As a mysterious tutor, I meet Jessica and her mother in Jessica's room.

"Please, this way, Mr. Player," the older woman who led me through the halls of the Ushiromiya mansion called. This enormous, fascinating, but frankly overdone mansion would soon be host to a conference to discuss the fortunes of the Ushiromiya family and who was worthy to succeed the headship. A fascinating topic for any Witch Hunter...

However, that was still a while away. Unless I was mistaken, the boat carrying that large family was still a ways from harbor now. Krauss had agreed to meet with them, while I, the celebrated tutor H.I. Player, followed the lovely silhouette of his wife through the halls of the mansion where he lived, taking care of his father and raising his daughter.

That daughter, of course, was Ushiromiya Jessica. Finally, in this story, I had thought up a way to meet her. All records indicated that Jessica failed to live up to expectations as a student and a lady. Perhaps that was an act of rebellion against her parents, who **** her into the position of becoming a proper successor for the Ushiromiya headship. It truly pained my heart to think of all that young lady must have gone through, only for it to come to naught at the end... Let's have a moment of silence for her.

...

Okay, the moment has passed. I said I wouldn't dwell on the murders. To happier times! Now, her mother, Ushiromiya Natsuhi, was opening the door for me to enter her room. I don't recall having any children of my own, nor any younger sisters, so this would probably be my first time being invited into the room of a young woman.

Well... Jessica wasn't the one inviting me in. Ushiromiya Krauss, her father, had sought me as a tutor. It had made things complicated that the only day I was available was the day the family conference was scheduled to begin, but that doting father who wanted the best for the Ushiromiya name, his daughter, and probably at least a little for himself, penciled me in. I'd arrived on one of the earliest boats over, one of the mysterious few that was willing to travel to this storied island so early in the day.

To prove there wasn't such a boat, you'd have to investigate every boat in the nearby villages. A devil's proof. Let's not waste time on that.

So it was that I was now standing in the doorway, watching Natsuhi rouse her daughter. Ordinarily, Jessica might be **** to help out around the mansion for the arrival of the other guests, especially considering how lightly staffed the mansion was with servants this day. However, due to our arrangement, she had simply been biding her time waiting for our appointment.

Ah... seeing this moment of youth was bittersweet for an Ushiromiya fanatic such as myself. That stern Natsuhi, so determined to provide her daughter the finest education, was leaning over and whispering to her daughter as though she was sleeping.

Your daughter isn't sleeping, Natsuhi. Jessica was "kicking back," as the kids would say, reading a magazine on her bed while listening to a Walkman with headphones. The sunlight streaming in from the windows... the way the young lady pretended she couldn't hear her mother... how Natsuhi ultimately gave Jessica the sternest shake of her shoulder she could manage without appearing unsightly to her guest... now, how Jessica lazily rose. This idyllic scene of youth, unsuspecting of the approaching danger, was truly beautiful.

... I'm talking about the murders coming up. I didn't want to talk about them again, but I got the weirdest feeling someone reading this might think I was referring to myself as "dangerous." Please try and remember I am only sharing my love.

Anyway, back to Jessica. I was immediately charmed by those rough manners of hers. Ah, Jessica... Natsuhi didn't want you to be lazing around when her esteemed guest arrived in the first place, you know?

I didn't say that. Instead, I prepare to give a more standard greeting. But first...