The Scarlet Letter
Heh heh heh.
The work is going swimmingly. I guess I can thank my trusty sidekick for that, hmm?
Trying to solve our case with nothing but stakeouts is, how do I put it... just not cool.
But this is where the real game begins.
On top of the newly born new-neo genius investigator Gwen Lestrade's investigation technique...
Is it my imagination or did your title just get longer?
What if I add my signature genius-level reasoning to it?
It'll be more than enough to teach that runaway coward a hard lesson! Heh heh heh...
Ever since that scarlet letter was delivered to Gwen, she'd been on fire working on the case.
...But in reality, nothing seemed to have changed to warrant the new prefix, "new-neo."
But the worst of it all was, Gwen's worst habit had returned.
First, the mysterious woman with unverified identity!
We don't know who she is or where she came from, but she settled in NOA as if she belonged there all along!
Why is she hiding her information? Could she be holding a terrible secret?
And later, I discovered a terrific clue that would shake up all of NOA!
Pspspsps...
Aww, such a cute little thing.
Here, kitty, kitty!
I caught her in the act of communicating with animals using an alien language!
That's right! Just like a Voidborn!
She was just playing with a cat!
Heh heh, next suspect!
You're not even listening...
The man who'd been stirring up rumors...
He was arrested for spreading false information!
And finally! Having closed down the cafe and re-opening it right around the time when the rumors began...
Uh... who was it again?
Anyway, the cafe owner!
You're just glossing over details!
Whether or not she'd heard my objections, Gwen took a sip from a cup of espresso that I'd just noticed.
*Slurp*
And as usual, her reaction was...
Blech...
I've been putting up with it so far, but this... this is none other than the devil's drink itself.
But I bet a cafe owner would down this devil's drink like it was nothing!
Just like a Voidborn!
What kind of logic is that?!
Thanks to Gwen's incredible reasoning—and I say that term very loosely—I was completely drained of energy.
But Lily and the Professor who returned to the office much later looked at Gwen, who was burning with motivation, with mixed feelings.
Lily, Professor. What do you think of the new-neo genius investigator Gwen Lestrade's investigation technique?
It should be good enough to teach that runaway coward a lesson, don't you think—
Miss Gwen, didn't you tell us the other day that you'd found your own investigation methods?
I confess I wasn't interested in the matter enough to follow the details, but I am pretty sure that's what I overheard.
Boss! Don't tell me you're swaying like a spineless dummy again! Just when you seemed to have grown out of it...
Wait, whatever happened to telling Mr. Rabbit he shouldn't say such things?
What do you mean, "my own"? There was nothing like that to begin with!
Also, insisting on using just one approach is a typical rookie behavior!
What you're seeing now is the result of trial and error, the fruit of my labors!
So...
...So, I'm going to shut down anyone who dares compare me to Detective H!
...Oh ho.
So that's the reason. I'd wondered.
Hm? Professor? Where are you going?
Right now, anything we try to tell Miss will fall on deaf ears.
We can give her some help, but it's ultimately up to her to decide which way is right for her.
B-but still...
Miss Gwen, what approach you take matters not as long as you unveil the truth in the end.
But... I sincerely hope your goal of uncovering the truth remains unchanged.
...
...Hey, Boss! If you ever need my help or the Professor's, just let us know!
If it's for you, even Mr. Rabbit will help!
W-well... we'll be on our way then!
...Hmph.
I'm not wrong. Because I'm not using this approach because I'm wrong.
All of this is for the truth!
Gwen was fired up more than usual, but she looked impatient at the same time.
And as her trusty sidekick, I decided to help her with her case for the time being.
...And just like that, time flew by.
Ugh, my head...
So there you are, Gwen.
Captain...
*Sigh* What should I do? The progress report is tomorrow, but I've gotten nowhere with my case.
My approach wasn't wrong, was it? Captain? Was it?
Gwen's trembling voice and teary eyes showed uncertainty.
I wondered if I should tell her she wasn't wrong. Then again, it wouldn't have been a good idea to let need for reassurance turn from impatience into obsession.
I think you should be a little more coolheaded.
...Coolheaded?
But that letter mocked me! It said I hadn't changed one bit, and that I was just a loser!
So how can I be coolheaded after reading that...
