Chapter 102

Synopsis
When one of Kirin's new dolls goes missing, Saikawa appears and urges the children to get to the bottom of this heinous abduction case.

Long Summary
The peaceful atmosphere of the daycare is broken one day when Kirin cries out about disaster having struck. She tearfully announces that her new Petit doll is gone. Ryuuichi distinctly remembers how early that morning she was showing everyone a pair of Petit Pois dolls that her father bought for her. The other children deny having even played with Petit, so Usaida jokingly suggests that she might have gone off for a stroll. Unamused, Kirin sternly tells Usaida that dolls cannot walk on their own. As Usaida wonders how she can understand that but still believe in witches, he is startled by Saikawa's sudden appearance. The assistant assures Kirin that Petit will be found, and appoints Kotaro to solve the mystery. Having recently read a detective picture book with Saikawa, Kotaro jumps at the chance to help Kirin in her time of need. The other boys are inspired to help as well, much to Kirin's joy.

The group starts by retracing Kirin's steps. She last remembers putting the Petit and Pois dolls to sleep before everyone went out for a walk. Saikawa feels the blanket and remarks that it is cold, though Usaida points out this will not help them determine when a doll was taken. The boys copy Saikawa anyway, oblivious to the fact that the blanket is now warm because they're all on top of it. Usaida suddenly asks to be excused to see the nurse about a stomachache, and leaves Midori with Ryuu as they continue the investigation. Saikawa proposes that they all search the room for the missing doll. After a while Taka and the twins all claim to have found it. It is a false alarm: the twins each hold a wrong toy, while Taka finds sticker that he himself had lost before. Kirin is disappointed, so Ryuu holds up a Petiti Pois picture book in order to remind everyone what the doll looks like. Meanwhile, Kotaro finds something promising: a handkerchief with a girly pattern. It is not Kirin's, so Saikawa suggests that it is important evidence. Ryuu believes it is likely just somebody else's lost property unrelated to the case. Takuma holds the handkerchief close to his nose and sniffs it. He then happily exclaims that it smells just like Ushimaru. Kirin is shocked that Ushimaru is the culprit, but Ryuu urges everyone not to jump to conclusions. Too excited to listen, Taka tells the others to follow him to the Tennis Club. Ryuu tells Saikawa that they better go keep the children out of trouble.

Outside, the children all grab onto Ushimaru, proud that they have caught the alleged criminal. Kirin tells her that she should have just asked if she wanted to play with Petit. Ryuu runs up to her and apologizes, and Saikawa returns her handkerchief. Ushimaru shyly explains that she was just passing by the daycare center hoping to see everyone. She recalls that as Usaida was putting Midori to sleep, he told her that Ryuu had taken everyone out for a walk. One of the girls from the Tennis Club pipes up. She announces herself as an otaku and explains that the doll is part of a limited edition pair of dolls. She suggests that someone might have stolen it since they are worth hundreds of dollars.

Hayato suddenly appears behind Ryuu, and having overheard the conversation, he remarks that Usaida must be the prime suspect. Ryuu reasons that both dolls would be missing if someone were to sell them. The children could not understand what the Tennis Club member was saying, so they stare at Ryuu and Hayato in confusion. The girl from the Tennis Club covers her face in embarrassment, having revealed herself as an otaku to Hayato.

Ryuu remembers that Usaida made a suspicious excuse as Ryuu and the others were on their walk. Midori begins to squirm, and Ryuu sees that her neck is itchy. Taka pulls on Hayato's leg as Ryuu discovers a string from Midori's neck. Kotaro immediately points to the string, and Kirin notes that the Petit doll has purple hair. Saikawa smiles as he asks Ryuu if he has figured something out.

Ryuu and the others return to the daycare center, and they find a severed doll head with missing hair and a needle poking through it. Kirin is appalled to see her doll dismembered, and Usaida nervously comments that they returned before he could repair it. He explains that while they were taking a walk, Midori ripped out the doll's hair. Saikawa brought him materials to fix it, and he praises Saikawa for his detective act. Usaida pats Kirin's head and apologizes. Kirin tearily asks if Petit will be fixed properly, and Usaida smiles, promising to make her even cuter than before. Kazuma remarks that Petit was already cute.

Kotaro stares at a DVD cover of the Petit Pois. He realizes that Kirin's Petit doll does not resemble the Petit character. Thus, the group discovers that Satoru bought a knock-off version of the popular dolls. Usaida checks the news on his phone and sees that the knock-off dolls have hair that slips off easily. When Satoru arrives to pick Kirin up, he apologizes, suggesting that he buy the real dolls for her. Kirin hugs her dolls and smiles, saying that she does not need new dolls since they are still her Petit and Pois.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Kashima Ryuuichi
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Satoru Kumatsuka