#55min

Atsushi was walking on the cobbled street alone.

After completing preparations at the hotel, and after a quick meeting about future plans, Kunikida instructed Atsushi to go and meet the Captain. Kunikida will come afterwards. 

For whatever reason, someone had made a procedure error in the accomodation and Tanizaki and his sister, Naomi, were given the same room.

"This is no good at all," Kunikida then ran to correct the procedure error with his face changing colors.

Atsushi looked around restlessly at his surroundings. Everything that caught his eyes seemed new. The stucco houses with a slate blowing roof, the stone gargoyle statues standing still while gazing at the sky, the white libraries with elaborate eaves were not part of the land he was born and raised. Only in books, would he be able to see the scenery of London from old photographs.

I really seem to be in a new country, Atsushi thought. He had no experience of overseas travel, so that was why the ship was, in a sense, his first foreign experience.

Atsushi almost felt like he was in a fairy tale. 

In a backalley, there is a fairy, there is a king and queen in a castle, and there's Jack the Ripper sharpening his knife with a creepy smile in the dark underground. He breathed in, the fantastical vision spreading even to his lungs. Then when Atsushi looked down at the scenery, he heard a loud voice.

"Run away, follow me!"

Quietly, a loud and noisy voice reached Atsushi's ears. Busy adults were rushing through. What are they fussing about? Atsushi stretched his neck.

"Call the police squad!" "Did you see the face?!" "Quiet about the stolen goods!" Atsushi responded swiftly to the word "stolen."

There was an uproar in the southeat. Something was stolen.

--- The request was to catch a theif on the island.

Kunikida's speech came back to him.

Atsushi ran almost reflexively.

The noise seemed to be taking place in the cargo area near the harbor.　It was an area that carried in luggage, different from the passage Atsushi and the others entered from.

There are warehouses made of bricks. Several men in blue uniforms who seemed to be officials on the island were running away in the stone wall alleys of London.

"Hey, you. Have you seen a tall man with black hair around here?"

Suddenly, one of the officials spoke to him, Atsushi widened his eyes in alarm.

"Eh...ah, no, I didn't see anyone..." He finally answered.

"If you see them, please report to the police department!" With that said, the official ran.

"U-UHM!" Atsushi called out to the officer who's back was retreating. "What happened? Was anything stolen?"

"There was an illegal entry!" The staff cried before running away from the alley and becoming invisible.

"Illegal entry?" Atsushi tried to imagine a face in his head. There was an illegal entry in this island...What did that mean? People who did not have permission to enter. But what in the world for?

"Atsushi-kun, hey, Atsushi-kun!"

For a moment, Atsushi looked around his surroundings. The uproar was far away, and there was no one around the vicinity.

"Atsushi-kun. Ufufufu. What are you doing in a place like that? I'm over here, over here!"

This voice...

Atsushi looked for the source of the voice, and suddenly kept an eye on a street corner.

There was an zinc garbage can. It was painted in an inconspicuous gray so as not to stand out in the English city landscape.

The garbage can must have been near the height of Atsushi's waist. It also was sealed by a tin cover.

The garbage can was shaking and rattling. Bewildered, Atsushi approached it.  Placing a hand on the lid, he dared to open it.

"Baa!" "Uwaa!"

Surprised, Atsushi fell on his butt while still holding onto the lid.

Dazai was within the garbage can.

Disheveled hair and a sand-colored coat. White bandages wrapped around a neck. An unreadable face laced with a smile.

"How unusual for us to meet at a place like this?"

"W-..... What are you doing in there, Dazai-san!" Atsushi shouted. Kunikida had explained that Dazai was supposed to have been at the gathering place. 

...Could it be...

"Hey, you. Have you seen a tall man with black hair around here?"

"Dazai-san, are you....the illegal entrant?"

"That's great, Atsushi-kun. Just like a detective's reasoning. It's so pleasing to have one's subordinate grow up so fast."

Dazai laughs happily. As for Atsushi, he was not able to understand half of anything Dazai was talking about.

Dazai is his senior and the first person to admit him into the detective agency. To Atsushi, he is a senior, a superior, and a benefactor who had saved him. He is all of those things, but...

