#progressivesun

"Hear my heartbeat? Just focus on that."

Naoto can hear her heartbeat, a quick paced but no less steady thump to her ears. She’s blushing, Naoto can tell without looking up, her head pressed against the musician’s chest. If under any normal circumstances, Naoto would be too.

Not right now, though. Right now, she’s trying to stop herself from hyperventilating. Her own breathing coming in quick and hard, gasping for air for everything she’s worth. One hand gripping tightly to her shirt, pulling at it to loosen up, to stop the suffocating feeling choking her throat. Her other hand held on to Ayane like she had never done so before.

Sometimes, she’s haunted by memories she wish she didn’t have. Crime scenes, screams, the ache and pain that comes from seeing everything she had ever witnessed. It doesn’t always happen, just when certain condition was met. She thought she can handle it, doesn’t tell anyone, she don’t want anyone’s pity, but most of all she don’t want anyone to pull her away from being a detective.

She never told anyone, but she has a case of PTSD.

Pressing her ears against Ayane’s chest, she desperately marked each beat, counted them in her head and eventually out loud. Anything to provide a grounding presence as her mind reels through memories and sensation she’s don’t want to recall. “Just… give me a few minutes…”

[۞ -] Ayane was extremely calm through this, even if her face was flushed. One hand gently stroked the detective’s head, fingers combing through azure locks and the other was clenched ever so tightly by her hand, and she returned holding on. 

The musician didn’t think her weak for it, of course, not at all. While the other female had never outrightly said what was happening, the dimunitive girl had.. — well, not experience, but she dealt with anxiety, and while not the same, she knew what to do in such instances. She provided Naoto a sort of ‘anchor’ for her, letting her hold on to show that she’s safe — that nothing was happening.

"Shhh, shhh.." She cooed, giving her hand a squeeze (even if it was being held too tight for it to be felt) "It’s okay, it’s okay. There’s just me here. You’re in my arms, just, focus on my heartbeat. Deep breaths - steady rhythm."

Naturally, Ayane didn’t pity. Her words of comfort were not of that nature, but instead encouraging and a tad firm. She had a feeling that sympathizing with what was happening would make it all worse - and after all, how COULD she know even the slightest of what goes on? The girl had always said experiencing something and reading about it was two different things. The morning paper might boast a story of a murder, but it paled in comparison of being in that room, witnessing it.. seeing a lifeless body up close..

The Sun held the Fortune, her hand moving from her head to rub her back. She gave a shaky nod. "As long as you need, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here."

While composed on the outside and neutral tune in voice; there was no doubt she was frightened if Naoto doesn’t manage to calm down. She only hopes that it didn’t come to such a thing..

Despite the heavy feeling of oppression that dances along her skin, Naoto knows how to follow instructions. She nod once and focuses, counting quietly under her breath to each of Ayane’s heartbeat.

Nothing feels right at the moment. Everything felt out of place, felt surreal. Images that flashes before her eyes like freshly taken photographs and many of them not pleasant. She had seen so much, she can’t even place what half of them was before the next one invades her sense. The images brought along delayed senses, and memories that tries to catch up. She doesn’t dare close her eyes, the feeling of dusty apartments, stuffy woodlands and the chills of a morgue mixes into a jumble of senses that would seems more real if she does.

Instead she focus on her anchor, on what she can feel now and hears now. She focuses on the musician’s voice, take in her words and let them sink in, one by one. The gentle hand in her hair and that steady thump…

Her breathing still comes in quick, far too quick, but it felt less like she’s choking on it. Instead, the sting in her eyes got worse and she felt the first shaky sob that rocks through her body.

She felt useless. And why wouldn’t she, displaying that much weakness. She thought she could handle it alone, but it was almost impossible now. If she was with someone else, maybe… in the presence of her colleagues, she can hold on. But with Ayane, she can’t, not any of it.

She chuckles through her heavy breathing. “Kinda pathetic, huh?” She mutters, mostly to herself.

[۞ -] Adamantly, Ayane shook her head, holding the detective close and bringing the hand that rubbed her back up to the back of the other’s head, fingers massaging the back of her skull and sifting through soft silky blue locks, the act nothing short than loving and affectionate - sincere and supporting. 

"No, no it’s not pathetic." she said, trying not to chastise Naoto, and instead keep her tone a fair firmness. "You’re one of the bravest, strongest people I’ve ever met, N-Naoto."

There were a million things Ayane wanted to say in this situation, from her own admirations to the facts that people her age couldn’t even begin to imagine the horrors she had witnessed. In situations like this, there was always a veil of uncertainty of what was safe to say or what could make the situation worse. One may of had experience in dealing with PTSD before, but each person was unique and different - what worked for one didn’t necessarily mean it worked for the other.

And it was that uncertainty that made her nervous, but she pushed that aside. Touch seemed to be working, and was felt it safe enough to wiggle down a little to lower her head and place a kiss atop the girl’s head. 

"It’s alright, it is.." she cooed. The Sun wanted to make her see that moments like these didn’t change her opinion on her, and it was also only a natural reaction - after all, the detecive was only human. The musician thought nothing less of her. Cheeks flushed a little darker as she slowly said; "I-I-I.. love you no matter what, o-okay..?"

It was the first time she managed to say it face to face to her. Their feelings were quite clear to eachother, especially now they had time to express themselves. But never in words, as they had their moments of shyness and anxiousness.

Touch keeps her aware, keeps her from sinking any further, from spiraling out of control. Perhaps it’s because she trust Ayane enough to let her see her like this, the detective can’t remember ever having her emotions explode like this in front of anyone before. With the musician, she feels more like herself. More like she actually matters.

The thought made her body shook harder and the sting in her eyes escalated, only soothing slightly as the tears start to roll down her cheeks. She took in a long shaky breath and held it, her ear still pressed against Ayane’s chest and counting.

"I’m not that strong…" She answers, letting go of the hand she held on earlier, and stiffly wrapped both her arms around Ayane’s waist. "I’m not that brave. Is that okay?" She wasn’t sure why she’s asking, of all things, her mind feels muffled, hazy, drowned out by emotions she can’t keep in check.

And Ayane, her presence here anchors her as much as it scares her. She never showed this much weakness to anyone before and… and will she be disappointed in her like she is to herself? Fear speared on doubts and she question will Ayane view her any differently after this.

Having no voice to ask the question, she was glad the musician answered it before she could get a word in. The words rung loudly and she recognize them as the first time she ever hear her say it directly. They were both so inept at expressing themselves with words…

Naoto shifted, quickly wiped her sleeve against her eyes before resting her head on her shoulder instead. Her breathing stopped it’s rapid gasp, replaced by slow, deep breaths, though interrupted by the harsh shiver and tremble occasionally. “Th-thank you…j-just a few more minutes.”

"U-Umm.. S-Shirogane-san.. I.. I recieved a note in my shoelocker the other day.. -- Um.. Do you have any.. free time? I need.. to.. t-t-talk.. t-to you."

