Naoto Shirogane

> Samegawa flood plain...

> It seems Naoto has something to report
about the card you gave her...
As you can see, nothing is written on it.
It's just a plain white card.
But it does feel a bit stiff, given
its thinness...
Without any indication of its contents,
however, I have no idea who sent it.

I'd chalk it up as a prank.

Yes, it's quite common.

> Naoto shrugs...

It's quite common. If you follow every
blind trail as a result of a prank, you
get no investigation done.

> Naoto is shrugging her shoulders...

Hahaha. One would expect there to be more.

> Naoto is smiling like a child...

> Naoto's cell phone is ringing...

Ah, excuse me.

Yes, it's me.
Ahh, Yakushiji-san. What's the matter?

A thief...? In the Shirogane estate?
Yes... Yes... I see.

I don't keep anything in that room
that I'd miss terribly.
You have already reported this to the
police, I assume? Then I'll leave the rest
to you.
As long as Grampa is safe, it doesn't matter.
I can't take my eyes off this case yet.

> Naoto hung up quickly...

......

Oh... Sorry. You heard, didn't you...?

> Naoto looks a bit uncomfortable...

Huh...?
Oh, umm... I apologize. I seem to have
made you worry...

> Naoto looks a bit uncomfortable...

There's no need for you to be so
skeptical.

> Naoto looks a bit embarrassed...

That was from Yakushiji...
My Grampa's secretary...
It appears someone has broken into the
Shirogane estate.
My room was targeted, and he wanted
to know if I could think of any particular
item the thief might have been after.
Several items pertaining to me were
also stolen from Grampa's inventory.

I don't know about those, but my belongings
aren't of any particular value, so...

You're right... This may have something
to do with that card.
Umm... Thank you for your consideration.

> Naoto seems a bit uncomfortable...

Well... Several possible suspects come
to mind, but none of them would go to
such lengths.

> Naoto is thinking...

Yes, that's precisely what I was thinking...

> Naoto nods...

Regardless, you don't have to worry
about me.
We both have more pressing matters to
attend to.

I'm not sure how to react to you... err...
worrying about me...

> Naoto seems exceptionally edgy...
> You feel you understand Naoto
a bit more...

> Practically against her will, you walked
Naoto to her house before going home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

I don't keep anything in that room
that I'd miss terribly.
You have already reported this to the
police, I assume? Then I'll leave the rest
to you.
As long as Grampa is safe, it doesn't matter.
I still have things to attend here.

Regardless, you don't have to worry
about me.
There's no need for you to use up more of
your precious time on me.

This...

This was in my shoe locker.

> Naoto is holding a sealed letter...

You're quite old-fashioned, aren't you?

> Naoto is laughing heartily.

That would be the standard rationale
for a letter in one's shoe locker...

> Naoto is scowling...

I thought so too, at first...
But it seems that's not the case.
This time, the sender's name is clearly
written...

> Naoto is looking at the letter intently.

Judging by the name and the handwriting,
the sender is a woman. She thoughtfully
provided her year and class.
When one factors in the heart-shaped seal
as well, it's hard to imagine that this is
related to my job in any way.
In other words... there is no need to read it.

*sigh* I apologize. I wasted your time
with this pointlessness.
How misleading... A sealed letter at a time
like this...

Even if I read it, there's nothing I can
do about it. Romantic entanglements are
just that.

> Naoto is sighing...

...What do you mean?
......

> Naoto glared at you...

I cannot dispose of it on school premises,
of course...
I'll take it home and feed it to the shredder.

> Naoto's words are blunt...

Whether the sender is male or female,
I have no intention of responding.
I have no time to be dilly-dallying
with callow love affairs... I assume
the same is true for you?

Saying they love me without even
knowing me... Ludicrous.
...Let's go.

Oh, it's raining...
Drat, I left my umbrella in the
classroom...

> It seems Naoto doesn't have an
umbrella...
> ...You have one in your hand.

Oh, is that so? I'm sorry to trouble you.

Yes, of course. I'll be right back.

Would you like to stop somewhere on
the way? There are still some questions
I have regarding the murders.

> Naoto is taking the case seriously...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

Then, shall we be off?

