101 – Juliet
“This is it.”
I headed to Juliet’s home address I had heard from the director.
It was a very commonplace apartment house. To put it bluntly, it was cheap and shabby. The neighborhood itself was close to a slum where security was not so good.
Apart from her identity, it was a scene inevitably questionable. She
She thought that she wanted to sponsor an orphanage because she had some level of social success, but it didn’t seem like the right environment.
Of course, we can’t make a hasty decision until we actually listen closely to the circumstances. More important than that is whether Juliet really is Sherlock.
She went inside the building and stopped at the door of the house where she lived.
Smart.
He knocked on the door and called softly.
“Are you Miss Juliet?”
A voice mixed with alertness was soon heard from inside.
“…Who are you?”
“I’d like to talk to you about the orphanage for a moment. Do you have time?”
“An orphanage?”
After a short wait, the door opened and she appeared.
It looked exactly the same as the last time I saw it.
She’s wearing a red muffler even inside the house. Aren’t you frustrated?
“You are…”
“We met earlier at the orphanage. My name is Arsene Lupin.”
Introducing her name, I handed over the business card I had made in advance.
From nob le mt l dot com
Juliet murmured softly after reading the brief information written there.
“Lupin Foundation?”
“Relief, scholarship, medical care, talent training, etc. It is a charitable foundation established for non-profit social welfare.”
“That’s the first name I’ve heard of.”
“It is a new organization that has just been established.”
Looking through all of her cards, she turned her gaze to me and shot coldly at me.
“What does such a great person do to me?”
“As I said before, it is because of the issue of sponsoring the orphanage.”
“What exactly is the problem?”
You have a pretty temper. First of all, if I had a direct conversation and evaluated it, it seemed that I had a very different feeling from Sherlock so far.
From the point of view of the voice, this one is a bit more husky and the thorns stand out in the words. Of course, it’s natural to be wary of a stranger who has come all the way to the house.
I guess I still need to look into it.
“It’s simple. I heard from the director that you also have a purpose of donating to the orphanage, is that true?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No. Of course it’s not a problem. However, wouldn’t it be inefficient if each person sponsored in a different way without reaching an agreement? For example, buying a pile of daily necessities that only need one.”
She nodded her head as if she thought it made some sense.
“I guess so.”
“In addition to that, we plan to provide systematic support at the foundation level. If Miss Juliet is okay with it, I think we should handle it collectively.”
“…Will you spend my donation there?”
“Of course, I fully understand that you are uncomfortable. However, the Lupine Foundation has already discussed deeply with the director and accepted my opinion.”
This is just an omission of unnecessary steps, so to speak. Of course, the surest way is to donate directly, but it is similar to how many people conveniently donate using charities.
From nob le mt l dot com
Juliet frowned at the rather sudden suggestion and seemed to be deep in thought.
She didn’t rush, she stood at the door and waited leisurely.
“It’s hard to believe you suddenly appeared.”
“Of course it has to be. Of course I understand.”
“Show me something that will convince me.”
“Hmm.”
It was quite an unexpected answer, but if you think about it, it was a rather good opportunity.
“Good. Come to our office.”
“Yes?”
“You asked me to show you credible evidence, so I just want to show you.”
“Right now?”
“Do as you please. The office address is written on the business card, so you can visit anytime. The quicker you process it, the quicker the sponsorship will go.”
After hesitating for a moment, Juliet accepted her offer.
“Okay. Let’s go right now.”
***
I went into her office and showed her some of her papers.
Since these things are handled properly, there is no reason not to be proud.
“Um…”
“Since it is still a new foundation, there are not many activities. It’s just a grandiose plan.”
“…You donated so much money? To our orphanage?”
“It’s not that much money for me.”
It may sound like bragging, but what can I do when it’s true.
“Apart from that, the office doesn’t have much to do with it, which is surprising.”
“hahahaha… You are poking me where it hurts.”
