volume 1 - CH 4

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (4)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    He was probably still in his early teens.


    The boy was wearing a white shirt, a light-blue vest and pants, and dark brown leather shoes. The collar of his shirt was loose, and the end of his untangled dark red ribbon tie rustled in the wind as if in an occasional flash of remembrance.


    A white cushion was propped up on the boy¡¯s chest, and a German book, probably in the process of being read, rested open on the boy¡¯s chest.


    Masato picked up a light-blue jacket curled up under the couch, which had probably fallen to the floor while he was sleeping. Then he saw the boy¡¯s face up close.


    His black hair, cut a little long, swayed in the wind. His small, egg-shaped face, which still retained an innocent look, was framed by a small but well-shaped nose and light red lips.


    His eyes, framed by long eyelashes, were closed, but they looked so pretty that he could be mistaken for a girl.


    If he was a beautiful woman, it would be like a scene from a fairy tale.


    The sunroom, fragrant with roses, was an ancient castle covered with thorns.


    The boy was the Sleeping Beauty who had been asleep for a hundred years.


    Then, Misato was a prince who had come to rescue the sleeping princess.


    As he let out a chuckle at his m?rchen imagination, the boy on the couch noticed his presence and leaned forward slightly. In his peaceful sleep, a small crease wrinkled between his smooth eyebrows.


    The boy¡¯s white eyelids quivered slightly and slowly opened.


    What appeared were dark eyes like a wet fawn. The eyes blinked into focus and caught Masato.


    ¡°Hey, good morning.¡±


    When he called out, the boy looked up silently with dark round eyes.


    His startled expression was young and defenseless, and Masato was suddenly tackled with a sense of mischief. He bent down with his hand on the back of the couch, put his own face close to the boy¡¯s, and whispered.


    ¡°Princess of Thorn Castle, would you like a kiss to wake you up?¡±


    The boy¡¯s rounded eyes blinked wide as Masato asked with a smile of the highest quality that would make any woman fall in love with him. A slight red color flashed across the white cheeks.


    At first, the boy blinked his eyes in confusion, but his expression soon became calm.


    His dark brown luster and black eyes lit up with the light of understanding, and his lips formed a gentle smile.


    ¡°If you were my prince, and the curse could be lifted, I¡¯d be happy to oblige.¡±


    Masato, expecting to see the boy¡¯s impatience and dismay, was taken aback by the unexpected reaction.


    The boy¡¯s knowledge of the Sleeping Beauty, as well as his unique turn of phrase and quiet gaze, were surprisingly mature.


    He was going to make fun of the kid, but it was him who get cheated on instead.


    Masato laughed and sat up. The boy also tried to get up from the couch, so he reached out and the boy took his hand obediently. The lightness of a slender hand was transmitted into his arm.


    He handed the jacket he had picked up, and the boy accepted it with gratitude. His clear, high-pitched voice, characteristic of a child, was calm and collected.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    ¡°By the way, who are you?¡±


    The boy asked after he had put on his coat and sat down neatly on the couch. Masato cowered lightly as the boy tilted his head.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m not your prince after all.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a shame.¡±


    The boy was quick to turn the tables.


    One could take the quick-thinking either as cocky or funny. Misato was the latter.


    It would be a good way to pass the time while waiting for Mrs. Otogi.


    Masato put his Western book on the table and sat down in the one-seat wicker chair across from the boy and crossed his legs. He looked at the boy, loosely interlacing his fingertips.


    ¡°Then, can you guess my true identity?¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay.¡±


    The boy did not seem puzzled and readily took up the offer of play.


    He closed the Western book that was left open and stared at Masato. He could feel the gaze on him for ten or twenty seconds. After a short silence, the boy opened his mouth.


    ¡°Gender is male, age is mid-twenties. Height is about 6 feet and one inch, quite tall. The suit looks good. That one was tailored at Mitsuboshido in Ginza, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Mitsuboshido was a well-known dressmaker in Ginza.


    The company had a lineup of skilled tailors trained abroad, and had a reputation among the upper class for making suits that were both functional and dignified.


    ¡°Correct answer. You understood it very well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s very carefully tailored and the star-patterned buttons are unique.¡±


    The small silver button on the left cuff of the upper garment had three five-pointed stars embossed on it.


    It was one of the buttons that were always attached to clothes tailored by Mitsuboshido. ¡°I have an acquaintance who is a regular customer of Mitsuboshido,¡± the boy added.


    ¡°Single three-buttoned with a peaked collar. The color is brown. The fading color of the fabric indicates that it is at least two or three years old. Given your age and build, I¡¯d say it was made within the last five years when fluctuations were minimal.¡±


    ¡®Well, I suppose so. But it¡¯s the story of the suit, not me.¡±


    He pointed out, and the boy just smiled lightly.


    ¡°Not really. It¡¯s just that a few years ago, you had the financial ability to have a fine suit made for you at Mitsuboshido. Your own words, actions, and mannerisms indicate that you were brought up in a well-to-do family. You also seem to be accustomed to wearing Western clothes. ¡­But you have not been able to afford to wear it in recent years. In the suit, you can see areas that have been mended with slightly different colored threads and buttons of a different type. Normally, you would have to ask for repairs at Mitsuboshido, or at least have a new suit tailored for you. So I can guess that you don¡¯t have the financial ability to do that now. ¡­Well, if you are not a kimono wearer, but just a person who have good hands and takes good care of things, then you are looking in the wrong place.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see.¡±


    It was quite an observation. Masato crossed his legs and looked at the boy, urging him to continue with his answer.


    ¡°It is no ordinary working person who visits Mrs. Otogi¡¯s salon during the daytime on weekdays. Those who enter here are art dealers and favored visitors, but you are not one of them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and why is that?¡±


    ¡°Because you don¡¯t seem to have the same commercial nature or the same passion for artworks. And if I¡¯m right about the suit, you probably don¡¯t have the financial resources to buy them either.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hurting me.¡±


    ¡°My apologies. The rest are the artists who were allowed to come and go by Mrs. Otogi. If you are a painter, sculptor, or potter, you won¡¯t come here in such a neat outfit. You will get dirty while working. Your hands do not look dirty with pigments or soil, nor are they rough. That would make you a writer or a poet.¡±


    Masato listened to the boy¡¯s words, which came close to the correct answer, with a thin smile on his face and a feeling of freedom.

 Volume 1 - CH 5

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (5)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    Considering more than half of the people who frequented this mansion salon were artists, honestly speaking, the boy¡¯s guesses were not outstanding except for the suit.