> You talked with Naoto about the
murders...
> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

Whether the sender is male or female,
I have no intention of responding.
I have no time to be dilly-dallying with
callow love affairs. There's too much else
on my plate.

Would you mind stopping somewhere on the way?
There's something I'd like your opinion on.

> Naoto seems to see you as reliable...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

> You talked with Naoto about a case she's
concerned about and exchanged opinions with
her...
> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

U-Umm...
I-I haven't shared an umbrella in
a while.
W-We're standing rather close
together... Umm...

> Naoto looks embarrassed...

> By seeing a side of Naoto she rarely
shows, you feel your relationship with
her has deepened...

A-Anyway, let's go.
C-Come, Senpai! Hurry!

> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

Would you like to stop somewhere on
the way? There are still some questions
I have regarding the murders.

> Naoto is taking the case seriously...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

Then, shall we be off?

> You talked with Naoto about the
murders as you hid from the rain...
> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

It's...

> Naoto is holding a card...

No... nothing so simple.

> Naoto sighs.

Do you remember the card you delivered
to me before?

...What exactly are you implying?
......

> Naoto glared at you...
Naoto
However... You are right. I believe
the sender is a man.

Do you remember the card you delivered
to me before?

Yes, it's unmistakable!

> Naoto nods firmly.

Judging by its appearance, it's on the
same cardstock, the same size, unsigned
just like last time...
I'm almost certain this came from the
same person.
...Let's talk about this someplace
more private.

> Samegawa flood plain...

> You checked out the card with Naoto...
> The card reads as follows...
Dear detective,
Your prized possessions are
in my hand.
Can you recover them?
The game is afoot.
-The Phantom Thief

It seems this is the work of the figure
who snuck into the Shirogane estate.
I'll send this to Yakushiji-san so he can
turn it in to the police as evidence.

The Phantom Thief? How absurd...
I haven't the time to waste on this...

Exactly. We're dealing with a matter
that has claimed lives; the stakes are
entirely different.
In contrast, we have a petty prankster
guilty of mere housebreaking, theft,
and inscrutable threats.
......

Just a ruffian who broke into the
Shirogane estate and threw down the
gauntlet...

> Naoto looks bitter...

I-I'm not fretting!
I'm just upholding the Shirogane name
in seeing this case through to the end.
......

> Naoto is looking down...

Although...
He broke into our estate and sent me
this challenge...
Leaving this in the police's hands
could jeopardize the honor of the
Shirogane name...
......

...Running away!?

> Naoto seems to have gotten angry.
Naoto
......

He broke into our estate and sent me
this challenge...
Leaving this in the police's hands
could jeopardize the honor of the
Shirogane name...
......

Argh! That's why I don't like this!
When I'm with you, I always seem to lose
my composure...
I don't want to get involved with this sort of
childish game.

But... to ignore it only makes me angry!

I'm afraid you don't understand...
You're going to help me.

> Naoto is smiling audaciously.

Of course we will... You're the one
who brought this to my attention...
Hrmph...

...Let's work together on this.

> Naoto is fidgeting with embarrassment.

> You decided to accept the Phantom
Thief's challenge with Naoto...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown yet deeper...

Now that it's been decided, let's reexamine
the first card.
There must be some sort of hint there...

Oh... And of course, I only intend to
investigate this case in our free time...

I... have something else I must do.

> You walked home partway with Naoto.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

Exactly. There is still follow-up work to be
done with the police on that case.
In contrast, we have a petty prankster
guilty of mere housebreaking, theft,
and inscrutable threats.
......

I-I'm not fretting!
I'm just honoring the Shirogane name in
finishing this case...
......

> Naoto is looking down...

There are still many things I can do...

> Samegawa flood plain...

> Naoto is thinking carefully as she stares
at the two cards laid out in front of her...
These cards came from Shiroku Store.
When I talked with the owner, her
description matched the one you gave.

This "Phantom Thief" purchased these cards
mere days before handing one to you...
If that's the case, it's hard to imagine
that any elaborate process was performed
on the card.
Although... I do detect the faint,
lingering scent of citrus. A very weak
cologne, perhaps...

Huh? Big bro...? What are you doing?

Err... What... are we doing, really...?

