Grey, sleepy, dark rain knocked on the blank windows of the Nakamori house. Aoko glanced to the clock from the floor. '01:21' said the indifferent machine. She must have fallen asleep. A tired sigh escaped from her. Asleep for a minute.

Time seemed to love her, as it always managed to find her proving itself as only partner to wait.

Waiting. She seemed really good in it. How she hated it. Almost like Kaito… Just as Kaito hates fish. Or more. While Kaito could escape and avoid his horror, she was doomed to face it day after day.

01:22.

An errant thought came into her mind suggesting getting up from the floor and go to bed. Instead she buried her head into to her arms again. She wanted to cry. She couldn't. Like some cruel curse.

Another sudden idea of calling Kaito in hope of entertainment.

He was asleep. She could see his room. And she had no intention of bothering him anyway. He was more and more tired due to the exams and plus work and everything that he did besides school and everything.

A light, cold touch run up in her spine. She should lay down in her bed comfortably covered with warm blanket.

Far away roaming melted into the calm emptiness. The rain became heavier. Aoko shifted, laying down her legs, her head propping against the sofa. They should buy a carpet to the living room. The floor can be really cold.

Ginzo told her to sleep, because tonight will be long. She agreed. Ginzo will be angry.

Another sigh escaped. What a foolish play. Acting as if they care.

Aoko eyes sharpened suddenly, shaking her head. No, they do care, and that's the only way they can express it. It means they know what the other does and fear for each other.

Then… She let out a groan. Why aren't you in bed? This silky beautiful and evil voice asked her from the darkness.

Aoko wished she could cry. Her throat was dry and her eyes too tired to produce tears.

Anyway it wouldn't help. Her father needs everything to be okay so he can focus on his work and finish it up early.

Early… yeah. This aimless chase began way before she was born. Sure she can help. Aoko curled up, hugging her knees.

Further more, if her father happened to notice she's not okay, Kaito would too. Then all she managed to do was just making them worried. Not an option.

She just needed to be her usual smiling naïve good little girl-, friend-, daughter- self who remained the same all the time.

For how many times did she concluded this? Now Aoko wanted to laugh. Yet she was too tired to actually do it. Plus it would break the noisy silence, filled with the night-city sounds.

She had to admit it, these sounds were beautiful. And scary. Whenever a siren echoed through the walls, her heart skipped a beat. Ambulance? Or the police? She sat there for a good half hour before relaxing a little, just to tighten up again for the next noise.

And she could see the lights too. If she had the power to sit properly on the sofa and not laying before it like some dog.

Aoko felt herself as a hopeless dog waiting for its master to return.

But she wasn't stupid. She knew exactly well that no matter how clever she may be, she can't help her father, nor the police by going to the field with them. She's not practically strong, nor can she defend herself in ugly situation – like a real attempted murder. One thing she can do is listen to Ginzo and try to find the holes and flaws in his theories.

01:29.

Time simply loves to torture her.

Sometimes she couldn't decide if the slowness of time was a good or a bad thing. In a way it could be positive since she could rest normally after waiting for eternity, so she would have about 5-6 hours of sleep. On the other hand it did feel like eternity.

She closed her eyes for a moment, thoughts running and dancing in her head. The sound of the rain was really calming.

Aoko had the ability to dream while awake. Or at least she felt so. As for the others she seemed like a lunatic – according to Kaito. But his opinion is always a strange thing.

She still listened to him and followed his advice. Sometimes even the negative ones. Kaito was a really good friend.

Aoko wondered if she even has real friends apart from that idiot. But she couldn't always rely on him.

A sudden sharp light switched on and Aoko groaned.

Opening her eyes she pouted.

" You're late, Dad."

" And you're supposed to be asleep."

" I made some soup and pasta. You can have all you want." she informed while scrambling up, smiling a little tiredly.

" Sleep tight." Ginzo answered as he comfortably put his coat and suitcase down.

" Dad."

" Hm?"

" How did it go?"

" He made it."

" On foot?"

" Probably." The inspector started to eat. " How was school?"

" Nothing interesting. Boring."

" Tests, exams?"

" Going quite well."

" Hm." A tired but pleased hum.

" Good night Dad."

" Hm…"

Okay, I had a completely different idea in mind but this one came out pretty okay so hope you like it.

The new favorite character is as you can see Aoko. She's just too lovely and nice.

Most probably this story will continue, not really like a normal story, more like fragments and monologues.

Hope I could describe the atmosphere or the situation, but if not then sorry.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed it and if you have anything to say or suggest don't be shy.

Have a nice day :)