I've only seen up to episode 21 at this point. I keep having so many LuPat ideas but then struggle to get them out right on paper… Hope you enjoy!
"It doesn't matter if he stole the jewel to get his wife back, he still commited a crime," Keiichiro muttered to the other patrangers as they sipped their drinks at The Jurer.
"I mean, he just wanted his wife back, that isn't such a bad thing," Sakuya argued.
"He should have let the police handle it," Tsukasa agreed.
"He's not even with his wife now, he's in jail. And when he gets out he's going to have to deal with her."
"Shouldn't she just be happy that her husband is back with her?" Sakuya questioned.
"He's a criminal. Why wouldn't she hate what he turned into, especially if it was for her?"
Everyone in the room looked up at the sound of breaking glass. Kairi put his hand on Umika's shoulder and motioned his head for her to take a break while he cleaned up the tray she dropped. The Patrangers didn't see the glare Touma was passing them from the kitchen as he sighed and finished up their food.
"Even if she would be mad at him, I'm sure he would be happier in jail knowing that she was at least safe," Noel finally spoke up.
"She would have been safe and he wouldn't be in jail if he just trusted the police," Keiichiro decided.
Kairi washed his hands and brought out their plates. He gently sat Noel's plate down, but less than gently thudded the other three onto the table.
"As a police officer, I do place trust in the police. But if I trusted it completely I wouldn't be a thief, would I?" Noel took a bite of his lunch.
Keiichiro rolled his eyes in response.
"People feel safer taking things into their own hands and forging their own destinies than trusting others with that task. I'm sure many have turned to crime to do what they believed was the right thing."
"It doesn't make it right," Tsukasa answered.
"I know none of you would understand. You simply can't because you've not been there. The Lupinrangers understand though," Noel smirked before changing the subject, "Kairi, may I have more coffee?"
Kairi brought the coffee pot over and poured it full.
"Merci," Noel waved his hand.
Kairi went back to the kitchen and read the card Noel secretly passed to him. He chuckled and showed Touma.
'Keiichiro can be an ass sometimes, can't he?'
"I really wish you could tell us the Lupinrangers identities," Tsukasa begged.
"That's classified. You are all my teammates, I'm not going to betray one team over the other," Noel reminded.
Umika finally came back down the stairs looking much calmer, "Sorry about the spill earlier, I tripped."
"Don't worry about it," Sakuya assured smiling at his crush.
She went into the kitchen to check on Touma, and when she came out she was fighting back a laugh at the note.
Later, long after leaving the restaurant, Noel finally got the chance to read the note that Umika passed him. "Thanks, good to know we aren't the only ones who think so. And even if we don't entirely trust you yet, thank you for understanding us." He smiled as he slipped the note back into his pocket and headed off in search of the next Lupin piece.