Naoto was starting to feel the accompanying flutter of nerves before the mention of the note made her froze in shock. Ayane finding that note is within her plan, Ayane coming to her about said note was not. Has she… figured it out who wrote it? Immediately, the detective’s cheeks burns with embarrassment, but still clears her throat. There is a chance she doesn’t know…

"Y-yes, I’m free right now." She tries to gather her composure, silently waiting for what Ayane has to say. Her nervousness just increase by the second, and she gulped silently.

[۞ -] Ayane liked to think she knew one Naoto Shirogane enough that she did not randomly blush - so heavily so, in embarrassment or otherwise. For her to be so nervous - imagine that! - then that rose all sort of suspicions in the girl. It was lucky for the azurette that the smaller female was more prone to music than detective work..

"A-Ah, well.. y-you see.."

Reaching in her breast pocket, the girl removed the note, neatly folded (with loving care) and opening it up. She fiddled with the paper a little, taking just a step closer to Naoto and handing her the note. Hazelnut hues stared gently at her, her tone of voice was soft.

”..d-do.. you know who wrote this..?”

…aaaand the students most likely waiting around the corner collectively sighed deeply. Ayane didn’t know. But there was still a possibility.. right?! Would they finally see past their stubborness and shyness and open up!?

Naoto would join the possible collective students around the corner in their sigh, but hers would be with relieve. The fact Ayane doesn’t know was part of the plan. Still, the musician asking her if she knew was…

She took the note carefully, noting how neatly it was folded and carefully it was handled. She doesn’t have to read the words to know what it says, but her eyes scans then anyway. Reading it again however, only made the redness of her cheeks worse. She can feel Ayane’s stare pass the paper, and it’s almost enough to make her just tell her the truth.

She isn’t used to dealing with emotions. Her old habit was to distant herself from everyone. But ever since coming to Inaba, everything has changed. Now she’s dealing with feelings she don’t understand how to proceed with, and the idea of confronting it makes her stomach churns uncomfortably.

"The urr… penmanship is scribbly…" It took all her self-control to make it readable, never mind fine penmanship. She’s lucky to be able to write it at all. "Whoever wrote is… sounds sincere." She had been when she wrote it, in any case.

[۞ -] Her eyes studied Naoto carefully as she regarded the note, her own mind addled with the thoughts of her progress. While she knew she lacked the intuition required of a detective, the girl had been hanging around the azurette long enough to pick up on a few tricks. She slowly nodded her head at her deduction.

"S-Sincere..? I.. I’m so surprised.."

Trailing off, the girl broke her eyecontact with the other and stared away, partly turning as she drew in her lip to bite it. A soft sigh escaped her, and nervously, she wrung her hands. In honesty, she was about to chalk it up to someone playing a prank - most likely a student dared. Even if she found out who it was - then what? What if it turned out to be not whom she believed or just a prankster? What if it was all a ploy to hurt her feelings..?

Swallowing thickly, the girl elaborated.

"I just.. I-It’s.. strange." she laughed, though the sound was humourless and the sentiment did not reach her eyes.

"How could.. a-anyone have any sort of.. feelings for me? I’m.. just a waste of time. I’m— I’m sorry I bothered you with such trivial matters, S-Shirogane-san. I should treasure what we have—" Ack! Her cheeks were now dark red!

"—I -I mean, the f-friendship w-we have. U-u-uh.. W-What I mean is, I shouldn’t take your kindness for granted with stupid things. I-I’m sorry."

Naoto looked up at the sigh, having spend her time staring at the note -partially trying to will it to not be so embarrassing, partially because she knew she can’t look at Ayane out of fear that she will find out. But instead, Naoto took in the look in her eyes and the tone in her voice.

Her stomach churns again, for a different reason. She tenses, the feeling bubbles again and the nervousness on what she’s about to say makes her breathing quicken. Is this the right choice? The right time? Who knows, but she can’t let it stay like that, stay with Ayane thinking she’s worth nothing.

"I meant what I said, Matsunaga-san." She forces her voice to work and the words came a little high in pitch, but it was a start and Naoto let them spill over her lips, handing the note back to Ayane. "You’re not a burden, not to me. Give yourself more credit, you really are stronger than you think."

As her words trails off to a heavy silence, Naoto eyes shifts to her feet. “Please don’t think so low of yourself. I meant it. All of it.” She mumbles, any courage she had gathered for the brief few seconds already spent. Her ears feels hot as they burn a dark red as she nervously -fearfully- looks back up. She haven’t outright admit she wrote it, and she’s not sure if she wants the musician to know, even now. Her own indecisiveness is starting to frustrate herself.

[۞ -] Silence.

Merely staring - dumbfounded at that, her lips parted in a gape, wordless and breathless as she seemed to process what the detective just said. Stuped, the girl closed her mouth, only to open it again shortly - so her assumpion was correct. It was one Naoto Shirogane whom wrote the note. She was her “secret admirer”

And by the looks of things, she was just as embarrased and shy as The Sun herself.

"—I’m.. not.. a burden to you..?"

Her voice came out, barely a whisper. To be told such a thing sent her hopeful heart soaring high in the sky with her happy spirits. If it was Naoto whom written the note - then it was also her whom liked her smile so much. And thus, that was exactly what was happening. A large, happy smile broke out on her face, not to mention some tears that began to well up in the corner of her eyes. Overtaken with such joy - tears of sorrow were bitter and rarely shed, but tears of happiness flow like a waterful.

"—Y-You.. S-Shirogane-s-san.."

Wibbling and sniffling, the girl strongly stepped forward, unhindered by the invisible onlooking audience around the corner and slipped her arms around the azurette, drawing her into a hug and sobbing so happily. I’m not a burden. I-I’m.. s-she.. ~ She partly buried her face against the detective’s shoulder, crying softly, that smile remaining.

"I-I’m so glad. I really thought that — a-and.. I — I-I’m just so happy. I-I’m sorry b-but.. I’m.. t-thank you. T-there’s so much I wish I could tell you b-but.. ohhh my thoughts are a mess!"

The silence ate at Naoto. Did she say something wrong? Panic and a heavy sinking feeling weighted down her shoulders. It’s the only explanation, right?

Naoto didn’t dare tear her eyes away from the musician, watching her mouth move wordlessly. She wasn’t sure what to expect. Maybe Ayane will yell at her? She doesn’t seems to be the type but then again the detective is unaware of the mistake she clearly must have made. It makes her mind wheel around, repeating her own words to find that mistake, making herself just as speechless as the one in front of her.

When Ayane repeat the words so quietly, she almost missed it, Naoto still have no idea what she said wrong, so she nodded instead. Being truthful to yourself is the least she can do in this situation. When she saw the tears however, everything seems to sink even further. “Matsunaga-san?” She managed, her words choked out in a panic.

