The Case Files of Jeweler Richard (Light Novel), Vol. 5

Format read: Paperback
Reading time: 4-5h
Tags: mystery, adventure, translation, friendship, found family, lgbt (bi, m/m, ace)
Own a copy: yes
Reread likelihood: 8/10

Summary
Vol. 5 features four cases and two short extras:

1. Citrine Undaunted: Seigi prepares for his post-graduation work and attends seminars with his classmates. One of his friends, Shinomura, asks him to help him move, and Seigi learns en route to the airport that Shinomura is leaving for Spain. After his departure, a lady approaches Seigi on the platform and asks for help carrying her bags, too. This lady turns out to be a famous jewellery designer, and Richard's work frenemy.

2. A Visage in Sardonyx: Richard and Seigi are visited by an old client, Mr. Otomura, who brings them a cameo with the face of a Japanese lady sculpted into it. Otomura explains that the lady is someone he loves deeply, but she doesn't feel the same way, yet she gifted him this portrait of her anyway. Otomura asks Richard and Seigi to uncover the meaning behind this strange gift.

3. The Majesty of Zircon: While Richard is away on business, Saul takes over the shop for the day and decides to tell Seigi all about his boss' past. Saul tells Seigi how he met Richard in Sri Lanka, and how Richard became his reluctant apprentice.

4. The Grade of Peridot: Seigi befriends a nice older lady at a coffee shop, and he ends up carrying her bags to her house. As a thank you, she invites him in and serves him a flan that immediately rings bells in Seigi's head. He puts two and two together and realises that the lady is in fact Chieko, Richard's nanny from when he was a child in England. However, Chieko quickly expresses her wish to remain anonymous, lest “Young Master” Richard hear about her.

Extra 1 - Andalusite on Christmas Eve: Richard and Seigi work at Étranger on Christmas Eve and share their family and love concerns during a downtime at the store.

Extra 2 - Tiger's Eye Lookback: Seigi explains the origin and meaning behind the tiger's eye after Seigi sees one of their clients wearing a bracelet made with the stone.

Review

“Don't worry, I'm not about to die or disappear. ... I would never see you again if either of those things were to happen. And I wouldn't care for that very much,” Richard said, bringing a quarter of the cake slice to his mouth. ... His blue eyes looked at me as if to ask if I wanted something, but the color of his eyes was so incredibly rich in that moment that I completely forgot what I wanted to say. (p.97)