"Ahh, I was so successful with entering, but I was found out by the staff on the way, so I hid in the garbage can to escape the trouble. Since I didn't have time to take out any of the trash, my body is so smelly, right now. However, there's a wonderful feeling to being a part of meaningless trash, I wonder if I should live here.

No other words came out from Atsushi other than "Ha......"

The ADA can never read Dazai's actions. At work, Dazai often collaborated with Kunikida and the others, and every time he has a stomachache. Even so, the cases involving Dazai are always solved in an ideal way for some reason. And each and every time Atsushi watches him, wondering how in the world Dazai is going to tie up the next case.

"But Dazai-san, even if you do not have trouble entering the island illegally, shouldn't you have just ridden the same boat as us?"

"There are three answers to that question," Dazai wagged his finger. "First of all, I wanted to see what goes behind the scenes around here since this is a strange island. Secondly, Kunikida has recently got too used to my behavior and his reactions have become too normal, so I am aiming to surprise him! And lastly, it's still in the midst of progress, but there's another order we've received regarding the method of smuggling inside this island."

"Ha....Another order...is Dazai-san's work different from the thief extermination?"

"The thief extermination is only a part of the danger occuring on this island," Dazai's said with his smile suddenly disappearing.

Atsushi felt the surrounding temperature drop to several degrees just from that.

"A....danger..." Atsushi somehow squeezed out of his throat.

"That's right. ........Please report to me if you see a man with a camera hanging from his neck, he wears a black suit and carries an attache case. Oh, and you better not try to capture them, they're a very dangerous person. If you make one wrong move, you could blow up Yokohama."

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, Atsushi felt dizzy and furrowed his brows. Yokohama might blow up? "What does that mean....?"

"I'm still in the middle of investigating further details. But, for now, you guys will have to concentrate on exterminating the thieves because if that's not done, then I cannot continue from here. Also, would you please take the lid for a moment?" Dazai's smile returned as he pointed at the lid at Atsushi's feet. It's the lid that belonged to the garbage can that Dazai was in. Atsushi handed it over, puzzled. 

"Thank you," Dazai said when he received it. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I knew before arriving here that there would be Port Mafia members on the island. Up until now, I didn't know who, but you better be careful."

"The Port Mafia...?"

Atsushi frowned. He had no good memories of the Port Mafia. It is an unlawful organization that takes residence in Yokohama.And it is tied with the Detective Agency of whom has had conflict with many times.

"Don't make such a scary face," Dazai said with a gentle voice. "They will rarely appear in places with many people. Even if something does happen, no one can catch up to Atsushi-kun fleeing!" Dazai smiled kindly. "Now then, I will pray for your success in work!"

Dazai then re-entered the garbage can and closed the lid on himself. With a light voice, the trash can jumped and rolled sideways all the way to the back of the alley and down a slope.

"Bon voyage!!!"

Leaving with an unnecessarily bright voice, Dazai rolled away.

Rolling down the hilly slope, the trash can vanished in due time.

Later, Atsushi was left alone standing still.

Before entering the island, a rigid identity check was done in the high speed boat.

In addition to checking fingerprints and retina, there was also a thorough examination of belongings beginning with inspections of explosives, chemical substances, and drugs.

The strict examination was similar to entering a military facility or entering an airport in a country in the middle of war. Kunikida said that this ship was the only way to enter the island and its thorough identity checks prevent dangerous activities and crimes from entering the island at the border.

Without fail, Atsushi and the others passed the inspection. They then proceeded to get off the fast ferry at the island's entrance and finally stepped onto the island itself.

Looking at the island's scenery, Atsushi admired it.

The entire island felt like a foreign country.

Covering the sidewalk there is a pavement with various shaped stones in navy blue. They are lined up on both sides of the sidewalk. All the buildings are made of bricks the color of vintage wine. Every house also has windows decorated in lime-paint, and there are porcelain porches between columns. Nearby, there is a watermill hut rotating water.