Tomorrow, I'll be labeled as a failed investigator. Then people will compare me to Detective H again...
How can I give a progress report when there's no progress to begin with...
Gwen became more sullen than ever, her eyes glistening with tears.
We tried so hard with the investigation. Did we really turn up nothing?
No... Maybe that's not it.
I-I close my eyes...
And... count to three...
...
S-stop treating me like a child...
It's just that I was worried about the press conference tomorrow...
A day of worry came to an end, as the last ray of sun cast long shadows before disappearing. The dusk followed in preparation of the coming showdown.
Tomorrow, Gwen would come up to the stage with unsure steps for the final battle.
Phew...
When morning came, Gwen walked up to the podium, stiff and nervous.
She was clutching onto a scarlet letter, one that she'd brought along to steel her resolve to not lose.
As soon as she made her appearance, the sounds of the reporters murmuring and camera shutters snapping filled the room.
W-what do we do? The Boss looks really nervous...
She's not used to standing in front of so many people, especially with so little progress to show for her investigations.
That's right, Captain! Me and the Professor will be cheering for Boss!
Huh? What did you say, Mr. Rabbit?
What do you mean, we're not a cheerleader squad for a loser like that? How could you say that, Mr. Rabbit!
Boss worked around the clock trying to crack this case! You should mind what you say!
I... I'm going to put my trust in Boss!
We will now begin the press conference for Gwen Lestrade.
I ask that you raise your hand before asking any questions.
Questions... please.
First, I'd like to ask your opinion.
You're often compared to Detective H.
Do you consider yourself worthy of becoming the great detective's successor?
P-pardon? Successor?
You've been going after rumors about a Voidborn disguised as a human. Did you manage to bring the truth to light?
I, uh, that...
Word around town is that you've been stalking someone. Do you have anything to say for yourself?
Camera flashes and stinging comments cut through the air.
Unable to answer a single question, Gwen froze in place, her face gradually growing darker.
You launched an investigation into the recent rumors of the Voidborn. Would you be able to share the progress you've made?
Oh, uh... So, about that... The, um...
The investigation... *sniff*
Oooh... I want out... I want out... Professor, Lily, Captain... *sniff*
Gwen!!
Gah?!
Cap... Captain?
I did realize calling her name out loud was a little abrupt, but I did everything I could to hold up three fingers to her.
Please! Remember it!
Huh? That's...
Right! Okay, okay... let's count to three.
*Inhale* Okay, Gwen, concentrate.
One...
Two...
...
Pardon me. I'm Amy, a reporter from the Bellaskiver Times.
Excuse me, I am so sorry. It just so happens that I'm a big fan of Detective H, and that probably influenced the questions I came up with.
Myself included, people are excited for the reasoning that brings truth to light.
But what difference do you think there is between yours and Detective H's?
With such a "crude" approach, you won't even be considered a knock-off copy of Detective H...
...Three.
...
What I see first is this scarlet letter. And inside it is...
What's that? She's opening a piece of scarlet paper.
I don't think she had anything in her hands before... Where did that come from?
*Snicker* What if it's a letter of apology? Like, she failed the investigation miserably?
This is...
...
Come to think of it, the most recent scarlet letter had a different handwriting and texture from the original ones.
...Huh?
Kekeke... What an idiot...
That's... That's the reporter lady from Bellaskiver Times.
Boss got serious all of a sudden...
Looks like she found it.
Wait. Wait... Something's off.
...!
Why's she talking to herself...?
Gwen Lestrade, can any of the questions be answered?
...
Heh heh... Heh heh heh...
So that's how it was... heh heh heh!
Um... Miss Gwen?
Hah, very well. I'll be completely honest to everyone here.
The investigation results... are non-existent!
Pardon me? What do you mean by—
My investigation was a failure. It was the result of employing the wrong investigation technique as well as arrogance.
Someone once told me that I was a loser.
Yes, that's right. I really was a loser.
Kekeke... Now you admit it.
However!
This letter revealed to me fragments of the truth!
The original cause of everything that's happened!
...Excuse me?
...!
Amy of the Bellaskiver Times!
The culprit is... you!
With a sudden declaration, Gwen pointed at someone in the crowd.
Everyone shifted their gaze and found... a reporter who was now in a panic.
...
What kind of allegation is that?! Miss Gwen, do you have any proof?
