FORTUNE.

~♦~ Arisato couldn’t help but chuckle softly at her accusation. It was rather interesting after all. “I’m afraid you misunderstood me, Shirogane.” Walking to the Naoto he then placed a hand over the hat that adorned those azure locks before patting it softly.

“I was simply referring to personality, but if you wish t think it was about your height then by all means, continue to think that. I won’t stop you.”

                                              Well that shifted her opinions on the matter very quickly. It made her feel a little embarrassed and his laughter didn’t help at all. ❝Huh?❞ The light pats reminded her of someone who was dear to her. But he’s no longer alive to give her such gestures which made her cheeks flustered. He had to figure out her one weakness --- honestly.

                                              ❝Narukami-senpai, there was no need for you to go through the trouble.❞

                                              THAT’D BE IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE. Even if no one requests for him to do something like this, he’d act through his kind impulse — it’s quite like him. Trying to argue with him was pointless, especially when she nearly neglected common manners. The sleuth should be grateful for his memory to trace back this date like last year. Still, the embarrassment of forgetting this date again displayed on her cheeks for a light blush. Though it brushed off in an instant just to remind herself he was still here.

                                              BY NOW, SHE GREW ACCUSTOMED TO THIS. Hearing a friendly voice, ashen hues shifted over to the window without much of expecting anything unusual. Perhaps she cared to engage in another of their conversations together? Most of her findings today was accounted for though she felt something was … a little off. Even her Grandfather insisted for his granddaughter to ‘take the rest of the day off’. It’s just like him to leave words without thoroughly explaining them — a childish detective game he was playing for the sake of reminding her what she adores to do. It made her silently feel relieved but also a little insulted … she wasn’t a CHILD by any means.  

“Well…why would youse no’ see me again? Youse said you’d be busy on tha case, so I took i’ as tha’. Heck, tha’s wha’ half our conversations were abou’.” {/While Naoto wasn’t the first friend Nicole had made, she still considered him to be a really good one. And after all this time, almost several months, it was nice to see him again. However, on the inside, she was torn in trying to force herself to believe that was the truth that he was just busy. It probably was the truth too. However, there was always that nagging insecurity about not being good enough, and Naoto knew this. Maybe that’s why he’s apologizing to her.

Even then, he’s not pushing her away now.

Taking her small window of a chance, she slung an arm around his shoulders and gave him a soft squeeze, just like she used to do.}

“Besides! Youse can make i’ up ta me by tellin’ me how ya are. A’ leas’, tha nex’ time ya have free time. I don’ wanna be no burden if yer on tha clock. Ya know?”

               “YOU RAISE A VALID POINT. Even so, I figured of letting you know the reason behind my absence, Nicole-san. I admit, your company is quite ... calming.” A truth she hadn’t expected to be revealing so carelessly but nonetheless a truth she can’t deny. People who flock to her were either the adults back at the Police Department or fangirls who pester to show her around Inaba. Neither group gave a comfortable atmosphere to which the young sleuth can cope with. The adults constantly inflict damage to her aspirations of becoming known as the 5th generation in the Shirogane lineage of detectives while the fangirls made too much noise. Plus she wasn’t interested in spending time with fangirls who won’t prove of use to solving the case. Nicole herself managed to touch a place where she could honestly relax. That secret of hers was kept in the dark to allow things to progress. She can’t simply reveal the truth to her, not now. From the look of her eyes, she saw one thing

               Nicole appeared distressed over the sleuth’s absence.

               Maybe she didn’t believe in her words but her sudden gestures did alarm the sleuth, still not accustomed to these touches. But there was no pulling away from Nicole and allowed her to do as she pleased. 

“I-I promise you it’s not that I pick pointless fights… I just work myself into a frenzy when I do get into a battle I enjoy.”he admits looking away in a sheepish manner. There was a rather rude nickname that Susano’o gave him that he really lives up to when worked up. “Trust me young master I rarely go into that frenzy unless provoked.”

