Character Story 2: Proof of One's Self
Kasumi has captured the culprit who transformed through the use of a mysterious ring. On another day, Kasumi and Yuuki convene upon the designated meeting place.
Kasumi
... Well then. The investigation begins once again, Assistant-kun!
Yuuki
1. Right, transform!
Kasumi
I won't!? I told you, didn't I? My magical girl is to be sealed away!
Kasumi
That time I transformed before, was because you were in danger, it was out of necessity...
Kasumi
Anyway! As a detective, I must use my intellect and logic to solve incidents!
Kasumi
...woah, I shouldn't be raising my voice too loud.
Kasumi
Why a restaurant, your face is saying? Sorry to say, but we're not here to grab a meal.
Kasumi
You remember that person who was able to transfigure into a monster from before, right? That transfiguration, it seems the source of that power was a ring the man was wearing.
Kasumi
—Release your hidden powers. A magic tool with this slogan seems to have appeared on the market.
Kasumi
And the results of going through that man's recent behavior... That ring, it seems that it was obtained here.
Kasumi
The location of the magic tool exchange, so to say. Assistant-kun, don't do anything that would draw attention, okay?
Yuuki
1. Leave it to me!
2. Not standing out is my specialty.
Option 1.
Kasumi
Raising your voice right away, huh!? Ah, no. That enthusiasm is a good thing. I'll leave it to you, Assistant-kun.
Option 2.
Kasumi
...That's, just you spacing out isn't it? Your presence has certainly diminished, but... Can you, hear my voice? Assistant-kun? Heeey Assistant-kun!?
End of branches.
Kasumi
In any case. Resolving this incident has fallen onto your and I's shoulders. Let's aim for a swift resolution to this incident.
Kasumi
Now hold on there Assistant-kun, I may have said swift, but acting hastily is not how a detective operates, you know.
Kasumi
Truth is, ever since I've entered this establishment, I've been observing the state of our surroundings. And... I've discerned an anomalous point.
Kasumi
Fufu. curious? Well then, allow my observer's eye yo show you.
Kasumi
The seventh table behind me, the one in the corner of the store. With a gaze that won't alert the occupant, okay?
Man 1
.....
Kasumi
Well? Was there anything you noticed?
Yuuki
1. I have no idea.
Kasumi
Giving up the moment you get lost huh... Being so straightforward is one of your good points, but I'd still like to see you at least attempt to pitch some ideas.
Kasumi
Where that man is sitting, on the table two sets of a cake and coffee have been brought out, right?
Kasumi
At a glance, one would think that he is here with a companion. However, when that man entered this restaurant, he did so without anyone else in tow.
Kasumi
Could be. Of course I've also considered that as a possibility. They decided to meet here, and he ordered a portion for whomever will show up later, is one possible conclusion.
Kasumi
However if that were the case, ordering a hot drink beforehand, seems to lack quite a bit of consideration, doesn't it? Currently, you can't even see any more steam emanating from that coffee.
Kasumi
And in addition. This whole time, he's been hanging his head without even a quiver. It's as if he were trying to avoid people's gazes, and stifle his breathing.
Kasumi
If he were here to meet with someone, he would at least focus some attention on the store's entrance, wouldn't he?
Kasumi
In other words, who he's waiting for is, someone he doesn't know by appearance. And also, that coffee and cake he ordered... is probably a signal.
Kasumi
—for a deal. He's waiting there for the person he's going to make a deal with to show up, is what that is.
Employee
Welcome~! Table for one?
Man 2
Nah... I'm here to meet someone.
Kasumi
Oh my... it seems, it's time for our deduction to be validated.
Kasumi
Listen up Assistant-kun, without being noticed, discreetly observe them.
Yuuki
1. Discreetly stretch yourself for a better view.
2. Discreetly jump for a better view.
Option 1.
Kasumi
Yes, yes. Stirring around too much while observing will get you caught. Wait Assistant-kun, you're stretching too far! It's going to fall, the chair behind you is going to fall!
