Special Chapter: The Celebration of a True Detective

A peaceful Sunday morning, usually marked by tightly drawn curtains and the faint aroma of coffee from the kitchen, was abruptly shattered by the piercing ring of my phone. I fumbled for my nightstand, still half-asleep. Rose Claret's name flashed on the screen. 7:00 AM. What now?

"Hello?" my voice rasped, lazy.

"Arez! Quick! New case!" Rose's voice sounded incredibly urgent, full of adrenaline, as if she'd just found a corpse in her living room. "It's crucial! I'm sending the location now!"

My eyes snapped open wide. A new case? This early? After the brain-draining and physically exhausting Adam Christopher case, I had hoped for a short break. But duty called. I was a true detective now.

Without much thought, I got out of bed, grabbing my favorite trench coat that hung neatly. Wearing that black trench coat now felt like a ritual. The cool sensation of the fabric embracing my body, the faint scent of gunpowder from the pockets, everything felt just right. I tucked my pistol and folding knife into the inner pockets, then quickly snatched my motorcycle keys. Ready to face whatever mystery awaited this bright Sunday morning.

I sped my motorcycle towards the location Rose sent: a vintage-style cafe in the city center. Upon arrival, I immediately scanned the surroundings, looking for police tape, or a crowd, or at least, Rose in her detective uniform. Nothing.

Instead, I saw Rose, sitting casually at a cafe patio table, sipping iced coffee. She wasn't wearing her detective uniform. Tonight, she wore a navy blue midi dress with small floral patterns, her crystal white hair, usually neatly tied back, now flowed freely, gently waving down to her waist. The morning sunlight glinted beautifully on every strand. Her usually firm face now looked softer, with an unusual faint smile.

I froze, captivated. Rose... was incredibly beautiful. A simple, yet stunning beauty. At that moment, my heart fluttered strangely, a warm sensation I had never felt before.

Rose saw me, and her smile widened into a giggle. Her laugh was crisp, filling the morning air. "Hahaha! Oh my god, Arez! You actually wore that trench coat? With all your weapons?"

I blinked, snapping out of my daze. My face immediately flushed. "Rose! What is this?! You said there was a case!"

She laughed again, her shoulders shaking. "There is a case, Detective Arez. A case celebrating your success in becoming a true detective!"

I let out a long sigh, holding back my annoyance. I felt like throwing my pistol onto the table. Tricked by my own mentor.

"Sit down, Lazy Detective," Rose said, patting the chair opposite her. "I've already ordered your favorite croissant."

I sat down listlessly, taking off my trench coat. The aroma of coffee and freshly baked croissants slightly eased my irritation.

"I know you've worked hard all this time, Arez," Rose said, looking at me with a rare gentle gaze. "From the ridiculous Lupin case, to the complex Aruna case, and the very intricate Weston Emmanuel murder. You solved them all. You managed to make connections, read patterns, and even pull off cunning tricks to outsmart criminals. You've truly become a true detective."

There was a note of pride in her voice. I felt a little flushed. Praise from Rose, especially with an expression like that, was a rare commodity.

"So, today, we're going to celebrate," she continued, grabbing a paper bag from her purse. "This is for you."

I opened the package. Inside, there was a set of clothes: a well-fitting casual shirt, chino pants, and stylish sneakers. The colors were neutral, but they looked very comfortable.

"Your detective outfit is good, but not for a celebration," Rose chuckled. "Come on, I'll take you to the public restroom over there. Change your clothes. I'll wait for you here."

I sighed, unable to do much. I obeyed, though still a little annoyed about being tricked. When I returned a few minutes later, Rose smiled widely.

"Now, this is better!" she exclaimed, pointing at me. "You look much more... human."

We spent the rest of the day having fun. Rose took me to her favorite used bookstore, letting me choose any books I wanted. She even bought me some complex logic puzzles, even though I wasn't particularly fond of such challenges. Then, we went to the city park, where Rose somehow managed to beat everyone in an arcade basketball game, leaving me both amazed and amused.

"Look at this, Arez!" she exclaimed, perfectly throwing a basketball into the hoop. "You have to learn some moves from your big sister!"

"Your big sister." Those words spun in my mind. Rose had always treated me like her little brother, teasing me, teaching me, and sometimes spoiling me. I found it amusing, yet somehow now there was something more... warmer, that I had felt.

We had lunch at a small, hidden ramen restaurant. Rose kept teasing me, commenting on how I ate, laughing at my flat expression as she told old case stories. She even fed me the last piece of gyoza, exactly as a sister often does to her brother. However, in that situation, I felt every small touch, every laugh, and every glance from her felt different to me today. There was a strange feeling swirling in my chest, a feeling I couldn't yet identify, but it felt incredibly pleasant.

"So, True Detective," Rose said, looking at me with sparkling eyes. "What's your first plan as an acknowledged true detective?"

