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Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 9 Chapter 3.10

「So this is the police station cell.」

「It’s quite comfortable. There’s a proper bath and toilet, three meals and naps are included, and they’ll even buy you anything you ask for.」

Listening to Kanata talk about all these random things, Tensai smiles and says, 「Same as usual.」

「Well, if Yuya brought Tensai here, does that mean this has something to do with the Nanana collection?」

Tensai’s eyes widen and she speaks to Kanata in the same tone.

「What do you mean, Kanata?」

「To tell the truth, I’m one of the challengers searching for the Nanana collection.」

「I didn’t hear about this.」

「That’s because I haven’t talked about it. You know this too, but challengers don’t like to talk about it with others.」

「Why do you think I know about the Nanana collection?」

[insert picture]

「I’ve heard a bit about Tensai’s exploits lately. The man who arrested me is a police inspector I know. He told me about your success in the <<game>> with your friends. I even watched your late-night TV appearance the other day. I couldn’t help but record it because my imouto was so cute. Bet Tensai, you have really grown up if you are so infatuated with a guy.」

「Who exactly are you talking about?」

「Who knows…」

Tensai turns her back on Kanata who is grinning. Next to her Yuya is making a fuss saying, 「Tensai, what does she mean you are infatuated with a guy?!」, but he is ignored.

「So Yuya, you knew that Kanata was collecting the Nanana collection?」

「Yeah, Ikkaku knows too. Yahichi doesn’t know, tough.」

「I see. That makes me feel a little better then. So what is your purpose in searching for the Nanana collection, Kanata?」

「Just a personal hobby.」

「How many do you have?」

「Three.」

「What kind of abilities do they have?」

「I can’t tell that to even my beloved imouto.」

「That’s too bad.」

「Hmm, don’t look so sad, imouto. It makes me want to tell you.」

「No, it’s fine. I’m not that interested in the Nanana collection.」

「I see, that’s good.」

「But I’m sad that you had been hiding from me, Kanata.」

「Sorry. I’ll apologize, so please stop being so mean.」

「Okay, I’ll forgive you.」

「Thank you, my dear imouto.」

They smile at each other, and now Kanata speaks.

「Now it’s my turn.」

「Okay.」

「What have you been up to lately?」

「I’ve been looking into the murder of Nanana Ryuugajou.」

「Why?」

「Because I was asked to.」

「By who?」

「I can’t tell that to anyone, not even my beloved ane.」

「Yuya.」

「It was Ikkaku-san.」

Tensai glares at Yuya who casually tells her the secret.

「Oh, that’s surprising. Dad and the GREAT7 have been keeping this matter a secret. What’s with the change of heart, Yuya?」

「It was the previous <<game>>.」

「I see, so that’s why the opening of Seven’s Land was delayed by three days.」

「That’s not long though」, says Yuya, confused.

Kanata urges her, 「Tensai, please explain to our brother what I’ve been thinking.」

「Since Kanata had watched the live broadcast of the <<game>>, it’s easy to guess that three must have been some kind of relation to the incident at Seven’s Land, where the <<game>> was held. The problem is that it escalated into an unprecedented incident where the amusement park had to postpone its previously announced opening date. This means that the <<game>>… no, the incident involving the Nanana collection had affected the management of Nanaejima. In other words, Kanata decided that this was sufficient motivation for Ikkaku to take action.」

「Well, that’s it.」

「I see」, Yuya says, convinced.

「So then? How does Tensai interpret that incident from ten years ago?」

「I think it’s possible that the culprit used the Nanana collection.」

Hearing this, Kanata laughs with amusement.

「That’s a pretty far-fetched idea. There could be other possibilities, like the Alpamesto Corporation sending an assassin.」

「If the truth were that simple, Ikkaku would have solved it a long time ago. Are you trying to make fun of me by making such an obvious guess, Kanata?」

Tensai gets mad, and Kanata smiles, 「I’m sorry, I’m sorry.」

「So in the end, you share the same view, Tensai?」

「As you?」

「As me and my friend.」

「I see. So how much research did you do?」

「I haven’t looked into it.」

「Why?」

「My interest is in the Nanana collection, not Nanana Ryuugajou.」

「I see.」

「However, my friend is different from me and has been doing a lot of research on the incident.」

「Oh, where is your friend?」

「He’s already left the island.」

「I see. That’s…」

「A pity?」

「…the opposite. I’m glad.」

「Now you can face Juugo Yama without any worries.」

She smiles and Tensai is at a loss for words.