Before she can search her pockets for something to dry her tears, her limbs feeling like dead weight when she moves, she finds herself pulled into a hug. Hopelessly lost for something to do, Naoto just slip her arms around her, drawing her into the hug. Whatever audience they have is none of her concern anymore. She simply held her close and let her cry against her shoulder.

"You don’t have to apologize, you’ve never been a burden." If nothing else comes out of this note, she at least want her to know that much. There was a weight lifted just as quick as it had appeared, the doubt she had on her action before just vanished and she sighed contently. A whole different sort of feeling swell in her chest instead. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner."

[۞ -] Ayane clung onto Naoto like she was her life support, and if not that, definitely to keep herself standing as her legs were weak, wobbly like jelly. A rush and turn of emotions flip flopped inside of her, so elated, relieved - as well as pure joy - that the detective felt this way. And if what she said was true - apparently she had felt such a way for some time.

She couldn’t blame her for not saying anything. Afterall, Ayane realised her feelings far sooner and was content to deny it, never solving the problem and running away - like with everything else. But fate had a funny way of deciding things, as fickle as she may be at times. Today was the day. While her grip was tight - it was still gentle. Everything about the dimunitive girl was gentle, and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt her too. 

It was hard finding the strength within her to speak, and she wouldn’t of minded if they stayed like that for some time. She lifted her head from Naoto’s shoulder, withdrawing one of her hands from around her to wipe at her eyes messily, a carefree laugh escaping her and a sunny smile still shone through, despite the rainy tears. 

"Please d-don’t blame yourself. Y-You don’t have to apologise. R-Really, I should of said something aswell.." she shook her head at that, changing it to;

"I.. I think we both h-had a bit of a struggle. I.. I was so scared that I’d.. drive you away if you didn’t.. feel the same. I-I value our friendship so much, I’d never want that to be broken because I messed it up and made it.. complicated."

It felt so good to be able to get that off her chest. Like all the pressure of the world suddenly vanished, and she could breathe so easily once more - Ayane really had meant to tell the detective that for some time. She lightly rested her head back on the other’s shoulder, slowly beginning to relax. Even if Naoto did not return the feelings, she was glad to of been able to confide in that to her. 

Naoto mind had ceased functioning properly and she felt quite light-headed. She had wanted this, wanted a time where they can just talk and maybe she can finally have it all off her chest. In the end, she didn’t have the courage to, and the note in the locker was to function as her attempt at anonymity. It’s always easier when the target of your affection doesn’t know you exist. The detective never thought this would happen from her attempt, never thought Ayane would bring the letter to her. That oversight, the note… it’s the best miscalculation she had so far.

She held on to the musician as much as Ayane need her support. Her knees are steady, but her head seems to have entered a surreal state of mind. She had bottled everything up, just like everything else she does, and now it’s all in the open… a part of her fear this is all just a very elaborate hoax. A dream even. The slight wetness on her shirt reminds her otherwise, and she knows Ayane enough to know she won’t play a prank, not like this.

But her mind churned, struggled to let it sink in. So… she does feel the same? They’re not misunderstanding one another, are they? The doubt resisted, but it was so much weaker than before.

"That is an understatement." Naoto chuckles, watching that smile on her face. It was one she don’t see as often as she wishes, and Naoto had taken note of different ones in her observation. She moved a hand up to her cheek and wipe the rest of the tears with a thumb, her heart had decide to hammer in her chest heavily. "I… I’m not the best when it comes to expressing myself, but I do value your friendship, e-even if I never said anything. There is t-these doubts and… I didn’t know what to do."

When she rests her head back on her shoulder, all Naoto could do was mirror her action. The fact they’re about the same height lets her shift comfortably and she sighs contently.

"I should’ve written that note sooner…" She shook her head, laughing lightly. All the weights of doubt lifted, it made the world seems brighter already. "I’m so glad you decide to come to me to investigate the note."

[۞ -] It was surreal for the musician to think that the detective hadn’t known what to do. After all, Naoto was her primary go-to source when she was confused or bewildered with a matter. A moment of pausing - and she realised none of those ‘matters’ ever centered or related with emotions and certainly not love. Factual things one could easily recall from textbooks or newsclippings. It was then Ayane also knew a mistake she was making.

At the end of the day, Naoto was just a human like herself. She felt things - she made mistakes, errors - she could accomplish impressive feat. But she certainly was not some automated machine that couldn’t understand or be confused herself. The grip on the other girl slowly began to relax, not that Ayane was pulling away any time soon, but making it more comfortable, the palms of her hands resting against her back with her fingers slightly curled.

"Sometimes I get so caught up i-in my own.. pity t-that I don’t really.. realise what’s right in front of me. Y-you shouldn’t have to say anything." the girl murmured, finding it surprisingly easy to now speak her most hidden and buried thoughts - ones that she desperately shoved and swept under the rug.

"I.. I should of just.. known that you never saw me as a burden or a-any of that otherstuff. That.. I am sorry for.. b-but.. it’s not about ‘who is to blame’ or anything like that. I’m just.. so glad you know now. A-And that you feel.. the same.”

The Sun laughed along with the Fortune. It was as if they both released their cumbersome weights off their chest and finally treaded past that awkward grey area of the unknown. She gave a gentle squeeze in their embrace.

”..I-I’m glad I did too. B-But..”

Opening her eyes, she shifts a little, mindful of Naoto’s own head resting lightly against her as she gazed up at her carefully.

”..w-what now?”

Naoto wouldn’t blame her for it, after all most people in the past saw her as nothing but a tool, discarded when they’re finished with her service. Inaba had been the first place she wanted to stay in after the case, and this… it just made her determine to stay all the more. She wasn’t just a detective. Even she have to learn that about herself.

Hearing her talk, Naoto feels this is the conversation she wanted to have for a long time now, and all those previous, round-about attempt to lead to it - and failed miserably- can finally halt. It’s time to be truthful…

"I erm… I’m… not very knowledgeable as to what happens now." She leans back, enough that she can look at her in the eyes. The red tint across her cheeks deepens as she confesses. "I never thought that far ahead…"

But she does have a general idea of how to proceed, only she isn’t sure if that’s how it should be going. After all, this isn’t a book, never mind she never read anything but mystery.

"I think… w-would you erm…" What was that about being truthful and stop being round-about with her words? It’s a harder resolution to follow, when the words felt so foreign in her head. "Would you … like to… well… a d-d-d-date with me?"

Her face heats up even more and she felt the need to bury her face against the musician’s shoulders. Such strange words the detective never thought she’ll ever say, but here she is, asking the question that had been hammering against her head so much for the last while. She resisted the urge, wanting to watch Ayane’s expression for herself. There was still a nervous jitter in her stomach, but the feeling was overtaken by how loudly her heartbeat was in her ears.

