The Case Files of Jeweler Richard (宝石商リチャード氏の謎鑑定)

It's been over a month now.

Richard still hasn't returned.

You trust people too much.

Sometimes it hurts you, but that's how life is.

Remember that.

Why did he say that?

Huh?

The notice is gone.

Richard?

Welcome.

Episode 9 The Alexandrite's Secret

The store is still preparing to open. I'm very sorry.

I'm not a customer.

I'm Nakata. I used to work here part-time.

Ah, you. I've heard about you.

You must be Richard's mentor, Ranashinha-san.

He called me his mentor?

Yes.

Indeed, Mr. Detective.

My name is Saul Ranashinha Ali.

Nakata Seigi.

Um, where's Richard? He's back, right?

No. He asked me to look after the store.

I don't currently have any plans to hire a part-timer.

I'm sorry.

Where is Richard? What is he doing?

I don't know anything.

Did he leave without saying anything to you?

We spoke briefly over the phone.

What did he say?

I'm sorry. I'd prefer not to say.

This will probably be a long conversation.

Why don't we discuss things over tea?

Nakata-san,

why do you want to know where he is?

Why?

I can't imagine there's much point in learning his current situation.

I just want to know how Richard is doing.

I want to understand things.

Wow, that's strong...

It's Sri Lankan-style spiced tea.

He liked royal milk tea, didn't he?

Yes. He taught me how to make it.

Did he also happen to tell you about the origin of this shop's name?

No.

"Étranger" is French for "foreigner."

When I asked him why he chose such a name,

he said it was because he felt like a foreigner no matter where he went.

Pompous, don't you think?

Foreigners are lonely people.

From the beginning, this store was for him alone.

I can't imagine that's why Richard left.

Everyone has their reasons.

You say you want to understand,

but no matter how unreasonable or incomprehensible,

there are things we have to accept. That's life.

I understand what you're saying, but—

Nakata-san, try asking yourself this question.

Why do you want to see Richard?

Do you want an apology?

Or are you looking to restore your relationship?

You look awfully gloomy.

Huh? Oh...

Tanimoto-san.

I can lend an ear if you'd like.

Richard...

Someone important to me—I'm not sure what I'd call him—suddenly disappeared.

I don't know what to do.

I want to go after him,

but I'm not sure what I hope to accomplish by doing that.

I have no idea why I'm such a mess.

Really? I have a feeling I know.

Huh?

You're angry, Seigi-kun.

I am?

You feel betrayed by someone you love, and it frustrates you.

You don't understand why they didn't tell you anything.

But you think it's wrong to be angry with someone

when you don't know their circumstances.

You're heartbroken at the thought that you might not have been

as important to them as they were to you,

but you're suppressing that feeling.

Because your heart is broken, you don't know what's real anymore.

Did I get that right?

He... He has no idea how worried I am!

If he weren't such a good guy...

I wanted to be able to help him out someday, too.

He must be to you like you are to me.

If you suddenly disappeared,

I wouldn't accept it. I'd go after you.

After all, there's no way you wouldn't be hurting.

I'm going to look for Richard.

I might not find him...

and if I do, he might not be happy to see me.

Yeah?

Thank you, Tanimoto-san.

I really like you.

I hope you find Richard-san.

You're going after Richard?

Yes. I've steeled my resolve.

Did you come to an answer after our conversation the other day?

What will you do when you see him?

I'm going to tell him how mad I am.

Well, aren't you just overflowing with youthful energy?

Have some red bean jelly and cool your head.

It goes well with spiced tea.

I know Richard's family is arguing over the inheritance.

I want to be with him so I can support him.

So you can support him?

The Claremont family owns land in London's

preeminent financial district.

They're a distinguished family that earns a tremendous amount off of real estate.

Their job is to protect their status and wealth

and pass it down to the next generation.

He lives in a completely different world than you.

I know that, but—

You don't know.

Do you really think there's anything a college student like you can do for him?

Know your limits.

There is something I can do.

And what is that?

I can make pudding.

He likes sweet things when he's tired.

Honestly...

This is why I hate cleaning up after that idiot apprentice of mine.

He asked me to protect you,

but if you're determined to leave, then I'm not responsible for you.

He asked you to protect me? Richard did?

His situation is just that complicated.

I met him four years ago in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

Where his grandmother's from...

My first impression of him was terrible.

He was using a fake name to sell gemstones to tourists.

Was it Edward Baxter?

He said being called Richard brought back unpleasant memories.

His methods were insane.

He'd sell expensive gemstones on the cheap,

but sell cheap gemstones at exorbitant prices to people he didn't like.

Why did he do that?

Who knows?

But it seemed to me that he was in despair.

Granted, he had a keen eye for gemstones.

His brilliance struck a chord with me, and he was fluent in multiple languages.

So I proposed that he become my apprentice.

Otherwise, I told him to return to England,

and he firmly insisted on anything but that.

It's that bad?

What about his family?

Estranged for the past four years.

He doesn't even like using the Claremont family name.

But then he tells me he's heading home...

Richard's in London?

Not even I know exactly where in London.

That's plenty.

I'm going to find Richard.

And if he needs my help...

Make him pudding or whatever else he wants.

I will.

But be on your guard.

There are already people watching you carefully.

The Claremont family?

Good for you.

Come back safe, Nakata-san.

Help me see Richard again, Grandma.