Pretty Boy Detective Club (美少年探偵団)

"I disapprove of what you say,

but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

As famously said by the French philosopher Voltaire.

After making his objection abundantly clear,

he declares he has no intent to debate,

nor does he have a shred of interest in taking a seat

at the debate table.

Like "don't kill it, but don't let it live, either."

That pretty much sums up how my opinion was crushed.

Actually, "opinion" isn't right.

No, it was more like a dream.

And that is why...

this is the story of how I, Mayumi Dojima,

wound up giving up on that dream.

But I do know one thing for sure.

That boy, that pretty boy, would have this to say:

"Following one's dream is certainly beautiful.

But, to give up on one's dream

can have a similar beauty to it."

"And that's only revealed

if you choose to give up on it yourself."

Honestly, that pretty boy...

said surprisingly handsome things.

Finally, I have one last thought

regarding Voltaire's all but perfect maxim...

It may sound arrogant, but I'd like to add one caveat.

To wit, you can't defend anything if you're dead.

I've always enjoyed gazing up at the stars in the night sky

from the school rooftop.

But tomorrow, October 10th, my 14th birthday...

...everything changes.

I will never look up at the night sky like this again.

Tonight's the last time.

No more games in the second year of middle school.

At least that's the promise I made to my "dear parents."

You looking for something?

Oh. Crap.

So beautiful...

Yet no matter how stunning...

it was still different from the starry sky

I so desperately sought--

You're not hurt, are you?

Uh...

No, I, uh...

Th-Thank you.

Huh...

Let me guess.

You're out here stargazing, aren't you?

Huh?

What gives you that idea?

Why...

...it's elementary, my dear and quite simple.

What other reason is there to be alone on a rooftop?

Especially at this hour.

I'm also a fan of the stars.

I love those celestial glimmering lights.

They cast the most wondrous glow upon me.

Looking for something?

Why do you think that?

Why, that's also elementary.

The most elementary of elementary.

Only someone completely absorbed in their search

would fail to notice my beautiful self

standing right next to them...

...just close enough to touch.

He totally referred to himself as "my beautiful self."

Hmm?

Now I failed to notice...

I'm never this careless...

But it's so obvious.

Your eyes shine as brightly as the stars you so adore.

Hold on.

Why would you hide those beautiful eyes of yours

behind those spectacles?

Hiding your allure would be a shame.

There's no need to worry.

For beauty is something that should never be compared.

So even if you're standing next to me,

the glow of your eyes will never be dulled.

That's right.

I am looking for something.

And if you don't mind, I could use some assistance.

I don't mind at all!

To selflessly serve others

is the foundation of beauty!

Come with me.

Uh. Wait! Where are we going?

Isn't it obvious?

Where else?

To the Pretty Boy Detective Club headquarters, of course!

The ambiguously named "Pretty Boy Detective Club"

is a clandestine organization that supposedly exists

at Yubiwa Academy, the private middle school that I attend.

All their activities are done in secret.

This unofficial, undercover, nonprofit organization

claims to resolve all kinds of problems within the academy.

In reality, however, it's suspected that they may actually

have been the root cause of these problems.

The truth about the club is shrouded in mystery.

Not only are its actions unknown,

but the very identities of its members are closely guarded.

Even if you were lucky enough to come across a student

who worked with them,

it's pointless to try to get them to talk.

Something about an obligation to confidentiality.

No, no, no, no, no.

A detective club where clients

are obligated to confidentiality?

What's the deal with that?

This place is...

...the art room?

Huh? What is it this time?

I can't believe you brought over a chick

who's as drab as India ink.

She probably searches for the word "regret" on news sites

just to scroll through the results.

I mean, look at her.

Only someone as sullen as her would enjoy that.

I bet the misfortunes of others really gets her off.

Michiru Fukuroi.

Year 2, Class A.

An infamous delinquent feared by many.

He is known by many names.

But most call him "Bossman."

If you ranked the students you should never mess with

at Yubiwa Academy,

he'd be at the top of that list without a doubt.

Come now, Michiru.

You know much better than to be so incessantly rude

to a young woman whom you've only just met.

Allow me to express

just how regretful this makes me feel toward you.

Now would you look at that.

You see, we've added a touch more regret to this world

Nagahiro Sakiguchi.

Year 3, Class A.

He's our student council president

for the third year in a row.

A master orator who won the position

when he gave a speech as representative

of the incoming class right after entering the academy--

without election!

Even professional voice actors

have marveled at his captivating voice.

Those who've heard him speak have become spellbound,

and girls from all over have fallen for his charm.

Imagine my surprise at the sight of Mitchiru "Bossman" Fukuroi,

the bad boy of Yubiwa Academy, and Nagahiro Sakiguchi,

the student body president

who basically represents honor students,

in the same room together.

Hah. Don't go bitching at me

while drinking the tea I brewed for you.

Heh. Now, now.

It's not like I'm badmouthing your tasty tea, Michiru.

Yeah, Michiru, come on.

Just chill out!

You see a girl as cute as this,

and the best you can do is call her sullen?

Me? I would've proposed.

Been like, "Hey, wanna come live with me?"

as soon as I saw her pretty face.

Hyota Ashikaga, year 1, class A.

Only a first-year, and already the track team's ace.

His cute, perfectly proportioned face

isn't merely that of an angel,

but of an archangel who leads all the other angels.

And those beautiful legs.

Hey, you're that second-year, Mayumi Dojima, right?

It's very nice to meet ya, Dojima!

Sosaku Yubiwa, year 1, class A.

The heir to the Yubiwa Foundation,

our school's parent organization.

Not only is he a brilliant student,

but he literally operates the Yubiwa Foundation on his own.

In fact, for all intents and purposes,

this precocious 12-year-old is the chairman.

That's when it all came together.

This truly was a "Pretty Boy Detective Club."

After seeing these four as its members,

nobody would argue about the club's name.

But that's what made it all the more bewildering.

Why would they come together in club like this?

I must say again what a pleasure it is

to meet you, Mayumi Dojima!

And I am the beautiful president

of the Pretty Boy Detective Club, Manabu Sotoin!

So proclaimed the headman who led the bossman,

the councilman, the archangel-man...

...and even the chairman.

His was a name I'd never heard of before.

He was a student I'd never seen before.

This was a pretty boy...

I'd never known before.

The president?

This guy?

Come on, now, just look at her, lads!

When was the last time you saw such beautiful eyes?

Get an eyeful.

Stare so hard you'll burn a hole in her!