[۞ -] Ayane was glad that Naoto was able to take more charge, as honestly the musician really couldn’t find the coherent thought amongst the tide of joy and shyness to think as to ‘what next’. Giggling softly, and her cheeks a rosy red, one of her hands raised from her back to gently rub the back of her head, soothing in it’s motion.

"I-I.. w-would love to." she murmured, voice squeaking a little. This was happening.. it was finally happening! She would be going on a date with one Naoto Shirogane!

It was like a dream come true for her.

Of course, her anxiety liked to remind her that the people of Inaba would most definitely be bothering them even more so, if not to collect ‘winning bets’ or to see them together. Would they be able to truly enjoy eachother’s company and not bother of anyone butting in? Ayane suspected that, atleast for the first few days if not first week it’d be a bit hectic, but eventually would sober up into normality again.

That aside, what would be a great place for a first date? She tried to bat away any fanciful thoughts, childish dreams of what could happen. Instead, Ayane suggested;

"H-How about we go to the movies in Okina..? B-But if you have any other ideas, we can do that, too."

Naoto theorize that Inaba gossip wheel will burn itself out in a few weeks. What’s there to talk about when your gossip and rumours was confirmed, right? Of course, she had been wrong about the rumours everytime so far…

The hand against the back of her head helps calm her slightly, at least enough to ground her thoughts before it goes too far ahead of itself. At the same time, it lit up so much. It makes her feel different, an unimaginable amount of joy with the simple touch. No one had sooth her like this before, and the fact Ayane did it without hesitation was….refreshing and new.

Everything is, and Naoto looks forward to it all.

"That sounds like a great idea." And really, she had no idea how to go about a date. She note that she should research this later, along with what movie is playing. "Let’s go with that, shall we? Erm… wh-when are you free?"

Any nervousness left vanished, leaving behind a buzz of excitement as the doubt and unknown disappear. She’s going to look forward to this. And the rumours and other students? It’s no longer their business on what they do, so what if the town will know of this soon? As long as they’re both happy, Naoto doesn’t care what else was happening.

[۞ -] Ayane was still very much nervous herself, even if she relished in the major comfort her conact brought her. The feathery-softness of the azure locks was making it all too hard restraining herself - wanting nothing more than to ruffle the other girl’s hair. But she refrained, instead letting her hand naturally fall back onto the other’s shoulder after the soothing gesture. A part of her never wanted to let go - as if doing so would invalidate everything they had said up to this point. That it all really was a dream..

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, and when the mild discomfort and dull pain did not awaken her back in her bed, she knew that was all very much real. A happy sigh escaped her.

"Wonderful..! Free? Umm.." Gaze drifting elsewhere in thought, she paused, mulling over her schedule. While she did have solitary practice by the floodplains, she decided that spending time with Naoto was far more important than that - which she could do any time.

"Whenever, really." Ayane said shyly, tips of her ears burning, along with her face.

"Y-You have my phone number so.. umm.. s-send a text whenever you’re free. A-and then we can go, hehe.. ~"

Already thoughts of what she would wear went through her mind. Would Naoto particularly care if she dressed up? Should she make the effort? Did -she- want to..? Buzzing with excitement, the smile on her face would remain for some time, that was for sure.

There was something about the way Ayane’s face lights up with a smile that made Naoto feelings do cartwheels with her heart and jumbles her usually logical mind. The warmth of having her so close, the way her arms just fits around her… it feels like a dream, but at once she knew it wasn’t. It made her feel somewhere in between, and the feelings it stirred in her was one she was not accustomed to, and one she didn’t know she wanted this badly until now.

Naoto have to resist the urge to lean her forehead against Ayane’s, still nervous but for a different reason. She knows next to nothing about dating, to no one’s surprise. The same thought go through her mind in flashes; what to wear, what to bring, where to go, what to watch. She silently shove those thoughts aside in favour of just enjoying the moment.

"Of course. I’ll text you l-later?" She asked quietly, asking for permission. It’s odd, she had text her before and held brief conversation via text but now she feels the need to ask, a need to make certain it’s okay with the musician.

"Oh and… you can just call me Naoto." ‘Shirogane’ was what most people call her around town, along with the media and her co-worker, but is Ayane has most certainly more than that.

When she wakes up, it was with a terrible jolt of pain spreading from the base of her skull. With a hiss, she tries to touch the spot, her mind covered in a hazy layer of confusion. Her hand moved, twisted, and felt the rough texture of rope around her wrists. Her confusion increases, and something else made itself known: she can’t see a thing.

As she quietly become more aware of her body, everything start clicking into place. She’s sitting on a chair - made of rusty metal and wood she guessed - with her wrists bound together behind her back. There is something covering her sight - the texture feels like a strip of fabric, by how it rests against the bridge of her nose - and wherever she is, there is the sound of an overhead fan making slow rotations and the summer heat licking against her skin.

Everything draws into one startling and terrifying conclusion: this is a kidnapping situation. And rather than being on the opposite end of finding out and solving the situation, she was the target.

Now that she’s aware, the pain from the base of her skull spreads and her entire brain pounded heavily, much like how her heart beats in her chest. Her confusion made way for a spear of panic and fear.

'Calm down Shirogane.' She told herself inwardly and tries to even her breathing to calm her rapidly pounding heart. 'Observe. Listen. Get information.'

As her little chant helps her focus, she expand her senses as far as possible. She twist her hands, let her fingers trail along the rope bounding them together - thick, knotted tightly, very rough in texture - and tries map a mental image of the knot itself. She moved her ankles slightly, finds them unable to move. Her little movement shook the chair she’s on and concludes they are bound to the chair.

As her fingers try and weasel through the twists and turns of the rope, it came in contact with something she doesn’t expect in this situation: warm, soft, smooth to the touch and something quite like a pair of hands.

'Wait… another victim?' She thought and moved her hands along the fingers surface. It’s smaller, callous at certain parts and as her fingers traces along as best it could, her memory jolts to life.

The last thing she remembers before this was walking Ayane home.

'Oh… no….'

[۞ -] Everything was so.. dark.

Her head tried to lull back, like stirring awake; only to stiffly remain in place due to the pain that surged in the back of her neck. Her body felt unnaturally cold and the way her blouse stuck to parts of her skin made her realise she had been sweating. Several idle thoughts began to make itself present when she came to, and confusion was the primary flagship of those thoughts.

Where was she? The rotary noises and slight chill would give clue of there being an overhead fan, but without her sense of sight she honestly couldn’t make a conclusion. Straining her ears, she could tell that erratic breathing was not just her own. There was another present.

She tried to turn her head slightly, a small whimper escaping her when the white-hot fire of pain gripped at the back of her head. Speaking of, she felt like she had a migrane. She probably had. Ayane couldn’t think —- details were hazy. Was she smacked in the back of the head..? That was a possibility, but that didn’t explain -where she was.-

Licking her dry lips (and overtly thankful that whatever have put them here did not gag them) she tried to see. Ayane knew by now that her eyes were not closed, and the coarse fabric resting on her skin told her that maybe she had been blindfolded. Okay, that’s one detail down. In a room, blindfolded —

The touch to her hands from the other and the subsequent inability to jump in shock confirmed everything else.

