"Hey, Ranga, you got a minute?

　It was the next day, the day before I was to leave tomorrow.
　Renton called out to me as I was returning home from school.

You're going away for a while tomorrow for your father's reasons, right? Actually, there's one thing I need you to solve before you go.
I'll take care of it. You know what?　Ranga.

　Nadja's with me.
　I don't know what this is about, but it's a favor from a friend.
　I can't just say no.

What's that?

　At my answer, their faces brightened up.

"Actually, there has been a case of shoes being stolen in the classroom recently!
Isn't this some kind of prank?
No, we thought so at first, but when we asked around we couldn't find any connection between the kids and the theft.
That's because we both looked everywhere. We've been looking all over for them, but we can't find them, so we're in trouble!
...... Wait a minute.

　I hold my head in my hands and ask them.

Why are you two doing this in the first place?　Did someone ask you to do that?

　They grinned at me for some reason and whispered in my ear.

"...... Heh, we've actually formed a detective squad!
"What?

　I don't understand.
　I couldn't help but let out a squeak.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.　You're like a detective in a story. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
"Yeah, a great detective who uncovers mysteries, that's really cool!　So I took Renton up on his offer.　I made this for you. Isn't it cool?

　He shows me the badge on his chest.
　It had the symbol for a detective hat embroidered on it.

There's one for you, too. Of course, there's one for you too, Amira.

　...... No thanks.
　God, these guys are acting like children.
　No, they're kids, but...

"Well, I understand the situation. I don't know if I can help you, though.
What are you talking about, Ranga? You're so smart!　Come on, please!
...... Well, don't get your hopes up, okay?
I'm counting on you, Ranga. Ranga.

　The two of them look at me with sparkling eyes.
　I'm not sure if you're expecting too much, but ...... please, make sure it's something that a normal kid can solve in a normal way.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Here it is!　Our shoes have been stolen!

　The shoe box is located at the entrance of the school, and anyone can come and go.
　Anyone can steal them if they want to, but ...... there is no reason for an outsider to steal a child's shoes.
　The city is rich enough.
　It's not a specific thing that is stolen, and it's not a prank. ...... Well, let's take a look at it anyway.
　I'm going to take a closer look around the shoe box.
　I don't know who the killer is, but the evidence is always there.
　I looked inside and under the shoe box, on the ground and in the hallway, and found .......
　I crouched down on the ground and picked up a few hairs that had fallen there.
　These hairs are ......, well, this time of year, I'm sure ......, and a smile creeps into my mouth.

What did you find out?　Ranga.
...... Oh, I think I know who the shoe thief is.
Oh, no!　You're amazing, Ranga!
Yeah!

　The two of them looked at each other happily at my words.

　I left the school and went to

　After leaving the school, we went to the mountain behind the school.

"Hey Ranga, is there a thief here?
"Yeah, I'm sure.

　I answered Renton's question as I walked ahead.
　We are currently tracking the footprints left by the thief.
　There's not much left, but if you focus your magic on it, you can faintly see the traces.
　The footprints led to the middle of the mountain.

"Hey, still Ranga. I'm getting tired. ......
Shh.

　I silenced Nadja and hid myself in place.

What the hell?


Renton, be quiet. Look straight ahead, under the big tree.
The big tree. ......

　What Renton found was a shoe.
　There were a bunch of them.

"Oh!　That's great, Ranga!　My shoes are here too!
But why are they here ......?
You'll see what I mean. Be quiet, both of you.

　They nodded their heads and waited quietly as I had said.
　I waited for how long before I heard a rustling of dead grass at the base of a tree.
　I restrained Renton with my hand as he tried to speak.
　A little fox jumped out from the base of the tree.
　Another fox cub, followed by its parents, crawled out.

"Whoa, a fox!

　Renton and Nadja whispered.
　The two fox cubs walked straight to the shoe and bit it.

"Whoa!
"Gowan! Gowan!

　The little foxes run around with their tails wagging, biting the shoe violently.
　They were slamming the shoes into the ground, throwing them, fighting over them, and making a mess of them.
　If you look closely, you can see that the shoes have been chewed to shreds by the little foxes.

"Hey Ranga, what's that thing doing?
"That's hunting practice. It's the fox's parenting season. The parent foxes steal human shoes for their children and use them for hunting practice.
"Hunting?　Why shoes then?
"Some say it's because the smell of human feet is similar to the fox's favorite food. Like the smell of rotten fruit. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... is what my uncle, a hunter who lives nearby, said.

　By the way, when the Demon King's army came out to the human world, they were often beaten up at first.
　I'm sure you've heard of it.
　Incidentally, there was also a man who captured a fox and ate it, using his shoes as bait.

Wow, you really know your stuff.

　Renton snorted in admiration.

"The rotten fruit of .......

　Nadja looked shocked.
　She seems to be worried about her leg.
　Just so you know, when I say it smells like rotten fruit, I mean to an animal's nose.

So there you go. What do we do now?　Do you two want it back?

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

　I'll take it back.

　And so the three of us descended the mountain empty-handed.

"Are you sure you didn't take it back, you two?
Don't ask me that. The little foxes are practicing their hunting like that. That's enough.
Yeah, and you won't be able to wear them when they're all torn up like that.
Yeah!　Hahaha!

　They are laughing at each other.

Let's keep this between us, okay?　If the adults hear about it, they might destroy the foxholes.
"Oh!　That's a great idea!　That's a good idea, Ranga!
I don't mind, but ...... you should put a lid on that shoebox or something. They'll take it again.
I know.

　Do you really know what you're doing?
　Anyway, it's all over.
　Well, I'm going home.
　I don't want to stay too late, or Amira will cry while I'm preparing dinner.

Hey, Nadja, it's .......
"Yeah, right, Renton.

　They looked at each other and then turned to me.

Ranga, I want you to be the leader of our detective team!
"What?

　It was the second time today that I heard a real voice.
　Come on, I turned you down once.

"Because you can solve a case like this in no time!　I can only think of you, Ranga!　Ask Amira to join us, okay?
No, no, no, but I'm busy with ...... my own work.
Of course, only when you're free!
Yeah, yeah, just once in a while!



　This is why children are so pushy.
　And they don't take offense or read the air.
　If I say anything more, they'll just push me away.
　I let out a sigh of resignation as the two of them closed in on me.

...... Okay. Only when you're free.
"Oh!　I got it!
That's your buddy's badge!　Make sure you give it to Amira.
Hi. ......

　I take my and Amira's badges and put them in my pocket.
　I take my and Amira's badges and put them in my pocket, but they stare at me as if they want me to put them on right away.
　I had no choice but to put it on my collar in an inconspicuous place, and they seemed satisfied.
　Okay, I'll leave the detective work to Amira.
　I made up my mind and left the place.