The Case Files of Jeweler Richard (Light Novel), Vol. 2

Format read: paperback
Reading time: 4h
Tags: slice-of-life, mystery, short story, Japan, lgbt
Own a copy: yes
Reread likelihood: 10/10

Summary
In volume 2 of the ‘Case Files' series, we have 4 short stories and 1 extra chapter, same as with the first volume. Here's a breakdown of each:

1. The Cat's Eye of Insight: An elementary school boy turns up at Richard's jewellery store looking to buy a cat's eye stone that matches one he already owns. The boy's wish is to protect his unborn baby brother from harm, the same way his beloved cat, Milk, protected the family. Seigi and Richard find out that the cat has mysteriously gone missing, which creates tension between the boy and his family.

2. The Fighting Garnet: A young woman named Yamamoto wishes to purchase a garnet ring for herself after a bad breakup with a long-term boyfriend. Yamamoto is convinced that she is ugly and thus undeserving of a ‘pretty' stone like a ruby or sapphire. Yamamoto puts pressure on Richard as a beautiful person, insisting that he has an easier life than most because of his looks, much to Seigi's disapproval. Seigi and Richard end up helping the young woman in realising that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and that her ex is not worth her time and attention.

3. The Dance of the Emeralds: Tanimoto introduces her middle school friend, a ballet dancer named Shinkai, to Seigi. Little does he know, Shinkai's boss, Kataura, wants Richard's help in solving a crime at the ballet company, yet Richard is desperately trying to avoid it. One of the costume pieces, a magnificent emerald necklace, has nearly been stolen a few times, and the dancers believe that the piece is cursed. Richard doesn't want to play detective, but Seigi accidentally gets him involved anyway. The two work on solving the mystery so that the ballet performance can take place as scheduled.

4. The Opal of Reunion: Seigi reminisces about an old friend from his karate club when said friend turns up one day at the same train station as him. The two friends reconnect, with Hase taking Seigi out to dinner weekly despite his precarious monetary situation. Seigi recommends Richard's shop to his friend, and Hase takes the opportunity to try to sell a beautiful opal he obtained from an old lady with dementia. Seigi soon realises that his friend is not the same person he once knew, and the two come to odds because of their different ethics and principles. Richard shows a new side of himself when he comforts Seigi over the loss of his friend.

Extra: The Serendipity of Euclase: Seigi finally does good on his promise to make some flan pudding for his boss. Despite Richard's refined palate and picky habits, he praises Seigi's cooking skills and truly enjoys the heartfelt offering.

Review
Seigi and Richard are at it again! The slow burn is so delicious in this volume, especially in chapter 3 at the ballet company. Seigi's inner monologue is more and more honest with regard to his feelings, and even though he doesn't quite understand it himself, he has no qualms with constantly praising and admiring his boss. We're slowly starting to see Richard break out of his shell, too. Even though he is still very much the master of self-restraint, he falters a few times in this volume. I could essentially quote the whole book, but here are a few excerpts that are just too swoon-worthy to pass up. Most of these are just Seigi being an obtuse doofus who doesn't understand himself and cannot read the signs to save his life (I say this lovingly).

Whenever I was near Richard, I kept finding that all the things I'd locked away deep in my heart just started spilling out. He really was an enigma of a man. (p.32)

Richard looked at me and smiled. He has such a nice smile. My body wasn't exactly built to feel joy every time I saw a beautiful person smile, but Richard's smile in particular had a peculiar soothing quality to it. ... His smile in that moment was incredible. It was a stony beauty, like a cathedral painted by an impressionist master with every ounce of passion in their body. I did not voice this thought, of course. (p.56-57)



I stared vacantly at him as he pulled a pair of gloves out of his bag, nimbly put them on, and bowed before picking up the emerald necklace. I thought I'd be used to it by now, but this man–no, this human, no, this creature–was impossibly beautiful. He was beautiful even when he wasn't doing anything at all, but he really shone when he was up against something difficult like this. (p.132-133)

“That's not western script–that's your name! I'm capable of remembering the names of important people in my life.”Richard aggressively averted his eyes, grabbed his cup, and began drinking his water. He must have been really thirsty because he downed the whole thing. (p.143)

“How do I look?”“What?”Richard got my attention and spun around in front of the ticket counter.“It's not terribly strict, but there is a dress code. Do I look all right? Nothing on my suit or in my hair?”“You look perfect like you always do. The most beautiful man in the whole world is standing in front of me.” (p.179-180)

“Sorry, I didn't mean to bore you by talking your ear off about karate.”“I find it quite interesting, actually. I was listening respectfully. However, I must admit, I think I find watching you talk at such length more interesting than the subject matter,” Richard said in a completely flat tone before taking another sip of tea I'd made.” (p.191)



“His jokes were just silly enough and his voice just gentle enough to tell me that even if I wasn't doing a great job of covering it up, he wouldn't mind if I cried a little more. He was the one who told me not to say things that could give people listening to what I saying the wrong idea–like calling him beautiful or pretty. But surely he meant that in the context of when other people were around. We were alone in his car. There was no invisible person sitting in the back seat.“I don't know what the hell I'm saying right now, so just wipe this from your memory in ten seconds. I'm really glad I met you. I feel like I owe those drunks from Yoyogi Park a box of cookies. I'm just so glad I met you... thank you.”Car stereos sure are useful. (p.241)



........ This pairing might just be the death of me.