She remained perfectly still, breath shallow as something — or someone — traced her fingers. They felt.. familiar, somehow..? A memory spurned in the back of her mind as she tried to make sense of all this. What was she doing before all this..?

School..? Band had.. finished.. she — she caught Naoto at the shoe-lockers again and despite whispering students invited the detective prince to walk with her..

And thats when The Sun reached the same conclusion as the Wheel of Fortune.

"S-Shiro — gane-san..?" she spoke hesitently, voice hoarse from lack of use and croaky. She cleared it to the best of her abilities.

"Is.. p-please.. s-say that’s you. I.. I don’t.. think we’re.. w-walking home anymore."

Of course what she meant to say was that they’ve been kidnapped. Ayane tried to remain calm. She tried not too - nope, that failed.

Short, sharp intakes of breath, she tried to unsuccessfully stand up. The ropes around her ankles and hands prevented such a thing from happening, and only made the chair inch just to the left a little. Her struggles became more erratic and desperate, but stopped because of her head and the futility of it all. Tears sprung behind that blindfold; leaking down and staining her usually ruddy cheeks.

They’d been kidnapped…

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Naoto breath stopped altogether. She knew that voice well by now. Ayane Matsunaga. There was no doubt about it.

Similarly, Naoto need to gulp and clear her throat before she can use her voice, her throat feeling dry and hot. “Y-yea, it’s me, Matsunaga-san.” She tries her best, forcing down as much emotions as she could away from her voice. Her hearing was tunneling, distorted by her own mounting fear and panic, muffled by the sound of her own heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears.

She closes her eyes - it’s not as if sight is any use right now - and focus. She held her breath, tries to force her heart to slow it’s beating. It was met with only partial success and she have to gasp in her next breath. She can feel Ayane move - they are back to back, she assume - hears the sound of another chair scrapping along the floor from her struggle before it settles down again.

Clenching her jaw shut, she tries to think. Think. It’s the only thing she can do, only thing she’s good at. 'What, when, where, why, how.' She chanted, listed them to herself. She have no information whatsoever. She tugged at her hands again, feels the rope digging into her skin. Equally, her feet are bound just as tight against the chair’s legs.

'What do they want? Why us? No… why Matsunaga-san as well?' Naoto hung her head, forcing her breath to take an even pattern. 'No, my priority should be…'

"Listen to me, Matsunaga-san." Naoto said quietly, her voice wavers just a slight bit, but otherwise it’s … even. A very forced calmness in her words. She can tell the other is hyperventilating. She took in another deep, even breath. "Just breathe. Inhale. Exhale."

As she continue to breathe evenly, her mind reels itself around. The forced calmness takes hold, starting to clear her mind one terrified heartbeat at a time. She start visualizing their surroundings, her ears focusing on sounds pass her own breathing.

The slow rotating engine sound overhead, the sound of chirping from a distant. There is the barest hint of air brushing against her skin. A breeze? The stuffy air would suggest they are stuck in some place indoor. There is a window, she assumes, and turn her head around the best she could to try locate it. It was a far off attempt however. The lack of any other activity beyond the two of them suggest they are alone in … wherever they are.

"Are you alright, injury-wise, Matsunaga-san?" Naoto asks quietly. Even if there is no one watching them -why is no one watching them?- keeping their volume low is the best option at the moment. Who knows what happens if their kidnapper realize they’re awake…

[۞ -] Something about Naoto’s calmness helped made a surge to achieve that too.

Easier said than done of course, but her mind was quite aware that if she didn’t control her breathing or her emotions then she could quite possibily faint or experience a variety of unpleasantness. Not that her body wasn’t already - she could feel her stomach churn in nausea due to it, and she felt ill. Sick. The last thing she wanted to do was vomit though, even if it was for such a pathetic reason as not wanting to be humilated.

Ayane tried to focus her mind on something less than stressful, although it was quite hard to accomplish with her pounding headache. To her, it felt like she was taking a jackhammer to the brain - it throbbed, and with lack of a visual sense it only made it worse. Hearing Naoto’s voice though, she desperately tried to focus on that, the tone, the sound, the calmness. Just breathe. Inhale. Exhale.

Inhale… exhale.. inhale… … exhale..

The musician slowly managed to get her breathing corrected to something that wouldn’t be dangerous, and without a concept of time at the moment she didn’t quite know how long it took. Breathing regulated, she tried to shift in the chair and once again reminded herself that it wasn’t just her wrists bound. Thankfully this time she didn’t go into another fit, even if the rough ropes dug into her soft skin. 

"Al..right..?" she repeated, more for her own benefit. Injuries.

"Nothing’s bleeding." she said confidently on that, her own relief that most of the pain seemed to of been induced by blunt force trauma.

"I-I have a k-killer headache a-and the back of my head hurts. I-I think we may’ve gotten hit over the head, or a-atleast I did. U-U-Um, my throat.. hurts, but that’s just dehydration a-at this point."

It hurt to talk especially because of that. Voice coarse and throat scratchy and dry, she was acutely aware of how much she actually longed for a drink. But, Ayane felt as if there were more important things, and oddly enough, she was going off the same vein as Naoto’s thoughts. She, however, voiced them. 

A part of her was glad that her voice was naturally soft and quiet, and she spoke with a faster tone than normal, saying what needed to be said.

"F-forgive me for saying this but I could understand if someone w-wanted to kidnap you.” she begun, which, to be honest, wasn’t too hard to believe. Naoto may of - could of — perhaps already have, made some enemies in her line of work. No doubt someone out there or another would want her gone.

”..b-but that doesn’t explain why I was grabbed too. M-Maybe because I was .. just in the wrong place at the wrong time..?”

She once more fidgeted in the chair, face scrunching up to pull a hidden grimace. 

"I-It doesn’t matter — we have to get out. Y-your hands are pretty close. A-Are you to the side of me or back to back..? T-These ropes are thick but.." She licked her dry, chapped lips. It was a long shot, yet she was willing to suggest it. It honestly didn’t matter if it sounded stupid or childish, but she felt like she had to.. help in anyway. Ayane was relying heavily on the detective to be able to get them both out and the kidnapper apprehended, but.. No. She didn’t want to just sit here and be a burden.

"We could try untying e-e-eachother..?"

Forcing herself to be calm for the sake of someone else helps that calmness to become real. Though still feeling the trickle of tension at the back of her neck, Naoto tore herself away from what she’s feeling and switch to a more logical approach.

Her head still aches, much like how Ayane described. “I’m having much the same feeling. I assume it was a knock at the back of my head that rendered me unconscious…” So that’s one consistency between them. It’s not much information, but anything is worth it at this point.

