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Epel Felmier, the greatest - self-proclaimed - detective of Night Raven College, has a new case in his hands. And what is the first and most important thing to do for a detective? Observation! The part of the investigation when the extraordinary detective collects valuable evidence without the knowledge of the person being observed. And that is exactly what Epel did. He crouched behind some bushes and with his sharp eyes watched Jade, like a lion watching its prey. Jade was talking to the Prefect, in which Epel did not think he could detect anything suspicious. What was suspicious, however, and terribly disturbed Epel's thoughts, was the large bouquet of flowers held in Jade's hands. For weeks, Jade had been walking around with a bouquet of flowers very similar to this one, every 3-4 days. And no matter how much Epel thought about it, he could not figure out the reason. Until now, due to his fears - ahem, concerns - against Jade, he had not wanted to get too close to the eel. But his curiosity was so high that he couldn't contain himself. That's why the first-year Pomefiore student was now crouching behind the bushes and observing Jade from a distance. Jade couldn't have suspected anything. Muhahaha!
“Epel, what are you doing here?” Someone broke Epel out of his inner villain laugh. Epel almost screamed out loud in fright, but at the last moment he managed to restrain himself.
“Shhhhh!!” Epel pulled Silver down beside him, the moment Jade looked towards the sounds coming from the bushes. The eel finally turned its different-colored eyes back towards the Prefect and Epel could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Why are you spying on Jade?” Silver asked the first-year in a whisper.
“I want to find out why Jade has been walking around with such bouquets of flowers lately. Don't you find it strange?”
“I wouldn't say it's strange. More like unusual. I didn't think Jade was such a big fan of flowers.” Silver thought, examining the large bouquet. “Although it's true that he's in the mountain lovers club. So I guess he likes nature.”
“At first I thought so too. But then I looked it up and these flowers are from one of the most famous florists in Foothill Town.”
“Then he's probably taking them to the Mostro Lounge, as decoration.” Silver suggested.
“I looked that up too. These flowers are different from Mostro's style. I've investigated it several times recently and I couldn't find any trace of such flowers.”
“Interesting…” Silver pondered further possibilities. “And you didn't think of asking him?”
“Asking Jade?! But Jade is scary- I mean, I don't know him well enough to ask these things like that.”
“I see.” Silver nodded. Epel turned his gaze back towards Jade. Well, to the place where Jade had stood earlier. But now that place was empty. Holy Sevens! When could he leave?
“A magically beautiful day to both of you!” Said a melodious voice behind Epel. The first year almost jumped out of his skin, even falling backwards in fright. Because Jade was standing behind him, still with that certain bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“To you too, Jade.” Silver greeted the eel with a smile, which Jade returned.
“He-hello Jade…”Epel groaned. “What's up?”
“Nothing worth mentioning happened to me today. Maybe it's just the elusive feeling that I've been constantly feeling someone's eyes on me for the past few weeks. But it could just be my imagination.”
“Hehe, maybe.” Epel laughed embarrassedly, his ears red.
“And what's the bouquet for, Jade?” Silver bravely took the step instead of Epel. Epel thanked the Sevens in a prayer that he didn't have to ask the question.
“Oh, this little nothing? Isn't this a wonderful day to express our love in the language of flowers?” A friendly and slightly sly smile sat on his face. A shiver ran down Epel's spine.
“Yes, yes. We really have a nice sunny day. And the bouquet is beautiful too.” Silver replied.
“Yes! Yes! It's really cool, isn't it Silver? But we have to hurry now, don't we, Silver?! Really, really hurry! I'm glad we ran into each other, Jade! Bye!” Epel stormed off, dragging the shocked Silver with him. Jade waved after them, hiding a giggle behind the bouquet.
“Epel? Is everything okay?”
“This is a huge breakthrough, Silver! Hahaha!” Epel punched the air in excitement.
“Really?”
“Yes! One half of the mystery has been solved!”
“Yes? I'm glad.” Silver smiled, but he felt like he hadn't been able to follow Epel's train of thought for a long time already.
“Yes! Jade is running around with bouquets because he wants to give them to someone!”
“Usually that's what happens with bouquets. They're meant for someone, right?” Silver blinked uncertainly. Yes, he definitely lost the thread.
“But this is not just a simple bouquet! This is the one that someone gives to one's beloved! Jade is in love with someone and wants to give them the bouquet! Now we just have to find out who the unlucky one is - I mean, lucky one! This case requires observation again! Let’s go, Silver!”