    However, Masato, who was half-conscious that he was killing time and let his guard down, was hit by a sharp hidden ball.


    ¡°You are a former honor student who graduated with excellent grades from Teito University, but for some reason turned into a poet, is that correct?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    After slightly pursing his lips to hide his agitation, he slowly opened them.


    ¡°From where did you get the idea that I graduated from Teito University?¡±


    ¡°The silver chain coming out of the inside pocket of your jacket is the one attached to your pocket watch, isn¡¯t it? When you bent down, I saw the chain and also a part of the watch lid. I know it¡¯s given to students who excelled in their final exams. I only know this because I know someone who has the same watch.¡±


    ¡°¡­So you know someone who graduated from Teito University.¡±


    Not many people knew about silver pocket watches.


    It was an object of honor rather than monetary value and was not publicly flaunted. It was known only to the family members of the bearer, or in secret among the elite in government offices.


    The Teito University was the pinnacle of academics in the Empire of Japan, and only a few of the elites could enter.


    A silver pocket watch was given to those who had achieved the highest grades among them.


    A young man who, despite his elite status, wore a fine but old-fashioned suit and spent his spare time playing games with a boy at a salon where poor artists gathered.


    A former honor student-well, it fit him.


    The boy¡¯s polite but unreserved manner of speaking did not make him angry. In fact, he thought it was rather creepy.


    The mature look and expression on his young face were somewhat unrealistic, as if he were a fairy in the form of a child from a fairy tale.


    He never thought that a game he played to pass the time would end up like this.


    Even weirder was the sense of amusement that welled up inside. Masato was honestly impressed by the boy¡¯s keen sense of observation.


    ¡°Well done, you guessed it. I¡¯m here for a reason. How did you know I am a ¡®turned-poet¡¯?¡±


    When he asked about the part that caught his attention, the boy smiled bitterly, like a magician who had been discovered.


    ¡°Pardon me. ¡­Actually, I have heard about you from Mrs. Otogi. She said that ¡®Senzaki-san the Poet¡¯ is like a prince from a foreign fairy tale. So, as soon as I saw you, I recognized you as Senzaki-san. I apologize for my long and rambling speech.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Here came the terrible revelation.


    Well, it was true that Masato was a little bothered that the boy did not dare to talk about his most distinctive feature, his strange appearance.


    Masato smiled as he watched the boy bow his head apologetically.


    ¡°It¡¯s like ¡®Rumpelstiltskin¡¯. So you knew my name from the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I did. Please don¡¯t split yourself open in anger.¡±


    The boy also chuckled and replied in a joking tone.


    Rumpelstiltskin was the name of a dwarf in a Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tale.


    The dwarf appeared to a girl who was in trouble with the king and granted her wishes in exchange for a necklace and a ring, but in her last wish, he demanded that the girl gave him her first child.


    The wish was granted, and the daughter married the king and became queen. When the dwarf came to claim the child, the daughter cried and begged not to take the child away from her.


    The dwarf then made a condition: ¡°If you guess my name in three days, the child will be yours.¡±


    The daughter gave a name she knew, a name she had her messenger look up, but the dwarf simply said, ¡°It¡¯s not that name.¡± Then, on the third and final day, the messenger returned and said, ¡°I heard the dwarf bouncing around in a small house, saying¡­¡±


    In this way, the girl, who was able to learn the name of the dwarf by the messenger, pretended to be ignorant of it at first, but then guessed the name so well that the angry dwarf tore himself in half.


    Knowing the story¡¯s fallout, Masato¡¯s heart secretly leaped at the boy¡¯s reply.


    When he had told Ichiya, he stared with a dumbfounded look and said, ¡°What kind of incantation spell are you talking about?¡± and they couldn¡¯t even have a proper conversation.


    Even if the boy had known Masato¡¯s name from the beginning, the process was enjoyable enough. Instead of becoming angry, Masato was intrigued by this clever and mysterious boy.


    Masato leaned forward a little and asked the boy.


    ¡°Do you like Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tales?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    The boy smiled quietly as he looked down.


    ¡°You seem to like it too.¡±


    ¡®Well, I¡¯ve been reading a lot about it. ¡­It¡¯s a little different from the story, but I hope you¡¯ll accept this. It¡¯s a reward for guessing my name.¡±


    The boy blinked as Masato pulled a silver pocket watch from his inside pocket. He cowered as the boy shook his head and said, ¡°I can¡¯t accept it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have a necklace or a ring, much less a child. That¡¯s about all I have that might be of value.¡±


    When he said that it would be worth a little if he sold it, the boy breathed a sigh of exasperation and said, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s worth that much.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I can¡¯t take this. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m granting your wish.¡±


    ¡°Oh, about that, I have a little wish.¡±


    ¡°A wish?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m living at a friend¡¯s apartment, but I¡¯m about to be evicted. I need to find a job and a place to live. Is there anyone you know who might be a good employer?¡±


    The boy said that Mrs. Otogi had just told him about Masato. From the boy¡¯s manner and appearance, it was clear that he was a child of a good family.


    The fact that he was visiting Mrs. Otogi¡¯s salon and not her home alone made him wonder if he was a personal acquaintance of hers. Is he a relative of Mrs. Otogi¡¯s or a child of a wealthy she knows?


    He didn¡¯t know who the boy was, but it would be good to get along.


    Masato originally came to the salon with the intent to ask Mrs. Otogi for a job. He had been invited to serve at the caf¨¦ before, so he could count on her that much. ¡­If the boy could also make some contacts among his relatives, he would be able to get out of this predicament for the time being.


    He asked the boy with this calculation in mind, but the boy put his finger to his chin, turned his head down, and fell silent.


    Masato was concerned that he was asking too much, but the boy raised his eyes without changing his expression.


    ¡°¡­I have a job position. I was just looking for someone.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good to hear. What kind of work is it?¡±


    ¡°The basic job is to serve at the caf¨¦. There¡¯s a spare room in the same building as the caf¨¦, so if you want, you can live there.¡±


    ¡°I see. Live-in. That¡¯s a very good deal.¡±


    A waiter at the caf¨¦.


    It was as expected.


    ¡°By the way, who¡¯s the employer?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°¡­You?¡±


    This child was the employer.


    That was unexpected.

 Volume 1 - CH 6

    Guess the Name of the Sleeping Beauty (6)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    Staring seriously at the boy, he could see a mischievous smile on the young face.


