Two-face detectives Chapter 1 "Test"

After urging Nishiko to sit on the sofa, Nachino turned on the old coffee maker and ground the coffee beans. A fragrant scent spreads in the room after the rough operating sound of the machine echoes.

Nachino prepared two mugs of coffee and handed one to Nishiko.

"Thank you," Nishiko replied politely, but she didn't drink the coffee. After seeing Nachino drink naturally, she touched it.

“May I ask why you came here?”

Nachino sat down across the table, facing Nishiko.

"Why on earth did you know this place and what purpose did you come here? First of all, I would like you to tell me."

Nachino asked in quick succession.

Nishiko still holds her mug, and she's staring into Nachino's eyes. She took a few deep breaths and then opened her mouth.

".... Actually, when my grandfather retired, I took over that office. It seems that he didn't tell you about it."

Nachino kept his mouth shut and continued to listen.

“I learned about you when I was sorting through the materials left by my grandfather. I found your names many times, so I decided to do a little research.”

“The identity of the target person, where they are now, and what they are like… I searched as much as I could in my spare time from work. I even asked them what had happened recently.”

Nishiko spoke in a matter-of-fact manner, but what she said was approaching the core of Nachino's "business".

Nachino listened intently as he unconsciously leaned forward and hid his bewildered expression under the glasses.

“They have two things in common. One is that we had debts for a long time, but we recently paid them off. When I found out about this, I was convinced that you and my grandfather were in some kind of partnership, pulling the strings behind these things, and I'm sure it's something that can't be made public. Is there anything wrong?"

After listening for a while, Nachino placed the mug he was holding on the desk and leant his back against the sofa. Then, as if letting out his sigh, he weakly spoke to Nishiko.

"...Does that mean you've come all this way knowing all this...that you've come to catch me?"

The moment she heard that, Nishiko put her evil smile on her face.

"No. I came to negotiate that I would like to take over that job and work with you."

"...What?" Nishiko continued with her smile, looking at Nachino's eyes, who had failed to grasp the true meaning of her words.

"Actually, my office is a bicycle business. Even if I work like a workhorse, I get a lot of low profits. That's why I wanted a new job even if it took a risk. And if the unit price is high, stability will be created in the accounting of the office. I didn't know that my grandfather was doing this behind the scenes, but I knew part of your name and background. I finally understood why I was able to continue working for the detective agency for so many years, and why I was able to live a reasonably wealthy life. You must be very tired."

Nachino was overwhelmed by Nishiko, who gleefully said so with her eyes shining.

"Besides... if I accused you, my grandfather would definitely get involved. In other words, I would get involved too. There's nothing to be gained. Today is the first time we've met, but we're already together." I'm a lotus student."

I could tell that her face was clearly burning with ambition. Seeing that radiant brilliance, Nachino naturally superimposed the figure of Seijiro Hasu, who was pushing forward with his work.

After taking a deep breath, Nachino leaned forward again, put his elbows on his desk, folded his hands and told Nishiko.

"If you really want to team up with me, I'd like to do one 'test'. Something that can confirm your ability and aptitude. However, if you fail, you'll both be screwed. Now, what should I do?"

Hearing this, Nishiko straightened her posture, smiled, and answered Nachino.

"Tell me the details. That's what I'm here for."

-To be continued.