There are some people that are just very bad at losing a bet. Except this wasn’t a bet, Wylan just went above and beyond embarrassing the inebriated man with his sleight of hand. Alright, rude, he’ll admit on his part. He could have handled it with a little more grace, which he did! The discarded cards were left temporarily as he goes to seek out the man and offer apologies (and maybe offer their card) (like a souvenir!) (he’s really terrible) (the poor man was so drunk).

He expects the usual customers on his return and (hopefully) the cards to be left where they were. Not that it would have bothered him too much if someone had nabbed them (but why), its not like he doesn’t have dozens of packs already. He has nothing to take particular new interest in (bummer).... except maybe for this lost looking woman eyeing up his table.

She’s not a regular at this bar, and while maybe he shouldn’t yet consider himself one (that’d be presumptuous, he’s only been back in Japan for a couple months) there’s something... about her. Familiar? Maybe he’s seen her before? All the more curious that he’s seeing her again. But it presents an opportunity. Crossing paths twice means a probable third. And. Wylan could use more people to amuse and be amused by.

“Honestly.” He says in lieu of a greeting, casually stepping past Hamuko and packing together the scattered suits. “I think it was... Professor Plum... with the rope.. in the library.” The look passed back to her once the promotional Vegas cards are back in their box starts as inquisitive and serious, but quickly shifts into a stupid grin.

He burst out of the newly opened station and stumbled onto the street outside. He didn’t stop, or slow down, or even really look where he was going. That last fact became painfully obvious (with an emphasis on painfully) when he promptly ran straight into another human being, most likely knocking both of them down.

Always did that mildly sickening feeling had to be stubborn beat into his gut whenever he traverses the worlds. Originally clueless at the start, only gritty experience had grown to sprawl out the aspect of Mementos and hints of his meaning to him. Never one to drive it towards the complicated angles, low nausea at the mere idea of tracking through the cesspool of human desire serviced to suffice as another case was picked up. Even now he couldn’t of imagine that such reflective feelings would be held for this realm.

That was all emotional babbage though! Knowing the stakes as much as the comrade alongside of him, these two had a job to not only accomplish but effortlessly execute. A hefty sized hammer remained lounged upon his shoulder, an equally strong hand ensuring it kept steady in place, only adding to the overall threatening visage of Skull as they scoured the scarlet depths. “Damn it, I ain’t liking how this damn place has to go n’ put any city to shame. All the damn loopholes, hidden places and crap.” He spat, having nothing more than a course of frontal observation brutishly explained.

”That signal we’ve picked up for this case is getting a lil stronger. ..Feh, still can’t believe it. How can money go n’ turn people into greaseball bastards against their own family?” He didn’t expect any answer. It was simply that passionate frustration proudly being flared.

After the first Valentine’s day Akihiko enjoyed, he was looking forward to the chance of giving Hamuko something back; to one-upping even her amazing day with one that screamed ‘I love you so much more than you could know.’

But not now, not since Nyx took the world they knew and turned it once again on its head; this time, missing one crucial part.

A walk beneath the moonlight, his jacket around her shoulders, no longer seems like something romantic; it seems morbid.

Especially since Hamuko has barely left her room, has barely looked him in the eyes for nearly 10 days. And he knows from experience: ‘I know how you feel.’ Is the last thing she wants to hear.

Akihiko doesn’t go out either that day. He knocks on her door just past noon before entering with a bushel of flowers in one arm, and a mug of cocoa – white chocolate for the occasion, in the other hand. The thin blanket from his bed is draped around his shoulders, she always liked how it smelled like him. He lays the flowers across her desk, makes a note to find a vase for them later; Peonies, gardenias, roses and heather all in white, with purple lilacs sprinkled in between. He couldn’t bring himself to pick an all-white bouquet. They looked too much like they belonged at a grave.

He sets the drink by the bedside and shrugs off his bag and pulls his laptop from within, opens it up at the end of her bed to the menu of a friends-to-lovers film that holds the title of feel-good. Whatever that means. He has to confess that romance movies have become slightly better since he started watching them with her.

“I thought we could watch it together if—if that’s okay.” He offers, draping the blanket around her shoulders and then his own before leaning back against the wall. 

                        Sure, she may have seen him bring in those packs of chocolate days prior to the unique holiday, but if she thought he was going to give them as is or turn them into something plain like candy then Hamuko has another thing coming.

                       He didn’t start his preparations until the sister would leave the premises-- this was a surprise he had been planning for a while now. A few hours should be enough for him to complete his present. The logic of his present? Something more fun to consume than chocolate candy: chocolate donuts.