    ¡°But I¡¯m also a hired shopkeeper.¡±


    Even as a hired help, it was not normal for a child in his early teens to be in charge of a store.


    It really felt like he was being transformed by a fairy. Masato leaned back deeply in his chair and exhaled.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised¡­ Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you never told me your name, but you ask for mine?¡±


    The boy tilted his head and smiled.


    Masato, too, chuckled along with him. It seemed that the game of guessing names was still going on.


    ¡°Then, I guess it¡¯s my turn to guess your identity next time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. ¡­Well, then, instead of granting a wish, how about you guess my name? Three days is not long, so let¡¯s say I hire you for three months for now. If you can guess my name during that time, I will continue to hire you. I will pay the rent after that. How would you like that?¡±


    ¡°¡­Are you not the Sleeping Beauty, but Rumpelstiltskin himself?¡±


    The dwarf who granted his wishes-or rather, the mysterious child.


    Masato smiled.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s a wish come true for me, but isn¡¯t that one-sidedly convenient?¡±


    ¡°I have always wanted to hire people, so as long as you work hard, I won¡¯t have any problems. The rent will not be too much of a burden since I own the building. ¡­Oh, yes. If you guess my name, rest assured I won¡¯t rip myself to pieces.¡±


    Is this conversation, which could be considered the continuation of a game, serious or joking?


    The sunroom alone with the boy, surrounded by the dark shadows created by the noon light and the scent of the greenery in the garden, gave the illusion of being in a forest.


    Who is this boy, really?


    Despite being suspicious, his curiosity grew.


    The boring everyday life turned into a mysterious and extraordinary one.


    How long had it been since he have been this excited? He¡¯d been living aimlessly and lazily for the past two years, and this was the most fun he¡¯d had in a long time.


    Masato let out a giggle and was thinking of what witty answer to give when he heard a light clacking of heels approaching.


    ¡°¨COh, did you come here?¡±


    The woman who appeared in the sunroom was a beautiful woman dressed in Western-style clothing.


    She had a bob haircut and wore a pale wisteria-colored cloche hat, and a similarly-colored, one-piece dress on her thin body. The large white collar and thin cuffs were decorated with lace folds and combined with a long, double-layered pearl necklace, the dress was elegant yet glamorous.


    Her fine face was thinly coated with white powder, and her eyebrows were thin and well balanced. Her lips were covered with bright crimson lipstick. The scent of violet wafted through the air.


    She was the owner of the salon, Otogi Fumiko.


    Masato got up from his chair, walked in front of her, and bowed reverently.


    ¡°It has been a while, Mrs. Otogi.¡±


    ¡°Good day to you, Senzaki-san.¡±


    Mrs. Otogi¡¯s rouged lips were covered with a lustrous smile. She must have been over forty years old, but her lively and energetic expression and straight posture made her look younger and more beautiful.


    ¡°Is the poetry going well? Oh, that¡¯s right. If you like, why don¡¯t you have lunch with me¡­¡±


    Her words, which she said with a smile, stopped halfway. Mrs. Otogi¡¯s eyes were on the boy sitting in the chaise lounge behind Masato.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Oh my.¡±


    Mrs. Otogi, who put her hand on her mouth, looked at Masato and the boy and smiled happily.


    ¡°You both got to know each other. Did I get in the way?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only just made his acquaintance a short time ago. Unfortunately, I still can¡¯t tell you his name.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    Just as she was about to introduce him, the boy interrupted.


    ¡°Fumiko, you can¡¯t do that. Actually, I¡¯m making a bet with him right now, to see if he can guess my name.¡±


    The boy held up an index finger in front of his lips, telling him not to cheat. Masato cowered his shoulders and Mrs. Otogi¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°Oh, what is it? You are doing something very interesting, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Masato gave a brief explanation of the bet to Mrs. Otogi, who inquired with amusement.


    Speaking of the caf¨¦ waiter, it seemed that Mrs. Otogi was the owner, or in other words, the employer, of the boy¡¯s store. She gave her consent to hire Masato.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I understand. But isn¡¯t it inconvenient without a name?¡±


    Certainly, it would be tasteless to just use ¡®you¡¯ from now on. ¡°What should I call you?¡± Masato looked at the boy and saw that he was puzzled by the unexpected question.


    Before the boy could answer, Mrs. Otogi suggested.


    ¡°How about ¡®Kahoru¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Fumiko.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. ¡­Let¡¯s, go with ¡®Ono Kahoru¡¯.¡±


    Mrs. Otogi clasped her hands together in agreement.


    The boy¡¯s slight frown suggested that the name had some meaning to him. Masato asked, wondering in the corner of his mind if it would be a suggestion to guess his name.


    ¡°Then, should I call you Kahoru?¡±


    ¡°¡­Please, call me whatever you like.¡±


    The boy-¡¯Ono Kahoru¡¯ ¨C stood up with a small sigh.


    Kahoru was only about the height of Masato¡¯s chest, and it made him realize once again that he was just a child. However, the look in his eyes as he looked up was so calm and intelligent that it was hard to believe he was a child.


    Masato held out his hand to the unidentified child.


    ¡°Take care of me from now on, Kahoru-kun.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please take care of me as well.¡±


    He held the small hand that fit snugly in his large one.


    Masato, looking forward to the game ahead, smiled naturally. He did not notice that Kahoru quickly looked away at the unpretentious smile, but Mrs. Otogi beside him laughed happily.

 Volume 2 - CH 1

    House of The Golden Bird (1)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    The morning light pouring through the shoji was dazzling white.


    Until now, it had only been dazzling and bothersome, but this morning it seemed unusually bright and beautiful. With his back to the light, Masato looked down at his friend who was still sleeping, and called out to him.


    ¡°Wake up, Ichiya.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The change in Ichiya¡¯s expression as he woke up was quite a sight to behold.


    His eyes turned to Masato¡¯s face and then they popped out as wide as they possibly could.


    After making a blank expression, as if he had seen a dog standing on its head, he mumbled with a straight face, ¡°This is a dream, no matter how much time I take a day off, Chisaki can¡¯t get up earlier than me. This is a dream.¡±


    Masato slapped Ichiya on the forehead, who was escaping into a dream. Ichiya opened his eyes fearfully, but the pain and shock seemed to make him finally accept that it was real.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s not a dream.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s real.¡±


    ¡°Reality¡­¡±


    Ichiya got up from the futon and fixed the collar of his yukata as he looked at Masato with a wry face. It was a very rude reaction, but it was also due to Masato¡¯s daily conduct.


