Psychic Detective Yakumo / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

Extra File: Illicit Love

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This happened on the way back from Nagano -

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The case was over, so Yakumo and I were at Nagano Station to return to Tokyo.

Keiko had dropped us off at the station. Since there was some time before the Shinkansen started, so we were just passing the time.

I spotted a cafe near the traffic circle, so we walked there.

It was a small shop, with log tables and jazz playing in the background.

Because Yakumo was using a crutch, we took the table closest to the entrance and had a breather.

Now that I think about it, that was the first time I went to a cafe with Yakumo.

Whenever I was with Yakumo, it was always in the middle of a brutal incident, so we almost never had chances to talk leisurely.

Something like this wasn't bad every once in a while.

I asked for hot cocoa from the employee who had come by to take our orders.

'Ice coffee and a chocolate parfait,' said Yakumo with a disinterested yawn. I couldn't believe my eyes.

'Who's going to eat that?'

'I ordered it. Of course I'm going to eat it,' said Yakumo matter-of-factly as he crossed his arms.

'Yes, but...'

- It doesn't suit you at all.

I thought those words, but I didn't say them aloud. Yakumo would have definitely said something like 'Don't force your preconceptions onto me'.

'Sorry...'

When I accidentally overheard that voice, I looked towards the seat next to ours.

A woman who looked to be in her late twenties was looking down.

Opposite her, there was a man of about the same age. His eyes looked sad as he sighed, like he had given up on everything.

The atmosphere was suffocating. They were probably breaking up.

I felt like I'd seen something I wasn't supposed to, so I hurriedly looked away.

But Yakumo -

'Wait, Yakumo-kun.'

I unconsciously pulled at Yakumo's sleeve.

Yakumo was looking at the two of them like he was watching a scene from a drama.

'Quiet. I can't hear,' said Yakumo quietly.

There were some people who would eavesdrop on other people's love affairs, but I hadn't thought Yakumo would be one of them.

It couldn't be called a good hobby.

'I understand how you feel,' said the man, his face as stiff as a Noh mask.

'I'm really sorry...'

After the woman said that, she stood up and left the cafe, hiding her face.

'What are you doing? Hurry up and chase after her.'

Yakumo pointed at the cafe entrance which the woman had left through.

'Eh, me?'

'Who else?'

'But...'

'Bring her back here. He wants that too.'

I was confused.