That card is blank. Are you writing
a letter?

No, we received this...
This card holds a secret... perhaps.
What do you think, Nanako-chan?

A secret?

I'll give you a hint: it smells like
citrus... er, like an orange or a lemon.

It doesn't say anything, but it smells
like an orange or lemon?

I know! It's invisible ink, right!?
We did that in our science class!

Impossible... He used such a basic ruse?

...Your house is closer. Let's go
test it out now!

Thank you, Nanako-chan. You're a better
detective than I.

Really? Yay!

> You parted with Nanako, who went
to play with her friends, and headed to
your house...

*sigh* What should I do...?

Well, it is possible to treat it in
such a way as to make letters appear
in water, but...
Wait. Letters appearing...?
That scent...

> Naoto's eyes lit up...

Burn it... Reduce it to ashes? I don't
suppose there's anything inside...
...Ah!

> Naoto has realized something.

It may smell like food, but eating it
would be...
Wait... Food?
This scent... If this is really orange
or lemon, then...

> Naoto's eyes lit up...

Impossible... but... could it be...?

...Your house is closer. Let's go test
it out now!

> You headed to your house, practically
dragged by Naoto...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Your house...
> As you toast the card with the fire
from the stove, burnt letters appear...

It really was invisible ink...
The citrus juices staining the paper
burn first, making it legible...

A grown man, employing such
childish tricks!?
And this sentence here...

> The card reads as follows...

Eating letters
with a red face.

"Eating letters with a red face"...?
This is...

Yes, and the answer is "a mailbox"...

> Naoto shrugs...

A mailbox... There was one in the
shopping district. Let's go!

Ahh, indeed it is. You're good with
riddles, I see.

> Naoto smiles. She seems to be
having fun...

A mailbox... There was one in the
shopping district. Let's go!

I-I don't think that's it!

> Naoto is trying not to laugh...
Naoto
The answer is "a mailbox."
There was one in the shopping district.
Let's go!

> Central shopping district, at the
mailbox next to Daidara...

> It seems there was something hidden
behind the mailbox...
This is...

Grampa had this? Why did he keep it...?

U-Umm...

> Naoto has a strange look on her face...

Huh...?
Oh... Y-Yes...

> Naoto's face is red for some reason...

I made this... when I was a child.
It's a...

A... detective badge...
It has no real function, though...

A petty challenge... And the prize was
this stolen detective badge...
...I have an idea who the Phantom Thief
might be, but none as to his motive...

This is an important case to me.
And yet... without you and Nanako-chan,
I'd never have cracked it.
Rather, I wouldn't have bothered...

This is an important case to me.
And yet... without you, I'd never have
cracked it.
Rather, I wouldn't have bothered...

...Thank you, -san.

> Naoto is showing her unconcealed smile,
a rare occurrence...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

Normally, I'd think this isn't the time
to play along with such games, but...

I, er... I think I'll let this play out...
And, umm, if possible...

Are you sure?

> Naoto is smiling. She seems to be
having fun...

> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

Huh...?
Oh, y-yes... Let's.

> Naoto is blushing.

> You walked Naoto to her house and
went home.

Oh... I'm sorry. It's my problem,
isn't it...?
I suppose this is what comes of being
unaccustomed to dealing with others...
...I'm sorry. Goodbye...

> Naoto ran off...
> ...You decided to go home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

Normally, there's no need for me to play along
with such games, but...

> Samegawa flood plain...

> Naoto brought a new challenge from
the Phantom Thief...
This was in my mailbox this morning.
The Phantom Thief knows where I live...

...Which means he had other reasons for
having you deliver the first card.
Why you, though...?

I don't think that's the sort of metric
the culprit would use...

> Naoto is laughing heartily.

Wh-What are you saying!? That can't be it!
D-Don't blurt out such ridiculous nonsense!

> Naoto is panicking fiercely...

If that's the case... this Phantom
Thief isn't a very good judge of
character.

> Naoto is laughing heartily.

So then, what do you think of the contents
of this card?

> The card reads as follows...

When the banks close, the fruit tree
grows. By the large seven at the third
is the spot I chose.

More cryptic this time. Well, I
anticipated that.
The first thing that comes to mind with
"fruit tree" is the original card.
But the second sentence...

