The Master Likes a Mystery/Episode 9

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The Master Likes A Mystery
Episode 9

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Shiki “Oh? That’s...” Sagishima “It appears to be a handkerchief. Shall we take it to the police box?” Shiki “No need for that. There’s something embroidered on it. It seems to belong to the daughter of the Kusanagi family.” Sagishima “Very well, let’s deliver it to her later.” Shiki “We might as well deliver it now. I dare say she dropped it just recently.” Sagishima “How do you know that?” Shiki “It’s not dirty, and it’s still fragrant. It’s not so strange if it had been blown away by accident on a windy day like today.” “Miss Kusanagi’s mind would be at peace the sooner we deliver it, no?” Sagishima “That is what you say, however you simply wish to meet the young miss, do you not?” Shiki “Would you stop implying that there’s an ulterior motive to my kindness?” Izumi (The play begins with Shiki and Sagishima picking up a handkerchief during their stroll, and then going to return it to the owner. There, they discover the body of a young woman...) Shiki “That person on the ground — is that Miss Kusanagi?” Sagishima “Shiki-sama, please stand back.” Shiki “Call for a doctor at once——” Sagishima “I’m afraid it’s too late.” Shiki “What?” Sagishima “She’s dead.” Izumi (Homare-san’s Sagishima has changed. Even though he acts indifferently, you can still feel his concern for Shiki.) (And Hisoka-san’s Shiki looks relaxed even though Sagishima is standing behind him.) Nakatsu “I’m Nakatsu Keiji, the one in charge of this case.” Shiki “Detective Nakatsu?” Sagishima “My lord, detectives typically do not introduce themselves as Detective such-and-such.” Nakatsu “Keiji is my name.” Shiki “Detective Nakatsu Keiji. It’s almost as if you were born to be a detective.” Nakatsu “I’m often told that.” Izumi (Tasuku-san’s role as the detective really suits him. He’s good at whatever he does, but since he has a minor role this time, he seems relaxed and playful.) (Maybe it’s because the lead actor and the co-lead are strong, but you can tell that he’s enjoying his role without worries.) Shiki “Sagishima, investigate Miss Kusanagi’s interpersonal relationships at once.” Sagishima “Shiki-sama, you have a bad penchant for meddling in other people’s affairs.” Shiki “I’m suspected as the culprit who murdered the count’s daughter. I can’t stay quiet.” Sagishima “Who would be so insolent as to suspect you, Shiki-sama?” Shiki “Even a dog would notice if it’s being tailed by a detective around the clock.” Sagishima “To think that a dog would be outwitted by Shiki-sama... That is unfortunate.” Shiki “What do you mean by that?” Sagishima “Oh, no, it’s nothing.” Izumi (According to Sagishima’s investigations, two people stand out as suspects: Miss Kusanagi’s brother, Shizuma, and Miss Kusanagi’s fiancé, Soma Keiichi...) Shizuma “My sister was not the type to incur ill will. She was an intelligent, good-natured young woman loved by everyone.” “How could something like this have happened to her...” Audience A Huh? Azuma-san’s hair—— Audience B You’re right. It’s short...! Izumi (Ohh, they’re surprised! Yuki-kun’s strategy succeeded.) (Shizuma’s gloom over losing his sister suits Azuma-san well.) Keiichi “As a fiancé, she was the perfect woman; I couldn’t have wished for more. I was not worthy to be her partner.” “She showed me her smile when we met for the ceremonial preparations just a few days ago, and now...” Izumi (Keiichi is a pleasant-looking young man. Tsumugi-san’s pleasant personality is really coming through.) (No matter how you look at it, neither of the two suspects look like they would be the culprit...) Shiki “I’ve figured out who the culprit is.” Sagishima “Oh? Who is it?” Shiki “It’s you, Sagishima.” Sagishima “I wish to hear your reason.” Shiki “The person least suspected by the detective turns out to be the culprit. It’s a cliché.” Sagishima “Is that so? There is nothing that I can do now that I’ve been exposed. Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I shall take my leave.” Shiki “It was a joke. Don’t take it seriously.” Sagishima “I would be troubled if you treat me as a murderer for a mere joke.” Izumi (Unable to narrow down the culprit, Shiki unexpectedly gets along with Shizuma, and they deepen their friendship...) Shizuma “Chance encounters happen in the most unexpected places; don’t you think so?” Shiki “Indeed. I feel like we’re going to be good friends.” Izumi (One day, Shiki receives a threat letter, and ominous things begin to happen.) (At the same time, Sagishima discovers that Soma Keiichi was being intimate with other women besides Miss Kusanagi...) (Despite Sagishima’s opposition, Shiki lays a trap for the sender of the threat letter...) Shiki “You were completely caught in the trap. Were you the one who wrote the threat letter, Soma Keiichi?” Keiichi “Gh...” Sagishima “Now why would Miss Kusanagi’s fiancé threaten Shiki-sama?” Shiki “Is it not obvious? That’s because he was the one who murdered Miss Kusanagi.” Keiichi “You’re wrong! I didn’t kill her!” Shiki “What? Then why did you threaten me?” Keiichi “I’d be in trouble if Kusanagi-sama finds out about my relations with women.” “Kusanagi-sama promised that he would give me aid even after her death.” “There is no way I would let something like this ruin that for me——” Shiki “What a greedy man. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Izumi (Keiichi’s true nature when you remove his mask of a pleasant young man is just what you’d expect. It’s not showy at all, but his selfishness and cowardice are really coming to light.) Izumi (Just as Keiichi said, they couldn’t uncover any proof that Keiichi murdered Miss Kusanagi. And so the case goes back to square one...) Sagishima “That is an unusual book you’re reading.” Shiki “Kusanagi-kun lent it to me. He’s quite an interesting fellow.” Sagishima “I am most glad that you’ve found a friend you can get along with. Shall we cease our search for the culprit?” Shiki “Why would it come down to that? Of course we’re not stopping it.” Sagishima “Very well.” Izumi (Immediately after Sagishima’s words laced with meaning...) (Shiki notices that the bookmark inserted in the book Shizuma lent him has a fragrance similar to the scent of Miss Kusanagi’s handkerchief.) Shiki “That can’t be... The one who murdered Miss Kusanagi is...” Sagishima “What are you so taken aback for? If Soma Keiichi was not the culprit, then there is only one suspect left.” Shiki “But...” Sagishima “This is why I inquired if you would like to cease our search for the culprit. Even a dog would outwit you, Shiki-sama.” Shiki “What did you say?” Sagishima “*cough*. Well? What do you intend to do?” Shiki “Of course, I’m going to ascertain the truth directly.” Sagishima “Is that so? Well, that must be what he’s hoping for as well.” Izumi (Shiki meets with Shizuma under the pretense of returning his book... Shizuma looks as composed as he always does.) Shizuma “How was it?” Shiki “It was quite interesting. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author, but I think I’ll read their other works as well.” Shizuma “I can lend it to you again if it was to your liking.” Shiki “By the way, did you perfume this bookmark? It gives off a nice scent.” Shizuma “...Yes, it’s the smell of incense.” Shiki “...I see. It’s a nice scent. It smells quite familiar — do you use this scent anywhere else?” Shizuma “No, it’s a scent we had especially mixed for use in the study. I can give some to you if you’d like.” Shiki “...Thank you. However, that seems difficult.” “It was you... the one who murdered Miss Kusanagi.” Shizuma “...” Izumi (Shiki points out the matter regarding the scent to Shizuma, whose expression doesn’t show a hint of surprise. Shizuma truthfully confesses to his crime...) (Azuma-san’s Shizuma shows a gentleness and composure unthinkable of a criminal. This kind of acting is unique to Azuma-san.) Shizuma “You were my only miscalculation, Shiki-san.” Shiki “What a shame. I thought we could become good friends.” Izumi (Shizuma smiles wistfully... What incredible presence.) Sagishima “Are you truly fine with this, Shiki-sama?” Shiki “Of course.” “But for things to turn out like this... Miss Kusanagi must have felt remorseful as well.” Sagishima “I wonder about that.” “Miss Kusanagi’s corpse showed no traces of resistance.” Shiki “What does that mean?” Sagishima “Kusanagi Shizuma may have lied about quarreling with his sister.” Shiki “You mean to say that Kusanagi Shizuma made a surprise attack to murder her?” Sagishima “She was stabbed from the front. Of course it could not have been a surprise attack.” “Meaning that Miss Kusanagi may have accepted the fact that Kusanagi Shizuma was going to kill her. I cannot think of any other possibility.” Shiki “She accepted that he was going to kill her? But why?” Sagishima “Well, who knows. As they say, ‘dead men tell no tales.’” “However, Miss Kusanagi seemed to have been a clever woman. I can’t imagine she was unaware of Soma Keiichi’s real nature.” “Perhaps she chose to be killed by her beloved older brother, instead of be wed to a man she did not desire.” Shiki “I don’t understand.” Sagishima “I expect no less from Shiki-sama. Even a dog would—— No, never mind. It’s nothing.” Izumi (It’s the final scene after they’ve solved the case safely...) Shiki “...What a windy day.” Sagishima “Shiki-sama, your gloves are going to get blown away.” Shiki “It had also been this windy that day too. Perhaps I was summoned unexpectedly by Miss Kusanagi that day.” Sagishima “You will catch a cold. Let’s head inside.” Izumi (The way Sagishima’s movements show concern for Shiki is like second-nature. Shiki is also entrusting himself to Sagishima with ease, showing his trust towards him...) Sagishima “...But well, you know what they say about fools catching colds.” Shiki “...” Sagishima “...Are you quite all right?” Shiki “What?” Sagishima “You seemed more hurt than expected... No, I’m sorry. That was impudent of me.” Izumi (It’s an adlib. It’s oozing of their usual relationship.) Shiki “It’s quite disturbing for you to be showing concern. What on earth are you thinking?” Sagishima “...It appears that I am fond of Shiki-sama more than I thought.” Shiki “...What a strange fellow.” Izumi (The play ends with Shiki and Sagishima smiling faintly——)
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maria