Nagumo Detective Agency
Oh, how unsightly.
What a pity. What a pity.
Wait for me, Nagumo-sensei.
The time has come to repay my debt to you.
Detectives These Days Are Crazy!
Great Detective
Asunaro
Overdue Rent Collection Notice
Nagumo Keiichiro-sama
The owner of your building of residence confirms that your rent payment has not been received by the date agreed upon in your lease agreement.
Please submit your payment as soon as possible.
I have no money.
Want me to lend you some?
Get real. How much could a kid like you even have?
Oh, I'd say around 500 yen, easy.
I feel pathetic for getting my hopes up, even for just an instant.
Ah, I see.
So this is Nagumo-sensei's agency.
Whoa! Who are you?!
Oh, do forgive me.
You see, I have my reasons for coming to—
Damn thief!
Wh-Wh-Wh-What's your problem? I am no thief!
Liar! How'd you get in here when the door was locked?!
It was a piece of cake with my lock picking skills.
You are literally a proper thief!
Sit your ass down, you four-eyed thieving bastard!
Just listen to me, you barbarian!
Ow, ow, ow. That shocked me so much, my heart hurts.
Nagumo Detective Agency
I do apologize for startling you.
I am Asunaro Yuu, high school detective.
High School Detective
Asunaro Yuu
If a mystery resembles a puzzle or contradiction,
I am, by my very nature, compelled to investigate.
Don't pick people's locks and treat it like a puzzle!
Oh, you're the great detective Asunaro? I see you on TV a lot.
You're the top young detective in the spotlight right now.
Oh, no, no! I am nowhere near your level.
So what brings you here?
Wait, what's wrong?
How very odd.
Ten minutes have passed since I entered, and I have not even been served coffee.
What could it mean?
Oh, where are our manners?
There ya go.
Thank—
How very odd.
Most hosts would serve it with milk and sugar on the side if I did not request it black.
What could it mean?
Okay, I can tell this guy's gonna be a real pain!
I have come today for one reason, and one alone.
Nagumo-sensei.
Please hire me as your assistant.
Huh?
What?!
He already has an assistant!
You're already a full-fledged detective, anyway.
Why would you want to work for me now?
Because it was you who made me what I am today.
When I was in grade school,
I read an old article about you, and could not tear my eyes away.
Secret techniques to boost your deduction skills with your own memo pad! From the genius detective everyone's talking about, Nagumo Keiichiro
Cute and popular! Sexy summer magnifying glass!
Nagumo Keiichiro
A simple high school student,
edging out all the adults with his intellect alone to stand at the top.
When I saw you stealing all the media attention,
I dove into this business and dedicated myself to being just like you!
And now that I have grown stronger... Yes, it is time!
I, Asunaro, am determined to repay this debt to you,
and I have come here hoping to be of use to you.
Yeah, uh, I appreciate the sentiment, but I really don't have the money to hire—
I will, of course, work for free.
After all, my work is going so well that I have grown stinking rich.
Yeah, I bet.
In fact, I intend to pay you a tuition fee.
What?! For real?
Mind explaining in a bit more detail?
Wait a minute!
Why aren't you including me in this discussion?
Shouldn't your first assistant, Mashiro-chan, be the first one you consult?
How very odd.
A gorilla wearing clothes and speaking.
This guy is seriously pissing me off!
You must have no common sense at all, barging in here out of the blue!
Uh, you showed up unannounced, too.
Wanting to be like the old dude isn't enough to be his assistant.
You think my admiration for him is all I'm bringing to this?
I'm quite certain I can be more useful to Sensei than you.
Excuse me?
Okay! You against me, Mr. Round Glasses! Let's go!
But of course, I gladly accept.
Oh, but first, another coffee, please.
Comin' right up.
I will be serving as your MC.
Great Detective Asunaro's Assistant
Kazamaki Hana
I'm his assistant, Kazamaki.
You two will compete in three areas essential to detective work:
intellect, deduction skills, and stamina.
The first to notch up two wins will become Mr. Nagumo's official assistant.
Is that acceptable, Master?
Of course, Maki-chan. Not a problem.
Wait, wait, wait! It seems unfair that your assistant gets to set this up!
Not to worry.
I genuinely despise Master.
Aw, you're so hard on me, Maki-chan.
I expect overtime pay for this.
She talks big, but at the end of the day, she's head over heels for me.
Aren't you, Maki-chan?
Are you?
Please stop holding your nose.
The first round will be a contest of intellect.
Guest
You will both be given the same wire puzzle.
The one who gets it apart first will score the first win.
Are you ready?
Then...
Start.
Oh, my. Great Detective Asunaro is so fast.
Behold! I will soon have it apart!
Couldn't you have entertained me a bit—
Impossible.
She solved it already?
She cut the wire!
Mashiro-san has one win.
Yeah, baby!
What?! You're allowing that?!
Well, I only said the one who got it apart first would be the winner.
You're a cheater.
I refuse to accept this atrocity.
Mashiro
Asunaro
We refuse to believe that which we don't understand. —Pascal
"We refuse to believe that which we don't understand."—Pascal.