"By the seven," "at the third"...
What do these numerical values mean...?
"When the banks close, the fruit tree
grows. By the large seven at the third
is the spot I chose..."

No, there's nothing peculiar about those
particular positions...

> Naoto is sighing...
Naoto
"When the banks close, the fruit tree
grows..."
It's incomprehensible... "Seven" and
"third"...?

The phrasing...? I don't see anything
odd about that...

> Naoto suddenly became quiet...
Naoto
...Hm?
The words... The seven and third...

The numbers themselves...?
...The seven and the third...

> Naoto's eyes lit up.

"When the banks close, the fruit tree
grows..." Look at the third and seventh
words...
"Banks" and "tree." In other words,
"by the large tree at the banks is the
spot I chose!"
A-Anyway, let's search for the biggest tree
at this river's banks!

> You searched the riverbank with Naoto...
> There was something buried by the tree
you found...

I knew it...
This watch brings back memories...

> Naoto holds a digital watch, slightly large
for a child's wrist.

This is pretty advanced, you know.
It's one of the seven tools of the detective.
It has an extremely strong backlight.
You can use it to blind the enemy...
...I modified it when I was a child.

I've always loved this sort of thing,
ever since childhood.
I preferred robots and cars to dolls
and teddy bears...
I liked high places, so I had a secret base
in the trees...
I enjoyed that...

Why...?
Why couldn't I have been born male...?
It would have been much easier for me...
I could have done what I wanted to with
gusto...
It's funny, isn't it...?
......

Huh...?
Wh-What are you saying...? Hrmph...
There's nothing good about it!

> Naoto is panicking fiercely...

-san...
Now that I have people who'll say that
to me... What right have I to complain?

> Naoto is smiling sadly...

...You're right. Complaining about it
won't change anything...

> Naoto smiles sadly...

Really... It's quite difficult to keep
my composure when you're around.
I feel like I'm being lectured...
Like I'm still a child...
......

> Naoto looks at her feet, embarrassed...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

I-It seems I've been doing all the talking...

Why don't you tell me about yourself?
What were you like as a child...?

...I wish I could have seen it.

> You chatted idly with Naoto, then
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Samegawa flood plain...

> Naoto seems to be thinking about
something...
To tell you the truth, I haven't been
in contact with Grampa lately.
I wanted to confirm the items I assume
the Phantom Thief stole, but...
Our secretary Yakushiji-san passed
along a message, saying he went to visit
an ailing friend in America.
Since then, I haven't been able to
reach either Grampa or Yakushiji-san's
cell phone...
......

Well, there's no point in worrying about
them now. I'm sure they're fine.
On to business. I received a new challenge
in the mail today.

> The card reads as follows...

Jury to not rest, or rout for fable.
Minus 40, Minus 4

The sentence as written is gibberish...
Is this part of the riddle...?

And this... "Minus 40, Minus 4"...
On its own, it means nothing.
Perhaps the "minus" part is important...

Yes, perhaps... Subtraction is a common
arithmetic operation.

> Naoto is thinking...
Naoto
Encryption... modulo 40...?

I already checked them... The other cards
seem to hold no more secrets.

> Naoto looks troubled...
Naoto
Minus 40... Subtract 40...?

Subtract "40"...?
Aha! Subtract 40 from the sentence...

> Naoto's eyes lit up.

"Jury to not rest, or rout for fable."
From there you subtract 40 and 4...
Notice the unnatural comma in the phrase...
It corresponds to the two numbers.
Subtract the letters in "forty" from
the first part, and the ones in "four"
from the second!

What remains is: "ju n es, t able"...

Junes, table!!
That's it! Let's go!

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Junes, Food court...

> There was something taped to the
underside of the table...
I knew it was here...

> Naoto produces a large ballpoint pen.

This is another of the seven detective
tools I made...
You can use it as a normal pen, but it also
has a penlight and a miniature telescope.
I thought I had lost this. I didn't think
Grampa still had it...

Hmhm, neither my grampa nor myself can
stand to throw things away...

When this pen was still mine... I was
just a child, dreaming of becoming
a detective.
But being a man or a woman... I never
thought about it.
The lack of peers to compare myself to
might have contributed to that.
I had no friends... I was quite the outsider
then, too.

