Too Many People Are Pretending to Be My Boyfriend

[Updates daily at noon when it's on the rankings; otherwise, updates every other day.]

Miss Alia, whose case-solving rate is said to be ninety-nine percent, has finally met her match.

"Miss Alia suffered a severe head injury. A blood clot formed in her brain and is pressing on a nerve... Simply put, she's lost her memory."

When Alia woke again, all she could remember were those beautiful eyes. She gazed with vacant, lifeless golden eyes at the people standing at the foot of her bed. "So, which of the five people in my hospital room is my boyfriend?"

The mansion owner who invited her to a banquet had died several days ago.

A message from hell concealed the identity of a famous ophthalmologist.

Someone committed murder from a hundred meters away, right in front of a crowd.

All the evidence pointed to Alia's missing memories.

And then there was another problem.

Her considerate, in-sync assistant: "...I've never heard you mention having a boyfriend. Are you sure you haven't got it wrong?"

He paused while sorting the case reports, then looked up at Alia. "If there really is someone like that... you've forgotten him anyway, so why not just pretend he doesn't exist?"

Her easygoing teacher: "Hmm? Your boyfriend? That's right, it's me~"

He smiled and brushed a hand over Alia's vacant eyes. "Come on, shouldn't you be paying more attention to your long-lost boyfriend than to the case?"

The phantom thief who was always at odds with her: "Long time no see, my rival, my beloved. This time, victory will surely be mine."

He bent down, lifted her hand, and kissed the back of it. With a flourish of his cape, the cunning thief left behind a gorgeous rose. "Let's meet when the bells are done ringing, Alia."

"Which one is my boyfriend?"

[Doggy Antics]

Alia: Which good doggie is by my side every day, helping me out?

Her Doberman assistant puffed out his chest.

Alia: Which doggie is the best teacher?

Her Samoyed teacher smiled.

Alia: Which doggie is the naughtiest and most disobedient?

The Doberman and Samoyed both looked at the fox-like phantom thief, who had turned away and was pretending not to hear.

Alia: It's Little Black, Little White, and Little B!

The three dogs present were stunned. Where did those dogs come from?

[Steampunk x Romance x Mystery]

1. Also known as "Guess Who the Hero Is" (just kidding). This is a mystery-writing practice piece, so please bear with this inexperienced author.

2. The plot and romance complement each other. The male lead is already decided, so this isn't a pick-your-favorite story.

3. My own take on steampunk, with lots of original worldbuilding.

4. If you're interested, please add it to your favorites [heart].

Theme: Solve cases while seeing through people's hearts.