She's infuriating!
The next contest will be deduction skills.
This is a coded phrase I came up with.
The first one to figure out what's written here is the winner.
Ready, and...
Start.
Uh, do we really need to be outside for this?
What is it?
I can see what looks like an "E" here and there.
Is it English?
I can't get enough information from the other characters, though.
Are they actually drawings?
Maki-chan, this is too easy.
Say what?
The answer is pi.
Those are the unlit parts on a seven-segment display, yes?
Tsk. That's correct.
You won't even look at the winner?!
Hey! That was way too fast!
I bet you knew the answer in advance.
Mashiro
Asunaro
Those who study three times, four times, or five times more than anyone are geniuses. —Noguchi Hideyo
"Those who study three times, four times, or five times more than anyone...
are geniuses."—Noguchi Hideyo.
You little...
Also, do you even know what pi is?
Of course I do! Are you tryna pick a fight?!
Our final contest is one of stamina.
What's that?
Let's call it a "stamp rally race," shall we?
You'll collect stamps I've placed in three locations around the park.
The first to make it back here is the winner.
I'll help you search for your next job.
Keep talkin', buddy.
Now, on your marks.
Ready...
Start.
If you're not going to take this seriously, I'm leaving.
Bold of you to slam into me like a sumo wrestler, you cowardly muscle-girl.
I should be calling you the coward, you four-eyed shitbag!
I'm sorry you have to go along with this nonsense.
Oh, it's fine.
Master—that is, Asunaro— admires you deeply.
You're all he ever talks about.
He's got some weird taste, then.
He wants you to reclaim your former shine.
His wish for you to return to center stage has brought him this far.
First Stamp
Do I look that much duller now?
Oh! I'm sorry! That's not what I meant!
Nah, I was just joking.
Asunaro-kun reminds me of myself when I was younger.
Huh?
I bet he's enjoying the hell out of this stage,
where his skills respond and grow so quickly.
He's in no doubt that he can keep it up forever.
Third Stamp
The only way he differs from the younger me is he has support.
I had no one, much less a partner who'd give me a push or rein me in when I needed it.
So I envy him, really.
A partner who's your own age is probably easier to talk to.
His own age?
I guess I'm still worth keeping around for a while.
Hm? You say something?
No, nothing.
So is that girl your support now?
Hm, I'm not sure.
I think you make quite a good pair.
Yeah?
Of course, you needn't worry about Asunaro's oath.
Even if she loses, please don't fire Mashiro-chan.
Oh, it's all good.
No one can beat Mashiro in a contest of stamina.
It pains me to say anything that constitutes praise for Asunaro...
but I don't think she has a chance.
What's the matter? You're awfully short of breath!
I've trained to anticipate any outcome, no matter the task, since I was a child.
I am fundamentally different from a civilian like you who merely has athletic prowess.
Damn it. My body feels so heavy.
Maki-chan!
If I lose, I won't be able to stay with the old dude.
If I lose... If I lose...
If I lose...
My Talents These Days Are Crazy!
Like hell...
...am I letting that happen!
Removing your top layer to reduce weight? I appreciate your refusal to give up.
Go on, throw it all away. It will do nothing to close the gap.
No matter...
how much you toss...
Wait, how much are you even carrying?!
Wh-What on earth is that?
Her storage technique.
Okay! I've purged all the stuff I was carrying.
Now I just need to catch up.
I can do this. Just another step.
After all...
I've been through plenty of tough training myself!
Okay, that's enough.
Well done for enduring all of this tough training.
You have completed every lesson. There is nothing more I can teach you.
Coach... Can I be...
a full-fledged... detective now?
Of course.
Yes. A detective.
A detective?
Mashiro
Asunaro
What's a detective?
I have been defeated today,
but I will, without a doubt, take your position next time.
I suppose I have found a rival where I least expected to.
I will not lose next time.
Oh, okay.
How very odd.
At a time like this, shouldn't the other party say
something like, "You did well yourself,"
giving the sense that a new rivalry has been born?
What could it mean?
You're annoying as hell! Just go away already!
No need to tell me. I'm leaving.
Maki-chan, time to go! Maki-chan!
Oh, she already left.
She said she was expecting a delivery.
Maki-chan!
Maki-chan! You're taking your mischief a bit too far!
I didn't even do anything, and I'm exhausted.
Are you okay with that, old dude?
I mean, if you made him your assistant, you'd get money for it.
Wouldn't he be a better assistant than m—
Hey! You're gonna shrink me!
What're you acting like a considerate adult for?
So long as you bring in more money than he does, there's no problem.
You can do that, right?
Yeah!
I'm broke.
I told you, I can lend you some.
You seem to be in a bind.
Gah! You again?!
I didn't pick the lock today.
Why are you here? You're not after a revenge match already, are you?
Why am I here?
Well, why else?
I'm here to ask Sensei to do a job for—
I'm sorry about all the fuss last time, Nagumo-sensei.
Please enjoy these with Mashiro-san, if you'd like.
