A Late Visit

Ding─

"Yo, you're a bit late today."

"Yeah, something came up."

As I entered the bar main entrance to the sound of the bell, Tony welcomed me while slumped over the front tables as usual.

Of all things, he was wearing green clothes, making his limp posture look even more like dried seaweed today.

"Anyway, what's with the Ajje behind you? It's not opening hours yet. Why did you bring someone I don't even want to look at first thing in the morning?"

"I don't particularly like you either, Magician."

Behind me, the Self-proclaimed Sherlock Holmes Ajje waddled up, dragging his plump body.

Even though he had used such a massive umbrella, his entire body looked completely drenched. This is why raincoats are better.

I guess the larger the volume, the more water it holds. Freaking out at the water droplets dripping from all over the troublemaker detective's body, I shouted.

"Stay right there. Don't come in! I'll lay something down for you."

If he came inside like that, I'd be the one who had to clean up all that water. Absolutely not.

I quickly went to the warehouse, brought out a large water-absorbing and anti-slip mat, and laid it out in front of the entrance.

Only when the massive covering, measuring over two meters in both width and length, was placed at the entrance did I finally feel at ease.

"You can come in now. Make sure to shake off the water on the mat. If you just barge in without shaking it off properly and dirty the shop, I'll really kick you out."

"I know, I know. It's not like I'm a ten-year-old kid who doesn't know any better. That Antonio fellow and you, Watson, are both experiencing some low pressure."

"Because the weather is actually low pressure."

I replied sullenly.

Air affected by low pressure rises, and in that process, water vapor condenses into water droplets, which gather to form dark clouds... and then it rains.

There was no need to explain such basic scientific common sense.

"Hah, a witty answer. But have you ever wondered about that? How atmospheric pressure works in Dusk City, which is composed of a tightly sealed dome cut off from the outside world?

You must have heard a rumor or two about the secretive Dusk Environmental Science and Atmospheric Administration (NOAH)."

This Ajje is starting again.

Just like when he talked about Militia last time, he just seems to like these kinds of topics exceptionally.

The dark side of the city, the shady corners of a Megacorp, dangerous and provocative subjects like that.

As expected of someone cosplaying as a detective.

"That's enough. I don't take conspiracy theories. If you've shaken off all the water, just hurry up and come in."

"It's not a conspiracy theory, it's really..."

"Be quiet. Don't you remember what you told me last time?"

"...What did I tell you last time?"

At this point, shouldn't he be going to a medical center instead of a bar?

I spoke to the troublemaker detective, whom I suspected of being a dementia patient.

"On Monday, you told me there would be interesting news published and to make sure to check the news, so I checked it religiously, but there was absolutely nothing."

Today was Sunday, so six days had already passed.

If something had happened regarding Militia like the Self-Proclaimed Holmes said, it should have been in the news ages ago.

And it should have been published as a massive headline, too.

The fact that there was still no news meant it was just nonsense. It was acting all high and mighty as if there was something.

I felt pathetic for falling for it and scouring the pages of various net newspaper company sites every day.

"Ah, right. That. Has the article still not come out?"

"Yes. It still hasn't come out, and it probably won't come out in the future either. Just be quiet and take a seat."

"It seems the press embargo is lasting longer than I expected. Militia must be putting a lot of pressure on the media to end the incident quietly.

But they can't block it forever. It's about time it blew up. The article will probably be out by today... Ugh!"

"Yes, yes. I get it, so please sit down."

After shoving the detective Yangban, who was writing his own novel again, toward a seat at the front tables, I also took off my raincoat and shook it out.

Okay, if I leave it in the dryer like this, it should be dry by the time I get off work.

Tony spoke to me as I bustled toward the warehouse again.

"So why did you bring that guy? And what's with the wound on your arm? It's dripping blood. Did that happen yesterday?"

Ah, the bleeding still hasn't stopped. I must have been cut by something incredibly sharp...

I wiped away the flowing drops of blood with the hem of my clothes and replied.

"No. I told you earlier that something came up. It's because of that. It's a long story... but I ran into a robber on the street and got a bit hurt, and Mr. Holmes over there helped me as he was passing by."

"You said it was a long story, but that wasn't long at all."

At Tony's words, I went into the warehouse, hung up my raincoat, and said.

"I guess so. It seems I have a talent for keeping long stories short."

With the jukebox turned off and no customers around, it was so quiet that we could communicate even when speaking from this distance.

I shrugged as I came back out into the corridor.

