"Good morning! For those who don't know me, my name is Grim Moire, I'm the owner of the Bookshore! Welcome to our long-awaited book signing event! It is a real pleasure and honour to welcome the famous (Name) (Surname) to our bookshop! Thank you all for coming, some of you from very far away!"

Some people in the crowd cheer enthusiastically.

The host turns to you and says:

"You'll bear witness to the fact that, thanks to you, tourism is flourishing in Monte d'Or!"

"Oh, you are giving me credit where it isn't due, sir... You know how to welcome authors as well as readers to this incredible jewel of a shop. I am delighted to be here with you, Mr Moire, your staff and the audience. Thank you very much. Thank you to all my fans for visiting — I recognise some familiar faces. As for the ones who do not know me and my works yet, or if you are simply curious, I would be gratified and grateful if you would enjoy today's presentation and the story I want to tell. Today, I will read 'Nadir and Zenith', the second book I have ever written."

The public and the staff clap all together.

Mr Moire and the employees describe the plan for the morning: introduction of the author, reading and commenting some carefully selected extracts, followed by a series of questions and answers, concluded by the autograph session.

Nothing out of the ordinary, so far. You must admit that you are now used to that kind of show.

You courteously smile and are ready to speak up.

You remember your teenage self. You were such a shy, insecure novice writer, terrified of the crowd's gaze — your classmates, teachers, family and friends. You want to believe that breaking out of your chrysalis, making your dreams come true all by yourself and gaining self-confidence are the right direction to become an accomplished adult.

Then, why do you feel so fragile when thinking of Henry and Angela? You have become someone, made a name for yourself... Why are you not strong enough to face your past?

These scars still hurt. I do not want to reopen these old wounds. I must protect myself.

That is what a reasonnable adult would do.

In that case, why am I filled with so many regrets and remorses?

You open your book where you had marked it and begin reading it outloud. You give it your all. Your intonation is controlled, yet natural. You know exactly what you want to say and convey.

After all, this is also a part  of you you are exposing to the audience.

Your fictional characters give you a voice. The voice you have been silencing for too long.

If only my friends were here, today...

You wonder if they would ever read your books and understand the loneliness you have felt for all these years.

Your fans applause and congratulate you when you are done.

As you thank them with gratitude, your eyes flick over to Hershel, standing in the middle of the crowd. He is smiling and waving at you amicably, appearing satisfied being here.

Your jaw momentarily drops before you regain your composure.

Somehow

This makes you happy, too.

As the public lines up to get your autograph, you call Mr Grim Moire and whisper into his ears:

"Mr Moire, do you see the gentleman with the top hat overthere? He is the famous Professor Layton, a VIP. He is also well acquainted to Mr and Mrs Ledore, do you think you could let him come forward?"

"Why, but of course!"

The owner kindly asks the professor, accompanied by Emmy and Luke, to move at the front of the line. Hershel looks slightly surprised at first. Nevertheless, he tilts his hat to thank Mr Moire and advances with his friends, prompting a few people to growl or complain or wonder how the three of them can be so lucky.

"Good morning, Hershel!", you chirp. "I wasn't expecting you here, I'm... I'm glad you came!"

He is moved by your genuine smile.

"I've never had the chance to attend a single one of your book-signing events when you were in London, therefore I thought today was my chance to fix it! I must say, the venue is stunning. As a fellow bibliophile, I presume you must be relishing the sight."

"But your performance was even more stunning, (Name)!", compliments the apprentice. "Even if I find the excerpts you've chosen a little difficult to understand sometimes, I can't explain how, but I still feel emotional... It's... touching? Maybe..."

"Thank you, Luke, I'm thrilled you say so. It means you actually perfectly understood them. You're a very sensitive boy, I can tell."

"(Name), I'm impressed by how much you've changed. I recall you used to have stage fright.", Hershel continues.

"Really? It's hard to imagine!", Emmy exclaims.

"Well... After I began earning a good living, I could afford some coaching sessions."

"The professor told us you kept what's only necessary for your living, and gave the rest to charity and animal shelters. Is that true?", the assistant asks.

You imperceptly blush at her words.

"Oh... I... Well, yes, but I wish I could do more..."

"Ha ha, It's good to see that at least, this aspect of your personality hasn't changed a bit!", Hershel chuckles. "You've never liked to blow your own trumpet, just like Henry."

You feel like Hershel has thrown a bucket of iced water to your face.

"What about him?", you bluntly interrupt. 

Hershel notices you instantly stiffening. You are now on guard.

"I'll get to that in a moment. There is something I must talk to you about, (Name)."

"You certainly don't beat around the bush, Hershel. Am I right to assume it is related to the Ledores?"

"You're correct. Angela kindly requested that I pass on to you the following message: she said she would always treasure your happy memories and be missing your time spent together."

Your expression slightly softens.

"Much appreciated, Hershel. Truth be told, Angela sent me an invitation upon my arrival, but I've refused to meet her. I won't have time to, anyway. As you can see, my fans are counting on me and I note Angela didn't bother to come either. So I'm grateful that you, at least, showed up."

