Episode 5

Opal of Encounters is the fifth episode of The Case Files of Jeweler Richard.

Summary
Seigi runs into a middle school senpai from Karate. His senpai will be getting married soon. Seigi is eager to help his friend in any way he can. Richard advises Seigi to not strain himself doing so much for someone he hasn't seen in years.

His senpai comes to the shop with a fire opal, interested in selling it to Richard. He retells Seigi's story of the sapphire ring as if it was his own. Seigi then realizes his senpai is not the same as when they were in middle school. It seems that he is struggling with money.

A woman shows up at the shop asking about the opal Seigi's senpai was trying to sell, saying it was stolen from her aunt. Turns out Hase/Seigi's senpai works in a nursing home and a patient with dementia gave the opal to him. Hase returns to the shop asking Richard to buy it again. When Richard informs him that they do not buy potentially stolen goods, Hase becomes verbally hostile and tries to intimidate Richard.

Turns out the patient did give it to Hase as thanks for saving them, according to the Kai no hi tale of a rabbit saving a skylark from drowning. Hase returns the opal and admits to Seigi he just wanted the money. He tells Seigi that he never wants to see him again.

Seigi is walking home in the rain when Richard pulls up in his car and invites him for dinner.