walk your own path.

“I know that you really do care… That’s the more reason why I want to do something good for you too, you know? I mean, Mr. Detective Shuichi Saihara is about to investigate some letters I got for free, that’s an amazing service!” Of course she was joking, but there still was some honest meaning in her words. Him doing all of that for free, just because he wanted to was… very nice of him. 

Hearing that he always would be happy to spend some time with her, made her really happy too.  “Alright, then let’s hurry and look at those letters, so we can enjoy ourselves later afterwards!” With these words she opened the entrance to her house, since they finally arrived to their goal location. 

She guided Shuichi to her room, and after entering it, she once realized again how it was a bit embarrassing to invite him like this. He was the first boy she invited over into her room after all. But this wasn’t the time to think too much about things like these, she had to get those letters ready for him!  “Make yourself comfortable, Saihara-kun! Feel free to sit down wherever you like!” 

It didn’t need long until she found the papers she needed, after all she cherished her fans and keeped everything she got from them safe in a drawer of hers. “These are all the anonymous letters I got, but only a few are suspicous… Do you think you can do something with these?”

While he had imagined one day being invited to her home, he never wanted it to be for something quite this... grave. Whether it was her inviting him to her home or him inviting her to his uncle’s, he had imagined it a hundred others. For it to be a matter of her safety, it stirred something uneasy within him. Regardless of his feelings, he needed to be mindful of her and her privacy.

Yet, it was because of her privacy that he couldn’t ignore this. He’d have to swallow his nervousness and push forward. He needed to find the truth for her sake. And his own. “Yes, let’s!” he agreed as he stepped through the entrance. Shuichi needed to quell his racing heart and prioritize his purposes. At least, until he’d check the letters.

His cheeks flushed as he entered her room. He’d never been inside a girl’s room. Let alone someone so important him as her. His curiosity wanted to take control and glance around her room. He forced it away as she obtained the letters then offered them to him.

“Yeah…” And because she would have a motive, the one detail the boys were missing, then that would really piece everything together.

“Yes, that’s right.” He nods. “He says he always wants to look out for his neighbors, hence why he even went to try talking to Yagi-kun in the first place, in case he really did threaten Suzuka-san like that.”

“And…no, actually. Apparently, she doesn’t want to be involved much with this, saying that she would surely be seen as suspicious and claims she is completely innocent…”

Which, to Sai, definitely raises some eyebrows, since he feels if she is innocent, that she should have no problem trying to cooperate more.

It was almost to a disturbing level how much this seemed to be built upon pettiness. Though not all of the pieces had fallen together. A motive, of sorts, had been presented. But the truth was still out of reach.

“I see..,” Shuichi mused, noting that for later. “I’m concerned about the fact Suzuka-san was worried Yagi-kun would threaten her in the first place,” he commented. He could not dismiss the possibility of Suzuka being the source of lies, nor could he accept them.

“No need to thank me, it’s just the truth after all, isn’t it? It’s all thanks to you, Saihara-kun! I’m glad she’s safe now too!” He really was an amazing guy in her eyes. She noticed his flush cheeks though. Still wasn’t that used in getting compliments it seems, it was cute…

“I see! I’m glad we both are hungry then! The more room in our stomaches for now!” It did surprise her though, that the detective already had a place he wanted to visit together with her in mind. “A cafe? That sounds perfect! I’m in the mood for sweet food! So I would love to! What kind of cafe is it though?” This was japan after all, many cafes had an own theme. It really made her wonder to which one he wanted to take her. “Were you already there before?”

He shouldn’t have been surprised Kaede would insist upon her compliments. From day one, she’d been supporting him. “A-Akamatsu-san..,” he chuckled softly, though he was quick to smile in return. “I can’t deny that truth, can I?”

Developing bonds?! – Accepting!!

RATIONS

A set of military rations including canned food and ready-to-eat meals. They’re very delicious, and a snake who loves playing hide-and-seek likes them.

Normally, this would be a strange gift to give someone. Shuichi had a feeling Rantaro would appreciate this. As someone who traveled all across the world, he was undoubtedly familiar with all sorts of food.

It felt nice when her friend hugged her back, even though it made her cheeks flush quite a bit. After he did let go of her though, he already announced another surprise. 