He felt like an awkward child just speaking to her in such a fashion.  “So yes I haven’t done anything mindless to date because well what is the point in doing such?”he asked

               “YOU ADMIT TO FIGHTING others after all? I figured you wouldn’t be the type to engage into arguments by using force Yamato. How can you say fighting is something enjoyable?” Having confidence in his capabilities wasn’t the issue here. A natural concern over his well-being perfectly showed which is why the sleuth opposed to any act of fighting. ”I would prefer if you didn’t involve yourself in future battles, not unless I’m present. You can’t expect to do this alone despite my rejections to using violence to solve problems. Please refrain from any further fights Yamato.”

“You make it sound like we never talk.”

Admittedly, correspondence between them wasn’t all that common.  Yosuke doubted that she would appreciate most of his usual texts which consisted of him complaining about various things or making bad jokes.  

“But I’m trying to get everyone together to go to the beach again.  It’s been awhile since we’ve all gotten a chance to hang out, and Chie, Yukiko, and me are all graduating after this year.  It’d be nice to get everyone that we can together.  I’ve cleared it with everyone else, but I wanted to know if you were free this weekend.  Also, I need some help cooking or else Chie and Yukiko will be bringing lunch.”

               “WE RARELY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY to speak to one another on a one on one session is what I meant to say. Even by phone, we never speak --- considering this, it was surprising to receive a message from you Hanamura-senpai.” 

               Out of everyone she’s been in contact with, her inbox doesn’t hold any texts from Yosuke ( with the exception of today ). She figured he might have difficulties in speaking with her considering their first encounter didn’t result in a pleasant memory. Hearing of his plans to go to the beach, that might have shaken her up out of the idea to wear something she wasn’t comfortable in. 

                                      what    a    tiny     being.     he     had     to     completely    stare    down     at    them,    due     to     him     being     so     broad     &     tall.    was      this     a      BOY     or     a     GIRL?    judging     by     the    voice,    it    seems     like     he     was     talking     to     a     GIRL.   she     reminded    him    of     a    CERTAIN    ENIGMA    WOMAN    he     knew.    ❛   THE   HELL    —————-   do    i    look    like    t’    ya?    ‘course   i’m   a    DELINQUENT.    m’    a    biker,    anyway.   why’re    you    asking?  ❜

“I see you’re still prone to stuttering when embarrassed…” he jested, mild teasing at best. It had been some considerable time since last they encountered one another and the fool was eager to make up for all the time lost in his absence. Grin widening and playful in nature, he stepped forward to greet her proper.

“Your line of work been keeping you away? Mine is too, so I know the feeling. It’s good to see you again, Naoto.”

               “HUH? Oh … I wouldn’t say I’m prone to stuttering on a daily basis but ... uhm. It can’t be helped, Senpai --- after all, you are the only one who’s capable of being responsible for my e-embarrassment.” The heat rose around her cheeks, answering an obvious tease made by him. But she took it to a serious note as her nature tends to be. She didn’t lie herself when saying ‘he was responsible’ for her embarrassing stuttering. The concept of being in love is something the sleuth has yet to be adjusting in. Inching a little closer, the sleuth ignored her embarrassment to boldly embrace him. Thankfully no one was around to see them. 

         「 愚者 — FOOL. 」

   IF THEY SCOUT the upcoming areas, it’ll be easier to run through them with the entire team at a later time. The more efficiently they clear this place, the sooner they’ll all go home. It’s no secret that leaving this place is the only thing on his mind. Unfortunately, he can’t just plow through everything on his own. Not with this many Shadows all over the place. Then there are the F.O.Es… (He’s impatient, not desperate.) If he doesn’t want to end up as a stain on the labyrinth’s floor, cooperation is the only option.

      ❝ We need to map this place out. If we do it now, it’ll help later. ❞ And he’s doing just that as he walks ahead, taking note of where everything is. The labyrinth’s layout, enemy formations, and even unimportant things as patterns on the wall—none of them escape his notice. After nodding in confirmation, Makoto starts to move again, intent on getting as much of the area memorized as he can. It would have been much easier if there were more people… Unfortunately, she was the only one he could find in such short notice. But…

         ❝ If you’re not up for it, you can go back. I won’t mind. ❞ Nor will he care.