But... why is it that, compared to the time
I spent utterly alone...
I worry more now that I'm with you
and the others?
I feel that... I'm undergoing a change.

...I know. I can't become anyone
but myself.
But... I...
......

> Naoto is looking down piteously...

Is... that how it goes? I don't really
understand...

> Naoto is looking down piteously...

...I see. I'm afraid, you say...
I see...

> Naoto is smiling weakly...

The need to change... And the desire
to remain the same...
They're mixed together...
...And it scares me.

> Naoto looks smaller than ever before...
> That she would show you this side of
her must be a sign that she has opened
her heart to you...

-san... Have you ever
felt like that before?
...I want to hear about you.

> You chatted idly with Naoto, then
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Central shopping district...

> You came with Naoto to search for the
Phantom Thief, based on the information
she gathered...
I have learned that in recent days,
a suspicious man has been spotted
around the shopping district.
He isn't a local, and his appearance doesn't
mark him as a tourist or a shopper.
I talked to the owner of Shiroku Store,
and she said that she saw the man only
a few hours ago.
She confirmed it was the same man who
bought the card...

If that's true, then he's likely looking
for his next hiding place for one of the
stolen items.
We may be able to catch him in the act.

Huh...? I-Is that what you think...?

U-Ummm... Well... I'm not... unhappy.
It's just... I have complicated feelings
on the matter.

> A wry smile appeared on Naoto's face...

No detective worth his salt worries
about that...
......

...Very well. But in return, you
mustn't do anything dangerous either.

> Naoto is glaring up at you...

You... too?

The detective I dreamed of becoming
as a child... I feel like that's what
I am now...

> A wry smile appeared on Naoto's face...

If my deductions are correct, there are
two things remaining that the Phantom
Thief has stolen.
And if so, I'm quite certain that he's
going to hide that one. Perhaps he is...
......

Anyway, where in this area could he hide
something unnoticed...?
I have an idea. Let's go, Senpai.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Tatsuhime Shrine...

You're...

> The man brandished a knife!

-san!?
Th-There's no need for alarm!
That knife is a toy!

-san...
Th-There's no need for alarm!
That knife is a toy!

Wait!
That knife is a toy!
Don't hurt him! Please!

> The man dropped the knife and
ran away...

This knife... I knew it. It's another
of the seven tools I made...
This is a knife-shaped radio. As I said,
it's just a toy.

But... Even so, what you did...
What if the knife had been real!?
You would've been in grave danger!

Rrrgh... You're always like that!
I can't imagine becoming a woman only
to have a man protect me!
And yet... you always...

Why...!?

Wha...
Huh...?

> Naoto's face is bright red...

Er, u-ummmm... W-Wait a moment.
I thought you just said something serious...
......

E-Errr, well...
......

Now that you've said such a thing...
I can't even look you in the eye...

> You can sense affection from Naoto;
a different kind than before...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

> You told Naoto your feelings.
> But Naoto has yet to reply...

I-I'm going home.
Oh, you needn't worry about the Phantom
Thief anymore...

So... Err...
G-Goodbye!

> You watched Naoto run off and went
home by yourself...

......
I consider you a friend as well. So...
Please don't do these rash things
any longer.

> Naoto glares back at you firmly...

I consider you a friend as well. So...
Please don't do these rash things
any longer.

I'm sorry for involving you in this...
...We've almost reached the end.

Just a little more, and it will be
over... For some reason, the thought
is not a cheering one...
...I've never had a case like
this before.

> Naoto is smiling helplessly...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

I'm going home now.
I have research to do...

You needn't worry about the Phantom Thief
case any longer.
I'll explain later... once everything
calms down.

> You watched Naoto run off and went
home by yourself...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Samegawa flood plain...
> The man in black you met before
is waiting here...

I am Yakushiji, secretary of the
Shirogane estate. I humbly apologize
for the other day.

I must also apologize.
Though I may not have known,
I involved you in this...
It was an act put on by my grampa.

My master has been terribly saddened by
Naoto-sama's state of affairs lately.
Lacking acquaintances to confide in,
she devotes every fiber of her being
to work...
My master wanted Naoto-sama to regain
the joy she felt in days past.
To regain the feelings when all that she
wanted was to be a detective, regardless
of her heritage or gender...