“What? You have another present for me? But practicing and learning how to play the piano for me would have been more than enough, Saihara-kun…” But needless to say, that him having another surprise for her made her feel even more excited on the inside. What could be better than the boy she likes playing piano for her? 

Then he showed her the 2 necklaces. Those were… partner necklaces, matching to each other, right? Could it be that one was for her and the other one for…  “Put it on me? Uhm… sure!” This was bad, her face was hot and most likely all red too already. The pianist could already see where all of this was going. He did give her the key necklace… So if he’d keep the other one, that would have a much deeper meaning, than just a simple gift friends would give each other, right? Was Shuichi about to confess or did her imagination just go wild?

“That necklace is super pretty! Are you sure you want to give it to me? You’re spoiling me right now, you know!” A soft giggle left her lips. She was nervous, yeah, but this didn’t mean that she doesn’t like where all of this was leading to..

It was rather embarrassing to present them so forwardly. Initially, he had only planned to give her a single necklace. But in his search, he stumbled upon the pair. Something to tie them together, even when they were apart.

He moved behind her as he carefully worked to put the necklace on her. “Akamatsu-san..,” he spoke, trailing off before finding his voice again. “When we started this school year, I planned to hide away in the background. To hide behind my hat and deny that I belonged here alongside our classmates and peers. You were the reason I was able to start facing the strength that was always there.”

His cheeks were flushed as he moved back to face her. He wouldn’t avert his gaze. Not to the truth, nor to the emotions circulating within him whenever he was with her. The locked heart necklace was his. He put it on himself. “Since then, you’ve taught me so many things. To have someone like you as my friend is the luckiest thing to happen to me, but...”

He should been this year’s Super High School Level Luckster, he thought.

Developing bonds?! – Accepting!!

MILLENNIUM PRIZE PROBLEMS

Seven mathematics problems issued by the Clay Mathematics Institute in America. The prize money for solving even one of them is a million dollars.

Developing bonds?! -- Accepting!!

AN・ANNN・AN

A fashion magazine for women in their teens and 20s. Its wide range of articles is quite appealing, with topics including the latest fashions, tonight’s side dishes, and techniques to polish up your girl power.

Things to be sent anonymously (part 2)!! – Accepting!!

His eyes narrowed slightly. These words didn’t alarm him. He could only imagine how hard it must have been for Harukawa. Momota-kun had been a rock for both of them. Someone to lean upon. He couldn’t imagine how much that must have meant to the assassin. The girl who knew nothing more than being ostracized for most of her life. She was secretive, reluctant to be vulnerable. He knew she kept to herself in an effort to protect everyone around her.

The loss of the astronaut must have weighed upon her far more heavily than he could picture. Particularly, Harukawa’s involvement in the case. He didn’t mind if she blamed him. He knew she was hurting. And he was the one that dared to pursue the truth. He would rather she blame him than blame herself. She carried too much on her shoulders, as it was.

Regardless, he would be by her side. He would offer what support he could give. Or wait until she was ready. No matter what, he wouldn’t turn his back on her. Never.

The birthday girl was very well aware of what day it was today. That Shuichi wanted to meet her in the music room still was a bit surprising to her though. Most likely he planed there something to celebrate her birthday, but in the music room? What could it possibly be? So she nervously awaited for the time to pass by faster. She was just too curious. What did he prepare for her there? Was it a birthday suprise and if yes, what kind?

Once the clock finally gave her the ‘okay’ she needed for her to enter the music room, she of course didn’t hesitate and arrived at the exact meeting time. What the Ultimate Pianist saw there, was something she never expected. This was Shuichi Saihara, her friend known as the Ultimate Detective… playing the piano? It wasn’t just any song either, it was one she knew and liked very well too!

“Saihara-kun… how did you… since when do you know how to play the piano? That was amazing! I loved it! Thank you so much… I’m so happy!” She really was, her eyes even were a bit teary while saying that. The pianoholic couldn’t help it anymore, she really wanted to show her gratitude to him. But how? Would it be okay to hug him? It had to be! Slowly she approached the boy that was sitting on the piano in order to hug him. 