               THE IMPATIENCE ON him reminded the sleuth of herself. She too doesn’t have a desire to be awaiting until a case is solved. She rather be attentive over a mystery until it’s processed correctly As far as she could tell, his impatience summed to the natural goal everyone was hoping to accomplishing: heading back home. Don’t misunderstand ( even she wishes to return to capturing the culprit back at Inaba ) but things had their limit, including their bodies. While she accommodates to having the labyrinth thoroughly explored, being reckless will lead to a dangerous encounter with an FOE. Knowing her Leader, he wouldn’t think similar but have his desire to head back overpower him. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead him to any trouble along the way.

               “If you’re certain, then by all means Leader. I don’t believe it comes down to being up for it or not. The reality is going alone isn’t a wise course of action.” With her weapon at hand, her footsteps followed suit while gazing around the area. He may be the one who sketched on the notebook provided by Zen but she grew wary for any incoming enemies. Moments passed by where the sleuth pointed out unusual patterns from certain areas. It’s rather impressive for such a phenomenon to exist like this, especially after figuring out their timelines were two years apart. As far as she can tell, anything is possible. Ashen hues blinked for a moment to pause on their walk together. He wasn’t the easiest mind to read out of all the others which added to the interest she carried for him. His words left her almost insulted over his ‘confidence’ into walking on his own regardless. Shaking her head, fingers tightened around her Nambu before speaking.

“Well it’s usually a game of who irritates who first, they’re all children when it happens I’m afraid.” the blond sighs. “They are very good friends and comrades, although they do mention my overzealous nature in combat.” The swordsman said sheepishly. 

“I wonder if I realize that myself.” he thought. He was very expressive when around Naoto which is very contrasting when he’s on his own.  A soldier of two extremes it never really changed

“A GAME WHERE they compete on who irritates the other? Uhm ... that sounds a little underhanded for anyone to participate. Actually, I shouldn’t be underestimating for childish games to exist considering how I used to engage in the King’s Game before becoming acquainted with my friends. I’m certain they don’t ... mean any harm, Yamato. Now that I think about ...” That didn’t make things any better for him but the attempt was made. For the time being, of course. “You stated of being overzealous for combat. Yamato, are you behaving yourself and not getting into unnecessary fights?” And there lies concerns over him. 

If there was any honesty over this assignment, it’s rather ... unusual. Why on earth do people assume all detectives are about guarding someone’s life for a period of time? That should have been a task for police officers and not someone like her to do. There wasn’t anything she could do except complete this assignment. 

The sleuth placed a normal face to keep things professional. “You must be the performer, Minako Arisato, correct? My name is Naoto Shirogane --- I was assigned to become your personal bodyguard as requested by the LVH agency. Considering the circumstances, you must be aware that singers as popular as yourself are targets of numerous harassment assaults by nefarious fans. Until the agency deems your safety is no longer endangered, I’ll do my best to protect you.” 

@nambu60

“Gasp! Is tha’ my Nao Nao over there?!” {/And as quick as a whip, she finds herself using quick steps to make it on the streets of Inaba to catch up to the young detective. It had been so long since she had seen him, their little game of nightly rendezvous between each other, mainly at his window, had come to a cease when he said he was busy. She took that as a hint that he didn’t want to see her anymore. Or perhaps, he truly was engrossed in this case and had become too busy at night to see her.

Still, that was all behind her as she could see that short stature, and familiar blue hat coming out of the tofu shop. Calling out to him, she waved.}

“Nao Nao!! Over here!”

“NICOLE-SAN?” A familiar voice beckoned to the sleuth’s direction, obviously having paid no attention to her surroundings. Troubling thoughts circulated over her mind after that previous argument with her supposed ‘superiors’ back at the police department. Especially that one particular officer. It nearly depleted her of her energy that she lost track of most things in her life, specifically going to Nicole’s side. The sleuth holds no form of dislike towards her and considers her ... the very first friend she ever made. Ashen hues lowered themselves as she turned to see her calling out to her. Admittedly she missed those times she visited from her window without permission --- just because it was considered wrong, it doesn’t mean she had a dislike for that habit. Old habits never die, do they? 

Approaching over to Nicole, there’d be the usual greeting though she grew a little tired from the case itself. Being too engrossed to something isn’t a good thing for anything but ... the sleuth had to do this. It was the only way.