Of course, I also feel that the office is small. We can never ignore the fact that a businessman doesn’t seem to be driving an expensive foreign car for no reason.
But there are no vacant rooms near my house. But if it’s too far away, it’s annoying to go back and forth.
“The important thing is not the size of the office, but the donation.”
“Your words are slick.”
She then went through the other documents.
“Scholarships for magic academy students are also given.”
“Yes. There are few applicants because it is not known yet, but I am willing to apply to any school as long as it meets the conditions. Even the university.”
“Supporting college students? Why?”
It seems to be an unacceptable concept by today’s standards. In modern times, universities have become much more common people-friendly academic institutions, but in this era, they are literally elite institutions for the geniuses of the nation.
“It’s like an investment.”
“Investment?”
“Yes. Friends who graduated from college with the Lupine Altar Scholarship will of course be favorable to my activities.”
“You are subsidizing that huge amount of tuition simply to buy favor?”
“The world is changing rapidly. As the industrial age opens, large cities are created, and the achievements of a single genius will grow with each passing day.”
Actually, it wouldn’t mean much if I said something while pretending to be smart. I can brag because I saw firsthand how the world will change in 200 years.
“…That’s amazing. What is the goal you are trying to achieve by doing that?”
“World Peace.”
“Poop.”
What is it? Could it be that you just laughed at me?
She burst out laughing as if she was dumbfounded, then looked at me and said.
“You are more fun than I thought.”
“I was just answering seriously.”
“Yes. So it was fun.”
At this point, I’m starting to wonder if it’s because I figured out my true identity.
Of course, it can’t be, but I have no idea what part she got stuck in and laughed at.
“Did you stop by the orphanage today for a check-up at the hospital?”
“Yes. Then, by chance, I ran into Miss Juliet.”
“I am not surprised anymore. To make reservations for the entire hospital so that all the children can receive treatment.”
“Isn’t that much more comfortable than bumping into someone else?”
From nob le mt l dot com
Juliet sighs as she flaps her papers.
“The scale is too different. What would be the difference if the money buried under my nose was added to a foundation like this?”
“The amount of money doesn’t matter. Rather, it is the desire to help others.”
“You speak very well.”
“I will take it as a compliment.”
She had, by the way, an important point that had been taken for granted and had been missed.
“You read the papers well.”
“What does that mean?”
“I heard that she grew up in her orphanage from childhood until recently. It would be normal if it was difficult to read the letters, let alone complicated documents.”
She has no particular intention of ignoring orphans. I’m just stating the obvious facts.
Actually, the illiteracy rate is still high in this era.
“I studied on my own.”
“Awesome.”
“Because the director knew how to read. I learned the basics with help and studied by buying and reading books. And I teach my children.”
“Miss Abbott follows you a lot. How much did you talk about your sister?”
Of course, I only answered because I asked first.
Anyway, it’s true that he actually talked a lot about Juliet.
She is definitely a woman who has to be recognized for one of her abilities.
She grew up in an orphanage all her life, but within a few months she got her job, her house, and even the money to support her orphanage.
That made me even more curious.
What the hell are you doing?
Her First of all, I questioned her with reference to her curiosity.
“So what do you want to do?”
“I can’t help but believe this. Great.”
“Good. Then, please let us know in advance how you plan to sponsor.”
“I was just thinking of doing it with money. The amount is…”
She was startled when she heard her denomination that jumped out of Juliet’s mouth.
Because it was a much bigger amount than I thought.
“That’s quite a lot.”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course not. However, it would be inconvenient to deal with a simple verbal contract, so it would be better to write a contract.”
She took out one of her documents that she had prepared in advance and gave it to her just in case.
It was a sponsor application document.
You need to fill out brief identity information and occupation.
She took the paper from me and stared at the contents of her document.
“Do I have to use it?”
“If there is no backache, that side will be good for each other.”
He hesitates.
Why?