「…For reference, what was your deduction?」

「Unfortunately, it wasn’t a deduction. I just overheard it. I cheated.」

「That’s good. I thought Kanata’s deductive skills had finally reached godlike levels.」

「That’s what you are working towards. I’m not heading in that direction.」

「It’s a pity. Kanata, you would have been the greatest detective ever, without question.」

「Then I want you to become the best detective in my place. I’d be a thousand times happier to be the sister of a detective than to be a detective myself.」

「I understand. Then I’ll work to make you a thousand times happier.」

Kanata gently strokes Tensai’s head. Then she glances at the clock on the wall.

「Well, visiting hours are about over.」

「It’s been a while since we last saw each other, is it over already?」

「You can enjoy it a little at a time. It’s no good being greedy. I don’t intend to leave here until the experiment is over anyway. So if you want to see me, feel free to come by anytime. Of course, you need to make an appointment.」

「By the way, what experiment are you working on?」

「It’s a secret for now. I promise that if the experiment is successful, you’ll be the first person I tell.」

「I look forward to it.」

「I’ve been following the Nanana collection for quite a while, and I have quite a few acquaintances. If I can be of any help, I would love to.」

「I understand. If the time comes, I may ask you. Of course, I will accept any request from your side.」

「Oh, stop saying that.」

「?」

「It’s true that we siblings are adopted by Shunjuu Ikkaku and have the right to make a deal with Father. It’s the same between siblings though. But I didn’t say that to make a deal with you, I just want to be helpful to my beloved imouto.」

「Kanata……」

「It’s a younger sister’s role to depend on her older sister, Tensai.」

Seeing Kanata’s smile, Tensai also smiles and says, 「I understand.」

「So, Yuuya. Please buy me a delicious cake next time for me, a wonderful older sister who cares about her younger sister.」

「I knew you’d say that, so I already bought it.」

Kanata’s eyes light up when she sees the cake box that comes out of the bag Yuuya brought with him.

「Remember, Tensai. The man who can do this is our older brother and the leader of GENERATION6, Hitotsubashi Yuuya, the next king of Nanaejima.」

「Don’t talk like that. Also, how do you know I’m in GENERATION6? That’s supposed to be a secret.」

「It’s a simple guess. One, because I’m not. Two, because you want me to be.」

「Indeed, if you were interested Kanata, you would have been in it, not me. But you weren’t. Even though you became Ikkaku-san’s daughter.」

「Is that sarcastic?」

「Yes.」

「I see, that’s certainly true. But Yuya, the reason I took Shunjuu Ikkaku as my father and you as my brother wasn’t to support my family like you did, or because I wanted to gain power like Yahichi.」

Kanata Ichijou then laughed.

「I just wanted a family.」

「That’s right.」

「I have the best ani and the most beloved imouto.」

「He’s no good. He’s not cute.」

「I agree.」

「Anyway, as the daughter of Shunjuu Ikkaku, there is nothing more I want or expect.」

Speaking with dignity, Kanata asks her brother, 「What do you think, Yuuya? A sister with such noble aspirations?」

「I’m really annoyed by his condescending attitude.」

「That’s right, Tenasai.」

「No, that’s wrong Tensai. Let’s get married!」

「No way.」

「I’d be happy to become Yuuya’s wife.」

「Sorry, but I have no interest in marrying my sister.」

「That’s good news for you, Tensai.」

「Oh, that’s good.」

「Wait! Tensai is a cute imouto, so it doesn’t count!」

After enjoying this silly but happy sibling conversation for a while, Kanata claps her hands.

「Well, I’m sorry to say this, but our time is up. I’d like you to leave for today.」

「Okay. I’ll come again. Kanata.」

「Contact me if anything happens.」

「Yeah, let’s meet again, my beloved ani and imouto.

*********************************************************

「I don’t think someone who is satisfied with just having a family would think of such a bold experiment.」

A man’s voice echoes in the prison after Tensai and Yuuya left.

「I don’t approve of eavesdropping, Hiiyo.」

A man in a black coat, Hiiyo Ikusaba, appears from the shadows of the furniture stretching out on the wall. The boots that Hiiyo Ikusaba is wearing are from the Nanana collection, <<Shadow Swimmers>>, or officially named, <<wet shadowswimmer boots>>. Its wearer can swim freely through shadows.