It was around the time I began my investigation into the Voidborn rumors.
The origin of the rumors was unclear, but the rumors themselves were impactful enough to make it to the headlines.
And curiously enough, that was exactly when you visited my office with a person claiming to be a town guard.
As if you were waiting for the moment.
Let me ask you a question. Does the Town Guard ever conduct joint investigations with reporters?
The Town Guard...?
I've been in the journalism business for quite a while, but I've never heard of a case like that.
Even if the Town Guard launches investigations, they keep the progress to themselves.
Unless it was a debriefing given at the end of an investigation... a reporter wouldn't be involved.
That's exactly it. But you, Amy, visited my office with a town guard who requested a joint investigation.
Doesn't that smell fishy to you? Heh heh...
W-wait!
That's a stretch! There's no way something so trivial can prove I'm the culprit!
Of course not.
But what about this?
Gwen lifted the scarlet letter into the air.
This is the scarlet letter that came to me the other day.
W-what does that have anything to do with this?!
You need to bring acceptable proof! Even you should be aware of the presumption of innocence!
My, my. Aren't you in a hurry, Miss Voidborn?
Th-then show me the evidence—
This letter IS the evidence!
Written on the envelope of the scarlet letter Gwen held up was her name.
Everyone, take a look at this letter!
When the investigation wasn't making much progress, this letter, filled with insults against me, arrived at my office.
I was blinded by my anger at the letter comparing me to Detective H, so I couldn't discover anything meaningful...
But despite everything, I did manage to find something in the letter.
And that is...
Everyone, I would like you to take a look at the letter's handwriting!
The handwriting that looks like everything was written in a single stroke!
...!
Wearing a confident expression, Gwen pointed at the reporter from the Bellaskiver Times again.
Miss reporter, do you remember what you told me?
On the day you came to me for an interview, when in reality you were only there to push my buttons by comparing me to Detective H!
Hmm? Your handwriting is strange. It's like everything is written in a single stroke.
Oh, it's just a work habit. It's important for us reporters to write things down fast.
Your handwriting and the letter's...
They're both from the same Voidborn!
Is that true?
Sh-she's a Voidborn? R-run!
That's a genius investigator for you!
People were stirred by Gwen's logic.
In truth, her reasoning wasn't perfect. It was just two separate events converging together.
But combined with Gwen's sheer confidence...
Argh... you little...
The culprit's discomposure was bringing the case closer to the truth.
...Captain.
Yeah?
Watch out.
Kehehe... Kehehehe...
You stupid little brat... I was so close...!
*Gurgle* Kraaah!
...Voidborn!
Ahhhh! It's Voidborn!
C-Captain! This way!
We received the report! Stand back from the Voidborn!
Professor!
Fufu. That was quite the deduction, Miss Gwen.
I wouldn't call it high-quality by any means, but you still managed to reach the truth.
Haha, this is a cakewalk to a genius investigator like me.
...An admirable mindset.
All right, let's bring this show to a close.
The Voidborn couldn't go on a rampage.
With the combined efforts of Gwen, Professor M, and the town guards who somehow arrived just in time, the Voidborn was easily subdued.
I-is it down?
Hey, don't tempt fate like that!
...Gwen.
...Captain.
Heh heh, what did you think? The genius investigator's logic, by yours truly!
Did you find the answer you were looking for?
Heh heh. Hmm, how do I put it...
I guess I should say... I found my own answer?
Your own answer?
Yeah. I was too emotional to see it clearly...
But thanks to you... I closed my eyes and counted to three, then I was able to get hold of myself.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the scarlet letter.
And inside the scarlet letter was the answer I was looking for—my very own answer!
Come to think of it, inside the scarlet letter that Gwen used to look at to get fired up...
Wait, there was something in the letter?
That's what I'm saying!
Miss Gwen, may I ask you for an interview?
Hey, we came first! Don't cut it line!
Hey, wait! Stop pushing, just—
*Tap*
As the crowd pressed in around her, Gwen accidentally dropped the letter she was holding.
I, Gwen Lestrade, will continue to unravel mysteries—
Facing away from Gwen, who was doing an interview with a confident face, I picked up the letter and opened it.
...Huh.
The letter was completely blank.
I could find my own answer!
There was nothing in it at all.