Vol 2 Chapter 3 Part 2

A few days later, I headed for Kyoto. I got on the bullet train at Shinagawa Station, and from there it was about two-and-a-half hours to Kyoto Station. The station has a modern design with large staircases, aerial bridges, a rooftop garden, and an observation deck. It definitely didn’t seem like an ancient city’s station. Apparently, people are still divided about it. My father, who was an author, was very angry about its design. He and his author friends said things like “I wanted them to use a retro-modern approach, like the Kyoto National Museum” every time the topic came up. Maybe there was a lot of backlash, but if you set aside the notion that this is the ancient city of Kyoto, I think that the grand architecture of the Kyoto Station building is an amazing sight worth seeing. It’s not bad if you think of it as the gateway to a world-famous tourist destination. Taking a step outside of your hometown gives you a more objective perspective.

I got into a taxi in front of the station and headed towards Teramachi-Sanjo. I got off on Oike Street, near city hall, and walked into the Teramachi shopping arcade. My pulse sped up. What am I so nervous for? I looked at my watch: 3:30 p.m. Come to think of it, it’s a weekday, so Holmes might not be there. But either way, if I wait there, he’ll show up eventually.

Before long, the antique shop front and sign saying “Kura” came into view. As always, the door chime rang when I opened the door.

“Hey,” I said, trying to hide my nervousness.

The first thing I saw was Holmes and the owner sitting across from each other at the counter. Huh, it’s rare to see the owner here, I thought. Then I hesitated. The two clearly looked depressed about something. They had their elbows on the counter and were holding their heads in their hands like they were at a funeral.

“Wh-What’s wrong?” I asked awkwardly.

Holmes looked up. He was ever the good-looking guy, with his luscious black hair, pale skin, and frustratingly attractive face. “Akihito? I thought you returned to Tokyo.”

“Yeah, but I came back.”

“Did you run out of work over there?”

“N-No! It’s the opposite!” I retorted, irritated.

“I know. Judging from your lively expression, you got a new job, which I assume is in Kansai since you came back. From your luggage, I can see that you came here directly from the station. Do you need something from me?” As usual, Holmes guessed everything right like he was some kind of psychic. It scared me at first, but now that I’m used to it, it’s nice that it speeds up conversations.

“Y-Yeah, something like that. But why do you guys look so depressed?” I walked over and sat down on the couch.

The owner sighed, his hand pressed to his forehead. “I’ll be taking Kiyotaka with me to a bunch of art galleries in other prefectures over the next little while.”

“Huh.”

“Some phonies got into the system.”

“What?”

“He means that forgeries got mixed in with real artwork. They’re elaborate ones too,” Holmes answered listlessly, slumping his shoulders.

“It’s a damn shame that they got past the curators’ eyes and are now brazenly on display. I called Yanagihara and the other appraisers to let them know to keep an eye out. Still, I’m surprised a better counterfeiter than Yoneyama showed up.”

“Indeed…”

The two men sighed deeply.

“Who’s Yoneyama?” I asked, tilting my head.

Holmes smiled weakly. “A counterfeiter that my grandfather exposed in the past. He’s atoned for his sins and now works at an art gallery. He’s got quite the skill. We used to talk about how counterfeiters at his level were a rare sight. Unfortunately, another one did appear.”

“Well, there’s always new ones cropping up,” said the owner. “Kyoto also used to have a really good one that even fooled me back in my younger days. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: counterfeiters have critical eyes too. We appraisers have to stay above them.”

“I see,” I said.

“Part of the problem is that we aren’t training exceptional appraisers, though. I need you to hurry up and become fully qualified, Kiyotaka.”

“Yes, I’m working on it.”

“Anyway, I gotta go meet up with Yanagihara. It’s on you tomorrow, Kiyotaka.” The owner slowly stood up. His face lacked its usual vigor. It must’ve stung to find out that there were counterfeits on display at art galleries.

“Yes, I’ll be there. But there’s no need to pretend to be depressed. I know you’re about to go fool around in Ponto-cho,” Holmes said bluntly. Ponto-cho is one of Kyoto’s six geisha districts.

“Quiet, you! It’s the source of my energy!” the owner snapped as he left the store. I guess he’s the same as always.

Holmes gently looked me in the eye. “So, what did you need, Akihito?”

“O-Oh, right. I’m being assigned to a new program.” I pulled myself together and explained it to Holmes. The episodes were only five minutes long, but it was going to be broadcast on a national network. My job was to introduce the beautiful city of Kyoto, and the first episode was going to be about Nanzen-ji Temple. “I’ve shown my friends around Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple and stuff before, but I’m not familiar with Nanzen-ji. So I thought it’d be a good idea to go with you first.”

Holmes frowned blatantly. “In other words, you’re telling me to give you a tour of Nanzen-ji Temple.”

“Yeah, since you seem like you know everything.”

“I don’t know everything… Can’t you research it online or read some books instead?” He took a sip of his coffee, seemingly uninterested.

“N-No, it’s not the same.”

“How is it different?”

“When I read about things, it’s like they don’t stick in my head. They don’t strike a chord with me. I don’t know why, but your explanations are way better! I remember all the stuff you said about my dad’s will and the Gion Festival tapestries. So, please come to Nanzen-ji with me and teach me! I feel like the first episode’s gonna be really important.” I leaned in, feeling desperate.

Holmes looked at me, his face unchanging. Urk… What’s with that cold expression? Is he grossed out by my passion? Maybe he thinks I’m annoying.

After a short while, Holmes nodded and said quietly, “All right.”

“Huh?” I squeaked.

“I can’t decline after hearing all of that. I’ll go to Nanzen-ji with you. However, could we make it tomorrow? I know it’s sudden.”

“Y-Yeah, that’s fine. Is tomorrow convenient for you?”

“It’s perfect timing. I have to go there tomorrow afternoon,” he said flatly.

I froze. “O-Oh, so you had a reason to be there anyway.” Come to think of it, the owner said, “It’s on you tomorrow.” That must’ve been about Nanzen-ji.

“Yes, which has nothing to do with helping you.”

“Yeah, but…”

“Well, if it’s a program promoting Kyoto, then I do want to help. Learn as much as you can so that you can communicate the city’s wonders,” Holmes said firmly.

“I-I will,” I replied, quickly straightening my back. Why do I feel way more tense than I do when my manager tells me these things?

“Now, let’s take a look at some reference material in advance,” Holmes said, taking a thick book from the shelf.

Come to think of it…this guy’s younger than me, right? Watching him gracefully open the book, I smiled bitterly at the difference between us.