    After repeatedly comparing Masato¡¯s face with the dial on his watch that showed 8:00 A.M., Ichiya asked with a serious look.


    ¡°Hey, Senzaki, are you all right? Do you have a fever? Is it a harbinger of a natural disaster? You¡¯re not thinking of something strange, like fleeing this world and trying to live a decent life for the last day or so, are you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re overreacting every step of the way. I don¡¯t have a fever, and I don¡¯t know if there will be a natural disaster. And I have no intention of dying. I¡¯d like to live a long life if I could.¡±


    Ichiya¡¯s brow wrinkled as he grunted in exasperation.


    ¡°Then what in the world is going on?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a new job, actually.¡±


    ¡°¡­Hah?¡±


    ¡°And while I¡¯m at it, I found a place to live.¡±


    ¡°Haah!?¡±


    Ichiya peeled his eyes out.


    To his astonished friend, Masato laughed like a child whose prank had succeeded and told him the story of what had happened at the Otogi Salon the other day.


    After he had finished listening to what a good deal it was to serve the caf¨¦ and be exempted from paying rent, Ichiya was silent for a good ten seconds, skipping the nonsense about the Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin.


    Then, with a straight face, he said.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re not being fooled by that, are you? Isn¡¯t that a new kind of scam? No, of course, it is a scam. They¡¯re trying to get you to do some shady business.¡±


    ¡°I agree. The story is so good that I feel as if I were the hero of a M?rchen. Is he a dwarf who brings happiness or a devil who deceives and leads to ruin? I wonder which one it is.¡±


    ¡°Neither!!¡±


    In contrast to Masato¡¯s easygoing attitude, Ichiya grabbed both of Masato¡¯s shoulders and shook him like a demon.


    ¡°Senzaki, don¡¯t say bad things. Think again. Decline now. Decline. Refuse. If anything, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Certainly, if Ichiya, a strong-looking police officer, went with him, the average swindler would be intimidated and lose interest.


    However, Masato had no intention of refusing, and he could imagine that the mysterious child would be able to easily get Ichiya off his back.


    ¡°¡­Well, I think I can work something out.¡±


    ¡°Senzaki!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a little curious about it. I¡¯m excited.¡±


    When Masato smiled, Ichiya blinked and relaxed the grip on his shoulder. He exhaled heavily and turned away, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t care if anything happens.¡±


    Masato lightly patted him on the arm to calm him down.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m off to inspect the workplace caf¨¦ now. If it¡¯s a shady business, I might reconsider.¡±


    ¡°Go there and say no right away!¡±


    Ichiya¡¯s reluctant face never cleared up at Masato¡¯s indifference.


    ** **


    Masato finished getting ready and headed for Jinbo in Kanda.


    Kanda was next to the south side of Hongo, where Masano was located, and it wasn¡¯t too far away by train.


    After getting off at the Jinbo transfer point, Masato turned his attention to the bookstore district on the south side of the street.


    The bookstore district was lined on both sides of the street with Western-style stores covered with copper shingles and tiled exterior walls, and the storefronts were stacked with secondhand books.


    Now that he thought about it, he used to visit the Western bookstores in this area when he was still a student. With a sense of nostalgia, he walked along the intersecting streets, changing direction from south to east.


    After walking for about ten minutes, he arrived at the building he wanted to visit. After confirming that the address was the same as the one on the piece of paper that had been given to him, he looked up at the building again.


    The three-story stone building was a stylish Western-style building with white-gray stone walls and dark green entrance doors and shutters.


    The second and third floors were lined with glass panes, one at a time. The ground floor facing the street had an entrance and three stores, and the store in question was the second from the right.


    Two stone steps up from the white-gray covered porch was a dark green front door. The upper half of the door had been glassed over so that one could look inside, but now a colored curtain was down. On the darkened glass, white letters read.


    ¡®Caf¨¦ Grimm.¡¯


    Masato¡¯s mouth relaxed at the name, which really fit the child who said he liked Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tales.

 Volume 2 - CH 2

    House of The Golden Bird (2)


    Translated by LyraDhani


    Edited by LyraDhani


    Underneath the white letters of the restaurant¡¯s name, a white tag was hung with a golden chain. Although the tag read ¡®in preparation¡¯ in black letters, he had received a message from his employer to go straight in.


    Masato tapped twice on the brass knocker and then pushed the door open. The doorbell on the inside rang in the quiet space.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    As he stepped into the dimly lit room, the aroma of rich and fragrant coffee tickled his nose.


    His eyes, accustomed to the brightness of the sun outside, could only see a vague outline at first, but gradually the interior became clearer.


    Just like the exterior, the interior was also Western-style.


    The black, matted wooden floor and white plastered walls. On the white ceiling, a lattice pattern was formed by a thick, dark brown latticework.


    The interior of the restaurant, lit by a series of dark orange lamps, was long and narrow. There was a long, dark brown counter with two round tables for two. Each had a wooden chair with a dark green cushion.


    In one corner of the store, there was a bookshelf as tall as Masato, filled to the brim with books. Most of the books were in foreign languages, with English, German, French, and many other languages adorning the spines.


    He heard a noise and looked over to see a thin man standing behind the counter.


    Dressed as a waiter in a white Western shirt, black vest, and bow tie, he looked to be in his mid-fifties. His gray hair, streaked with gray, was neatly brushed back, and he wore thin, celluloid-rimmed round glasses that gave him an air of elegance and intelligence.


    The man was facing one of the glass balloon-shaped siphons lined up on the counter.


    An alcohol lamp flickered just below the siphon, and boiling water slowly rose into a roto attached to the top of a round flask. The aroma of coffee in the air became stronger as the man stirred the coffee beans and hot water in the roaster with a spatula.


    A few dozen seconds after the water had finished rising, the alcohol lamp was extinguished and the extracted coffee fell into the flask below.


    The man who had been watching the glazed brown liquid fall finally turned his quiet gaze toward Masato.


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡±


    He bowed to Masato, who had the appearance of a foreigner, and was not particularly surprised to see him enter despite being in the middle of preparations.


    ¡°The owner told me about you. Please come in that way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He indicated with his hand to the back of the store. A sapphic-colored curtain was hanging on a part of the wall.


    Masato bowed to the man and headed toward the back of the store, but stopped halfway.