Before Atsushi and the others, there was a horse-drawn carriage pulled by an actual horse  with ashen-colored hair causing a rattling noise as it went through traffic. Beyond the streets there was a clock tower with outer walls made out of honey stone, and they found the huge needle clock pointing at 11:12.

"This is the British territory," Kunikida said while looking around. "The layout of the area simulates the streets of London in the 19th century, but nevertheless, it is packed with state-of-the-art technology in its foundation and interior. There's no reason to fuss over nothing, so relax." (Here, he literally says: 生水で腹を壊すことはない which means "No need to break your belly with unboiled water." So, I figured it was best to write "No reason to fuss..." instead.)

"It's confusing to the eyes..." Atsushi sighed.

"First of all, this is for everyone." Kunikida said, and took out several silver coins from his bosom.

"What is this? A reward?" (Lit. said: 'Reward/Tip/Rent?")

"Is there even a reason for a reward?  ...This is an identification badge for the island I got from the client." Kunikida hands out the coins one by one to the employees and started to walk. "Ordinary tourists have copper coins, but with ours, you can put the identification signal emitted from the copper coin on doors, and you can enter a classified area where no normal tourists can enter." Atsushi looks at and turns around his received coin. On the surface, there is a figure of a god who seems to be, in particular, a God of the Sea who is holding onto a trident. Somewhere else there is a king's face engraved on the surface as well.

"If you are stopped by security guards and you do not have this coin, you will be expelled outside of the island and identified as a suspicious person."　Kunikida looked at all the detectives. "Do not lose this, and do not accidentally spend this in a shop!"

Around that time, a horse carriage was heard rattling, and arrived in front of Atsushi and the others.

"Haaaa....Is this the Armed Detective Agency party?"

Atsushi looks back to the voice that had given out such a grand sigh. A young man wearing blue working clothes comes down from the carriage, and he gives off the impression of a badly aged 30-year old. Atsushi thought that he looked like a tired person.

"I am the captain of Standard Island....Haaa.... I am Captain Walston. I arranged for all of you to come. Haa... I am the client. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"You're the captain?" Kunikida stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you, thank you. You look quite exhausted, though, is everything okay?"

"Haa...... I'm worried, I'm afraid, but... This is my usual behavior, so don't mind me."

"Haa...."

He gave a hopeless sigh similar to Atsushi's.

A tired face in blue working clothes. Atsushi thought he looked more like a repairman working in the ship's engine room than a captain. Nevertheless, despite his gloomy behavior, he is the most important person on the ship. "Captain Walston, I'd like to ask about the details for this request immediately." 

Suddenly, an electronic tune played causing distraction.

It was the sound of a chalmera ringing from a ramen stall. (Chalmera is a flute that is well known throughout Japan. It usually is played for ramen stalls.)

"Haa... Sorry. It's the phone." The captain took out his mobile phone from his bosom. "Hello?"

Atsushi saw the tired expression on the captain's face. He definitely chose a unique ringtone. He wonders if he likes ramen.

"Yes,  it's done! I'm terribly sorry! I'll definitely find it......Yes, but by all means don't bother anyone!"

After apologizing for something for a while, the captain hung up.

"He also seems to be in a constant position of worry." Kunikida said in a strange tone of sympathy.

"I sense six empty stomachs just now," The captain murmured under his breath.

"Well then, haa.... I'm terribly sorry for being so impolite. There is an inn for you just around the corner. Let me explain the request while I guide the way."

"Haa.....That's it."

Captain Walston said as they were passing through the exotic streets. "The request is that I want to get rid of the thieves who are trying to steal rare and valuable items. It's that kind of request."

"Thieves.... What kind of people are they?" Atsushi asked.

"Originally, this island strictly checked the identity of the person entering. Furthermore, there is also sufficient security the wealthy resort to. Therefore, there are many people who keep some kind of valuable things on this island."

"And the thieves are targeting them." Kunikida nodded. "So, what is the valuable item?" Walston shook his head slowly at Kunikida.

"It's food."

"Food?"

"Europe's white truffle, which is regarded as the world's most expensive food ingredient, is a visionary ingredient that is traded at a price that is four times as much as gold of the same weight. Right now, we are keeping the highest record ever of the food by the name of a Truffle called "Jewel." It's said that it's value is priced at 1 million."