"My pleasure, of course. I hope you don't assume I only came to talk to you about the Ledores. I sincerely wanted to see your presentation because I was unable to support you as a friend, despite the fact we lived so close to each other."

"I can't picture you as someone with ulterior motives, but I understand you intended to kill two birds with one stone.", you smile thinly.

"Indeed. You're very observant. To be perfectly candid... I have a favour to ask. I think that your perceptiveness could be of use in our investigation."

"You don't mean... the Masked Gentleman?", you whisper. "You're still onto this?"

"It is our mission to apprehend the Masked Gentleman and restore peace to Monte d'Or. But in order to do so, we must first find out who is behind that mask."

"I'm not a detective, and neither are you, Hershel. Let the police do their work."

"But from what we gather, the police are still fumbling for a lead. With so little to go on, it'd best to keep on investigating ourselves...", Emmy justifies.

"What's going on? Why is it taking so long?", someone in the crowd complains.

You discreetly peek at the public growing impatient behind the trio.

"Oh, oops...", Emmy and Luke gasp.

"It's all right, everyone. I got chatty after encountering an old friend. We'll be done in a minute!", you stand up and explain amicably.

The audience calms down a bit, seemingly satisfied with you clarifying the situation.

"So, he's a friend of (Name) (Surname)?"

"I'm jealous!"

"How sweet! (Name) looks thrilled to see him!"

"I feel bad interrupting them now..."

"Can't wait for my turn!"

"How kind of (Name) to allow him to the front of the line, they must be close..."

You heave a sigh and sit down again.

"Sorry Hershel, I'll be stuck here for a while."

"Not at all, (Name). Please don't apologise. It was wrong of me to request your assistance at a time like this.", he says, contrite. "There's more I'd like to share with you. Would you agree to reconvene after the event to discuss, perhaps?"

At first, you are tempted to refuse but are having second thoughts. It looks like Hershel really is in need for advice. After all, should you had not summoned him at the front of the queue, he would have been ready to wait until the end to talk to you...

"I'm unsure what I can do for you, but I'm always happy to lend an ear if you want to debrief.", you say. "I won't be available for a couple hours, though."

"Many thanks, (Name). Take your time. Meanwhile, Emmy, Luke and I also have plenty on our plate. Let's gather later at the monument at the front of Chance Avenue."

"Give me a second, Hershel. So you won't have come for naught."

You wave at one of the staff and request that they bring you a copy of the book you presented on that day. You gently lift the cover and sign the first page before offering it to the boy.

"I'm looking forward to hearing your opinion about it, Luke.", you tell him with a warm smile.

"Oh! That's the one you read earlier, 'Nadir and Zenith'! Thank you very much, (Name)!", he thanks with enthusiasm.

"Oooh, lucky you, Luke! And signed by (Name) (Surname) in person! That book here could be worth a fortune in ten years from now, you never know!", Emmy advises with a mischievous expression.

"What!? Emmy, this book's too precious to be sold!", Luke retorts, holding it against his chest possessively.

Professor Layton chuckles.

"Ha ha! Thank you, (Name)! A good book is always a thougthful present. Knowing Luke, I know he'll take good care of it."

"I will! I promise! See you later, (Name)!"

"Cheers."

You feel lighthearted. Is it always like this when you meet up with a friend you have not seen in eighteen years?

The three of them leave and the signing session is officially launched by Mr Moire.

As you scribble in the books that people are handing you or shaking hands with them, you are woolgathering. Although you have always enjoyed meeting your fans, you cannot sit quietly. After a little more than one hour, you cannot hold back any longer and decide to advise Mr Moire that an urgent matter has come up and you must go.

"W-what? So soon? But the public..."

"I'll ask my publisher to send you a hundred signed books! Do we have a deal? Please, it's really important!"

After all, this is the second time in your life that Hershel requests your service. However, you were unable to do him the favour he asked of you many years ago.

It was an impossible promise to keep.

Mr Grim Moire sighs, acknowledging that there is no way to talk you out of your celebrity's whim.

"I'll tell everyone you need a break... We'll collect the gifts and letters and have them delivered to your room."

"Excellent! Thank you so much for your understanding, Mr Moire! I owe you one..."

The crowd becomes agitated realising that the show has come to an abrupt end. While the staff is figuring out an appropriate excuse, you exit from the back of the shop and swiftly walk to the stone plaque Hershel mentioned earlier.

Your heart begins to beat twofold faster the longer you are waiting for them to come.

You feel excited at the thought of helping your friends.

I'll do it for Hershel. I don't mind him getting all the credits for solving the case in the eyes of Angela and Henry.

I have nothing to prove to the Ledores.

I hope peace can be restored in Monte d'Or as soon as possible. For everyone's sake...

For my old friends' sake...

I wish them happiness.

What about my own happiness?

"How silly of me, I told him I wouldn't be available for a couple hours...", you recall, catching a glimpse of a giant clock near by on the wall of a shop.

It may take a while...

"(Name)? My word, time flies! Hello!"

You turn in the direction of the voice.

That of a small, elderly lady.

***

(3 July 2023)