    ¡°¡­ Oh, yes, I¡¯m sorry for not saying my name. My name is Senzaki. May I ask your name?¡±


    ¡°My name is Miyake. I cook and serve here.¡±


    The man who introduced himself as Miyake smiled calmly and said, ¡°We only have one employee.¡± Masato asked the affable man a question as if it were completely unintentional.


    ¡°I see. ¡­I was wondering if you know the name of the owner? I haven¡¯t asked him yet.¡±


    ¡°I have been told to call him ¡®Ono Kahoru¡¯ since the other day, so I call him Kahoru-san.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Whether he realized Masato¡¯s intentions or not, Miyake didn¡¯t break his smile and headed back to his coffee.


    Masato cowered inwardly, then turned toward the curtains.


    Pulling the thick velvet curtains to the side with his hand, he found a staircase leading to the basement and a large space. Five steps down, turn right at a small landing, two steps down, and there was a room about six tatami mats in size.


    The room was half-underground, but the high ceiling made it feel spacious. The light from the chandelier on the high ceiling and the sunlight from the window made the room feel brighter than the dimly lit restaurant, even though it was underground. The floor was covered with a flax-colored carpet with red and dark blue oriental flower patterns woven into the fabric.


    This room also had bookshelves filled with books. Unlike the caf¨¦, this room was lined with Japanese books as well as Western books. There were also a variety of popular literary magazines, as well as specialized books on medicine and history.


    In the center of the room were a round table and sofa set with a chessboard and Western-style board games. At the end of the room was a rectangular cabinet with a fountain pen, an inkwell, and a half-sheet of paper with alphabets and numbers scribbled on it in the corner.


    It could be a secret study in the back of a coffee shop.


    Masato landed on the half-underground floor, looked around the room, and noticed a small figure sitting on one of the couches on the opposite side of the room from the window.


    ¡°Oops¡­¡±


    He stopped and blew out a little because the situation was similar to the one before.


    Leaning deeply against the one-seater sofa, holding a book and closing his eyes, was Masato¡¯s employer. He seemed to be asleep, and a small sleepy breath reached his ears.


    He seemed to be a child who likes to sleep a lot.


    Maybe, he should be the ¡®Sleeping Beauty¡¯ instead of ¡®Rumpelstiltskin¡®.


    Masato wondered how to wake him up. Before he could even think about it, the curtain above moved. At the same time, the aroma of coffee descended.


    Then, without warning, Ono Kahoru, the employer who had been asleep, opened his eyes.


    Unlike a raccoon sleeping¡­ The eyes of a sleepy person, with a vague and uncertain viewpoint, were awakened with a few blinks.


    ¡°¡­¡­ Ah, Senzaki-san. I see you¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    A silver tray was presented beside him. The hand holding the tray was Miyake, who had come down the stairs. It was a white ceramic cup with aroma and steam wafting from it, probably containing the coffee that had just been brewed.


    ¡°Kahoru-san, here you go.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Kahoru took the cup on the tray and smelled it once on the black surface of the water, then took a small sip.


    Miyake asked Kahoru how the coffee tasted.


    ¡°Today¡¯s beans seemed to be a little deep-roasted, so I ground them more coarsely than usual. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ The aroma is fine. The taste is a little sour.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I will grind it a little finer. Shall I brew it again for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    Miyake bowed to him and left with the empty tray under his arm.


    Masato, who had been watching the whole sequence of events, heard Kahoru¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I am sorry, Senzaki-san. I was the one who called you, but I fell asleep.¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t worry about it. ¡­Would it be better if I said please don¡¯t worry about it?¡±


    Masato changed his tone because Miyake was using honorifics for Kahoru.


    He had heard that this boy-Kahoru-was the owner of the coffee shop, but Masato had secretly (and rudely) thought that he was just a decorative shopkeeper.


    He had thought that there was no way a child could be the owner of the store, but the blotched alphabet that he had glimpsed on the half-sheet of paper he had just seen on the table probably indicated the type of coffee beans and the customers. Scattered among the numbers were some formulas, probably indicating prices and sales.


    Furthermore, the way Miyake completely entrusted Kahoru with checking the taste of the store¡¯s coffee, it was obvious that he was playing the role of a proper shopkeeper, even if he was a child.


    In that case, Masato, who was indeed a hired worker, could not talk to him casually.


    He asked him about it, but Kahoru shook his head.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to use honorifics. You are older than me.¡±


    ¡°But Miyake-san seems to be using honorifics.¡±


    ¡°He has been doing so for some time, so don¡¯t worry about it. You don¡¯t have to change your tone toward me. It¡¯s better suited to the job.¡±


    ¡°¡­What do you mean? You are the owner of the coffee shop, right?¡±


    As Masato tilted his head, Kahoru¡¯s lips curved upward.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you work as a waiter, but you have another job as well.¡±


    ¡°What other job?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s something I¡¯ll explain to you as we follow you on the road. ¡­Miyake will be bringing coffee soon, so for now, let¡¯s enjoy the coffee and pastries that Caf¨¦ Grimm prides itself on.¡±


    Saying so, Kahoru fetched a square metal tin on top of the cabinet and offered a large butter cookie.

 Volume 2 - CH 3

    The coffee at Cafe Grimm was delicious.


    The coffee brewed by Miyake had a soft acidity, and bitter aroma and taste to it, yet it had a rich harmony that kept it together. He was with Rihito, who had drunk coffee at various cafes, but Miyake¡¯s ranked higher among them.


    Rihito had heard that after importing beans from South America, they ordered a blend from an Italian shop that has a contract with Onomura Shokai. It seems that the western confectionery that was served was made by a confectionery shop in the Kyobashi area that is on friendly terms with Onomura Shokai.


    Fully using the power of Onomura Shokai, Fumiko Otoki¡¯s ¡®fairy fumiko¡¯ was the only shop owned by them.


    After the tea party had ended, Kahoru said, ¡°Well then, let¡¯s get going.¡±


    After telling Miyake that he was going out, Rihito followed Kahoru outside the store. Rihito, who was able to quickly catch up with him due to their height difference, lined up next to Kahoru and asked


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Azabu district.¡±


    ¡°Azabu?¡±


    Speaking of Azabu district, the only places that came to mind were Hinoki-cho and Shinryuto-cho, where the military bases of the army are located, Ryudo-cho, which is a high-class residential area, and Aoyama Cemetery. Was there anything related to coffee shops?


    While Rihito was pondering, Kahoru had stopped a passing taxi. After negotiating with the driver¡¯s assistant and agreeing 40 sen to Azabu, she paid him, and then urged Rihito to get in.


