“Aww, how romantic,” Kyoko said teasingly, but Kazu took the question more seriously.

“What present did you get her last year?” she asked. Kiyoshi again scratched his head of white hair.

“Well, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never actually bought my wife a birthday present. So, I don’t know what to buy her.”

“What? You’ve never bought her anything? But even so, you suddenly want to now... Why’s that?” Kyoko asked with wide-eyed curiosity.

“Oh, I don’t know, there’s no particular reason...” he replied, pretending to take another sip from the coffee cup he had clearly emptied. Kyoko could, as plain as day, see through his attempt to conceal his embarrassment. She desperately tried to hide her spontaneous chuckle, giving away how adorable she found it.

Nagare had been standing with his arms crossed, listening to the conversation. “How I see it...” he muttered, then went on enthusiastically, his face completely red, “...is that she would be pleased with anything.”

Kyoko was quick to dismiss his suggestion. “That would have to be the least helpful advice you could give him!”

Feeling well and truly put in his place, Nagare conceded, “Er, sorry.” Then Kazu, with the coffee flask in her hand, refilled Kiyoshi’s cup.

“What about a necklace?” she asked.

“A necklace?”

“It isn’t the flashiest of things...” As she spoke Kazu showed her necklace to Kiyoshi. It was so thin, it hadn’t even been noticeable until she held it in her fingers.

“Which? Show me. Oh, yes! Very nice! Women have a weakness for that type of thing at whatever age,” said Kyoko, peering at Kazu’s neckline and nodding emphatically.

“By the way, how old are you now, Kazu?” asked Kiyoshi.

“I’m twenty-nine.”

“Twenty-nine,” Kiyoshi muttered as if thinking something over.

Noticing Kiyoshi’s expression, Kyoko sought to reassure him. “If you are worried whether it is age-appropriate, don’t worry! It’s a wonderful gesture. I think your wife would be pleased with such a gift.”

Kiyoshi’s face brightened instantly. “I see. Thank you very much.”

“Happy shopping.”

Kyoko was both surprised and impressed. She never would have guessed that a ham-fisted aging detective like Kiyoshi would be planning a birthday present for his wife. She was fully committed to supporting him in this endeavor.

“Yes, thank you,” Kiyoshi replied, returning his shabby hunting cap to his head and reaching again for his cup.

Kazu was also smiling happily.

“I can hear the lion roar! Roar-roar, roar-roar ROOAAAARRR! Roar!”

The sound of Miki’s singing drifted from the back room. “I don’t remember that verse,” observed Kyoko with her arms folded as she stared into space. “It seems to be her latest thing.”

“What, replacing the lyrics?”

“Uh-huh.”