The Case of the Missing Cabbage Pt. 2

The Case of the Missing Cabbage Pt. 2 (消えた白菜事件②, Kieta Hakusai Jiken ②) is the 59th chapter of the Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective manga.
==Summary==
As it is Toto's birthday, Ron suggests to solve the mystery of the missing cabbage together. Amamiya, Chicory, and Kawasemi agree, and then they and Mofu realize that they all know Ron by different names: Amamiya knows him as "Kamoo," Chicory as "Kamokyu," Kawasemi as "Kamosemi," and Mofu as "Kamonohashi." This startles Toto who knows that Ron is using fake names so that BLUE does not learn about his detective activities. However, Ron calmly explains that he sometimes does not feel like using his real name; Toto then thinks of suitable nicknames. Although Toto thinks this is a "lame" excuse and that Chicory and Amamiya will be upset to hear that he has been using aliases the whole time, the others accept this explanation and decide to keep calling Ron by the name they know him. Amamiya because she believes a painful past must be connected to Ron's real name, Chicory because she is amazed that Totomaru came up with such a "fabulous" nickname, and Kawasemi because he is fond of the name "Kamosemi." Toto is very surprised that this matter wrapped up so quickly and well.
Then, they review the facts: The supermarkets had Chinese cabbage right after opening and very quickly sold out; it was not that they never had cabbage at all. When Amamiya suggests that cabbages may have been trending which led to people mass-buying them, Chicory tells her that she looked that up. Cabbages were not trending anywhere, but she found out that a greengrocer reported to have seen a man with a facemask, sunglasses, and a hat buying all the cabbages. With that in mind, Mofu, Toto, Kawasemi, Amamiya, and Ron each make a guess.
Mofu thinks the culprit may have bought so much cabbage because they are clumsy too and needs a lot of backup for cooking. Amamiya thinks this is a "peaceful" deduction. While Totomaru struggles how he should tell Mofu about her mistake without hurting her feelings, Ron, straightforwardly, reminds Mofu that no one is as clumsy as her; this does not hurt her feelings. Her theory is then dismissed.
Totomaru believes the Korean chef in the third district may be the culprit because he also wears a facemask, sunglasses, and a hat. His kimchi is amazing, and if his restaurant suddenly got very popular, he would need a lot of Chinese cabbage to make enough kimchi. Amamiya points out that it is impossible for a single restaurant to use up all cabbages in town just for kimchi. His theory is dismissed too. Mofu thanks Totomaru for purposefully making an "absurd" deduction to ensure that her poor theory did not stand out; Totomaru was serious with his deduction though.
When Ron points out that the culprit could have committed the crime with malicious intent, Kawasemi remembers the news from earlier and announces that he "sees" it. Toto praises him for this, and Chicory is moved that she could see "Eagle Eye Kawasemi" in action. Amamiya, on the other hand, is upsets and asks Kawasemi what he means. He says he theorizes that the cabbage thief and the jewel thief are the same person: After committing their theft and fleeing the scene, they noticed a police officer walking toward them. The thief hid the jewels in a cabbage truck which drove away before they could retrieve the stolen goods. By the time, they found the truck, the cabbages had been unloaded, and they had to buy all the cabbages in the area to get back the stolen jewels.
Spitz and Toto are satisfied with Kawasemi's answer, but Ron says that Chinese cabbages are usually cut up before they are displayed; the thief would have to break into the supermarkets to get the cabbages before opening time. Then, the news broadcast announces that the thief was apprehended: He had been hiding in a warehouse near the crime scene. Thus, Kawasemi's theory is dismissed as well which makes Amamiya beam. He then asks her if she has any deductions to share.
Amamiya suggests that the culprit may not have wanted to acquire Chinese cabbages but "erase" them from the market to force shoppers to buy something else as a substitute. For example, Mofu and Chicory bought lettuce as a substitute because it is another leafy vegetable. The culprit may, thus, be a lettuce farmer wanting to profit from the missing Chinese cabbages. Amamiya then boasts that she can make deductions without saying something like "I see it!"
Totomaru wonders whether they would even make a profit after spending so much money on cabbages. Amamiya has no explanation for this and then glares at Totomaru for "ruining" her deduction. And although Amamiya's theory was overthrown too, Ron uses it as a basis for his own which makes her happy.
Ron says he also thinks the culprit may be a farmer, specifically one who sells to stores wholesale. Then, they would have to hide their face to ensure that the supermarket employees did not recognize them. The farmer might have had to buy all the cabbages again after selling them to the supermarkets because he did not want them to sell. For example, the farmer might have gotten into a fight with his son who then poured pesticides over the cabbages in his anger. His father delivered the cabbages without knowing any better, and when the son realized that, the cabbages were already being lined up in stores. The son then had to buy all the Chinese cabbages to make sure the family business and his future would not be tainted by his anger-fuelled action.
Everyone is satisfied with and amazed by Ron's theory. However, he insists that he is only an amateur and Toto will solve the mystery. Everyone roots for Toto and awaits his deduction—only, he has no other idea than his kimchi one. Stressed, Toto reaches for a drink in Spitz's shopping bag and takes out multiple receipts alongside a drink: All receipts show that Spitz bought dozens of cabbages in various supermarkets. Caught, Spitz confesses that he bought up all cabbages because he despises Chinese cabbage. Everyone is shocked by his admission.
Afterward, everyone wishes Toto a happy birthday, and Ron brings the nabe hot pot to the table. The pitch-black brown-sugar-syrup-based hot pot garners many unnerved looks. Ron innocently says that they agreed on hatchō miso in the end and wonders where the brown sugar came from. He suggests to search for the culprit, but Toto replies that they already know who it is. Ron praises him for the quick deduction, and Toto tells him to shut up.
==Characters in Order of Appearance==
* Ron Kamonohashi
* Amamiya
* Chicory Monki
* Omito Kawasemi
* Mofu Usaki
* Totomaru Isshiki
* Spitz Fire
==Navigation==
Category:Chapters
Category:Missing Cabbage Case