Chapter 4 part 6

As we exited the mountain lodge, the sky to the west was lit up by the radiant setting sun. Oh, it’s already sunset. I can’t tell if that time felt long or short.

“I wonder if our mother is all right,” Fuyuki said, looking up at the sky.

“Kurashina ran after her, so she should be fine,” Holmes said, turning around after reaching the car. “Oh right, please tell Ayako this for me when the time is right: the aquamarine ring Kajiwara gave her symbolizes more than just her birthstone. It also means something in the language of gems.”

“The language of gems?” Fuyuki looked confused.

Holmes nodded. “It’s the gem equivalent of the language of flowers.”

“I’ve heard of it. What does aquamarine mean?”

“Aquamarine symbolizes calmness, wisdom, and…freedom.”

Freedom… I get it. Kajiwara wanted Ayako to live a second life after his passing. Maybe this time, he’s entrusting her to Kurashina for real.

Fuyuki and I were speechless, but Akihito sighed loudly. “Man…”

“Huh?”

“I’ll admit it. You’re Holmes.” He smiled and opened the back door. “Take a seat, Holmes.” He placed his hand on his chest in gratitude, but with an almost unpleasant grin on his face.

“Thank you,” Holmes replied with his first-rate smile. He got into the car, and I followed suit. Their battle was as incomprehensible as ever, but watching the verbal competition between these two different good-looking men was certainly a treat.

“Thank you so much for today, Kiyotaka. I’m ashamed of what you had to see. Please allow me to express my thanks again later.” Fuyuki bowed at Holmes from outside the car.

Holmes shook his head. “I don’t need any more thanks, but please come visit whenever you want.”

“Thank you.” Fuyuki bowed again, and we bowed back.

“All right then,” Akihito said, shifting the car into drive. We drove along the narrow road for a bit before reaching the main road.

“You really are amazing, man,” Akihito mumbled while driving. I almost laughed out loud.

“That’s not true,” Holmes said.

“When did you figure out the truth?”

Oh, I wanted to ask that too.

“Well, when I first saw Haruhiko, I knew that he was Kurashina’s son,” Holmes said nonchalantly. Akihito and I choked.

“S-Seriously?” Akihito balked.

“H-How on earth could you tell?” I asked, baffled as well.

“They looked too similar,” Holmes said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Huh? What part of them was similar?”

“Their ears.”

“E-Ears?” Akihito and I responded shrilly.

“Yes. Kurashina and Haruhiko’s ears were the exact same shape, which would be impossible unless they were parent and child. Knowing that, I wondered if Ayako had had an affair with Kurashina.”

“Wait, you were thinking that behind that graceful smile of yours?” I asked.

“Yes. Is there a problem?” Holmes replied without hesitation.

I felt chills run down my spine. “You really are too scary.”

Akihito burst out laughing. “I thought you were some obnoxious academic, but you’re pretty funny, huh?”

“I also found you obnoxious, but you’re quite amusing yourself,” Holmes retorted instantly.

“Obnoxious?” Akihito flinched.

“Please don’t get depressed over a word that you used first,” Holmes said, exasperated. Akihito pouted in response, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh yeah, you guys were on a date today, right? Sorry you had to get dragged into our issues.”

I blushed. H-He called it a date.

“Indeed. Would you like to use these tickets to see a kabuki show, Aoi?” Holmes said, smiling warmly at me.

“Y-Yes!” I nodded eagerly.

“Damn you two, having fun back there. Let’s get this drive over with.”

I laughed again at Akihito’s grumbling as the car sped down Mount Kurama. Outside, the setting sun illuminated the green leaves in bright red on this lovely summer evening.

--- [ End of Chapter ] ---