Hurry up!
Yayoi-sama is mine!
What's with that look? Do you want to settle it here?
Please stop, Kaneyama-sama!
If you do something reckless, the Master will be angry!
Hmph.
Damn it!
I wonder if they're done?
Satsuki-sama, who do you think will catch the Hourai pheasant?
- I don't want any of them to do that. - I understand how you feel.
But this is what the Master has decided.
Please support Lady Yayoi too.
Excuse me.
There is a guest at the front gate.
- A guest? - The witness?
No. She said she's Yoriko-sama's friend.
She said she's here to see the Master.
Ah, hello? Yoriko-san?
Hi, Aika! So happy you called!
- I'm at the front gate now... - Front gate? Where?
- What? Sakuragawa House, right? - Sakuragawa House?
- What? Granpa's house?!! - Yes. You're inside, right?
No, I'm shopping in Dubai as usual.
Dubai?!
But I told you we couldn't go to Sakuragawa House today because of a very important event, right?
What? You never told me!
Grandpa is a really grumpy person,
and today the entire Sakuragawa House is on edge,
so don't go near it at all!
Get away now! He'll be so angry. Oh no, oh no!
Seriously?!
OK! We're taking off. Hanging up now. I'm flying, I'm flying!
Hey, Yoriko-san?
Yoriko, up and away!
What?!
Sakuragawa Takasuke. Used to be a Count or something like that in the House of Lords.
Something like that?
Maybe he knows something about Kizoku-sama.
Please excuse me!
Yoriko-san's friend, Takatoku Aika-san, right?
Yes. I'm so sorry.
It seems I've come at a busy day.
- I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Please excuse me now. - Wait.
I bet Yoriko-san didn't properly tell you about today, right?
Will you forgive her?
Her incredible ignorance is one of her best qualities, after all.
Yes, of course.
I'm Yoriko-san's cousin,
Sakuragawa Takasuke's granddaughter, Toyosato Satsuki.
As a family member, I would like to apologize for your troubles.
No, no, not at all. Please don't do that.
Since you've come all the way here, please at least have some tea.
But I heard you have an important event here today.
Ah... I don't know if it's an event or just the whim of the head of the family.
To be honest with you, this event is making me feel a bit stifled.
I was just wishing for someone to talk to.
Ah... Then I accept your invitation.
What a beautiful garden. Sakuragawa family was originally in timber, right?
You know us very well.
Ah, I'm sorry. I looked it up online.
Oh? What else do they write about us?
Giri, Sakuragawa Takasuke.
I found this information about Sakuragawa Takasuke on the web.
- Giri, please explain. - Yes.
Sakuragawa family was bestowed with the Count title before the war.
The family has owned the entire forest around Mount Outei for generations.
According to one theory, they are descendants of the Southern Dynasty who moved during the Nanbokuchou Era.
Right after the war, the family found itself in financial difficulties,
but thanks to resourcefulness of the current head, Sakuragara Takasuke, their fortune was restored.
Because of his immense wealth and personal connections, he wields a great deal of influence among the political, business, and medical spheres.
It is rumoured that he manipulated successive prime ministers from behind and was the power broker in the Mathilda Company bribery scandal.
That's why he's called Japan's last fixer, the shadow prime minister...
- H-hey, Giri! - Yes.
- No, don't say "Yes"! - Yes.
Hey, you!
What does angry feel like?
Aika-san, you're a funny person.
I'm sorry.
It's nothing for you to apologize about.
If people already know that much, then Grandpa is no longer the fixer, right?
So he really was a fixer...
The pheasant...
I will let the Master know.
Yes, thank you.
What is it?
Ah, I'm sorry. We're having an important ceremony after this.
Ceremony?
What's going to happen?
It's the next son-in-law selection.
Son-in-law selection?
That man...?
My grandfather, Sakuragawa Takasuke.
Next to him is the only direct descendant of the Sakuragawa family, Sakuragawa Yayoi.
