Case Closed, Warmly
A warm bun and one proud word
The next morning, we walked Taku to the bakery.
Mr. Sato was cleaning his shelf by the window.
"I have found your little bread thief," I said.
Mr. Sato turned around and looked at Taku.
The small boy lowered his head in .
"I'm sorry, sir," Taku said with a voice.
"I have taken a bun every morning."
Mr. Sato was quiet for a long .
Then his kind face slowly broke into a smile.
"I have never been angry at a hungry child," he said.
He walked to the shelf and picked a bun.
"This one is for you, Taku," he said gently.
Taku's eyes filled with happy, surprised .
"You have made me very today," Mr. Sato said.
From that day, Taku helped at the bakery each morning.
He swept the floor and fed the gray cat.
Mr. Sato has become like a kind to him.
Mio and I felt and truly happy.
I opened my Case Notebook one last time.
I have solved many cases with my best friend.
But this case has taught me the most.
I wrote one word at the bottom: "Solved."
has closed this gentle little mystery.
Mio smiled, and we started to plan our next case.