The Detective Is Already Dead, Vol. 1

“Did you always smile that way, Kimi?” Siesta’s eyes widened slightly.

“I may have mellowed out a bit.” I did think I had, in a vague kind of way.

While we were focused on our reunion…

“—Gguh, lwah.”

Farther back in the casino, Chameleon was bleeding from the mouth after Siesta’s shot, and he growled in a low voice. His eyes had rolled back, and the whites were bloodshot. Blue veins squirmed all through his skin. He was bending forward, tongue and tail lashing. There wasn’t a trace of his human self left.

“Siesta, that’s enough chitchat. We have to do something about that guy first.”

“Agreed. Well, that is why I’m here anyway.”

Although there was no telling where she’d gotten it, Siesta opened a silver attaché case. Inside, there was a gun for me. Then, extending her left hand to me, where I sat on the floor:

“Kimi—be my assistant.”

When I heard her say it, my mind jumped back four years.

It was the same. Just like the time we’d met, at ten thousand meters.

Right now, the girl standing there was Nagisa Natsunagi—but my eyes saw Siesta as she’d been on that day, four years ago, clearly and vividly.

…In that case, this was never an actual choice.

“As you wish—ace detective.” I took Siesta’s hand and gave her my very best smile.

“…That expression is straight out of a horror movie.”

“Leave me alone!”

We split up, fanning out to trap Chameleon between us.

“Gwoooooooourgh!!!”

Chameleon glared at us by turns, as if he was trying to warn us off. His tongue and tail writhed, attempting to catch their prey.

“Be careful! He can change the length and hardness of those however he wants!” I circled around in front of the enemy, relaying information to Siesta, who was on his other side.

“Huh? You’re sure you want that side, Kimi?”