She's my cousin, but more like a younger sister to me.
Yayoi's parents were killed in an airplane accident 3 years ago.
She is the only heir to Sakuragawa family.
Grandpa's health has been deteriorating, so
he would like to select a husband for Yayoi before he gets worse.
Who caught it?
I did.
That is the truth.
Prepare for the celebration!
Yes, sir.
- Echigawa. - Yes.
Hm? What's wrong?
Sakuragawa family has a custom when they're selecting a new son-in-law.
For generations, every time the family needs to select a new son-in-law, it will gather the candidates,
and have them hunt for pheasants.
The captured pheasant will be honored as the Hourai pheasant, and
the person who caught the pheasant will be named as the next head of the family.
To decide a husband through pheasant hunting...
Of course, right now it's just for tradition's sake. Yayoi is still the one choosing.
The weather is fine today. Shall we take a walk in the garden?
Tomoya, come with me.
Yes, my lady.
- Hey, let her go! - Wait!
Yayoi-san, where do you want to go for your honeymoon?
Should we help her?
Grandpa has said that we should keep watch
until he says we could help her.
But it's obvious she doesn't like it, right?
They are all so rude!
Especially the one who caught the pheasant. He's so pushy!
Kanayama Shunichi-san, the son of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
He studied pharmaceutical science and is currently a researcher.
But he doesn't think of Yayoi's feelings at all.
Poor Yayoi-san.
- Excuse me, Takatoku-sama. - Yes?
The Master would like to see you now.
- Is it all right? - Yes.
I've brought Takatoku-sama.
Please.
Excuse me.
Um... Nice to meet you. I'm Takatoku Aika.
I'm sorry to interrupt you on such a busy day.
Tamamura Yoriko-san introduced me--
You're...
The apprentice of Kitami Kiriko-san, right?
- You know Kitami? - An accomplished detective.
And a very charming woman, as well.
Um...
I came here today because I have something to ask you.
Hm?
Do you know about Kizoku Tantei?
Who is he?
Rather than asking me,
maybe it's better for you to ask him yourself.
A unique facial expression as usual.
But...
I don't advise you to continue investigating me.
If you do, you might be risking your life.
Why are you here?
You heard about the husband selection for my granddaughter, right?
It's a ceremony to select the next Sakuragawa head of family.
He's here as a witness.
I don't care about other people's husbands,
but since it's a request from the one and only Count Sakuragawa, I couldn't refuse it.
I'm grateful that someone I trust could come to this ceremony.
There's no need for gratitude.
I look forward to seeing a beautiful bride.
Um... How are you two related?
You're in time for the banquet to enjoy the Hourai pheasant.
Since you're here, will you observe it too?
It's not an easy thing to decide who should succeed you, right?
I feel assured, having two detectives here.
These are guests who will be observing the son-in-law selection ceremony.
Ah, I'm Takatoku Aika. How do you do.
Um... I was introduced by one of Sakuragawa's relatives, Tamamura Yoriko-san.
As expected from the princess of the Sakuragawa family!
I'm still talking!
I am honored to be present at the moment a beautiful person like you chooses her life partner.
Thank you very much.
Pardon me.
But I envy your future husband.
He'll be able to spend his life next to someone as beautiful as you.
And to inherit the powerful Sakuragawa family too!
But is the worthy man in this room?
This is something you don't see everyday.
Who are you?
Echigawa-san, my name card.
- Yes. - Name card?! So he has one...
Finally, I'll know his name!
Huh? What's this?
Kizoku Tantei? What is this?
Are you pulling our legs?
It's a heavy gold paper...
I thought upstarts like you would be happy to receive that.
What do you mean?
There's a lady who has been waiting over there. Please excuse me.
Count, is it all right if I sit over there?
I forgot to introduce her. That is my granddaughter, Satsuki.
This way, please. Takatoku-sama too, please.
Ah, yes.
How unusual. Are you really a detective?
Yes. It's the best hobby.
