The Case of the Genius Composer Kidnapping Pt. 2

**The Case of the Genius Composer Kidnapping Pt. 2** is the 32nd chapter of the *Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective* manga.

## Summary

Namazu is aware that the mansion is at the border of Tokyo and Yamanashi, but he tells the Yamanashi police to tell their bosses that the Tokyo metropolitan police are in charge of security. "Sannou" says that is because someone in the metropolitan police's jurisdiction received one of Hummingbird's greeting cards. But he says that the Yamanashi police also received on, so it is natural that they would make a move as well.

The greeting card Sannou shows reads: Dear police, Today I will arrive to met the supreme songwriter on top of hill surrounded by greenery. No matter how many guards you post, I will still succeed in achieving my goal.

Namazu says the police have never received an announcement card until now. Sannou answers that it isn't the only point that concerns him. The information given is even more specific that in the greeting card, so he figured he would relay it to them directly. While Namazu uneasily thanks him, Sannou grabs back the greeting card they read. Sannou says it is only logical for the Yamanashi police to provide security, but he would also like to respect the Tokyo police's efforts, and they are willing to do them a favor and lend their assistance. Namazu is furious, calling someone from police, that he told them not to let anyone through, so why did they let Sannou's people in, and why did they let them through when they said they were police.

Meanwhile while Ron is thinking, Hummingbird notices Ron as well, asking who he is. Ron introduces himself again as Kamoo a sweets-seller. Nyo-Nyon offers them some tea, as Ron presents his brown sugar dumplings.

Nyo-Nyon says that in that house she made her first song to reach 100 million plays, along with the other major songs even after she showed her face. Toto explains that Nyo-Nyon originally used voice synthesis and used animation for her videos, making her cloaked in mystery. But after the talent agency offered a big pile of money, she could not show her face fast enough, she says as a joke. Regarding the house, Nyo-Nyon says it used to be a huge mansion but it burned down in a fire. The house was then rebuilt around the clocktower that remained. When she bought the place, she installed brand new smoke detectors.

Sannou mentions again that the attempts to protect targets using a large number of guards all ended in failure. As Namazu grumpily agrees, Sannou suggests that they take Nyo-Nyon to a place where absolutely nobody could get near her. While Ron is cautious and Namazu grumbles, Nyo-Nyon and Mitsubashi just smile. The place where she always writes her songs seems perfect for such an arrangement.

Nyo-Nyon leads the police, Sannou, and Ron to the top of the clocktower, her composition room. While Toto gushes about the famous songs created there, Ron is impressed by all the modern equipment. Namazu observes two small square windows with curtains. But when he parts the curtain, Nyo-Nyon makes him stop, saying she is terrified of heights. Toto recalls that trivia, mentioned in interviews before she revealed her face, it was because of an accident in the past.

Namazu still requests that she step back so he could open the curtain and examined the building. Namazu observes that the window is just large enough for someone to fit through but it would be difficult to get snatched away by a helicopter that way. There are also no footholds or ladders. It would also be totally visible from the ground level, so there is no way someone could kidnap her from outside. Namazu allows Nyo-Nyon and Mitsubashi to stay in the room. Toto offers to close the curtain.

As they go down, Toto still gushing about seeing the composing room, Ron notes a door partway down the stairs. MItsubashi says it is one of the vestiges from the clocktower and can be locked from outside. The door is quite sturdy and when locked, nobody can enter or leave the composing room, like an impenetrable fort.

Namazu says there are 4 metropolitan police guarding the road in front of the building, and 4 Yamanashi police in the garden at the back. Toto, Sannou, and Namazu will guard the inside, and the door to the composing room is locked from outside. Besides all this are the 100 officers within a 500 meter radius. Ron therefore says that barring any unforeseen developments it seems there won't be a kidnapping, and he offers his brown sugar glazed donuts. But, "Sannou" says, they are talking about Hummingbird, a powerful opponent who specializes in the unseen. Namazu objects as he munches. In the end Hummingbird is just another kidnapper who doesn't stand a chance against their security. Ron and Sannou smile at each other as Ron wonders just what kind of person Hummingbird is.

After an hour, Ron brings out brown sugar parfaits, quipping that in the event Hummingbird is nearby Ron thought he might recognize his talent for brown sugar desserts and get kidnapped. He wants to have a chat with him, and he wants him to acknowledge his talent for brown sugar desserts. Sannou however says Hummingbird would never kidnap him. As Ron protests, asking if he means he has no talent, Sannou says the donuts are delicious, but Hummingbird is only interested in soul-stirringly extraordinary talents. Toto agrees in regard to Nyo-Nyon, that her song are moving. Ron offers his deduction talent then, but he already knows that's the best in the world and he does not need the likes of Hummingbird to tell him that. Sannou challenges him: "Kamoo" is confident in his deductive reasoning skills? But Ron says it's not his, it's Officer Isshiki's, and he is sure he will be able to nab the culprit again today.

The fire detectors blare and the sprinklers activate, signaling a fire in the first floor living room. Ron is aware that the timing is too perfct and this must be Hummingbird's doing, but they all remember Nyo-Nyon. Sannou is first is run up the stairs, then he says they need to unlock the door to the clocktower. Toto gets the key from manager Mitsubashi, then they all run up to the composition room. But when they get there, Nyo-Nyon is gone.

Sannou says this is a miserable defeat for the police officers but Ron says: you think so? Is is not just the start of the game? He smiles at "Sannou": you cannot catch them if they don't come, no matter the bird.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Sannou
* Ron Kamonohashi
* Totomaru Isshiki
* Namazu
* Nyo-Nyon
* Mitsubashi