I looked at her. Her beautiful face, her flowing white hair, her crisp laugh. Suddenly, I felt like saying something silly, something that shouldn't come out of a detective's mouth. But the words caught in my throat.

"I... I just want to know," I said, trying to change the subject. "How could you be so sure I'd wear that trench coat and my pistol?"

Rose smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, Arez. You forgot, didn't you? I'm Detective Rose Claret. I know how your mind works. Especially that overly serious mind of yours." She ruffled my hair, just like she always did. The touch sent a slight shiver down my spine, but I didn't react.

I just smiled faintly, enjoying the moment. The strange feeling in my chest grew stronger. A warm, fluttering sensation whenever Rose was near. I didn't understand what it was, but I didn't want this moment to end. This might not be a murder case or a riddle, but this was the happiest day of my life as a true detective. And somehow, it all felt thanks to Rose.

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After the warm and playful ramen lunch, Rose decided our true detective adventure would continue at the Southampton Aquarium. "A true detective must be able to observe every detail, Arez," she said in a mock-serious tone, "even a fish's gills!"

I could only sigh. "Alright. Hopefully, there won't be any fish murders there."

Inside the aquarium, the atmosphere was lively with the sounds of children and visitors' whispers of awe. I was amazed by the giant glass walls showcasing marine life. Fish of various shapes and colors swam gracefully, sharks glided serenely, and jellyfish danced like luminous ghosts. I began to analyze their swimming patterns, species, and the mini-ecosystems formed. But, this felt out of character for me.

"Look at that, Arez!" Rose pointed to a group of clownfish hiding in an anemone. "They remind me of you. Always hiding behind riddles, but when it's time to act, you suddenly appear and surprise everyone!"

I chuckled. "I don't hide. I observe."

"Oh, of course," she teased with a giggle. "And look at that stingray. So relaxed, just like you when you sleep on your couch at home."

"I don't sleep on my couch at home, I have a soft mattress in my room," I retorted.

"Believe me, I have photo evidence," Rose winked, making me flustered.

We stopped in front of the magnificent shark aquarium. Rose gazed at the passing sharks with a serious look. "Now, Arez, if you meet a criminal as fierce as this shark, what would you do?"

"Analyze its patterns, predict its movements, then shoot its leg so it can't run," I answered without hesitation.

Rose burst out laughing. "Such a realist! I'd tie it with my chain and drag it to the police!" She mimicked a chain-throwing motion, making some visitors turn in surprise. I could only offer a small smile. With her, today felt so light and enjoyable.

Time flew by, and we only realized it was late afternoon when our stomachs started rumbling again. Rose took me to a large city park, which was now beginning to be adorned with colorful lights hanging on trees and forming beautiful light tunnels. The sweet aroma from newly opened food stalls began to waft through the air.

We walked slowly through the crowd, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Rose bought strawberry ice cream, while I chose a chocolate waffle. She occasionally spoon-fed me her ice cream, or picked at my waffle toppings, annoying me.

Unbeknownst to us, we arrived at a higher corner of the park, where Southampton lay spread out below us. Buildings and houses, which had been mere silhouettes, now shone brightly with thousands of lights. The streets formed winding strands of light, and above us, stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky. The view was so beautiful, so calming, as if the entire city was singing in a harmony of light.

We stopped at the railing, silent for a moment, immersed in the beauty of the night. A cool breeze blew gently, rustling some strands of Rose's white hair. She looked so graceful under the city lights.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rose whispered, her voice soft, no longer teasing.

I just nodded, too captivated. Not just by the view, but also by Rose standing beside me. The city lights reflected in her eyes, making them sparkle. The fluttering sensation in my chest was now even stronger, like a new melody I had just discovered, soft yet filling every corner of my heart. What was this? This unfamiliar feeling.

Rose turned to me, a small smile returning to her lips. "You know, Arez, you're a great detective. But you still have one thing to learn."

"What?" I asked, curious.

She leaned closer, her smirk reappearing. "You have to learn how to relax! Look at you, always so serious. Being a detective requires balance, you know? Your brain works, but life also needs to be enjoyed." She then gently poked my nose, just as an older sibling often does to a younger one. "You'll get wrinkles before your time, you know!"

I felt my face heat up. That touch, that closeness, made my whole body feel electrified. I wanted to say something, but the words caught in my throat. I could only stare at her. My eyes might have been sparkling, but she didn't notice.

Rose chuckled softly, turning back to look at the city view. "Anyway, congratulations, True Detective. I'm proud of you."

Hearing that, all doubt and confusion in my heart vanished for a moment. All that remained was warmth, happiness, and a deepening feeling for the woman beside me. I didn't know what it was called, but I wanted to be by her side, facing every mystery, and enjoying every beautiful moment like this, forever.

That night, under the brightly shining stars and thousands of city lights, I, Arez Redzel, the supposedly lazy yet brilliant mystery solver, began to feel a new symphony within myself. A symphony far more complex than any case I had ever handled, and I had no idea how to solve it. But somehow, I didn't want to solve it.