    The spacious interior of the taxi, which could accommodate five people with auxiliary seats, was new to Rihito, who seldom rode in a car these days.


    ¡°It¡¯s a luxury¡­. I don¡¯t have much, but are you okay?¡±


    When Rihito asked him frankly, Kahoru let out a chuckle.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This is ¡®work¡¯ and I will pay for it.¡±


    ¡°However, child, you know I can¡¯t make you pay for it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my money. Fumiko-san will cover all the expenses.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Otoki?¡±


    Mrs. Otoki¡¯s name had suddenly entered the conversation and Rihito tilted his head. Is work related to Mrs. Otoki?


    Kahoru nodded lightly; ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Fumiko-san asked me to do this. A week ago, a lady who lives in Kasumi-cho near Ryudo-cho consulted me.


    ¡°You mean Mrs. Otoki¡®s deputy? But, why you?¡±


    At Rihito¡¯s question, Kahoru¡¯s smile became a little troubled.


    ¡°Before, I was able to solve any problem that Fumiko-san consulted me about. Since then, I have been receiving occasional consultations from Fumiko-san and her acquaintances, but, there is a bit of a rumour about a tail fin that seems to have flowed¡±


    He said that if she had consulted with Mrs. Otoki, the matter will be resolved.


    Mrs. Otoki then had to hire a talented ¡®detective¡¯.


    ¡°In other words, you are that ¡®detective¡¯. Sherlock Holmes¡­ No, the boy detective, Fujiwara.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡±


    Rihito frowned slightly when he used the analogy of the great detective in the famous British detective novels, and the protagonist of detective novels that have recently become popular in boys¡¯ magazines. Apparently, he doesn¡¯t like being called a detective.


    ¡°It¡®s something like an errand.¡±


    ¡°Is there any problem?¡±


    ¡°Even though I¡¯ve been entrusted with deputies, I seem to be seen as a bit unreliable.¡±


    Kahoru pointed at himself and smiled wryly.


    Certainly, no matter how much of a substitute, if a child of about 12 or 3 years old visits, the other party will be suspicious. No matter how clever and grown-up Kahoru was, there was no way he would talk to a child with peace of mind.


    ¡°Until now, I had asked Miyake to accompany me; but the coffee shop would be a hindrance. Therefore¡­¡±


    ¡°I see. I¡¯m Miyake¡¯s deputy¡­ No, I¡¯m your deputy.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll play the role of ¡®detective¡¯.¡±


    ¡®Work,¡¯ other than serving. It didn¡¯t seem to be the suspicious things that Rihito had imagined ¨C selling his body or doing something that looked like a crime.


    ¡°I guess I can rest easy for the time being¡­ But well, you¡¯re a detective.¡±


    As usual, he throws unexpected balls. How many hidden balls does this boy have?


    Rihito asked Kahoru with more excitement than in the morning.


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve never been a ¡®detective¡¯ before, but do I really have to solve cases?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will do my best to reach a solution as your ¡®assistant¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s reliable.¡±


    Rihito softly loosened his lips.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Kahoru-kun, my new assistant.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Chizaki-san¡­ or should I call you Chizaki-sensei?¡±


    Like a certain boy detective, Rihito laughed unintentionally when Kahoru called him, who was meant to study under Kahoru, a teacher.


    Authors Note:


    *The model for a certain juvenile detective, Mr. Fujiwara, is the famous Mr. Hayashi.


    Actually, it has been serialized in a magazine since 1936, and since the timeline is slightly different from this story, another fictitious boy detective was published. By the way, Azabu Ward has a deep connection with the Detective Boys.

 Volume 2 - CH 4

    Right before Kasumi-machi, Rihito and Kahoru got out of the taxi at the Zaimoku-machi stop and proceeded toward the west. Eventually, they changed their direction to the south and before they moved a little further, they arrived at a quiet residential area.


    ¡°By the way, what kind of request is it?¡±


    ¡°It seems that they want you to look for something.¡±


    After a few exchanges, they arrived at a small white Western-style building.


    A detached house surrounded by green hedges, with a calm orange tiled roof and white mortar walls. It was two storeys high, with a golden weather vane shining on the roof.


    The nameplate on the gatepost read ¡®Kanamori¡¯.


    Kahoru, who was leading the way, pressed the chime button attached to the gatepost.


    After a while, the front door opened and a young woman showed her face. She was dressed in Western clothing, and walked towards them with class, clacking the heels of her shoes.


    On the way, she was finally able to see Rihito and Kahoru clearly, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her drooping eyes were painted with dark eye shadow and her eyebrows were drawn long and thin. Her plump lips were smeared crimson red.


    Wearing a slightly larger one-piece dress with a small flower pattern, she came to the gatepost with a bewildered expression on her face, but fell forward as if she stumbled over something.


    ¡°Kyaa¡­¡±


    Rihito immediately reacted, reaching out and supporting her body. He held her in one arm, leaned her against his chest and called out to her.


    ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°Eh, yeah¡­¡±


    When Rihito asked with a smile, the woman¡¯s cheeks blushed and she looked up at him blankly for a while. She didn¡¯t particularly care about Rihito, but most women who saw Rihito¡¯s face up close reacted like this, because he had foreign blood.


    Before long, the sound of a light throat clearing¡ªmade by Kahoru¡ªreturned the woman to her feet.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry. It seems that the heel of my shoe got caught.¡±


    While saying that, she retrieved her heels that got stuck in the cracks in the stone pavement, putting them back on with Rihito¡¯s arms as support.


    The woman finally regained her posture and lowered her head towards Rihito.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my pleasure, my name is Chizaki and I¡¯m here on behalf of Fumiko Otoki. This is my assistant, Ono.¡±


    When Rihito smoothly introduced Kahoru, Kahoru silently smiled and nodded.


    After looking at Rihito and Kahoru alternately, the woman, who mainly looked at Rihito, welcomed them and told them her name.


    ¡°Welcome. I am Mieko Kanamori Yaeko¡±


    This woman ¨DYaeko Kanamori¨D was probably the woman who approached Mrs. Otoki for advice. She glanced sideways at Kahoru, who gave her a nod and encouraged her to continue her story.


    Rihito asked Yaeko with a quiet smile on the corner of my mouth so as not to frighten her.


    ¡°Could you tell me more about your consultation?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Please come in.¡±


    Yaeko opened the front door and invited Rihito and Kahoru into the mansion.