“Um, Epel, I know who -” But Epel didn't let Silver say anything, he grabbed the silver-haired boy again and dragged him after him, to the place where Jade had last been seen. Silver finally sighed heavily and let Epel drag him with him again. Silver, no matter how uninformed he was about the other students' private lives (and since his father had raised him to be respectful, he didn't ask about things that didn't concern him), he happened to know about Jade's relationship. Just like everyone else at school. Well, almost everyone then.
“Who could it be? Azul? Jade hangs out with him the most. Plus, they work together and Jade is Azul's vice. Or maybe Jamil? Since Floyd is in the same club as Jamil, I think they might run into each other a lot and I've seen Jamil hanging out at Mostro quite a lot lately.” Epel wondered aloud.
“I don't think so-” But Epel repeatedly didn't let Silver finish his sentence. He was completely busy with his own guesses.
“Or maybe Ruggie? I saw Ruggie helping out at Mostro last time and I saw them go to Sam's together a few times. Or maybe Riddle? After all, they're classmates and I often see them studying together.” Silver couldn't even speak now. Epel's guesses were really starting to get crazy.
“Um, Epel, I- “ Epel seemed not to hear Silver, he continued to mumble to himself. Listing everyone he knew at school, trying to match them up with Jade. However, he never said that one obvious name.
“Um, Epel, if you'd listen, I'd tell you-”
“Shhh!” Epel pulled Silver a few bushes away from their previous hiding place. “There's Jade. He seems to be waiting for someone.” Epel peered through the leaves. "Yes, Epel, what a talented observer you are..." Silver sighed to himself resignedly. For now, he had given up trying to tell Epel the name of Jade's lover. He let the boy figure it out for himself.
Epel was already starting to get bored while waiting for the mysterious someone with Jade.
“My legs are starting to go numb...Hurry up! Don’t make him wait for you!” Epel grumbled. But as he said this, someone shouted Jade's name. Jade and Epel both turned their heads towards the voice almost simultaneously.
“Jade, forgive me! I was held up. You didn't wait for me long, did you?” Trey Clover appeared in Epel's field of vision.
“Don't worry, Trey-san. I just got here too.” Jade smiled. But Epel had never seen this smile on the eel's face before. This smile was heart-felt. It was kind, almost sweet. Jade handed the bouquet to Trey with a theatrical gesture. The signs slowly made sense to Epel and, forgetting that they were hiding, he shouted: “Trey Clover?!” As soon as Epel said it, he quickly clapped his hand over his mouth, but it was too late. The two lovers discovered their hiding place.
“Um, hello Epel, Silver? What are you doing here in the bushes?” Trey approached them.
“Our dear little Epel wanted to find out about my case with the flower bouquets. Like a good detective, he's been observing me for days. And I think he also wanted to find out to whom the flowers will be gifted in the end, right?” Jade approached Trey. He put his arm around the third-year student's waist, pulling him closer. Epel gave the eel a frightened look: “How long have you known?”
“Since the beginning.” Jade said simply.
“Ah, I see. And Silver? How did you end up here?”
“I just happened to become a detective partner by accident. I got involved against my will.” Silver raised his hand in submission.
“I understand.” Trey chuckled. “Then I guess the case is solved, right Epel?”
“But-but how? When? Why?” Epel stammered. Silver sighed. Jade just chuckled, but didn't say anything. “But-but-Silver did you know about it?!”
“Of course. I’ve been trying to tell you this whole time. They've been together for months. Plus, Riddle complains a lot- I mean, talks about them a lot during the club session.” Trey gave Silver an apologetic look. “Hmm, that's right. Sorry, Silver.”
“For months?! And how I didn’t know about it?!”
“I guess it's the great detective's job to shed light on it.” Jade smiled. But it wasn't nearly the kind, sweet smile he'd sent Trey earlier. No, it was his usual sly, terrifying smile. A shiver ran down Epel's spine.
“But I thought we were pretty public about our relationship, darling.” Trey turned to Jade and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“If you want, my love, we can be even more public.” Jade's eyes sparkled mischievously. He leaned down and pressed a passionate kiss to Trey's soft lips.
“Oh, sweetheart. Don't ruin dear Epel's innocence.” Trey whispered on Jade's lips after the kiss.
“I-I'm sorry!!” Epel screamed and ran away.
This is how ended the career of the great detective Epel Felmier.