Vol 2 Chapter 1 Part 2

It was Sunday yesterday. Holmes had returned to Kura after being away for a month, and it felt much calmer in the store with him back. I realized that Kura really needed him, regardless of the fact that he was primarily a student. My own feelings had calmed down too.

I was working at a relaxed pace as usual when Holmes looked up from the accounting book as if he’d just remembered something. “Aoi, are you free next weekend?” he asked.

“Next weekend?” But I always work here on the weekend…or so I thought, but when I looked at the tabletop calendar, I remembered that Kura was closed next weekend—something that didn’t happen very often. “Oh yeah, the store is closed next weekend, right?”

“Yes, that is the case.”

Kura didn’t have any regularly scheduled days off. Judging from the lack of customers, I doubted their family made a living off of the sales, but they generally kept it open every day because “If we close the store, the shopping street will become lonelier.” So, it was unusual for Kura to be closed for an entire weekend. In fact, it was the first time I’d seen it happen.

I wonder why he’s asking if I’m free? Feeling anxious, I turned around and said, “I don’t have any plans.”

“Do you want to come over to my house? Oh, I mean my grandfather’s.” Meaning the one near Ginkaku-ji.

“Huh?” My surprise was overtaken by delight, and I broke out into a grin. I was curious about what kind of place the Yagashira family lived in.

“If it’s all right with you, please invite your friend Kaori too,” Holmes continued.

“Kaori?” I responded, confused. Why would he ask me to invite Kaori? Is he interested in her? Is he using me as an excuse to invite her over? It was selfish of me, but I wasn’t enthusiastic about being used that way.

As I stood there, ever so slightly worried, Holmes sighed and said, “Yes, the more people the merrier. Especially since that man loves women of all ages.”

“That man?”

“Ah, you hadn’t heard yet. We’re holding a party for my grandfather to celebrate his seventy-seventh birthday.” Seventy-seven is considered a special age in Japanese culture. When my late grandfather turned seventy-seven, my relatives all got together to celebrate it with him too. The owner was also turning seventy-seven… He was certainly energetic, or should I say powerful?

“Oh, congratulations.”

“Thank you. It’s using the traditional counting system where you’re considered born at the age of one, so he’s seventy-six in the modern system. He said he wanted to celebrate by having a party at his house, so we’re inviting everyone we know.

“We’d love for you to come too, Aoi, but I think I’ll be very busy that day, so you might feel more at ease if you have a friend with you.”

I finally understood why Holmes wanted me to invite Kaori. It was going to be a birthday party with lots of guests, and since Holmes would be busy attending to things, there was a chance that I’d end up alone. Being the kind and attentive person that he is, he thought it’d be reassuring for me to bring a friend.

“O-Oh, okay. I’ll invite Kaori.”

“Good. The party will be on Saturday, starting in the afternoon.”

“Saturday… Why is the store closed on Sunday too, then?”

“The party might continue into the morning.” Holmes shrugged.

“I see,” I said with a laugh. “If the party’s starting in the afternoon, does that mean you’ll be making preparations in the morning?” It must be a lot of work to hold a party with so many guests. What about the food? Will Holmes be making everything himself?

“Yes, but the catering will be handled by a traditional Japanese restaurant that we’re acquainted with. All I’ll be doing is setting up.”

So the food is catered. I’m sure it’ll be fancy. In that case, he might be able to handle the preparations himself, but…

“Um, would you mind if I came in the morning to help you? I don’t know how useful I’ll be, but…” I asked tentatively.

“Huh?” Holmes blinked.

“Oh, sorry. I’d just get in the way, right?”

“No, not at all. But is that really okay with you?”

“Yes, of course.”

Holmes hesitated for a moment before saying, “Thank you. Can I count on you for Saturday, then?”

“Yes!” I nodded enthusiastically.

“Really, thanks so much. You’re too kind,” Holmes said, reverting to his Kyoto accent. Caught off guard, I felt my cheeks flush.