Ooh, yokan.
You didn't have to go out of your way.
Oh, no such thing.
Excuse me, Maki-chan. You seem to have spoken over me.
Oh, by the way, I chose that yokan myself.
As I was saying, I'm here to ask Nagumo-sensei to do a job for me!
I'm gonna cut this yokan. Have a seat, Maki-chan.
Oh, thank you.
This is some fatty yokan!
Have you never heard of chestnut yokan?
Wait. Could it be? Am I actually dead?
Yeah, sorry. I took the teasing a little too far.
The Ones Who Don't Realize They're Stalkers Are the Most Dangerous
Nagumo Detective Agency
You've got a job for me? What brought this on?
The thing is...
I am being hounded by a stalker.
A stalker? You?
Yes.
Recently, whenever I'm alone, I get this indescribable sensation of eyes fixed on me.
I try to pursue the person, but they're too fast, so I have been unable to catch them.
Master is... technically... somehow... oddly popular for some reason,
and he has some extreme fans.
If something awful were to happen...
I'll accept the job.
After all...
I could use a little stimulation.
Wait, what's the matter?!
The old dude has hyperesthesia.
Sounds like you get enough stimulation.
Tarafuku
Cod Roe Land
Cod Roe — Tarafuku
Tailing as a trio is kinda fun!
Come on. This isn't a game.
Oh, Master has stopped.
He keeps staring at that guy in the glasses.
You think he's the stalker?
What? He solved the case himself?
How very odd.
That man doesn't look like he exercises, but he's wearing earbuds meant for jogging.
What could it mean?
Whoa, that's a rude first impression.
It is Master's belief that he should be asking questions at all times.
Oh, he stopped again.
What's up this time?
How very odd.
That woman has her car filled with cat knick-knacks,
but her husband has the face of a dog.
Is he gonna be doing this all day?
I'd never want to live with him.
Huh? Some kinda group is coming this way.
Whoa, a whole flock of girls.
That is also a daily occurrence.
Uh, they're kinda engulfing him...
That is also a daily occurrence.
Oh, he's emerging.
Wait, all his clothes got ripped off!
Are those girls muggers or what?
That is also a daily occurrence.
For real?!
Shouldn't we get him some clothes?
Not to worry.
Oh, a different set of fans.
What was that, a pit stop?
Most of Master's clothes are gifts he receives from fans.
Old dude, is there any point in tailing this guy?
You haven't noticed, Mashiro?
Huh?
Someone shady has been following him this whole time.
Two o'clock.
Whoa, you're right! Who is that?
No, more to the right.
Although, yeah, that guy looks pretty wild, too.
That one, huh? You're right. Looks shady.
Asunaro-kun, casually relocate to the place I'm about to direct you to.
Understood.
Oh, you have only just noticed?
You are quite the fool.
You are already trapped.
Now, why don't you tell me your reason?
Why have you been stalking me?
S-Stalking? I'm not!
Hmph. That's what they all say.
The worst stalkers don't even realize they're doing it.
I told you, I'm not!
Did I not just tell you that you were trapped?
Do it, Sensei!
Would you say you're tougher than a bear?
It was a long damn time ago,
but I once had a request to get rid of a bear that was wrecking someone's field.
Hey, I'm not done talki—
Oh, that's bad, right? That joint shouldn't bend that way.
Sensei!
M-Mashiro! Don't let him get past you!
Understood.
Go on. Choose left or right.
I'll stop you either way.
Oh, hey, it's Murobuchi, the hammer thrower.
What?! Murobuchi?!
M-M-Murobuchi, um...
I've always been a fan.
Would you please arm-wrestle with me?
Oh, come on! Are you really that gullible?
Wait, how does he know what Mashiro's into?
That's not important right now.
Maki-san, it's up to you!
You've gotta stop him!
Huh? What?
Didn't see that coming.
You really saved the day.
So that's why you dress the way you do, huh?
Huh? No, really, that's not...
Well, in any case, we finally got him.
Now, why don't we take a look at his face?
What? Nezu?
Why is it you?
Y-You've got it all wrong! I'm not a stalker!
Why'd you run, then?
Well, you guys looked so serious, and it was kinda scary, so...
But forget that! He's the stalker! Right there!
Wh-What nonsense is this?
Who is it you think I'm stalking?
Big Bro Nagumo, obviously!
He's been hanging around the agency staring at it for about a month now.
Whenever Big Bro steps out, he follows him.
He's clearly a stalker!
Master... What is the meaning of this?
Wait, wait, wait! Maki-chan, it's a mistake!
Where is the mistake?
I was only watching for the right moment to introduce myself to Sensei.
I also thought, for future reference,
I should find out his lifestyle patterns and interests and such.
Who could call such consideration "stalking"?
I sure could.
Master...
No, Maki-chan! This isn't...
I will hear your excuses later.
Hup.
Nezu-kun! Get the stalker!
Got it!
They say the worst stalkers don't even realize they're doing it.
I guess they're right.
Next Time
Murder at the Mansion of Screams
Murder
Maki-chan and the Generation Gap