Do I really have the right to see Sakai again?
I put the photo album back in its place, and wait for Anzu to come back.
Talking to her about it would be a terrible mistake. What shall I do…
—Are you okay, Kinari?
—Yes, I am.
—You look like one of his faces! Have you seen a ghost or something!
Much worse than that…
—Come on, let's eat.
I look at my plate.
A curry with rice, my favourite dish…
—You like that, don't you, Kinari?
—Yes, ma'am.
One thing confused me.
Is it a coincidence that out of the many potential meals they could prepare, it just happens to fall right in line with what I like? That's just weird. Too weird.
I'm analysing his parents.
Maybe I'll have a revelation.
Her beautiful and kind parent has a smile on her face 80 percent of the time, the other twenty percent comes from the fact that she's chatty. She seemed quite worried about her daughter, for some reason I can't read.
Just the opposite of my mother.
Her sire was dressed to the nines.
A businessman, no doubt.
A virtuously ironed tie, very detail-oriented. He was not a big talker, due to the fact that his fiancée was too talkative.
Just the opposite of my father.
—So, Kina… Yamazaki-kun, you are in the same school as Anzu?
You already know that, even before she enrolled. It's now certain, Akitoki Shimizu, and Ayame Shimizu have a connection with Sakai's parents. It remains to know which one.
—Yes.
Anzu pulls my sleeve twice, then whispers to me.
—Are you sure everything's okay, Kinari?
What would you, Shinichi Kudo*, do in this case?
—Yes, I would.
This curry taste has a strange flavour. I've tasted it before…
—Did you discover my secret touch, Yamazaki-kun? It's…
Honey.
—Honey!
Obviously, everything becomes much clearer.
When I had eaten at Sakai's house, his mother had prepared a dish for me, the aroma was identical to this one. It was thanks to this curry that I loved this dish so much.
—It was delicious, thank you for this meal!
—You can come back whenever you want, Yamazaki-kun.
—Thank you.
Anzu grabs my wrist, then whispers to me.
—Come to my room, I have something for you.
She wants to tell me? Perfect, everything will be much clearer that way.
We both go upstairs and sit on her bed. She then hugs one of her stuffed animals and offers it to me with a smile.
—It's for you, Kinari.
—She means a lot to you, doesn't she?
—Yes, she does.
—Are you sure you want me to have her?
—Yes, I want to give it to you! Actually, it's also part of my dream to have you hold it.
His dream?
—I… I see.
It's not a coincidence. She probably wants me to understand that she is Sakai. But how can that be? I haven't heard from her in over ten years!
I take back the plush, greet Anzu's parents and then go back to my apartment.
What was this mess? I am lost.
I can't explain it myself, says Kinari seriously.
Come back here, you nerd! I haven't been able to sharpen my katana by slicing your ugly face yet!
What a bunch of idiots.
I finally arrived at the door of my shrine.
— Chizu?
No answer.
Where can she be?
The bedroom, living room, kitchen, everything is empty.
I know perfectly my little sister, the only place where she can be is the park.
Why she goes there, all alone!?
I cross the streets at the speed of light, surpassing the limits of my own muscles.
Faster, much faster.
I speed up again, looking at nothing but my destination in the distance.
This time I would have some explanation for how I felt ten years ago. I must know!
I arrive in a hurry in front of my sister.
—Big Brother?
—Chi…
I'm fucking exhausted.
I inhale the air and catch my breath.
— Chizu! Don't go out alone!
—I missed the swing, big brother.
Chizu…
I settle down beside her, and begin to rock me.
—Did you worry about me, big brother?
—Yes, I was.
—You're a real class act sometimes.
—Yeah, well…
—Go higher, big brother.
I'm gaining momentum.
—To the stars, big brother!
The stars?
—Good, now jump!
I obey.
The horizon is incredible.
You can see the sea and dozens, hundreds of houses lining the beach. Every room is lit up, as if it were a sacred path.
—Did you see how beautiful it is, big brother?
—Is that why did you come here?
—You know, I miss Mum and Dad. So I still go to this place regularly and look at the houses. I try to imagine the life that each one can have. They must be swimming in happiness, don't you think?
—Without … without doubt, yes.
—If they live happily, I can be only happy, no?
Chizu…
—Was it good at Anzu's house?
—Yeah… Besides I had something to ask you.
—I listen to you, big brother.
—Why does my heart beat faster sometimes?
—Because you're in love, big brother, my sister answers me with a smile.
So Aneko's and Masuko's…
—Do you remember Sakai? I told you about her, I think.
—Yes, she was the girl you played with when you were little, why?
—I think this girl is Anzu.
— Anzu?" she said, giggling.
I know it sounds crazy, but it all fits together…
—Yes. I found the same stuffed animal that I had given to Sakai at her house. I also found a picture of me when I was five or six years old.
—It's creepy now. And your heart beats faster when you're with Anzu?
—No. But I remember him reacting like that when I was little with Sakai.
—You can be cute when you want to, silly.
Don't add to it, it's embarrassing enough as it is.
—Have you given up your otaku world, big brother?
—Ever since I joined the Literature Club, my life has been turned upside down. I've found people as adorable as you.
—Big Brother…
Let me finish, stupid.
—Anyway, the point is that I'm trying to live in a similar world to the one my friends are stuck in.
—That's the first time you've used the word friend, big brother. I'm happy for you!
I stay silent and watch the sunset.
This 3D universe … is it normal that it is so mysterious?
—It seems very unrealistic for you to find the girl you knew ten years ago. Maybe you should expect Anzu to confirm that she is the one you played with when you were a kid, so you'll know for sure.
—Are you sure, Chizu?
—Yes, big brother.
But I will manage to do as if I knew nothing?
—You know big brother… I really hope you'll be a normal person one day. It would make me so happy if you got over your otaku gloominess…
Someone normal…
—Well, it's cold! Shall we go home, Big Brother?
—Yeah, well…
Chizu isn't just a sister, she's also a wonderful advisor on my emotions. Since Sakai was gone, I had closed my feelings on myself and it is her, who removed little by little, the shade which covered me.
Shinichi Kudo : Main character detective. (Detective Conan)