A question pops into her mind. Why? Why the blunt attack approach? There was better ways of knocking someone out, as the serial murder case in Inaba has demonstrated. Chemicals can be brought with ease over the Internet… A possible explanation appear in Naoto’s mind: the culprit have no regards to hurting their hostage…

The thought was unpleasant, but a valid point no less. And quite unusual for the typical kidnapping motive. Most kidnappers would want their hostage unharmed for maximum ransom after all…

'Unless what they want isn't from someone else…'

So deep in thought, Naoto almost missed Ayane’s question. And just figures that the musician have also thought of that point. “… I’m afraid you’re here because of me. If…if my deduction is correct, you’re here partially because of that…” She sighs quietly, feeling the tension building up from the pit of her stomach. She almost wants to scream out at the weight on her shoulders from the realization. “I highly doubt they just so happens to kidnap me if what they simply want is money.” No that would be too easy. “And I think I know what they want….”

If it’s not money, what does kidnapping accomplish otherwise? Usually a trade of some kind, though that leads back to the first point. If they want an exchange, unharmed hostage is vital to strike a deal. So that leaves one more possible explanation.

Information. They want information, whether from someone else or from the hostage themselves.

Her shoulders tensed greatly at the thought and she clenched her jaw in an effort to calm herself down. Her breathing was growing rapid again.

"H-huh?" She choked out, throat dry and her voice dropping to a quiet whisper despite her irregular gasp of air. "I’m… I believe we’re back to back." And just to be sure, she adjusted her feet and using her toes, tipped her chair back an inch or two. The jolt as her chair came in contact with something similar gave her enough clue on that.

Without further question, Naoto went to work on checking over the rope around the musician wrists. Her fingers traces along the rope and look for gaps to start any attempt to loosen it. The ropes was bound as tightly as her own, it seems.

"These are ridiculously tight knots…" So much so, all her attempts so far has only results in rope burns on her own wrists. She grabbed a portion of the rope and pulled, but it doesn’t seems to budge either. "Dammit…"

Any further attempts was halted when she hear some sounds. Noises. Beyond those they were already hearing. Footsteps. Once she recognize that it’s getting closer, she froze up. 'No no no…' Again, she clenched her jaw shut in an attempt to stop the rapid pounding of her heart.

"Ayane, put your head down. Pretend you’re unconscious…" It’s a lot to ask for, she know, but she can’t figure out what else she could do. Between them, she slide her hand into the musician hand. "Someone’s coming."

[۞ -] While they could worry about the ‘why’ when they were out of this situation and Naoto hot on the case instead of, being apart of it, it was much easier to have her surprisingly analytical mind focused on something than let her start overthinking about work herself up into a erratic, hyperventilating frenzy. The girl took another shuddering breath just to make sure.

So, why? She tried to list off possible reasons.

Money, exchange, or otherwise physical goods. By the books, oldest reason. That she could understand the motive behind, especially in concerns to Naoto. Her family line was quite rich, wasn’t they? But that didn’t explain -her- presense here. Perhaps to secure it? A sort of ‘if you don’t follow through you’ll put this innocent in danger’ deal? It was something to consider, and either way, Ayane was the type to let herself get hurt than for this to follow through.

She felt.. unimportant to Naoto after all. She really had no reason save for her own moral integrity to do anything for her. 

The middle-man - part of a bigger scheme. Maybe who they were was totally irrelevent. The fact they were two high-school girls - “easy targets” off the streets, perhaps for some sort of underground ring. Ayane looked absoluetly mortified at her own depressing thoughts, hands shaking in their bonds. Naoto’s question however snapped her back to her senses and out of that spiraling trail.

"H-Hu..? You think you know —-" Falling silent, she supposed that the detective prince would have a good idea - far, far better than her when it came to this sort of thing. Not that Ayane was thinking she got kidnapped often if at all, but perhaps worked on several cases of similar descirptions. She pursed her lips.

"If not money, t-then I’m quite afraid just w-what t-they’re after, t-that they would follow through in kidnapping t-the both of us. I-It’s not exactly the most common or every d-day occurance.."

Regardless, Ayane let the subject of ‘why’ drop for now. She shifted in her chair a little, seeing as her realisation earlier had caused it to volt forward. With great difficulty she pushed it back, giving Naoto enough leeway to try and untie her bounds without straining herself too much. 

She could feel the tugging and slight grazing she got from the taut rope to her wrists, muttering something alones of burning when the azurette vocally proclaimed her frustration and futility on untying them. The Sun moved the best she good, but she couldn’t feel any difference at all.

"Whoever has t-tied these has done a very good job.." Perhaps that in itself was a clue, but how does one go about searching if someone can tie ropes well? Still, furhter talk was haulted, and she quickly hushed at the sound of eerie footsteps. Her heart once again found itself hammering in her chest, threatening to burst. 

She wondered if it was loud enough for Naoto to hear, or if it was just because she heard it through her own eardrums..

Ayane made a slight squeak in agreement, and wincing in the darkness at the stiffness of her neck again, she let her chin lightly touch her chest, as if unconcious. It hurt to keep it in such a position, but when she felt her reassuring hand slip into hers, it gave her the strength she needed to hold out. Closing her eyes, she gently squeezed the other’s hand before relaxing the best she could and going limp, trying to simulate an unconcious state.

The squeeze against her hand was reassuring. She can only assume Ayane has done what she was told and in return, gave a squeeze of her own. Her heart felt like a jackhammer has replaced it, but she did resumed her previous position, allowing her head to lull forward. It’s a difficult task to relax her muscles, and there was minute changes to their position since they had awaken.

Naoto can only hope whoever is coming fail to notice the finer details. One of the thing she has to do was let go of Ayane hand.

She doesn’t know what to do afterwards. Even if this one time pass without any incident or event, there is no long-term plan in place. And that concerns her deeply. Time. She doesn’t have time, and yet she can’t do anything but wait. Wait for something to happen.

The sound of creaking enter her ears and it took everything in her mind not to tense up right away. The footstep is now clear and crisp. And closer by each step until they stop. Without sight, she can only assume whoever it is, is not looming over them both. Her heart pounded so heavily and loudly in her ears, she’s afraid their kidnapper might hear it.

The silence hung heavily in the air before footsteps again. Movements that stir the stuffy air around them. There is sounds. Other sounds. Things clinking and clanging together. A sense of foreboding forms at the pit of Naoto’s stomach when she hears a familiar sound, distinct and common: liquid being filled in some form of container.

She have an idea what’s happening and almost silently square herself up for it. It doesn’t take long, there was a little grunt -deep and low, guff in tone- before she feels a bucket worth of liquid was splashed down from above her. She gasped for breath forcefully, not necessary for the air but she have a role to fill now, that of someone who just woke up.

A role. She clung on to it.

Shaking her head from the water, she hoped Ayane continue to remain quiet. She doesn’t give their kidnapper a chance to focus on her in any case.