"I see. Because food is perishable, paintings and jewels in comparison are easier to buy through the black market, which means foodstuffs are more valuable than collectibles. From a thief's standpoint, it's a golden opportunity." Kunikida said while entering the contents in his notebook. "It is our duty to protect that valuable."

"Yes, and I received information from Scotland Yard that three thieves are aiming to steal that item, so I implore you."

When Atsushi heard that, a feeling of uneasiness settled in his chest.

"Uhm...I'm sorry," Atsushi asked timidly. "I know this is a thief extermination, but...is there a reason why you requested for a lot of people?"

For this request, all seven members of the detective agency were dispatched. As a general rule for the detectives, they usually worked in pairs, so it was unusual.

"Certainly there's a reason to Atsushi's question." Kunikida tilted his head. "So what about it, Captain? Is there a secret?"

"S-s-s-secret? There's no such thing!" Captain Walston suddenly jumped. "The reason you were all called here was to make sure everything would be safe, that's all!" 

Atsushi and Kunikida stared at each other.

"Uhm....well......Oh! We've already arrived to our accommodation! Here we are!" If one looked at the direction the captain pointed to, one could certainly see a four story structure. The accommodation's appearance was more that of a fantasy than modern. 

"Come now, please come in. The island's hotel is so popular that it has a waiting list. Please go ahead and rest from the exhausting trip....and, truly nothing will happen that you all should be concerned about, so...!"

After that, the captain sighed as quietly as he could. "............Haa."

In one hotel room, Atsushi opened his traveling bag.

The hotel was also built in a time reminiscing old London. A lamp imitating a gas light, illuminates the room. The beds are carved with fine ivy and flower decorations. There are black and white photographs of the world's oldest steam locomotive decorated on the wall.

"Kunikida-san, aren't you a little bit bothered by the captain's request?" As Atsushi asked, Kunikida, who had just confirmed the number of items in the washbasin looked back.

"There's nothing to be bothered by" Kunikida said without changing his expression.

"But a request is still a request, and we know that the client is not a saint without secrets. We just do the job the president ordered for us to do."

"What is worrisome is the reason why the President took up this request this time around. He decided to dispatch this number of investigators, and also decided not to let Ranpo-san come to the island. I think--"

"You think?"

"I think that someone persuaded the President." Kunikida asserted. "As soon as the President had a meeting with someone outside the company, he gave orders to all of the employees. Someone persuaded him. But, it's useless to think about it. By the way, Atsushi."

Kunikida suddenly called out, and Atsushi raised his head.

"I thought you were carrying an excessively large traveling bag. What's it for?" Following Kunikida's gaze, Atsushi looked at his bag.

"What is it for? It's luggage. Since our work is staying on an island over night.... I never traveled abroad before, so I thought I should prepare thoroughly."

Atsushi started to arrange the things inside of his luggage one by one on the bedding.

"A lunch box, portable umbrella, water bottle, towel, bandage plaster, plastic wrap, oranges, cocoa powder, then...."

Kunikida stood up and watched Atsushi with his eyes fixed.

"......I should have said that it's "not an excursion."

Atsushi hurriedly waved both hands.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry! It's the first time I've stayed at a lodging, so I can't help it! But... I haven't forgotten that I came to the island to work! I prepared all of this in case of emergency."

"Then, for example...these hanafuda, sugoroku, playing cards, and throw pillows..." ( Hanafuda is literally: Flower Cards used for many games, Sugoroku is a board game in Japan, I included links to Wiki if you want to read more about them.)

"IS THIS A SCHOOL EXCURSION?!" Kunikida shouted.

"Even though you think about the work, you only think about having a good time to hang out and have fun at night!"

"S-sorry!"

Atsushi apologized, frightened.

"...T...That's, well, it's because I've never stayed at such a wonderful accommodation before, since during my time in the orphanage, I was mostly on a dirty floor like the outdoors.... I didn't have any friends, so, that's why....... I'm sorry."

Kunikida stared at Atsushi, and then slowly breathed in, and said.