Aron and the case of missing manga

It's another cold night, as I sit in my comfy chair by the fire. The storm rages on outside as I read my favourite book, "A traveler's purpose", all while listening to Polevetsian Dance Number 2. It's relaxing for me, and yet... 5 years of being the head detective of the city makes me ready for anything or even want something, anything to happen. Even if I don't want it I really should try and enjoy myself because who knows how long that will last.

"Here's a new case!"

She tosses a manila folder on to my desk.  I look at the desk next to my chair. Then I look back at her. Her black dress with a crescent moon ribbon being worn as if she's already to go out. Her face is full of charisma.

"You must be excited to take on a new case."

"Oh? So you want me to solve this by myself?"

"Well... Let's not get hasty there."

"That's what I thought, now open the folder!"

"Alright, Alright..."

She's more hasty than usual today. Though I can't deny that I was going to be bored if I had continue reading. I grab the manila folder and look inside. There's numerous photos of a bookshelf missing one book. There's a single report on the inside to accompany the photos. I read the report and sift through the many photos of the bookcase all of this just to say...

"Someone stole a book?"

"Yes!"

"And you're asking me...to go find it?"

"What are you waiting for we have a crime to solve?!"

"..."

I'm not a very picky guy when it comes to cases, but a book? Who would file a case on a book? You can just get another one and be done with it. I read the report one more time. Trying to see if there's anything more to this. I look at the address.

"Did you pick this because...?"

"Of course, we wouldn't be here without them."

"I guess you're right..."

The people who sent out the request for an investigation is some of my old companions. Without them I probably would have never even thought of doing anything related to detective work. I've been getting quite invested in this job that I haven't payed them a visit in a while. Even if it is minor, it gives me a reason to finally go see them again.

I get out of my chair and grab my hat and vest. I try to grab my umbrella, but...

"I already have an umbrella, let's get going."

She grabs my hand and we head out under the same umbrella. He doesn't live too far from my home so it won't be a long journey. The streets are filled with a wonderful aroma coming from a local bakery mixed with the many different other more pungent aromas coming from all types of crevasses. The rain pattering on the top of our umbrella as we pass down the many shops and homes that litter it.

I go up to their door and knock.

"One moment please!"

A expected reaction from such a person. He's only organized about one thing and that's his books. Working to keep them tidy day and night because of his addiction to his reading. His wife keeps everything else in order to make up for his lack of it. Before he can even come open the door she comes out.

”Good afternoon to you Ms.Tawakami"

She nods and smiles. Delighted to see us I suppose. It's hard to tell since she rarely ever talks to anyone other than her husband. I consider her a mute after all these years.

"Sorry about that... Huh?!"

"Ah, Hello to you as well Mr.Tawakami."

"Glad to know even after all this time you still keep your formality!"

Yu and Sara Tawakami. I helped Yu when he had hit rock bottom and in return not only had he had become one of my greatest assets he was also one of my closest friends. To this day I owe him my career. It's been about two years since he married Sara and they've shown no signs of ever wanting to be apart.

"I would love to sit down and catch up, but we've come here on a matter of business."

"Ah...Right."

His bright smile fades away to reveal the anxiety and woes that were hidden. Sara hold on close trying to comfort him.

"Come in I'm sure that you must be tired of the rain."

It's been a while since I had entered his home and yet it feels like yesterday that I had came. Everything was in the exact same spot as it was before, nothing more nothing less. Eva is mystified by how big the house is like she's never seen it before. Though she was most likely the one to take the pictures for the case.

"Wow... It's cozy in here!~"

"Yea, always has been."

I head straight for the stairs going towards his "study room" as he likes to call it. Despite it just being purely for entertainment and having no educational value whatsoever.

The room is the nicest place in the entire house. A desk lies in front of a wall filled to the brim with books. It's full of colors and makes night look almost like day due to the sheer amount of life radiating off of them. The abundance of books almost makes it hard to tell what even went missing. Getting closer reveals a black space that clearly should be filled by something.

"So this is where the missing book should be."

"It's not just any book, it's Aho Girl Volume 6! I was in the middle of reading it and was loving every second of it!"

Yu comes out of nowhere to add onto my thoughts.