Option 2.
Kasumi
Self assertion! Assistant-kun, aren't your your discrete movements way too unnatural!?
End of branches.
Kasumi
This is bad! Assi...Da, Darling, say "aaaah"♪
Kasumi
Uuu~, I tried to bluff through it, but was that a little too conspicuous...? Ah, Assistant-kun, he really ate it... Eh, but this is, my spoon... that means...
Kasumi
I don't want to hear that from someone who's here to make illicit deals...!
Man 1
Hey, that's enough! Quickly, give me that...
Man 2
Yeah, got it. Here, it's this.
Man 1
This is, that thing that will release your hidden power...!
Kasumi
...right on the mark, huh?
Kasumi
Assistant-kun, after him!
Kasumi
We can leave that guest to our Kaon buddies. Fufu... just in case, I had them stay on standby in the store.
Kasumi
I'll leave the rest to you guys.
Employee
...
Kasumi
We're off, Assistant-kun. Tailing is synonymous with detective work, after all!
Dealer
Kukuku, what a profitable hussle. For something with as little understanding as this, there's no end to the folks that want one.
Dealer
But even so, eventually I'm going to get caught. Until then I've gotta make as much profit as—
Kasumi
—How unfortunate. You missed your chance to bail out.
Dealer
Wha, who's there!?
Kasumi
If you wish to know then allow me to introduce myself. I am magical dete... or rather. A detective that operates in this town, known as Kasumi.
Dealer
A detective...? Huh. I'd thought one of those rumored magical girls would at least show up.
Kasumi
"That's me too!", is what I want to say, but hold it in hold it in. The me today is just a simple detective...!
Kasumi
Sorry to disappoint you. However, in either case your fate wouldn't have changed. ...dealer of magic tools.
Dealer
Huh... looking at you closer, you're the one from the store earlier. I see, you were there to observe the trade-off. Meaning, that guest earlier has already been apprehended?
Kasumi
That's correct. ...Coming in quietly would be a great help, though.
Dealer
Heh, what a dumb girl. Don't know about a detective or whatever, but to waltz in here alone. This thing's power, witness it!
Kasumi
Of course he's would resort to the magic tool's power...!
Kasumi
—Now, Assistant-kun!
Yuuki
1. Snatch the magic tool.
Dealer
What!? There was another one of you hiding!
Kasumi
I was just one part of that annoying couple. You were able to remember me, but seems you completely forgot about him.
Kasumi
Excellent work Assistant-kun. Your discreet acting, really hit it home.
Dealer
Damn, return that!
Kasumi
I can't let that happen. Capture him rope—Root of Bind!
Dealer
D, damn...! By just a regular detective...!
Kasumi
Fufu. A regular detective's plenty capable too, you know?
Kasumi
Nice work, Assistant-kun. It's great that we managed to safely capture the culprit.
Kasumi
That man, he's going be thoroughly investigated going forward. We've got to get as much info about those magic tools as possible, after all.
Kasumi
...fuu.
Yuuki
1. What's up?
Kasumi
Well, you see...
Kasumi
From your point of view, how was I today?
Kasumi
A splendid detective.
Kasumi
! I, I see. This time...yep, it doesn't seem to be a lie.
Kasumi
W, what's with that face. You're making quite the mysterious expression. About this, it was on my mind, you know?
Kasumi
About not being detective-like, the thought of it, I really didn't want that.
Kasumi
For plenty of young children, being a magical girl might be something that they really aspire to be...
Kasumi
But for me, it was being a Great Detective. And for me, that aspiration still continues.
Kasumi
That's why, well... especially for this, I won't yield.
Kasumi
But, for you to say that I was a splendid detective, I really feel like a weight has been lifted from my chest.
Kasumi
Thanks, Assistant-kun.
Kasumi
Today, you too were a splendid Great Detective's Assistant.
And, there, after resolving another incident, was the Kasumi whose resolve to become a Great Detective was reaffirmed.