"So, he said he felt like he'd die of thirst right this second if he didn't get a free cocktail as a reward for helping me, so I brought him. I'm just going to give him a drink quickly and be done with it."

"That's such a Yangban thing for him to do. You should have just told him to go ahead and die of thirst."

"Not a chance. No matter how much you curse me, I will live a long life and keep frequenting this bar until you retire!"

"Did you hear that? That's the worst news I've heard all year."

The two men sat diagonally across from each other at the bar table, casually exchanging verbal jabs.

Watching them growl at each other, I added fuel to the fire.

"I guess you two don't get along very well?"

"Let's just say he's not a pleasant customer to run into."

"It's quite amusing to hear that from a bartender with such unpleasant bartending skills!"

Wow, at this rate, they're practically mortal enemies. It felt like the perfect time to grab some popcorn.

"Last time, it seemed like you didn't really care about each other."

When I mentioned the last time the troublemaker detective came to the bar, Tony shook his head.

"That's because there's no need to care. You just shouldn't give him any attention."

"I'm the one who has no reason to waste my gaze on such a lowest-ranked bartender when there's a far superior head bartender around."

"Tell the customer that I'm not the lowest-ranked, but the Deputy. Ah, the shop hasn't opened yet, so I suppose I can't even consider him a customer."

I knew Tony was in his thirties, and that detective Yangban was obviously the eldest among everyone here.

Was this really a conversation between old men? It was truly awe-inspiring. They were incredibly childish.

The detective Yangban had mentioned he didn't get along with Tony, but I didn't know it was to this extent.

Come to think of it, Tony actually encouraged me last time to try to have a conversation with that troublemaker detective.

When I brought that up, Tony replied nonchalantly.

"That was separate from my dislike for him. I advised you not to avoid him and to try talking to him because you need to experience those dog-like types of people to adapt."

"I see. And because of that thoughtlessly thrown advice, I got caught and had to listen to utterly useless conspiracy theories about a Megacorp."

"I told you it's not a conspiracy theory! Watson, are you going to keep doing this? Just wait and see when the article comes out soon. You'll regret what you just said!"

The detective was raging with indignation, jabbing the umbrella in his hand into the air as if pointing a finger.

Seeing that, I suddenly thought of something, so I held out my hand and said.

"Ah, right. I almost forgot. Hand over all your weapons. weapon prohibition. You know the drill, right?"

"...Wasn't it still before opening? I don't think there's a need to follow the rules that strictly."

"Then do you want to go out and come back in after the bar opens? Technically, that's what you should do. I'm just doing you a favor right now."

"Fine, take them. Take them all."

Eventually, the troublemaker detective raised the white flag and once again poured out the weapons from inside his Cloak Coat onto the table.

Then he looked at me, expecting me to gather the weapons and leave, but I stood in place and didn't move.

"...Now what is it? Didn't I give you everything you wanted? What else are you trying to take from me, just standing there staring blankly?"

"You're not being serious, right?"

I think I know how Sey was able to discern all sorts of secret weapons with such ghost-like accuracy.

As Sey experienced situations like this every day, her discernment ability couldn't help but improve.

I sighed and held out my hand again.

"Hand over the umbrella."

I was almost fooled because he was holding the umbrella in his arms so confidently, but there was no chance.

"...This is just an ordinary umbrella!"

"Yes. It's an ordinary umbrella with a built-in firearm firing function using a compressed air valve, I'm sure. You used it right in front of my eyes just a few minutes ago, so I trust you didn't think insisting otherwise would work."

Saying so, I coldly snatched the umbrella away as well. Leaving behind the devastated-looking detective and Tony, who was mocking him, I moved the weapons to the safe box.

Then I returned and brought up the interesting topic again.

"So why don't you two get along? I'm guessing Mr. Holmes started the fight first. Am I right?"

"Started a fight? It was merely a legitimate complaint as a customer."

"Legitimate, my ass. Why put in lemon peel when orange peel is the standard for this cocktail? Why use a simplified recipe instead of the original recipe? Isn't this cheap synthetic liquor too low quality...?

He nitpicked over absolutely everything. It makes my mouth hurt just talking about it."

Seeing Tony scoff, I found myself nodding without realizing it. I felt a deep sense of camaraderie.

A leopard can't change its spots; I had almost suffered the exact same thing. And this was on my very first day of work, too.

"R-right. I'll honestly admit it. That was indeed my fault. But you're not exactly in a position to be proud either, Magician?"

When it seemed like my opinion, having briefly taken on the role of judge, was leaning to one side, the troublemaker detective hastily launched a counterattack.

It seemed he had his own side of the story as well.