Kirigiri Novel Book 2

Chapter 3- Part 4 The Black Death of the Detective

"Speaking of which... Kirigiri-chan, don't you need the 'Detective Rights'? You are a talented detective. but you can't do anything if you're deprived of your detective identity, right?"

When I asked, Kirigiri put her hand on her chest and looked up.

"Yes. But I'm surprised at how comfortable I am with the situation."

"Comfortable?"

"I've always felt that if I'm not a detective, there would be no point in existing. I've wondered if I stop being a detective, I would dissolve into sea foam like the 'Mermaid Princess'. But now I'm deprived of my detective identity, yet I still exist here. Maybe turning into foam and disappearing is just me overthinking."

"Of course that's overthinking."

I answered with a smile, but Kirigiri's expression was serious.

"After the last 'Black Challenge', I kept thinking... maybe I'm too obsessed with my identity as a detective. Of course, I'm a detective who inherited the Kirigiri family name, which I am very proud of, but... I haven't forgotten... what you told me, Yui- onēsama, about being burdened by my overthinking."

"R-right."

Although she always hides her feelings, at the same time she also has her own worries. Usually she makes people unable to tell what she's thinking, so I never noticed...

"Now that I'm deprived of my 'Detective Rights'. What's strange is that I am instead calmer, my mind is clearer than usual, and I can also be more cold and ruthless than before."

Kirigiri smiled while covering the corners her mouth with her fingertips.

—I don't understand, but maybe this 'Black Challenge' has stimulated her fighting spirit.

It's rare to hear her talk so much, and there was something about her expression that gave her a sense of enthusiasm. If I were to describe it I'd say– she looks excited.

The identity of the detective is the reason for her existence, but at the same time, it's also a very heavy burden. She has always survived with her small back and thin legs against this burden.

Ironically, this isolated space allowed her to get rid of the burden she is normally subjected to, which is allowing her to re-examine her true self.

"This is also thanks to Yui-onēsama." "Eh? I didn't do anything..."

"Having someone like you by my side, telling me that I am not an empty shell, that's..."

When she said this, she seemed embarrassed all of a sudden, and quickly closed her mouth.

I waited for a while to see if she would speak again, but it may be due to some complicated mentality that she refused to take the initiative to speak again.

"But then again, the deprivation of our 'Detective Rights' is only within this enclosed space, and it's like this only under this criminal's rules... So technically, we are still detectives now."

"I hope so." she said with no emotions, putting her hands in the pockets of her uniform. "But, I don't intend to be like Yui- onēsama. I don't have these ideas of protecting others and everyone surviving. If necessary, I will achieve my goal even at the expense of others... this is what it means to be a Kirigiri."

"Sure thing, Detective Lady."

I stroked Kirigiri's head like I was coaxing a child. She responded with an exasperated look at me. "So, what about the auction?"

I asked to avoid the look in her eyes.

"It's possible to claim the 'Detective Rights' five times in a row."