"Don't you realize?! This truly is a cruel and unjust crime...!"

I've seen all types of murders, stolen items that could change the fate of the city, and many other insane cases. I roll my eyes and continue to investigate. Whoever left the book left nothing to go off of. It's almost like it disappeared into thin air.

"There's a misplaced book over here!"

"A misplaced book...?"

Thinking back to the images that Eva took earlier all the books looked like they fit in order. Though she's right when I went over there was one misplaced book. 

"Maybe the book contains something?"

"There's only one way to find out."

She opens the book sifting through the pages looking for any clues. That is until she finds a note jammed in between two pages.

Give me a few weeks and I'll give it back to you.

Could this be a there be more to this mysterious note? She flips to the back it's singed with the name of Rose. What going to happen in a few weeks...? And of all books why was this the one that was misplaced? Other than this there's no good lead so this is all I have to follow. Yu might be of some assistance. I head over to him.

"Yu, who is rose and what's happening in a few weeks...?"

"Ah, give me one moment. I have to make a call."

He walks back downstairs to the living room

"Wait! What about our only lead...?!"

Eva sighs.

"Who will we question about this 'Rose' person now?"

Silence.

"Hang on a second."

Eva runs out the room and runs back in with Sara. She's confused about what's happening. Mouthing 'Eh?! Do I really have to do this..?' Or something.

"Hello again Ms.Tawakami."

She awkwardly bows.

"Do you know about the person named 'Rose'?"

She jolts back up from bowing and begins to nod.

"Well... What can you tell me."

She thinks for a moment and has an idea. She makes a box with her hands.

"Oh! Uhh... House? No? Well maybe... Ah! Cat?! No dice... Aron what do you think?"

"Me? It just looks like a box."

"No, no, no! You have to use your imagination."

"You're acting like this is a game of sorts."

They both stare at me in a deadpan manner.

"You're kidding."

Both of them shake their heads in denial.

"Do I have to play if I want to figure it out?"

They nod their heads.

"This better not take long."

Eva looks happy and Sara is relived to hear it.

"Hmmm...I think it looks like a storefront."

Sara nods again to signal I'm right! Ha! I only need one guess.

"Eva, did you see that I got it! In one guess none the less...!"

"Whatever.... Ms.Tawakami next one!"

She changes her position to holding one of her hands out and raising the other one above it.

I ponder how such a gesture can be related to any object that relates to the real world...

"Oh, it's a loaf of bread isn't it?"

Sara nods her head alluding to her being correct.

"How- How did you know that?!"

"It was pretty easy...?"

"Haha... Not like it matters anyways. Let's continue."

We continue trying to figure out the quirky hand movements. Having to think outside of the box for such a ordeal is something I don't normally do. Time really began to fly until we figure it out.

"Oh! The entire sentence is 'Rose is someone who owns a bakery living two blocks away from here' right?!"

Both Sara and are on the floor. Sara puts her thumb up meekly. 

"HAHAHA! Did you see that Eva?! I got it right!"

I pause, recognizing my outburst and compose myself.

"Ahem... What I mean is, now that we have decoded Ms.Tawakami's movements we must continue with our investigation."

Eva looks up at me.

"Ehhhhhhh? But I wanna lie down!~"

"There's no time we must continue!"

"I never thought you would be so invested in a case especially this late at night..."

I hastily go down the stairs and ready to leave.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I go back up stairs after taking care of my business and want to continue help looking for that book. Right as I walk back up Detective Aron rushes down stairs. What happened? I rush back into the room to see Sara and Eva on the floor.

"Sara, Eva what happened are you two ok?!"

Eva begins to talk with little wind left in her.

"Hey Yu... Looks like Aron is now invested in the case!"

Sara nods.

"Great that means that we'll get my manga back in no time so I can continue reading!"

The two ladies look at me.

"Did I say something weird...?"

(Hey all Bert here! Funny story... I forgot to press publish and only now realized ahahaha... Anyways, I'm starting a three part story with the detective until I can think of some good side stories! Hopefully you all will enjoy it as it goes on! I wish I could say I know what happens next, but I sure as hell don't! See ya on Monday!)

[Extra note plus: The next big chapters are going to have some twists in it so stay tuned! >;3]