𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒

file 047 | another death on a plane

From: Magician Kid

Message:

In the land of Napoleon, it is said that two Japanese built a house. Which of the following two people were they?

1 ) Huyuno
2 ) Huruno
3 ) Hakano

Suzume deadpanned as she stared at her phone's screen and read over the riddle Kid sent her one more time.

To: Magician Kid

Message:

You are so bored right now, aren't you?

It didn't take long to get a response from him.

From: Magician Kid

Message:

Just answer it already!

She huffed and, feeling Ai's probing stare, showed the shrunken scientist the riddle. Ai huffed in return.

To: Magician Kid

Message:

It's Huyuno and Huruno.

There's a famous quote by Napoleon that goes, "Impossible (hakano) is a word not to be found in my dictionary (jisho)." That's the origin of the riddle. Land can also be pronounced 'jisho'. The word 'ji' refers to the name on the door signboard.

That is, Hakano is a name not to be found in my land.

After Suzume hit the send button, Ai said, "Actually, what Napoleon said is, 'Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.' That seems to be the correct one."

Suzume chuckled sarcastically.

From: Magician Kid

Message:

Ding, ding, ding!

And to answer your earlier question: yes, I was very, very bored.

Thank you.

—

To: Magician Kid

Message:

What's the thanks for?

—

From: Magician Kid

Message:

Why, for being your usual stunning and intelligent self who always keeps me on my toes.

Ai sighed as Suzume seemed to overheat and stop working. Damn it, Kid. You broke her just before the heist.

~ — — — ~

Suzume took her seat inside the theater, ignoring the curious looks Ran and Sonoko gave her. Slowly, she turned her head and looked right at Ran, who blinked in confusion.

"You're Ran, right?"

"Um, yes?" Ran answered hesitantly. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I ran into you earlier, but it wasn't you," Suzume replied. "It was Kid and this is the second time he's done this, so it's fucked with my brain. Got that?"

Sonoko groaned, slapping her hand on her forehead. "Again?! Why did he do it again?!"

"He needed to know something, so I told him," Suzume said, slumping back in her seat, looking exhausted. "God, I just want to go to bed and rest."