Pastel*Rangers

Chapter 36.8 - Investigation Team, GO!

"Following the events of the Haneoka courtyard, Detective Moca's investigation team sets out to interrogate key witnesses. We'll start with the Great Detective Moca and her trusty assistant Ranson, as they make their way to Kitazawa Meats for some delicious information."

"Ranson?" Ran looks at Moca with a confused expression.

"It's a combination of your name and Herlock Sholmes' assistant Watson" Moca says.

"It sounds weird" Ran says.

"Yeah, but the other name I had in mind was Rattson" Moca says.

"That's even worse!" Ran protests.

"Fine, I'll just call you Ran, same as always~" Moca says those last three words doing her best Ran impression. Ran sighs at Moca's nonsensical answer as they arrive at Kitazawa Meats.

"Welcome to Kitazawa Meats!" Hagumi greets Ran and Moca.

"It smells as good as always~" Moca says, mimicking Ran's usual tone a second time.

"What can I get for you?" Hagumi asks Moca and Ran.

"I'd like some curry croquettes, pork croquettes, beef croquettes, sweet croquettes, veggie croquettes, special of the day croquettes, and a few questions" Moca says, without skipping a beat.

"Questions?" Hagumi says, as she prepares a bag to place all of those croquettes in.

"Is that a Michelle hairclip?" Ran asks.

"This?" Hagumi points to her hairclip. "Yeah! It's supposed to be a good luck charm!"

"Who said that?" Moca asks.

"Mii-kun did!" Hagumi cheerfully answers.

"Is Okusawa-san the one who gave it to you?" Ran asks.

"No, Kokoron did!" Hagumi answers.

"It looks really well made" Moca says. "Did Misaki-chin make it?"

"Hm. I don't know" Hagumi nods. "But Kaoru-kun and Mii-kun and Kano-chan-senpai and Kokoron got one too."

"They also got a hairclip?" Ran asks.

"No" Hagumi says. "Mii-kun got a charm on her hat, Kaoru-kun got a bracelet, Kano-chan-senpai got a purse, and Kokoron got a necklace."

"And they're all of Michelle?" Moca asks.

"Yeah!" Hagumi says, cheerfully.

"Hold on, if Kokoro-san gave you yours, who gave her hers?" Ran asks.

"I don't know" Hagumi answers. "Oh! Maybe Michelle gave them to her to give to us!"

"Don't you mean Okusawa-san?" Ran asks.

"Mii-kun? No, I said Michelle" Hagumi looks confused. "Mii-kun is Mii-kun and Michelle is Michelle."

"But... Okusawa-san wears the Michelle costume, doesn't she?" Ran asks.

"Michelle costume?" Hagumi looks shocked.

"Ran, what are you saying?" Moca glares at Ran. "Of course Michelle is real."

"Moca, not you too..." Ran turns to Moca with a concerned look on her face.

"So what does your charm do?" Moca asks, changing the subject. "You said it was for luck, right?"

"Yeah!" Hagumi says. "Nothing bad has happened since I got it, so it must be working!"

"I see, I see~" Moca nods. "Ok, thank you for the croquettes. I'll be paying in stamp cards~" Moca opens her purse and grabs stamp cards for Hazawa Meats. "I also have one for an extra crispy croquette~"