......

I involved you at my own discretion,
believing you to be trustworthy.
Please forgive me.

I received this from Yakushiji-san.
It's the final challenge.

> The card reads as follows...

I did what you can't stand to
at a place you'd be fond of.
But underneath, rather than inside.

A place I'd be fond of...?

Hmmm... I don't especially like them.

> Naoto is tilting her head.
Naoto
If it has to do with my childhood,
then it's probably somewhere high...
Remember? I told you before that I made
a secret base in the trees.

...You remembered?

> Naoto is nodding cheerfully.

Well... I don't hate them, but...

> Naoto is tilting her head.
Naoto
If it has to do with my childhood,
then it's probably somewhere high...
Remember? I told you before that I made
a secret base in the trees.

The highest place around here is...

The hill.
Next, what I "can't stand" to do.
There are several possibilities, but...

I-I'm not bad at that!
I've simply... never tried.

> Naoto looks like she's pouting...
Naoto
Besides, that doesn't make sense in
connection with the "underneath."

W-Well... I'm not very good at that,
it's true, but...

> Naoto looks like she's pouting...
Naoto
That doesn't make sense in connection
with the "underneath."

That's right!
Did I mention that before...?

> Naoto has an embarrassed smile on
her face.

Considering what's at the hill, the most
likely answer is the trash can.
...I have an inkling of what might
be there.
Let's go, Senpai.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> The hill overlooking town...

> It seems there was something taped
to the bottom of the trash can...
I forgot this thing even existed.
It's the last of the seven tools...
The "Detective's Pocketbook."
......

All the things I had forgotten about
are packed in here...
I think Grampa wanted to remind me
of them.

This childish game... He's selfish indeed.
Forcing me to recall all this now...
I was trying so hard...
Not to be underestimated, not to be
condescended to...
......

> You calmed down an upset Naoto...

If I solved this town's murder case,
then everyone would accept me...
They would acknowledge me as the 5th
in the Shirogane lineage of detectives.
...That's what I told myself.

I just wanted to be accepted.
I wanted to be needed.
That's why I fretted and stood on my
tiptoes... and focused only on solving
the case...

But the original reason I wanted to become
a detective...
It was because mysteries intrigued me...
and I could help people by solving them.
That's all. I remember now...

Do you recall the time I faced myself in
the TV world?
It was my task to accept the self who
yelled, "I want a reason for me to stay..."

But my "reason to stay" was not solely
to solve the crime...
You... everyone... gave me a reason...
You gave me a place to stay...

> Naoto is trying to smile through
her tears...

I have to be an adult... I have to be
a man... With that way of thinking,
I was running from myself.
I don't need to look for something to change
or something to accomplish...
I only need... to have faith in myself...

I finally think I can accept myself.
That I'm a woman...
That I haven't yet become the detective
I wanted to be...
I... I am a woman... and a detective...
One who is seeking the truth with you
and the others.

> You can sense Naoto's strong will...
> You feel your relationship with Naoto
has grown deeper...

When I'm with you... I become scared.
Afraid that the instant I admit the truth,
everything will spill out...
......

But... I need to say it...
My true feelings...
I love you.
E-Err... Anyway, that seems to be
the truth.

> ......
> There's no turning back...
> Your relationship with Naoto has
become intimate.

Hrmph... I'm so embarrassed... I feel like
I could die.

> You passed a long while with Naoto.

I'm really glad I came to this town.
It's where you and I live... and all
the others, too.

> You spent some time with Naoto and
went home...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

If I solved this town's murder case,
then everyone would accept me...
They would acknowledge me as the 5th
in the Shirogane lineage of detectives.
...That's what I told myself.
But that was no ordinary case.
The best I could do was convince the police,
and there was no way I could allow everything
to come to light.
Of course, I had braced myself for that
during the case.
But that's why I had to do the best I could
until the very end...

I finally think I can accept myself.
That I'm a woman...
That I haven't yet become the detective
I wanted to be...
I... I am a woman... and a detective...
One who will continue to pursue the truth
with you and the others as long as I live.

