Holmes of Kyoto: Volume 17 Part 1 by Mai Mochizuki

Author:Mai Mochizuki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 1: Gears in Motion

1

The antique store Kura in Kyoto’s Teramachi-Sanjo district was always quiet and peaceful. The small chandelier on the ceiling bathed the interior in a mellow, warm light. The neat rows of vases, tea bowls, teacup sets, candlestands, and bisque dolls were accompanied by soft jazz music and the ticking of a grandfather clock.

I was working diligently on decorating the display window. Visitors to the store often said that it was as if time had stopped in here, and I felt the same way. That was what I liked about Kura. But when something is unchanging, it also gives the impression of rejecting change. I didn’t think that was ideal, especially if it meant that people who found the store unapproachable would continue to ignore it forever. So I got Holmes and the manager’s permission to change the front display every month, hoping that a little bit of change would attract the attention of passersby.

October’s theme was the Meiji period and Taisho romance, and it was quite well received. In November, I wanted to change it, but my mind and body weren’t in the right place, so I left it as it was. Now that it was December, I needed to do something about it.

I decorated the display window with Western-style ceramics and placed a large tree behind them. In other words, the theme was Christmas.

When I stopped and stood back up, Holmes smiled from behind the counter and asked, “Have you reached a stopping point?”

“Yes, somehow.”

Holmes looked at the Christmas tree I’d just finished decorating and chuckled. “The tree makes it suddenly feel like Christmas. I suppose it’s already that time of year.”

“Time flies, huh? The shopping street is already full of Christmas decorations too.” I gazed out the window and saw boys and girls walking hand in hand. There seemed to be more couples than usual. They looked happy, which made me smile fondly. “It’s also the season for lovey-dovey couples, huh?”

“Indeed. However, my fiancée appears to be more engrossed in Ensho’s exhibition than love,” Holmes said with a grin.

My eyes darted around, flustered. “I’m not engrossed. It’s just that I have a lot of work on my plate.”

“I’m kidding.” Holmes laughed. “Your jealousy the other day was more than enough to keep me happy.”

I looked down in shame. He was talking about when I had overheard him saying that Mitsuoka was his type and sulked, thinking that he liked a woman by that name. The truth had turned out to be a complete nonissue: he was referring to Mitsuoka Motor, a car company. I thought it was needlessly confusing, but at the same time, I only had myself to blame.

“Oh, but that doesn’t mean I’m all right with not being able to touch you at all,” he hurriedly added.

I fell silent.

“You’re exasperated again, aren’t you?”

“No, that’s not it.” I actually felt the same way, but I stopped myself from saying it. It would indeed feel lonely not being able to touch him at all. Suddenly feeling embarrassed, I changed the subject.

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