Naib Zubidar

The bustling chatter of the townspeople in the morning will wake you up.

You sit up, stretching and yawning sleepily at your cluttered desk in a room that doesn't quite live up to the name of a private detective's office—and that detective is you.

You glanced at a note tucked under your elbow before slowly picking it up to read it.

'Orpheus Detective Agency Office, 7:45 AM. From Charles.'

I completely forgot I had an appointment today.

New assignments are almost non-existent, and even when they are, they involve working with the person you least want to see. The first time you found out you had to investigate a case with the office owner, you practically refused immediately, if it weren't for the high compensation keeping you in line.

Judging from the bright sunlight, it was clear that the appointment was well past time. You hastily washed your face, brushed your teeth, and dressed, then quickly left your office. Judging by the look of it, the other person probably didn't know that you were their colleague.

You ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the entrance of a quiet alley. After walking for a while, familiar buildings come into view.

You ring the doorbell of one of the rooms in the building. After a while, a blonde woman opens the door for you.

"Hello! How can I help you?"

She spoke in a cheerful voice, even though half of her body was hidden behind the door. You wondered for a moment who this woman was, before finally realizing she was Lady Truth, a trainee detective at this agency.

"Ah... Mr. Logic!"

When you showed her the employer's note, she turned to call another man sitting in the room and nodded to him without saying anything.

In that moment, you lowered your head, hiding your face under your hat.

"Please come in."

When Lady Truth invites you in with a smile, you slowly follow her. She pulls out a chair opposite you for you to sit down.

He's sitting right in front of you, you logic.

Naib Zubidar

He remained engrossed in some documents in his hand until you handed him a note. He then looked up and froze.

He met your gaze, his face showing disbelief at the sight before him. You lowered your eyes to the table and spoke, reviewing the current situation for him.

"Charles sent me to be your partner."

You speak simply, hiding bitterness beneath a calm demeanor.

He paused, and finally responded in the deep, gentle voice you recognized so well, the same one he used when he was often nervous.

"...Is that so?"

"It's a pleasure to work with you again."