"W-what…" She sounded confused, even when she already have ideas and possibilities formed in her mind. Whatever little advantage they gave is at least something at this point.

"Wakey wakey detective." The voice was deep, naturally so, so she assume it’s a male they’re dealing with. The words has a strange accent to it, the way the words twists. Foreign? "And you too, whoever you are." She can only assume they’re talking about the other occupant of this room. "Let’s talk…"

[۞ -] Unfortunately for the detective, Ayane was not as strong willed nor expressed the same amount of self-control. Considering that, whomever was in the room perhaps had far better visibility than they did in the dark, her tensed muscles and slight hitch in her breath would of been noticable the moment they stepped in the room, whomever they was.

The lack of feeling in her hand suggested Naoto had already slipped it out of it by now, and the fading warmth and brief spark of longing did not help the situation much. Her previous mustered strength - bolstered for the azurette and only her, began to dwindle back into her a wrecked state. The dimunitive girl decidedly focused her mind on one thing and one thing only: breathing.

Not wanting to have another panic attack - especially not in front of this, most likely despiciable fiend, her breathes were short, but adequate enough to give her enough oxygen and pass off as unconcious. Sadly, that didn’t last when the stray droplets of icy water splashed onto her skin, making her freeze up momentarily. Blinking her eyes and blearily staring about, her focus shifted from her breathing to the presumed male.

The tone of voice, undoubtly was a male. Although with no visual confirmation on that she could only make an assumption - voice modifying was always a possibility. And then.. the accent. Her eyebrows furrowed.

Ayane has met quite a lot of foreign people in her time, and thus heard many accents, but none could she really quite pin on this guy. Was it faked..? Again, a possibility, but there was just no telling. Stumped, she opened her mouth, only to shut it. Naoto wouldn’t want her to speak.

”.. W-Who.. d-do.. y-you think you are—? W-Where are we..?!”

Or completely do the exact opposite. The Sun wasn’t quite the articulate thinker as The Fortune at times, her voice, while hoarse, wavering - scared, she tried her best to sound affront and not at all like what she truly felt. Failing spectacularly aside, she wanted answers, just.. something. Ayane hated the feeling of being useless, especially when that feeling was so prevelant towards the detective.

I want to be of worth to her. I want to show her I’m strong. I don’t need to sit quietly and let you fight for me.

Naoto shook her head, water droplets rolling uncomfortably down her face and soaking the cloth against her eyes. Her shirts clung tight against her skin, but at least most of it was mainly on her.

'No, this is no time to think like that!' She told herself, except this is exactly the time she became very aware of Ayane's presense. An innocent is now involved and she cannot forget that.

"W-what do you want?" She asked calmly, a little out of breath, an act of someone who had just the worse rude awakening. She pulled at her ropes hard enough to move her chair, enough to move it forward and away from Ayane. "What do you want with me-no us?!"

Her mind churns quickly. Does she want him to know they know each other? It’s unlikely he doesn’t already know, but was there a chance to pass the musician off as an unfortunate passerby?

She felt him lean over her chair by the light creaking of the chair’s joint and the sudden invasion of body heat. Instinctively, Naoto tries to back away from him, almost tipping her chair back. He’s close, and a rather distinctive smell of gunpowder assaults her senses. Was he armed?

"I’m here to talk, little missy." He said, his voice sounds natural, but she can’t discount anything. "I want some information and I think you have them, don’t ya?"

Information. Of course. Naoto forces herself to calm down, despite the odd mix of cold chills and hot fear. That’s all she’s ever good for, or good at. Information, finding them, storing them, it’s all the same. She gritted her teeth. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She felt the hand on her chair tilt her back, feeling strangely unbalanced and disorientating. “Don’t play daft with me. I’m not afraid to hit a girl.”

That’s part of the things she already knew. Why else would they even be here if he’s afraid to do anything. The only thing on Naoto’s mind was which one.

"Stubborn, aren’t we?" He almost sounds amused.

The next set of movement happened too fast for Naoto to figure out, finding her chair tilting forward when he let go and then … a fist buried into her stomach that knocked the air out of her lunges. By momentum, she tilts forward and coughs, gasps and focused on the pain, her chair landing back on all four with a strained creak.

"How ‘bout that to wake you up a lil’?" His accent got ridiculous, a sign that it wasn’t natural but a imitation. "You have a long and hard think on that. I want my information, sooner you tell me the better." There was an 'or else' in there at the end, silent but implied.

Still leaning forward, being held up solely by her tied arms to the chair, Naoto listens. He stepped away from her, and moved over to Ayane. Her heartbeat accelerated in fear, but only hearing a low quiet mutter. "What a pretty little thing you are…" before he steps away entirely with a chuckle.

The same door creaked open, then close. Footsteps fades with distance, the only sound left was the ragged breathing from the detective, dripping water around herself and the whimper as she straighten back up against her chair. “That could’ve gone better…” She seems to mumble before moving her chair back until she felt the nudge of both chairs being in contact again.

It took a while longer for her numb cold hands find it’s way back to the warmer ones. “I think we’re alone for the rest of the ‘day’…” If that’s any consolation at all.

[۞ -] Her heart felt like it was tremouring with a writhing pain that she knew how uncomfortable Naoto must feel, even despite her brave exterior and professional handling. Less could be said about herself, though. Comparing the girl to a wreck would be a compliment. A sweat had broken out sometime after he had announced his presence, making the palms of her hands clammy and slick.

Spreading her fingers and clenching them, she wrestled silently against the bonds, even if a pained expression was clear on her face as the taut ropes burned at her skin with each twist and turn, but alas, to no avail did they give way, or loosen up. If anything, her paranoia made it seem like they felt tighter. Even with a hit-and-miss hope that her sweat would’ve loosened the bonds up, it was all for naught. If that was the case then she assumed their assailant wouldn’t of used water to wake up Naoto, seeing as it soaked into the ropes as well.

She kept her focus on the conversation, though. It wasn’t like she had any other choice.

He has a strange way of talking. She noted idly. I’m not expert on dialects and accents but if I had to guess I’d say he’s either an englishman - or pretending to be one. Useful observation, Ayane, but that isn’t going to form a knife to cut these ropes, now is it?

Still the point escapes— Ayane tensed up considerably at the sound of ‘not afraid to hit a girl’. Her head partly turned to presumbly face where Naoto would be, that was, if she could see of course. Steadying her breathing, The Sun drew in her bottom lip and bit down on it harder than usual, lucky enough not to draw blood. He wouldn’t.. — well, she assumed men like him wouldn’t have any qualms hitting women. But really, girl or not, Naoto was still only a teenager—

A stifled gasp escaped her when she could feel her own chair nudge a little bit in response to the detective’s being pulled back so far. And the coughing. The hit itself. Her bottom lip trembled; and she timidly murmured something or another, but her voice had died on her before she really could say anything. That must of hurt, and Ayane was sick with worry, desperate to find out how she was.