He doesn't do deductions though.
And I get to meet wonderful ladies like you.
Especially since there isn't any case this time,
I can get to know you better, Satsuki-san.
I heard gentlemen put their hobbies above women, though?
There are times when I do that, but...
in the face of your beauty,
I find that my other amusements are worthless.
- A celebratory toast! - This is just like Taketori Monogatari, huh?
Now that you've mentioned it! Even the Hourai pheasant,
Princess Kaguya gave her suitor the impossible task to bring back a jewel from Hourai, right?
The Lord of Iso went to look for a swallow's cowry shell.
He grabbed the bird's feces, thinking it was the shell.
Then he fell off the roof and lost his life.
That's the origin of the word "kainashi" (hopeless), right?
The conversation level is too advanced!
I hope we wouldn't see that kind of ending here.
What an inauspicious thing to say!
In history, deciding an heir has always been a bloody affair, right?
What is that?
It's tradition for the groom to drink the raw blood of the pheasant.
Raw blood?!
It symbolizes the Sakuragawa blood he will inherit.
Huh? Kanayama-san's glass is a different colour, right?
Only the person who caught the pheasant can drink from a sakura-coloured cup.
To the Hourai pheasant!
Kanayama-sama!
Call the ambulance immediately!
Are you OK?
Don't touch that!
"Utsuki"?
It's not that easy after all.
Being the next heir to Sakuragawa family.
"Utsuki"...
They look so delicious!
- Beef, lobster, crab, fish cake! - That's a terrine.
Oh, a terrine? Sakuragawa family is amazing, huh?
Why are you the only ones here?
Ah! It's a direct request from Kizoku-sama.
Trouble in the distinguished Sakuragawa family, right?
Seems like he wants the Ki Team to resolve it quietly.
- I got permission from the higher-ups too. - You follow everything Kizoku says.
Stupid! I'm the one using that annoying Kizoku.
Anyway, it's just a man collapsing while eating or something?
Such an easy case! Why do I have to be grateful to him?
Inspector.
- This is bad. - It's not bad at all! It's super delicious!
A poisonous substance was found on the cup Kanayama Shunichi-san was using.
Poison?
- It's an attempted poisoning. - I'll get this analyzed.
Hey, can you let me know when Satou-san arrives?
- Help! - Hana?
Give me the antidote!
It's OK! I've eaten this too.
You should've told me earlier.
How is Kanayama-san's condition?
He's in critical condition, hanging by a thread.
We have to investigate this seriously.
- Shall we talk to Sakuragawa Takasuke? - Ah, that's...
My grandfather's condition has gotten worse,
and Yayoi has gone to bed in shock, so allow me to assist you.
Sakuragawa Takasuke-san's granddaughter, Toyosato Satsuki-san.
And this is Sakuragawa family's butler, Echigawa Shinji-san.
- Sakuragawa family's granddaughter, huh? - Inspector?
- Thank you for your help. - Please.
I am Hanagata Raiyuu from the police department, in charge of Kizoku Tantei's
special investigative unit, also known as Ki Team.
- A brilliant officer, right? - No, no.
Anyway, please feel assured now that this Hanagata is here.
Because this Hanagata's deductions never fail!
Hana, stop lying!
I can see it already!
Inspector?
This case is caused by
the rivalry among the the husbands-to-be
Kanayama, the strongest candidate, was targeted.
Which means, the perpetrator must be one of the other candidates.
That's not really a deduction.
And then the dying message Kanayama-san wrote while he was dying, "utsuki"--
He's still alive.
The one among the candidates who is related to this word "utsuki" is the perpetrator.
Satsuki-san, do you know what "utsuki" might mean?
No...
It's all right. I have a plan.
The candidates... No, I mean, the suspects. Where are they?
They are staying in the annex.
I will go get the perpetrator. Satsuki-san, please wait here.
Please.
All of you, don't say a word.
Just watch while I launch my plan.
