[player] The current evidence is insufficient to prove that Qing Luan is unrelated to the case...
[Qing Luan] I think that if you're here to convict me of a crime I did not commit, then this discussion is over.
[Qing Luan] I've been playing Go with Yellow Tea all morning, and I have nothing else to say.
[Qing Luan] Besides... Are you really unaware of the truth about the Heart of Divinity, Ms. Minami?
[Fuuka Minami] I hate beating around the bush. Wouldn't someone who knows that truth be the thief? So, do you know the truth, Qing Luan?
[Qing Luan] Please leave... Beryl Blue is closed to visitors at noon.
[-] Kicked out by Qing Luan, Fuuka Minami and I are left staring at each other at Beryl Blue's door. She strokes the tassels on her fan and suddenly smiles.
[Fuuka Minami] Do you think I went too far back there?
[-] I nod in response, and then I stiffly shake my head under the dissatisfied stare from Fuuka Minami.
[Fuuka Minami] You're so honest and adorable. But I didn't go too far. She's always been like that, and we've been at odds for quite some time now. You should get used to it.
[-] She taps me on the shoulder with her fan, and I think I see a hint of gloating in her smile, as if she's waiting to see what happens...
[Fuuka Minami] I have a customer to meet, so I won't be following you the rest of the way. Little detective, don't slack off even if I'm not there to supervise you, okay?
[player] Don't worry, boss.
[-] After receiving a satisfactory answer, Fuuka Minami turns around and leaves. I shoot a glance at Beryl Blue's tightly closed door behind me, wondering how I should explain everything to Qing Luan after all this.
[-] Sigh... It was so intense. I guess only those who witnessed it firsthand could truly understand how terrifying they were.
[-] I should head off to the next guest on the list while it's still bright outside. Let's see who's next...
Chiori Mikami's House
[player] Ugh! Oww! I can't breathe!{var:ShakeScene}
[Riu Kujou] That's the price you pay for offending Miss Chiori.
[-] Riu Kujou puts me into a chokehold, and I speak my last words while losing consciousness--
[player] I'm really just here... to ask a few questions...
[-] This visit was literally a near-death experience, and it all began just ten minutes ago...
Ten Minutes Ago
[-] I arrive at the home of the next guest on the list, Chiori Mikami.
[-] As soon as I walk in, I notice a mask on the tea table in the living room--vermillion with a bird's beak, a mirror image of Aoi's description!
[player] Where did you get that mask?
[Chiori Mikami] You want it?
[Chiori Mikami] Hmph! You can have it. Riu, pack it up for PLAYER.
[player] Wait! Don't touch it! It's an important piece of evidence!
[Chiori Mikami] What evidence?
[player] I'll make it quick! An important item was stolen from Champion Auction House, and the thief was wearing this mask! So, where did you get...
[Chiori Mikami] A masked... thief?
[Chiori Mikami] And you think Riu is that thief...
[-] Chiori Mikami's face flushes red.
[Chiori Mikami] Or do you think I'm the thief?
[player] Eh? Wait! That's not what I mean...
The Present
[player] Anyway, Riu, you believe me, right? I'm just an ordinary eyewitness turned detective, running around doing errands...
[-] Riu Kujou releases me. I rub my neck--I really should watch what I say!
[Riu Kujou] So, have you figured out anything yet?
[Chiori Mikami] Riu, don't speak to PLAYER. PLAYER... is the worst! Hmph!
[-] Chiori Mikami seems to have been hurt by my comment about the thief wearing the mask. No matter how I apologize, she just keeps her back to me, silently fiddling with the board game in front of her...
[player] (whisper) How long do you think Chiori will stay mad at me?
[-] Riu Kujou sneaks a glance at Chiori Mikami, and then she confidently raises five fingers at me.
[player] (whisper) Ten minutes?
[-] Riu Kujou shakes her head.
[player] (whisper) Ten... hours?
[-] Riu Kujou shakes her head again with a serious expression on her face.
[player] TEN DAYS?!
[-] I'm so taken aback that I forget to keep my voice down, but Riu Kujou still... shakes her head.
[-] Forget it! If it'll take even longer than that, she might as well have me begging on my knees!
[-] But my conversation with Riu Kujou gives me an idea.
[-] Maybe I can just whisper my questions and show the clues to Riu Kujou, and she can nod and shake her head to answer with a "yes" or "no," right?
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