“You’re amazing, Saihara-kun! This was ‘Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, op 47.’ after all, the song isn’t that easy for beginners. How long have you been practicing for this?” This was the biggest surprise she will get today for sure. Shuichi always tried his very best for her, she didn’t even begin to find the right words to thank him for this. 

“Geez, you should have told me earlier that you’re able to play the piano. We could have played some duets, you know!” Of course this was more a joke than being upset about the surprise for real, but she couldn’t help but wondering when and where he did learn to play like that.

There were a few errors, he knew. Over the past few weeks, he had been practicing this song specifically, once he mastered the basics. The dedication he usually applied to his cases was applied to this. It would still be a while before he could play duets properly, probably.

It seemed that this wasn’t the only surprise for the day. Her arms suddenly around him caught him off guard. A blush settled onto his cheeks. He thought he had steeled his nerves. It seemed he wouldn’t make it through the day without nervousness catching up to him.

“We’ll have lots of time to play duets together, Akamatsu-san,” he chuckled, returning her hug finally. “Tomorrow, and onward,” Shuichi spoke softly, warmly. His words held a certain sort of confidence to them, as though they were a promise. A promise to be by her side.

Shuichi let go of the pianist, taking a moment to recollect himself. “I have another gift for you. It’s... kind of for both of us, actually,” he admitted, scratching his cheek. This gift was more tangible than playing a song for her. It was more permanent.

“Not at all, but you know I don’t mind waiting.”

Even if Seiji had kept him waiting for a while, Shuichi wouldn’t let him know. He doesn’t want his brother to go worrying over something like that when he already has so much on his plate. As long as they get to see each other, that’s all that matters, isn’t it? It’s certainly all that matters to him, anyway. The division between Main Course and Reserve Course gives him few opportunities to spend time with his brother, but he’s not about to go fussing over a few minutes here or there.

“How’s class going today?”

“That’s a relief...”

Seiji was quick to place expectations upon himself. Be at the agreed place on time, never slack or slouch. With Shuichi already in the Main Course, he wanted to do whatever he could to catch up to him. He wanted to walk by his side, rather than trail behind him. Even if that meant something as trivial as being on time for lunch. In any case, some tension left his shoulders as his brother’s words.

“Saihara-chan, how could you!”

“Acting like you’ve never met me before… the nerve of you!”

Of course he knew who he was really talking to. The first clue was in the name: he and Shuichi had finally reached a first-name basis. The second clue was that Ouma wasn’t an idiot, of course he knew Shuichi had a brother and could tell them apart. This was bound to be way more fun, though.

“...Huh?”

In retrospect, he should have expected this. But he didn’t expect it only seconds into interacting with the other. Seiji couldn’t hide how taken off guard he was by this sudden accusation. This wasn’t boding well for a first impression on his part. At least in his mind.

He’d been anticipating this day for quite some time. Neither of his gifts were particularly flashy. However, the meaning behind them would be worth more than monetary value. He had a feeling Kaede would share that opinion with him, when he revealed his gifts to her. One step at a time.

He had asked her to meet him in the music room at 2pm exactly. The place he usually found her at. Today, the roles were reversed. Shuichi was the one seated at the piano, albeit he was more nervous than she would be. He’d been taking lessons off campus for the last few weeks, in between cases, so as not to be discovered. He’d some research into romantic pieces. It had been a struggle. The piece he chose was probably a few steps above his musical level. Though he worked hard, he was confident in his ability on this song.

He knew she would be on time. He timed it, so he would start playing when she entered. Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, op.47. With how often she referenced Chopin and his own research, the song seemed appropriate. Her finding him playing would serve as a distraction from his other gift. A small box containing two necklaces. A heart with a lock upon it, and a key that fit into the lock. That would be revealed to her soon enough.

Things to be sent anonymously (part 2)!! -- Accepting!!

“You’re right.”

Before, it had been shyness. Shuichi preferred to keep to himself before. The time when he would hide within himself. Now though? It wasn’t out of anything like that. Rather, his acceptance of his nature as a detective opened new issues. He seemed to perpetually be prioritizing others’ concerns over his own. Perhaps he was becoming a little overzealous in his endeavors. However, he didn’t want others to worry about him when they were so often burdened as it was.