She wore thick, white, close-fitting pants with a white thermal top underneath, and layered a very warm, heavy coat over it.

Her short, neatly cropped hair framed a delicate face that retained a touch of cuteness despite its usual seriousness.

For Miwako, this kind of outfit already counted as dressing up.

Relaxed, yet dignified — that was her idea of a proper look for a date.

If she were going out with Yumi, Miwako would definitely have dressed more casually. They were old friends. There was no need to be so particular.

Somewhat boyish.

But those who knew Miwako well understood this about her.

"…"

Mrs. Sato stared blankly at her daughter.

She knew this was probably the most formal her daughter had ever dressed when going out.

"Miwako, are you… heading out today?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

Had her daughter finally come to her senses?

"Yeah. I have an appointment, so I need to go out."

Miwako, rough around the edges outside of work, wasn't the type to pick up on her mother's emotional reactions. She didn't think there was anything unusual about the question.

"Isn't today your birthday? Are you in such a hurry to go out?"

"Precisely because it's my birthday, I have to go out."

To Miwako, today was undeniably important. Not only was it her birthday, but it was also the anniversary of the day she'd learned the cause of her father's death.

At the thought of her father, Miwako turned toward her mother.

Since her father's death, her mother had raised her alone, even choosing not to remarry for her sake.

Looking at her mother's slightly curled hair, she could see strands of white beginning to show. The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes were deeper, and the bags under her eyes were more prominent than before.

Emotions surged, and Miwako suddenly embraced her mother.

"Mom, Dad didn't die in vain."

"!"

Mrs. Sato trembled.

She had always known her daughter had never let go of that injustice. In truth, she hadn't either.

But as a housewife, all she could do was raise her daughter. She had no means to investigate her husband's death.

It was precisely because of her husband's wrongful death that Mrs. Sato was deeply dissatisfied with her daughter's job as a detective. Having lost her husband, she couldn't bear the thought of losing her daughter too. That was why she always wished Miwako would marry early and leave the police force.

"Miwako…"

"I'll find out what Dad meant by 'Akiyoshi'. When I get back today, I'll tell you everything."

"…Okay."

Now, Mrs. Sato finally understood what her daughter was heading out to do.

After so many years, she didn't know whether justice could still be achieved. All she could do now was wait for her daughter to return with the truth.

Leaving the house and walking down the stairs, Miwako spotted the young man standing outside.

He wore black plaid pants and a plain but thick coat. A scarf was wrapped around his neck to keep warm.

His hair was slightly curled, and he wore the same glasses as always.

Miwako wasn't surprised to see him.

During their phone call earlier, he had simply said they'd meet in an hour. She understood what that meant. There was no need to worry about whether he'd know where she lived.

Divination. So unfair… Miwako once again marveled at how unreasonable his divination was.

"Long time no see, Officer Sato."

"It hasn't been that long. Just a week. And it's not working hours, so don't call me Officer Sato. It's a bit of a pain to be called 'Officer' off-duty."

It was understandable to use titles at work, but there was no need to keep using them outside of it.

Miwako didn't want to be called "Officer" outside her shift.

"Just use my surname or even my first name when we're off duty."

"Then, Miwako."

"Hmm, feels a bit strange, but I'll get used to it. We can talk more about that later. For now, let's go buy birthday presents."

The change in how he addressed her was a little awkward, but she didn't dwell on it. The main task today was to buy gifts.

"Right."

Ren hadn't forgotten today's main purpose.

There were quite a few people with April birthdays, so this was the perfect time to prepare their gifts along with Miwako's.

As they turned to leave together, Ren glanced back.

On the third floor, a woman with curly hair who resembled Miwako slightly.

Miwako's mother? Ren could sense surprise and confusion in her gaze.

Ah. Looks like there's been a misunderstanding. Realizing this, Ren simply shook his head and followed Miwako.

There was no need to explain this misunderstanding. He would leave that to her.

Watching her daughter leave with a young man, Mrs. Sato felt a mix of emotions.

She had always wanted Miwako to give up being a detective and settle down, but she had never imagined her daughter would end up dating such a young man.

Though she couldn't see clearly from a distance, she could tell the man was quite young.

Combining that with Miwako's talk of her father's old case, Mrs. Sato had a hunch.

What Miwako said — that she would do anything for the one who solved her father's case — must have been taken seriously. And someone really did bring her the truth.

"…Sigh. I'll have to talk to Miwako when she gets home."

The two of them got into Miwako's car and drove toward the Beika Municipal Building.

The landmark building had almost collapsed in the explosion last week, but that hadn't stopped it from remaining a popular weekend shopping destination.

It was, after all, a great place to buy birthday presents.

Miwako couldn't help feeling emotional about the location.

"The last time I came here, I was scared out of my mind because of those bombs."

That nerve-wracking incident had taken place just a week ago.

As she recalled it, Miwako looked toward Ren in the passenger seat with gratitude.

"I really do need to thank you for helping us last time."

"If you want to thank me, then lunch is on you."

"Oh, no problem at all!"

Miwako laughed and patted her chest confidently.

(To be continued.)

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves

(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)