-san, do you recall the time
I faced myself in the TV world?

> Your room...
> Naoto is looking around, interested...

I see... So this is where you live.
I can see furnishings here and there
that don't match your tastes...
...These are temporary lodgings,
of course.
Judging by the position of your TV, you
regularly watch the Midnight Channel from...

Well, of course. This is your room.
Oh, e-err... well...

> Naoto is blushing...

Oh, sure... Hm!? There!?
Err... That's... a bit close...

> Naoto is blushing...

Oh... I-I suppose not. I'm sorry, I just...

> Naoto is blushing...

Er, anyway... I'm sorry for intruding
like this...
I-I... wanted to give you something...

I... err, made this.

Please accept it.

> You obtained .

I haven't crafted anything like this
in some time.
If I went back to the estate, I could have
added a camera and transceiver...

Oh, but it flashes! I made myself one
to match.
......
Don't laugh... or say it's stupid or
childish... okay?

The title of "detective" became a burden
to me...
I thought I had no other aspects apart
from detective self.
But you gave me a reason to be,
as neither adult nor man...

Senpai... Being with you...
I felt I was glad to be a detective...
And...
......

D-Do you find the pitch of my voice
strange?

I-I see. Thank goodness...
Umm... Thank you. For accepting me
as I am...
I may not be the best... I may be
incomplete in many ways...
But I think I can get to like myself...

I-I see...
Umm... I-I'll try...
How's this...?
...Hmhm, it's rather embarrassing.
But I never thought I'd get used to
sounding like that. People change,
I suppose...
I think I'll grow to like myself...

> Naoto is smiling gently...

> Naoto's strong will that allowed her
to accept and overcome her weakness has
awakened her heart's true power...

This potential... was still dormant
within me...
I wasn't considering the things that
I should have. The people who care about
me, as well as my own self...
The detective, the child, the woman...
The "me" who existed before them...

I am... simply myself.
I'm glad to have met you...

> You can sense Naoto's passionate love...
> You feel a tight bond between you
and Naoto...

Y-You're quite close...
......

Ummm...
I'm not sure how to put it...
The puzzle of my emotions has been
solved already, but...
......

I love you.
......

> You passed a long while with Naoto.
> ......
> It has gotten dark, so you walked Naoto
to her house...

> Naoto's Persona has been reborn...!
> Sukuna-Hikona has transfigured into
Yamato Takeru!

-san... Being with you...

> Your room...
> You called Naoto here...

I-I told you before...
Y-You're too close...
......
......
Well...
Errr...
......

> You passed a long while with Naoto.
> You feel that the tight bond you have
with Naoto is irreplaceable...
> ......
> It has gotten dark, so you walked
Naoto to her house...

This town has become so peaceful...

Well... Not that I'm disappointed.
It's just that... for me to remain here,
without you or a case to solve...

I feel somewhat... listless.
I know this sounds awkward, since we've
already discussed it before and came to
a satisfactory conclusion...
...that the reason for me being here has
nothing to do with the case.
......

Perhaps it's just your departure that's
making me lonely.

I'm sorry. I'm making trouble for you.

I told myself many times that nothing
will change, even if we're apart...
...But I couldn't convince myself of that
after all.

Please, don't apologize.
It's not your fault for moving home.
...I'm sure this is hardly the last time
I'll face a situation such as this in
my life.

I'll remain here in Inaba, Senpai.
Of course, from time to time, my services
will be required elsewhere...

But Inaba is my hometown now.
I want to treasure the precious time
I've spent with you, solving the case
together.
The Midnight Channel, Personas,
Ameno-sagiri...
My duty is to stay here and get to the
bottom of these mysteries...
...To be honest, the thought of it
makes me a bit lonely.
......
Please don't forget your time here.

...And don't forget about me.
Please remember the time we spent
together... when I confessed my love for
you... when you accepted me for who I was.

> You feel a solid bond between you
and Naoto...

I'll be at the station tomorrow with
the others...
So this is our last chance to talk,
just the two of us...

...No, of course it won't be. I can go
visit you anytime, and vice versa.

Senpai... don't you have other farewells
to say?
Don't worry about me... I'll be fine.
I'll see you tomorrow!