I'm Hanagata from Kanagawa Police Department.
I have questions to ask all of you,
would you please gather here?
My apologies.
Good afternoon, Utsuki-san.
Inspector?
Hm? Utsuki-san, you have something here. Is it potato starch?
Are you just bluffing?
- Utsuki-san? -Inspector...
This is Takamiya Satoru-san.
His family is the founder of Sumimaru Trading Company.
- And then this is-- - Utsuki-san.
Not Utsuki-san. This is Amako Kousuke-san.
He's from Amako family who founded Amako Publishing Company.
- Utsuki! - Not Utsuki!
Minakuchi Yoshifumi-san, a member of the family who founded Mitsuhashi Paper Company.
- Oh, Takamiya-san, are you left-handed? - Yes, what about it?
No, no.
I was just thinking which country calls being left-handed as "uttsukki".
There's no such thing!
Kanayama Shunichi-san was poisoned by someone.
Oh? It seems all of you already know about it.
Are you saying we did it?
No, I didn't say that. It's just the situation--
I didn't do it. It must be one of the other two.
Please find the perpetrator quickly.
Once you do that, I'll have one fewer rival.
What are you saying at a time like this?
Echigawa-san, what will happen to the selection ceremony?
The Master will make a decision and let you all know tonight.
Excuse me.
Yes.
I'm here to clear your lunch.
Dinner will be at 7 PM tonight.
The Master has said that you must attend.
It'll be all right, my lady.
No matter what happens, I will always protect you.
It used to be the other way around, right?
Yayoi-sama, please don't run!
Tomoya, push harder!
I can't. If the Master sees it, I will get scolded.
It's OK. I'll protect you.
Very well.
Here I go!
It used to be me who said I would protect you.
There's still time until dinner. Please rest well.
- Hey, Tomoya. - What is it, my lady?
When I'm married, will you feel lonely?
I will wish you happiness from the bottom of my heart.
Please excuse me.
Usotsuki ("liar").
Ukki ("gloomy").
Ukkiii! (sound monkeys make). Monkey?
- Venomous monkey? Do they exist? - Hana...
Here. The celebration cup is usually in here.
Who knows that the person who caught the pheasant would use the sakura-coloured cup?
What?
It is likely that the poisoner was targeting Kanayama-san.
All the servants know about it.
Do the husband candidates know about it?
I don't know about that...
Oh, Tomoya.
My son, Tomoya. Our family has served the Sakuragawa family for generations.
According to the Master's order, the task of seeing to the needs of the candidates
is being handled by Tomoya this time.
Nice to meet you. I'm Echigawa Tomoya.
The police would like to know if
all the candidates knew which cups were going to be used in the ceremony.
I gave them a general information about the Hourai pheasant ceremony.
Including the fact that the chosen one will use the sakura-coloured cup.
Did everyone also know where the cups were kept?
Yes. I showed them the cups here.
Then it's possible to target only Kanayama, right?
It's as I suspected, the perpetrator is one of the candidates.
Well then, I have to go back to work now.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Seems like there's no poison in this.
Hey!
We're going to continue the selection.
- Grandpa. -What is it, Satsuki?
Something terrible has happened, so isn't it best to postpone it for now?
Poor Yayoi, too.
People who will shoulder the responsibility of the Sakuragawa family
won't let something like this deter them.
But Yayoi is just a 20-year old girl.
So, Yayoi, have you decided who will be your husband?
- Grandpa! - Well?
No, I haven't.
All of them seem nice...
So you're saying any one of them will do?
No, that's...
I understand. Tomorrow, then.
Yayoi will make her decision tomorrow.
What...
I know it's your decision, but
this is absurd!
Um...
It's possible that the poisoner is among them.
There is a possibility that the worst might happen.
One of them will be the head of this family.
They should know a little bit of danger.
I don't feel well, so please excuse me.
Then, Yayoi, I look forward to tomorrow.
Well, this is quite a situation, huh?
The Count seems really serious.