    Rihito and Kahoru were invited to the reception room through the entrance hall, were they sat down on a large two-seater sofa.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°There was a large wall clock in the entrance hall, wasn¡¯t there?


    As he spoke, Kahoru looked around.


    ¡°What about Mr. Kanamori?¡±


    Yaeko, avoiding the question, replied, ¡°I¡¯m going to make some tea.¡±


    Kahoru, tilting his head after hearing Yaeko¡¯s question, asked.


    ¡°Is there no maid?¡±


    Certainly, most families that own Western-style houses like this have live-in maids. Rihito was also curious.


    ¡°She took time off because we are coming today.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­¡±


    Kahoru, putting his finger under his chin and pretending to think, sat down next to Rihito. Rihito then whispered to him.


    ¡°By the way, is it okay to be like this? What about my role as a ¡®detective¡¯?¡±


    Kahoru didn¡¯t say anything but Rihito was a little worried. Conversing with women was his forte, but did he have to do what Kahoru wanted?


    That¡¯s what Rihito thought when he asked, but after Kahoru blinked his eyes like a fawn, he suddenly bursted out into a feat of laughter.


    Rihito was slightly offended by the unexpected reaction to which Kahoru immediately apologized.


    ¡°Excuse me. Until a while ago, I was impressed with your detective behavior and how you treated women. As expected of a former scion, your words and behaviors do not show outright. I was a little surprised that you were interested in me and asked me.¡±


    ¡°Can I interpret that as a compliment?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡±


    Kahoru answered with a straight face, but Rihito couldn¡¯t take it honestly.


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel a little ironic about being familiar with women and being a former scion. Glancing at his face, Rihito got a clear smile and an honest question; ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Just when he was thinking again, that Kahoru was a difficult child, Yaeko came back with a tray.


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting¡±


    She skillfully arranged the teacups on the table. The white teacups were filled with tea that had a light crimson tint to it.


    Yaeko sat down on the sofa across the table after Rihito and Kahoru had picked up their tea. After taking a sip of his hot tea, Rihito asked her.


    ¡°So, what is your consultation? You said you wanted me to look for something.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Actually, two months ago, my grandfather, Shinzo Kanamori, passed away.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ I apologize.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your consideration. This house belonged to my grandfather, and my family will take over it in my will, but there is a little trouble.¡±


    Yaeko, who cut off her words for a moment, stared at Rihito.


    ¡°My grandfather said he would give me another inheritance, but he passed away before he could tell me what it was. I would like you to find the inheritance hidden in this ¡®Golden Bird Mansion¡¯.¡±


    Saying that, Yaeko lowered her head.

 Volume 2 - CH 5

    ¡±Golden Bird House¡± ¨C The Kasumicho mansion owned by the Kanamori family came to be called that because Shinzo Kanamori, who built the mansion, attached a ¡°golden weathervane¡± to the small spire on the roof.


    Another reason was that for him, the ¡®Golden Bird¡¯ was a symbol of good luck.


    When Shinzo Kanamori was young, he had the same dream for a week. It was a dream that a golden bird appeared and led him to a large shining mansion.


    When his parents heard about the dream, they said, ¡°isn¡¯t it a dream that predicts success in the future?¡± When he left home and went to work, his efforts and talents were recognized in the jewelry store where he was an apprentice, and by the end of his youth he was in charge of one of the shops.


    After that, he continued to stand out and eventually became independent. And so, according to his dream, he became one of the most successful people and it is said that he wielded his shrewdness as the owner of a jewelry store.


    Of course, he chose the golden bird as the symbol of his jewelry store. It may have been meant as a lifelong talisman.


    Thus, the mansion where he lived during his lifetime came to be called the ¡°Golden Bird Mansion¡±.


    ¡°The legacy hidden in the Golden Bird Mansion, huh?¡±


    Rihito muttered in the reception room where he was alone with Kahoru. Yaeko, who consulted them on her inheritance search, was out of the room as she went to put away her tea utensils.


    ¡°But she seems to have searched most of the good places.¡±


    According to Yaeko, most of the rooms in the mansion, including the bedroom and study of her grandfather, Shinzo Kanamori, have already been searched. She said she had scoured through safes, bookshelves, cupboards, drawers, closets, attics and even under the floors but couldn¡¯t find anything like it.


    Also, it seems that the ¡°Golden Bird¡± suggests a legacy, so she had examined the golden weather vane on the roof, but it was just a cheap one with gold plating.


    Yaeko insisted that she wanted to find the inheritance as soon as possible.


    Currently the family business, which was a jewelry store, was not doing well and needs more money to finance it. In addition, she was planning to get married soon, and there was also the dowry money.


    Kahoru, who was looking at the bookshelves with glass doors in the reception room, responded to Rihito¡¯s mutter.


    ¡°The deceased owned a jewelry store, so the legacy is likely to be gems or precious metals. Small items can be hard to find.¡±


    The market value of gems and precious metals were stable and the value of rare items will most likely not decline in the future. Moreover, if the family business was a jewelry store, they would know how to handle it.


    In anticipation of that, it might have been hidden in a small place somewhere in the mansion.


    ¡°I have considered it, but above all, there is little information given.¡±


    Shinzo Kanamori worked hard even after his 60th birthday, but one day, he suddenly collapsed at the store. Apparently, he suffered a stroke and never returned home.


    It seems that he had made a will but it didn¡¯t say anything about the hidden property he had told Yaeko about.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he write any words that suggested anything at all?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s written, I think Ms. Yaeko would have already found it.¡±


    Rihito let out a sigh and then Yaeko returned.


    ¡°Thank you for waiting.


    Kahoru, who was standing behind Rihito, was the one who answered the gaze that asked what she should do from now on.


    ¡°Ms. Mieko Kanamori, may I see your study?¡±


    ¡°Study¡­is it?¡±


    Yaeko blinked her drooping eyes in wonder. Rihito had received her questioning gaze, which said; ¡°What is this child saying all of a sudden?¡±


    Kahoru then proceeded.


    ¡°It seems that Chizaki-sensei has something he¡¯s worried about.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. If you don¡¯t mind, can I ask this of you?¡±


    When Rihito had managed to match Kahoru¡¯s words, Yaeko nodded; ¡°Understood.¡±


    While following her to the study, Rihito looked at Kahoru behind him. He quietly whispered to Kahoru so that Yaeko wouldn¡¯t hear him.


    ¡°What the hell are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something I want to confirm.¡±


    ¡°You should have told me that in advance.¡±


    ¡°I will be careful next time.¡±


    As they were secretly whispering to each other, Mieko turned her face anxiously. Her expression looked a little tense.


