[Novel] Ghost Butler's Home Cafe Mystery Episode 1: The Immoral Salisbury Steak 1

It really is convenient to replace home appliances when moving.

Toko thought this as she slid a cardboard box into the collection bin at the convenience store two minutes from her home. Whether it's a microwave or a washing machine, the professionals handle everything from wiring to drainage installation, and they even take away the old ones she's used for years.

By using services like this, even a woman living alone can manage almost anything.

Yes, she can manage. Most of the points raised by people who worryingly say all sorts of things.

Like whether she can open a sealed jar of jam, or what she'll do when a lightbulb burns out.

I would rather ask, what is wrong with not being able to handle things like that?

Whether it's a trend in society or because I've gotten older, it has decreased significantly compared to a while ago, but there is still a certain number of people who say this as a greeting.

"Still single?"

In fact, Toko herself is not troubled by that. Her friends are the same way.

It's just that when others ask her that, she feels like she has to worry, or rather, she feels like she has to pretend to be worried, otherwise she feels guilty. Because it's not the answer they expect.

Aware that her feelings were slightly ruffled, Toko took a slow breath. When her breathing is shallow, her thinking becomes sluggish.

Toko took another deep breath before returning to the entrance of the building that had become her new castle. The lobby of the new 1LDK apartment was compact, but it actually provided a sense of security because she could see everything. She entered her room using the passcode she hadn't quite gotten used to typing in after a few days.

For a moment, she thought she had entered the wrong room.

When she entered the foyer, a strange man was standing right behind her slippers.

A young man dressed neatly in what I suppose you would call a tailcoat jacket.

"Welcome home, my lady."

He bowed and gestured for her to come inside. Even though it was her own home, Toko almost bowed back and followed him. She hurriedly stopped herself.

The man who stepped forward looked just like a shop clerk. A restaurant service staff member, perhaps?

"I am Kiriyama, your butler."

Yes, a butler. Like someone who might appear in a movie that was popular a long time ago. No, he doesn't look refined enough for that.

It was a design that looked more like the clothes of an old butler in a classic foreign film. Aside from that world, seeing it here now, there was no other way to describe it but dowdy.

And his hair was styled in a way that was clearly different from the current slicked-back look. Furthermore, he wore hopelessly thick glasses.

The moment his hand touched her shoulder to take off her coat, Toko pulled out her smartphone.

While waiting for the police to arrive, Toko and the man stood in the entryway.

"Um..."

"Be quiet. Don't say a single word."

"No, well... even if you call the police, I don't think they will be able to deal with me."

"Huh?"

Her voice dropped involuntarily. Was he threatening her after breaking into a woman's house?

However, she didn't get that vibe from the man in front of her.

Instead, he was wearing an apologetic, troubled smile.

"I am not of this world, you see."

Even when he said that, she didn't feel a chill. There was no room to even consider that possibility. Unable to hide her irritation, Toko said,

"No, sorry. You're alive, right?"

He bowed politely and replied.

"That is absolutely not the case."

"...So what, are you saying you're a ghost?"

"That is correct. I, well... I was already... in the 1930s."

"Ah, never mind. Forget it."

Toko wanted this self-proclaimed ghost man out of her sight as quickly as possible. She waved a hand to cut off his words, thinking only of how soon the police would arrive.

Even when the police officer arrived, the man's attitude did not change. He stood politely by Toko's side.

The officer glanced at Toko. Feeling as though he thought she was the one making false accusations, she felt her head grow even hotter.

Not of this world? Impossible. This building is brand new. There is no way a ghost could appear here.

Besides, the police officer can see him just fine, can't he?

Toko finally began to think concretely about who this man might be. Is he a habitual burglar? Or perhaps a con artist targeting single women?

In any case, claiming to be a ghost—surely there is a better excuse than that.

However, Toko had only been out to the convenience store for two or three minutes.During that time, it was hard to imagine anyone breaking into a fifth-floor apartment with a double-locked door.

Yet, she could not think of any other realistic possibility.

He clearly wasn't a maintenance worker. And surely, a dispatch butler service wasn't part of the amenities for residents.

Perhaps pressured by Toko's mood, the officer asked the man to present his wrist in a perfunctory manner. Since this country manages its citizens via vein authentication, this should reveal his identity immediately.

The man complied obediently. The way he looked at the machine with curiosity bothered Toko for no reason.

However, the machine's display remained stuck on 'Please place your hand.' Even after dozens of seconds passed.

The officer tilted his head and urged the man to try again. The man mumbled something like 'Um' or 'That is,' but placed his hand over the sensor apologetically.

The result was the same. Even after restarting the machine and trying again, it was the same.

The officer kept glancing back and forth between the machine and the man.

The man opened his mouth, looking frustrated.

'Um... I am terribly sorry, but'

...

He bowed with a troubled look on his face, and then, he vanished.

Toko couldn't even move her head. She kept staring at the spot where the man had disappeared, remaining in the same posture.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the police officer staggering backward.

Ah, ah, ah...

He looked as if he were about to collapse at any moment.

However, when he made eye contact with Toko, who had come to her senses, he said,

Um, this... it doesn't seem to be a case of burglary or robbery.

He began to mutter in a thin voice. She couldn't tell if he was speaking to her or to himself.

No, um, at this point, there is no actual damage... right? Well, if that's the case, then as far as we are concerned...

It was true that there was nothing they could do if the suspect literally vanished. But it was clear that the officer said that not because of the logical reason, but because he clearly didn't want to get involved.

Toko watched in stunned silence as he left without even a proper greeting or a backward glance. However, she had been drained of the energy to call the police again to protest.

That was not so much the officer's fault as it was...

Did you understand?

Wah!

It was this man's fault. He was standing there in the exact same stiff posture as before.

And he had a strangely likable, soft voice. She even thought it would be quite good if used by a narrator in a video advertisement.

After thinking that, Toko was amazed at herself for remembering work in such a situation.

The self-proclaimed ghost was still directing a gentle smile at Toko. He looked human in every way.

No, sorry. ...You are alive, right?

He answered with the same intonation as before.

"That is quite out of the question."

His butler uniform also seemed like nothing more than a costume. However, in addition to its old-fashioned design, his hairstyle and glasses were not just outdated—they were from a different era entirely. They didn't suit the young man at all. That was what made it strange for a mere costume.

"In any case, please come inside. You will catch a cold."

Even though it was her own house, she was welcomed so ceremoniously that Toko finally took off her shoes.

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