As the witness, I can only observe.
However, the ones who need to show your determination
are all of you, the chosen ones.
At least the Count seems to think of you as mediocre.
If you lose to a mediocre rival,
you will be branded as a loser even among your family.
Hey!
If you are real Japanese men,
for once in your life, there will be a time when you must rise to the challenge and fight.
If there's any of you who hasn't realized that yet,
you should get out of this house immediately.
I talked too much, my throat is dry.
You. More wine.
Do you know the tale of the Three Little Pigs?
After Taketori Monogatari, it's Three Little Pigs?
In the original story, the pigs in the straw house and the wooden house
didn't run to the brick house.
They were eaten by the wolf.
Are you saying these men are those pitiful little pigs?
I have no objection to that but...
Yayoi-san isn't exactly a wolf.
No, no, I don't intend to insult Yayoi-san.
But...
The wolf might be hiding in a different place.
But those little pigs are terribly unsightly.
I wonder how Count Sakuragawa selected them...
Grandpa was in financial difficulties once.
At that time, their families gave him their help...
I see.
They expected something in return and took advantage of it,
so he couldn't refuse, huh?
I wish they would just disappear soon.
Excuse me.
How is Yayoi?
She was chatting with the three gentleman at the annex.
Is it all right? She's by herself.
I had to return to the main house.
But Lady Yayoi just returned to the main house too, so please don't worry.
Utsuki!
What's Hanagata-san doing?
He said he's solving the meaning of "utsuki" but
he's just doing a word game. Just let him be.
Over here.
Ah, Inspector, the poison--
Oh, what's this?! So messy!
Ah, we've identified the poison.
- Oh, what is it? - Coriamyrtin and tutin.
They are both poisons that work instantenously.
Giri, coriamyrtin and tutin.
I found this information on the web.
- Ah, this... - What is it?
Kanayama-san majored in pharmaceutical science, right?
- Yes. - Pharmaceutical... science...
- I know! - Argh!
Finally we found the last piece of the puzzle, huh?
But what a sad conclusion.
Listen up, everyone. The most important point of this case
is this dying message, "utsuki",
He's still alive...
I'll state the conclusion.
This "utsuki" is...
Satsuki-san. It's you, isn't it?
Eh?
Kanayama studied science so he wasn't good in kanji.
That's why your name, "Satsuki", in kanji...
The kanji for Satsuki...
This kanji for Satsuki...
Ah, so tiny!
He thought it was "Utsuki"-- What?!
You couldn't write it!
Ah, you're going to write a big one?
I was a science major, by the way.
Messy handwriting! Whatever!
This kanji for Satsuki,
Kanayama misread it as "utsuki".
Which means, you did it, right? Satsuki-san.
- She didn't. - Why not?!
Kanayama-san was trying to tell us this.
What's that?
Oh, doku-utsugi, huh?
When did you--!
Yes, doku-utsugi is a shrub containing coriamyrtin and tutin.
He was in the middle of writing "utsugi".
Kanayama-san would've been knowledgeable about poisonous substances.
I wonder whether he was trying to tell what the poison was to aid his own treatment.
Hmm... We found it.
What did you find?!
We went through the candidates' rooms and checked their trash and...
Doku-utsugi, right?
Whose trash was it?
The victim, Kanayama Shunichi.
So he made the poison himself?
No, maybe someone stole it from him.
Then he got what he deserved, right?
- Help! - What is it, Yayoi?
There was a call from Minakuchi-san...
He said Amako-san had been killed...
This is Minakuchi! Amako-san has been killed!
I was walking past Amako-san's room and glanced inside.
He was hit on the left side of his head and he's dead!
Call someone--
Minakuchi-san?
Minakuchi-san!
I'll go and check.
No! I called back but I couldn't connect.
Should I let the Master know?
Let's check Minakuchi-san's room first.
We can wake Granpa up after we confirm it.
Maybe it's just a bad prank.