    ¡°Um, is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Oh, excuse me. Don¡¯t worry about it. I was just giving him instructions.¡±


    When Rihito said that with a smile, Kahoru looked at him from the corner of his eye. She must have noticed the look.


    ¡°Well, if you say it like that, you can leave the actions after entering the study to Kahoru. I feel a little backtracked.¡±


    The study was on the second floor. It was a simple Western-style study, with a desk by the window in the back and bookshelves on the left and right walls.


    Kahoru, who entered the room, turned his gaze toward the bookshelf looking for something. Rihito followed suit and looked at the bookshelf on the opposite side of Kahoru.


    ¡®What the hell is he looking for anyway?¡¯


    ¡®Come to think of it, it seems that he was looking at the bookshelf earlier. Is there something hidden in the bookshelves?¡¯


    While Rihito was thinking, a voice raised behind him.


    ¡°Chizaki-sensei, I found something.¡±


    Turning around, Kahoru reached out and pulled out a book from the shelf.


    Rihito then saw what Kahoru was talking about. It was a ¡®Brother Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tale Book¡±.

 Volume 2 - CH 6

    Volume 2 of Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Book Completely Translated.


    It was translated into Japanese by a Japanese scholar of German in the Mitsuwa era.


    Rihito was bewildered even as he received it from Kahoru.


    ¡®Why is a Brother Grimm fairy tales series here?¡¯


    While wondering, he suddenly noticed when he flipped through the pages, that one of the pages of the thick collection of fairy tales was bent. It was a beautiful book that hadn¡¯t been read much, but still, it had a strange page that was bent. The edge of this page was not folded by chance, but it was folded exactly in the shape of an isosceles triangle, as if it were a landmark.


    When Rihito opened to the bent page, the title of a fairy tale was written in the middle of the page.


    ¡°Golden Bird.¡±


    ¡°¡­A golden bird.¡±


    Rihito, looking up from the page in startle, saw an amused smile on Kahoru¡¯s lips.


    He certainly remembered the fairytale titled ¡®Golden Bird¡¯. He felt a little dull that he didn¡¯t realize when Kahoru had handed him the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales book. No, he wouldn¡¯t normally think that the family¡¯s ¡®Golden Bird¡¯ would be associated with the Grimm¡¯s Fairy Tales.


    Besides, even though this might be ¡®Golden Bird¡¯, it didn¡¯t look anything out of the ordinary except for the broken page. Rihito immediately began to skim over the contents of the fairy tale.


    In the king¡¯s garden there was a tree that bore golden apples.


    Once every year, an apple went missing from the tree, so, the king ordered his three sons to watch under the apple tree.


    The eldest son and the second son fell asleep at midnight, but, the third son endured his drowsiness and watched over the tree. When midnight struck, a golden bird appeared from the sky and stole one of the apples.


    The third son, who saw the bird, shot an arrow at the bird, but was only able to get a piece of its feather. When the king saw the golden feathers he said to his sons; ¡°I want that golden bird.¡±


    The story is that the three sons were sent out on a journey to find the golden bird.


    Along the way, a fox appeared to give them an advice, but, the eldest son and second son choose to ignore its advice and ended up in danger, and the third son who listened to the advice but failed repeatedly and had to be rescued multiple times by the fox, was still able to accomplish his task and secure the golden bird.


    However, it was almost the same as what Rihito had read in the original and all other translated books, and there was nothing special about it.


    As Rihito seemed to have hit a dead end, Kahoru¡¯s voice was heard.


    ¡°Mr. Chizaki, come to think of it, there was a ¡®golden apple¡¯ in the entrance hall.¡±


    Kahoru narrowed his eyes, like a fox offering its advice to Rihito.


    £ª£ª£ª


    When Rihito went to the entrance hall, there was indeed a ¡®golden apple¡¯.


    Above a large pendulum clock that was as tall as a person, carved into the wood surrounding the dial were branches and leaves that grew apples. Delicate patterns of branches and leaves were carved on the surface of the lustrous amber wood, and golden plates were inlaid on the ripe fruit.


    ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s gold-plated, so it¡¯s not that expensive¡­¡±


    Yaeko spoke modestly behind his back as she had already done some research into it.


    However, Kahoru asked her.


    ¡°Ms. Mieko Kanamori, when did this clock stop?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Ah, um¡­ It¡¯s an antique that my grandfather bought. It¡¯s broken and doesn¡¯t work.¡±


    Shinzo Kanamori bought it about a year ago and used it as a decoration. As it turns out, the pendulum behind the lower glass door was stationary.


    Kahoru, forgetting to say ¡®excuse me¡¯, opened the glass door and inspected the golden pendulum inside, fiddling with it a bit, and then moving it left and right. The pendulum began to move without any problems and after some time, when it had stabilized, the hands of the clock began to move.


    ¡°It looks like it¡¯s not broken¡­ Chizaki-sensei.¡±


    When Rihito¡¯s name was called, Rihito, who had been watching Kahoru¡¯s actions with a distant look until now, returned to his senses.


    ¡°Wha¡­ what is it?¡±


    ¡°When will the golden bird appear?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    With all the preparations up to this point, even Rihito could move on to the next stage.


    Rihito reached out his hand to the dial of the clock.


    ¡°At twelve o¡¯clock.¡±


    Click, click and a small sound was heard from inside the clock.


    The bottom one of the golden apples disappeared with a click. No, to be precise, the golden board gradually slipped and disappeared, revealing the wooden board behind it.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    There was something like a vertically elongated hole in the wood part.


    It was the size of the tip of a little finger nail.


    ¡°Are you going to put in a key or something?¡±


    ¡°The ¡®key¡¯ does not appear in that fairytale.¡±


    ¡°Golden Apple, 12 o¡¯clock.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re talking about fairy tales, then the next one is ¡ºGolden Bird¡»and¡­¡±


    Rihito¡¯s eyes reflected the black long hand on the dial.


    With a sharp pointed tip, it resembled the shape of an ¡®arrow¡¯.


    ¡°¡­ arrows¡­ clock hands, huh?¡±


    While muttering, Rihito opened the glass door of the dial and put his hand on the long hand inside. The long needle could be easily removed.


    He inserted the tip of the long needle into the hole, hooked the barb on the edge of the hole, and pulled it, and the wooden part popped off in the shape of an apple.


    And a small golden bird emerged from behind it.