Her stomach churned and lurched, heart hammering and a struggle in the bonds once more, suddenly going very, very still when the creaking of the floorboards indicated movement. She felt herself hold her breath when she felt — felt a presence lingering near her. 

Disgust.

Her impulse was to naturally spit in his face, but luckily for herself she was too frozen with fear to even attempt a thing like that. But her features was not, and while her eyes may of been covered, pure loathing disgust at primarily him hitting Naoto and furthermore with his comment was prominent. Her jaw clenched, and she swallowed thickly, breathing deep and slowly.

Don’t give him the satisfaction. Her expression neutralized when he stepped away and exited, allowing a heavy sigh to escape her and her body to shudder and shake a little violently. She barely was able to shuffle her chair to meet with Naoto’s, head partly turned once more.

"O, s-s-sweet m-merciful god.” she babbled out in a jumbled mess of spilled words. A sob escaped her once again, but Ayane managed to get some coherent sentence out;

"A-Are you alright? S-Stupid question — I-I mean a-are you still in pain? W-What is even this ‘information’ he wants..?"

Naoto tries her best not to focus on the pain itself. The initial explosive pain has dulled, but still enough that she don’t dare breath too deeply. It’s like every breath if expanded too much will trigger it again. However, that aside and catching her breath back, it seems to have done little in damage.

"Y-yea, I’m alright." She choked out with little breath. "Just a bruise at worse…" She have to give it to Ayane, the musician handled that pretty well. Not angering their kidnapper anymore was a plus, not replying to his words was the best course of action to take.

Taking a little bigger breath in, she hisses quietly as the dull ache flared up slightly. “I have an idea what he might be after.” Information. She have a lot of those. Despite being an outsider to the police department, as a detective she gathers information, pieces of data to remember. “I think he’s looking for someone in the witness protection program. It’s the only information I have gotten recently that’s worth anything this drastic.”

Though that’s only her assumption. Regardless, she have no intention of giving that up. If he wants that information, it only meant he wants to get his hands on that witness. There is more than enough reasons why she can’t give that piece of data up.

Feeling the trickle of water down the side of her cheek, Naoto shook her head again, trying to shake off the water as best she could. That’s when she notice something she didn’t quite expect. The blindfold around her eyes, now weighted down with water, felt like coming loose.

"Just give me a minute…" She shook her head again and sure enough, it slips down further on her nose. It took a bit more work for it to slide down enough one of her eye can look over the cloth.

She took the chance and looked around. Their surroundings was on point with what she had thought, though still different in many ways. For one, the room was far smaller than she had thought. It’s wooden built and tinted windows suggest it might be a shed more than anything. A farming shed? There are tools lying around, out of reach and on the other side of the room, but still there. Pitch forks and shovels and bags of what she assume was fertilizers. There’s two small windows, glass tinted black made it difficult to tell the time but the amount of light it spills into the room suggest sometime in the afternoon to evening.

Tilting herself forward, she can at least see her legs, the ropes bounding her ankles to the chair looked as tight as she thought, though the chair itself appear to be made of metal and covered in rust. The creaking sound it made when it was forced to move made sense…

And a slow plan starts forming into mind.

"He made a mistake using water to wake me up after all." There was a hint of amusement in her tone. She leans back again, chair nudging against Ayane. She desperately wants to check on the musician, make sure she was unharmed but as she leans back, all she can catch a glimpse of was her shoulder. "I got visual and it seems we’re stuck in a … a farming shed of some kind."

She relay and hopefully, that’ll give her a better calming presence. “The chair I’m on seems pretty old… maybe I can break it.” She suggested before twisting her hand to grab the rope on her own wrist. With her sight letting her know where to put most of the stress to, she tries to apply and adjust her body to try break the chair apart.

The bolts holding the chair together loosens, rattled in it’s slot. Naoto can feel her wrists burns with the effort, the ropes digging in as she tries to get the chair to fall apart. It wouldn’t free her, but it would allow her legs to move, she hoped. And if she can just see the rope…

'That's why you should go training with Chie-senpai, Shirogane..' She thought to herself, feeling weaker than ever before. With one last yank, taking a deep breath in that made the bruise on her stomach ached in turn, the bolt came of one after the other, separating the chair into parts.

Without any further support, she tilted forward and fell on her knees. She paused for a second, listening for sounds and eyes trained on the door on the side of the shed.

"I’m going to get you out of here, don’t worry…" She turns around and finally get a good look at Ayane. The musician appears… alright, physically. Her uniform ruffled and there’s dirt covering parts of her skin, but otherwise, she appears… fine.

"I see the knot… we might be able to work yours loose. Just hold on…" She have to relay everything she does in a hushed tone.

[۞ -] There would be a time and a place for Ayane to cry her eyes out over the situation, and that had already happened once when the realisation of such sunk in. While she was frightened beyond belief, and more than upset, the girl was stubbornly optimistic and knew no matter what, she would try everything in her power to assist Naoto in escaping the wretched place and the wretched man. Her anxiety certainly wasn’t making it an easy thought to hold onto.

What, with futility, the very fact she was still bound, that they were essentially just kids - and that she was a stray along that, the more she contemplated on it, made her sick in the stomach. The male’s comment aside (and she rather not think if it went into that nature), she had watched enough noir films to know that the ‘bad guys’ used hostages against someone. What was to stop him from hurting -her- to get Naoto to talk? 

She felt the pit of her stomach boil in sickening disgust, and only hope they had success escaping before it got to that point. Naoto may of been iron-willed to not spill the information when harm befell herself, but Ayane had no certainty she could hold the same when a complete innocent was harmed in her stead. Especially someone that the musician hoped the detective thought closely of.. even if, in this situation, that fact made it worse.

"I-It m-must be related to a pretty big case, then." she speculated to pass the time, long since giving up struggling in her bounds. The rope burns she suffered were enough already, and her delicate skin felt as if it was on fire, despite being ice cold from sweat. 

"Maybe something that you’ve closely worked on." After all, while nothing was certain, Ayane was doubtful that the assailant got lucky when he poached upon her and Naoto - famous ‘prince detective’. There must of been a reason to specifically target her, and anyone who even heard of her knew she was not weak or one to easily get the better of, even after the gender reveal.

"Who is he anyway..?"

Dutifully, Ayane lapsed into silence as the azurette began to.. do whatever it was she was doing - the girl could only hear vauge noises, after all. Creaking, something breaking.. it sounded like a lot of struggle. She thickly swallowed at the thought of that man comng back to investigate the noise, and hoped he was tied up with any arrangements to do so. 

When it came apparent that the other had the possibility of working her knot loose, she leaned back and exposed as much as the rope’s tie as possible. It would be difficult given how the detective’s hands were tied too, but now that they were not face-to-face, she might have a bit of look. 

"A farming shed.." she murmured; then eyes widened behind blindfold in inspiration.