Tomoya, take care of Yayoi. Yayoi, stay in your room.
- Let's go, my lady. - Satsuki-san, I'll go with you.
- Tsunemi, contact the station! - Yes, sir.
I'll go too.
I worry if it's just all of you.
Echigawa-san, can you bring Satou here?
Yes, my lord.
Satou-san is here too?
The Sakuragawa family has many accomplished servants,
it would've been rude for me to bring my own servants.
Who is this Satou-san?
My chaffeur.
I also use him as my bodyguard.
He's super strong!
It's not for you to brag about!
If it's true, then the situation might become dangerous.
I can't guarantee your safety 100% if we go there only with these people.
Sorry to have kept you waiting, my lord.
You must've heard the situation from Echigawa-san. Come with us.
Yes, my lord.
I will put my life on the line to protect everyone here.
This way.
Excuse me.
It's chained from the inside.
Please don't remove it for now.
I'll check and see if there's another way to enter.
Satsuki-san, over here.
Good evening! Anyone here?
It's the police!
- The lights are on, though. - Right?
- No luck. - So fast!
All the windows are locked.
- Break it. - Yes, my lord.
- Hey! - That's not...
- Is it all right? - Yes.
Guess so, huh?
Please excuse me.
Are you all right?
Whoa whoa whoa!!!
Tomoya, how's Yayoi?
She said she was fine and told me to check here.
- The candidates' rooms? - On the 2nd floor.
This is Minakuchi-sama's room.
Minakuchi-sama, Minakuchi-sama.
Are you all right, Satsuki-san?
- Minakuchi-sama... - He's not breathing.
He's still warm.
The worst has really happened, huh?
Everyone, please don't move.
Satou-san, is this your first time seeing a dead body?
Even so, you're over-reacting.
No, Hanagata-sama. This building's windows are all locked,
and the main door was chained from the inside.
There's a high likelihood the killer is still in the building.
- This knife... - Do you recognize it?
It's been placed in all the rooms.
Together with the fruits here.
So all the rooms have the same knife?
Yes.
Then the killer must've used a knife from another room.
But the fact that this man was killed...
it seems that the body Amako-san saw is real.
There's no one else in this room.
Then, shall we go see the next little pig's room?
This is Amako-sama's room.
Amako-sama. Amako-sama.
He's been hit near the forehead twice with a blunt object.
Instantly killed, huh?
The weapon is...
- That! - What's that?
I think that's part of the sculpture in the hallway.
Sculpture?
I did see a sculpture there.
There was one part missing on the right side, but
I thought it was part of the design so I dismissed it.
There's no right or wrong in art, after all.
But... don't ignore your instincts.
- Thank you for your instruction. - Is this conversation necessary?
The fruit knife is missing!
It's very likely that the killer took
the knife from this room to stab Minakuchi-san.
These glasses were Amako-san's, right?
- Yes. - They're cracked and a bit bent.
There's a bigger problem than that.
- Eh? - My name card is underneath...
That's why you got punished!
- Who cares about that! - OK!
Hana?
Forget it. I could see it!
This building should only have the candidates staying in it.
Which means the killer should be the remaining candidates, Takamiya.
It's also possible that someone else sneaked in.
- Someone else...? - Let's confirm it.
Takamiya-sama's room. This is the only one left.
We've checked the entire house up until here,
and there's no one else. The windows are also locked.
Then... the killer must be in here.
Who would've thought all three little pigs would be killed?
Seriously?!
He was strangled from behind.
Then he fell forward.
Stabbing, battery, strangulation. All different methods of killing.
There's a button on the palm of his hand.
Maybe he grabbed it during a struggle.
No one else in this room too.
- Any open window? - None.
- How strange. - I agree.
The building is a perfect locked room, and yet
there are only 3 dead bodies inside.
Oi, oi, oi.
Who killed them and how?
It seems that in this manor,
a fearsome wolf is lurking within.
Translator/timer: choklad (1992*4##111 fansub)