Death in the Seto Inland Sea¹

Good grief… I offered my help because I wanted to learn more about community improvement, but perhaps I made a mistake.

……

I was only walking outside the house. It is completely out of the question to bump into me and let out a strange scream instead of apologizing…!

You’re the one who bumped into me.

We’re lucky that nobody was injured, but quite frankly, I cannot possibly imagine allowing these children to help manage the island’s summer festival.

Gannosuke-san, we’re incredibly sorry! We cannot apologize enough.

He’s just gonna get a big head if you apologize. And it was literally a head-on collision. No way it was an accident.

Cut that out.

I moved to Shodoshima a number of years ago, although I still have a home in Tokyo.

I lived there as a specialty artist for a very long time, but I often grew tired of the hustle and bustle of city life.

I found a house here in Shodoshima, and I come to live here when I need to concentrate on my art.

……

I know this island well because I’ve lived here for years, and that’s why I’m so concerned about all of you.

It is no simple task to gain the trust of an islander!

Treat people with kindness and approach everything with sincerity. Are those morals not important to you all?!

They are! They’re very important to us…! We’re so, very sorry!

I also work in tourism, but Shodoshima is lacking in human resources. Our summer festival begins in a week…

I don’t know what this “temporary ward mayor” nonsense is all about, but your poor attitudes tell me that you will be of no help to us!

He’s really blowing things out of proportion.

Hush…!

By the way, doesn’t he remind you guys of someone?

…Mm.

Yeah. I dunno who though.

Stop talking!

Kids these days… Just terrible. Some of them even have the nerve to hide their identities while they’re being scolded. Society is doomed!

Think he’s talking about you, Muu-chan.

Your helmet.

I didn’t intend to hide my identity. That helmet has become a part of me at this point, so I didn’t realize I still had it on.

A-Are you alright?! You just fell over! Did something happen?

“Did something happen”…?! I should be asking you how you’re able to stand so tall in front of this masterpiece sculpted by God Himself!!

A what…? I mean, I am a little shocked at how pretty he is…

I am not talking about his face. It is his eyelashes.

Huh?

Those are the eyelashes of God!

What’s he talking about? Is he okay?

Your name is Kaguya-kun, correct? Your eyelashes are truly divine… They’re impeccable! No matter what angle you view them from, they are perfect!

From the way they grow to the shape of the hairs, absolutely everything about them is beautifully delicate and magnificent! They are truly God-given!

I see.

This is a once-in-a-millennium occurrence… O God! I am in your eternal debt… Amen!

This guy’s freakin’ me out.

I’m not sure I get it, but I guess it’s a good thing?

I’m actually an eyelash artist. There are only a few of us in JPN.

I-I didn’t know something like that existed.

I am enraptured by eyelashes, and have spent many years of my life coloring them. To think I would have a chance encounter with the eyelashes of God here in Shodoshima… This must be His will.

I take back everything I said. With your eyelashes, our summer festival and our community improvement efforts will go swimmingly.

I’m not sure I understand, but that’s wonderful to hear.

Thank you so much! Thank god…

I’m not really sure about this…

Same.

It’s kind of sudden, but let me explain the mission to everyone!

As temporary ward mayors, we are going to help Shodoshima put together their summer festival!

As Gannosuke-san said, the festival’s in a week.

You will be graded based on how much you contribute, including any work done during the preparatory phase. Your grade will determine whether or not you will be appointed as an official ward mayor.

Are there any questions so far?

Um…

Yes, Kiroku-kun?

Isotake…isn’t…here.

What?

He’s…been…gone…since we started getting…scolded.

HUH?!

Akuta-kuuuuun! Hellooooo?! Where are yooooou?!

(I don’t see his shoes anywhere… He probably slipped out during the chaos of when we discovered the first murder victim.)

He’s not answering his phone. And Gannosuke-san was saying some weird things when I was about to leave…

A certain yokai likes to wander around here… They call it the eyelash plucker.

Th-Thanks for letting me know.

I’ve heard that Shodoshima’s kind of known for its yokai stories. But why would you tell me that all of a sudden?

It’s possible that Isotake-kun was taken by the eyelash plucker.

That means he’s gonna get a bunch of dirt in his eyes! I need to go look for him!

(I’m not finding any leads… What now…?)

(That’s… That’s the sound of Sakujiro-san’s van!)

I’m so sorry, Sakujiro-san! I know you just got here, but Akuta-kun⁠—

Ah.

Heheh. I got caught.

I found him running towards the island’s famous movie shooting location, so I picked him up.

I can always rely on you, Sakujiro-san! Thank you so much!

(Gosh, Akuta-kun really loves movies…)

Oh, you found him. I’m glad to see his eyelashes are alright. Now that that’s settled, I’ll be taking my leave.

I’m sorry for the trouble… Thank you so much for everything! Akuta-kun, I’d like to have a talk later.

‘Kaaaaay.

I found Akuta-kun, everyone… Hm? What are you eating?

Deep-fried somen.

The inn left it for us as a welcoming gift. They’re really crunchy and good. Want some, Chief?

Mmm, we’re all going out to dinner, so let’s leave the snacks for later.

Huh? We’re going together? You’re seriously gonna drag us all out?

Let’s just do it, guys. It sounds fun. Plus, I’m hungry.

I’m not goin’. Sorry, but I like to eat in private, so you’re not gonna force me to eat with everyone else. Why do I have to?

I’m not going either. The rest of you have fun.

You’re goin’ right, Muneuji? Right? Let’s get a bunch of crazy good stuff and pig out, dude.

I’ll join you.

What about you, Kiroku-kun?

…I’m…not⁠—

Ah, you don’t gotta tell me! I know you wanna go! Don’t worry, I’m pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down!

Ah… No…

Alright, let’s have some fun tonight, guys! Yeah!

Ah…

Okay, let’s head out!