Genius of Grit
Ahh... That was fun. No matter how many times you watch it, A Trap for Mice is still a masterpiece.
We had just gotten back from watching Gwen's favorite detective movie. It was my treat for her enduring all those grueling training sessions without a single word of complaint, despite her occasional childish behavior.
You're hard-working, I'm telling you.
Hm? What was that?
See? I told you you'd like it too!
Which part of the movie was your favorite? The scene where the inspector gathers everyone to reveal the truth?!
Or maybe the scene where they suspect the culprit and set a trap to catch them!
I had mentioned the movie just to change the subject, but Gwen responded with eager questions of her own.
B-both, I guess?
Heh heh, you have an eye for movies, Captain.
Pleased with my answer, Gwen chuckled with a look of quiet satisfaction.
You really love that detective flick, huh?
Haha, I definitely do. That movie is the reason I started Lampadis Investigations in the first place.
Because you wanted to solve cases like the main character?
Yup. But it's not just the case-solving part.
I want to solve every case like a movie character, using the most brilliant techniques while basking in the spotlight, and soak up everyone's attention!
But in order for me to do that, Lampadis has to build even more reputation.
Then the reason you joined the Journey is...
To capitalize on public attention!
The reason was even more simple and straightforward than I had expected...
But aren't you guys famous enough?
Nope! Not by a long shot.
We have to grow bigger. And growing big means we have to work on bigger cases.
One day, I will showcase my genius-level reasoning that brings truth to light in front of everyone.
At Gwen's words, the foreboding sensation I had felt before returned once again.
Wait, what? Did you just say my reasoning skills came from persistence?
The reason why I became so famous is my genius-level reasoning.
When I need to organize my thoughts, I come here and drink a double shot of espresso.
*Sip*
Blegh...
Every now and then, Gwen would act as though she didn't really know herself that well.
If she doesn't truly understand herself, wouldn't it be difficult for her to properly unleash her talents in an investigation?
And if Gwen does get her wish and takes on an even bigger case than before...
Wouldn't it be difficult for her to deliver her best performance with everyone watching?
...?
Gwen. Do you think you truly know yourself?
What? Where did that come from?
But to answer your question, of course I do!
It doesn't make any sense for the best investigator in the world to know so little about herself!
You think so too, right?
That's what I'm saying!
Whaaa?! C-Captain?! What are you doing?
W-where are we going?! Let me go!
What? You're going to help me truly learn about myself?
W-what's that supposed to mean?! Just let go so we can...
As Gwen cried and pleaded for freedom, I ultimately ended up taking her to...
...A cafe?
It had occurred to me that maybe it wasn't a bad idea to take baby steps on the road to understanding oneself.
I'm curious about your tastes.
Well, I like double shots of espresso—
What do you mean, tastes I never knew I had? Nobody knows me better than I do!
You can never be so sure.
Ugh, I just don't know what you're getting at. Well, at least I welcome the moment to clear my head.
*Sip*
Once again, Gwen ordered a double shot of espresso and took a sip.
Just as the reporter had said during the interview... It was as if Gwen was just copying what famous investigators would order.
Blegh...
Because scowling like that didn't exactly make her look like she was enjoying her coffee.
So you're saying this isn't what I actually like?
I don't know what you're talking about. I'm clearly enjoying my coffee time.
Then how about you try it this way?
I dropped five sugar cubes into the espresso cup Gwen was holding.
*Slurp*
...!
Tastes better this way, doesn't it?
...
Glancing sideways to gauge my reaction, Gwen reluctantly nodded.
Until now, she would always insist on getting espresso, calling it coffee for detectives, before forcing herself to work through it while frowning the entire time.
But now, seeing Gwen happily take sip after sip from the espresso loaded with sugar cubes made me feel much more content.
As I thought, Gwen prefers sweet drinks to bitter coffee—
However!
However what?!
Food preferences and personal tastes can change over time. So right now, it's too early to say for sure that I don't know myself!
Hmph.
When Gwen resumed sipping her espresso with forced elegance, my gut told me the first plan wasn't enough for the job.
As a second approach, I decided to ask the two people closest to Gwen for help.
Each person has their own investigation style.
...Is there a reason to say this?
Even if she doesn't know herself, it's unlikely to impede her life.
But...
I apologize, Captain, but I am afraid I cannot help you with this.
What? I-I can't say that to the Boss, Mr. Rabbit!
How do you expect me to tell her that the loser will have to figure it out herself?!
Oooh... B-but!
...
I'm sorry, Captain... But even if the Boss acts silly...
I can't bring myself to say something like that...
...
And there went my second plan.
Captain, are you okay? You look like something's bothering you...
As I tore my hair out figuring out what to do, Gwen looked at me with deep concern.
Are you getting a headache from staring at the papers for too long? If so, leave it to me and get some rest.
Just as she said, the desk was strewn with countless papers we had to go through.
Lily had brought in a case where a young lady was looking for her lost cat Calico.
As the name suggested, the cat was a common calico cat, but because of that, eyewitness reports had flooded in, resulting in a pile of documents recording every sighting and photograph of any calico cat people could find.
We had been trying to match the exact coat pattern of Calico, whose photo hung on the board right in front of us.
We've been doing this for four hours...!
Staring at the photos of cats that all looked alike had started to give me a headache.
*Plop*
In the end, I slumped facedown on the desk, avoiding the papers.
Hmm...
By this point, anyone would've lost concentration and given up. But Gwen was still cross-referencing the files on the desk.
Still slumped over, I looked up at Gwen, whose face was etched with intense focus.
The rustling sound of the papers sliding across the desk echoed loudly.
I don't think this was the right pattern...
As Gwen sifted through the papers in search of the real Calico, her eyes darted across the desk.
Gwen probably didn't realize it herself, but as I watched her...
Hm? This one's pattern looks like...
...!
I saw that Gwen's tenacity was her greatest strength, and thought that it would be a good idea to apply that trait to her investigative work.
Captain! I found Calico! I even know him!
He comes and sits on our office windowsill every single night at eight o'clock, meowing away before leaving!
So, instead of genius-level reasoning that brings truth to light, she should rely on her sheer persistence to hang onto the clues...
There! I think he's coming over as always!
I can hear him coming from the end of the alley!
...That was the kind of investigator I was talking about.
Let's go, Captain! Hurry and get up!
Gwen held out her hand to me as I was still slumped over the desk.
I stared blankly up at Gwen as she curled her fingers back and forth as if gesturing for me to take her hand.
Gwen...
You're a genius of grit.
What? M-me?
Caught off guard by my words, Gwen glanced between my tired face and the piles of paperwork scattered across the desk.
Even after finally understanding, she stared at me wide-eyed, as if she still couldn't believe it.
...
So... a genius of grit?
Me?!