[-] You found some crumpled paper. It is a shopping receipt for bandages from a pharmacy, dated two days ago.
[-] You found some crumpled paper. It is a shopping receipt for plaster from a hardware store, dated two days ago.
[-] There appear to be some messy footprints on the wet mud in front of the entrance. Make an impression for further investigations.
[player] That's all the strange things in this place. Well... Why is there soil here?
[Aoi] Oh! The auction was coming up, and Ms. Minami wanted to grow a flower bed. We just laid new soil here last week!
[-] It seems last night's heavy rain made the soil wet and muddy. I squat down to take a closer look at the footprints... Based on their shape, there seem to be four different sets of footprints--One which is clearly my own, while the other three include two sets of footprints from high heels and a final set that looks like it's from sports shoes.
[-] I turn around to glance at Aoi's feet. She's wearing a pair of flat, black leather shoes. Obviously, her footprints aren't here.
[-] I recall the moment I entered the auction house with Fuuka Minami and Ume earlier, and I realize both sets of high heel footprints belong to them. As for the final set of footprints...
[-] This set of footprints is around 26 centimeters long, is heading outward, and is possibly male. The gap between each step is over a meter, so the owner must have been running.
[-] I ask Aoi for a sheet of blank paper, and I use it to take an impression of the footprint's rough outline and sole design. This might become the key to this case.
[-] Hint Received - [Footprint likely from a man]
[-] After that, Aoi and I carefully inspect the area once more but don't find any other clues. After giving it some thought, I decide to start by visiting the guests on the invitation list. Who knows? Maybe I'll find some useful information from them.
[-] After visiting a few of the guests on the list, I still have nothing to show for it. The next guest on my list happens to be a familiar face--Qing Luan.
[-] I head to Beryl Blue, yet I find Fuuka Minami leaning against its door with a frown on her face. She crosses her arms and moves aside upon noticing my arrival.
[Fuuka Minami] You're finally here. Your investigation is a little behind schedule.
[player] Then... Why don't I leave Qing Luan to you? And I'll hurry off to the next guest.
[-] Fuuka Minami closes her folding fan with a snap and takes a step forward to obstruct my path.
[Fuuka Minami] That won't do. I'm here to supervise your work, my little detective.
[-] I try to argue, but in the end, I decide to just shut my mouth and do my job, avoiding any argument with my boss.
[-] I take a few steps forward and knock on Beryl Blue's door. A yellow cockatiel flies out from within, Qing Luan's bird--Yellow Tea.
Beryl Blue
[-] Yellow Tea flies over to me and leads me inside while Fuuka Minami follows.
[???] Good day.
[-] In the quiet house, droplets of spring water resound through the room, and at the center of the room is an ebony tea table so smooth it shines like black jade.
[-] Behind the tea table, a glimpse of a cyan skirt catches the eye. A jade-white hand steadily lifts the teapot, pouring boiling water and releasing the refreshing aroma of tea into the air. It's none other than Qing Luan, the owner of Beryl Blue.
[Qing Luan] Ms. Minami... Since you disregarded my polite refusal, don't be surprised if my hospitality falls short from now on.
[Fuuka Minami] Oh, Qing Luan. I see you haven't changed a bit.
[-] Fuuka Minami sweeps away the tea's steam with her fan and walks over to the tea table while Qing Luan rolls up her sleeves and stands up slowly. Meanwhile, Yellow Tea flies over to her finger, raises its tail feathers, and chirps incessantly at Fuuka Minami. The atmosphere in the room suddenly turns tense...
[player] I think I've come at the wrong time...
[-] I should run! Now!
[-] However, Qing Luan and Fuuka Minami suddenly glare at me...
[Fuuka Minami & Qing Luan] It's the perfect time.
[-] Anyway, amid this strange atmosphere, the three of us sit down before the tea table.
[player] Um... Ahem, I'm here to ask about your visit to Champion Auction House yesterday...
[Qing Luan] Of course, go ahead. I'll brew you a cup of Ming Qian Longjing tea.
[player] Huh? I don't want to trouble you.
[Fuuka Minami] It's fine. Not drinking tea doesn't fit the atmosphere here.
[Fuuka Minami] But I'm sure you won't mind that I've brought my own tea leaves, right?
[Qing Luan] Feel free. But please use your own teaware as well.
[Fuuka Minami] This is an exclusive Da Hong Pao tea from Magical Dream. Would you like to try some, PLAYER?
[player] Huh?
[Fuuka Minami] This Da Hong Pao tea is delicate, rich, and extremely aromatic. Each pack goes for an astronomical sum.
[Qing Luan] Even an astronomical sum isn't enough to get my Ming Qian Longjing tea which is mellow, rounded, and has a pronounced aroma. It boils down to your own preference.
[-] Fuuka Minami and Qing Luan push their brewed tea before me... Which one should I drink?
