Let me get one thing clear right off the bat. This will be a rewrite of Into the Fray. A remake, remaster, overhaul, whatever you like. The original story, especially the early chapters, were a mess of story, with a three-years-younger me trying to make too many different ideas work. I think, overall, it was good.
I want it to be great. I hope you come along for the ride.
Now, let's see if I can get this started off right.
"Shirogane speaking."
"...Hi, Naoto."
"Souji-kun! I apologize, my mind was somewhere else when I answered. Oh, and, um, hello."
"Hmhm. Sounds like you're a little busy. Should I call back later?"
"No, no, this is perfectly fine. I was just putting the finishing touches on some things. Is there any reason as to why you called?"
"Well, I wanted to go over tomorrow's plan with you."
"We've already gone over it, in detail, by email."
Souji chuckled and moved the phone to his other hand, standing up from his desk and closing his laptop. He walked over to his apartment window and gazed out in the direction of the small town that changed everything. "Maybe I just wanted to hear your voice."
He heard a light laugh on the other line, closing his eyes and enjoying the rare sound. "I would be remiss to pass up this opportunity, then…Talk to me."
"I should be off the train by noon. You can call everyone to Junes, have it be a big surprise...or you can meet me at the train station. Have a little one-on-one time."
Souji smiled when there was a pause - was she blushing? Or maybe she was putting some serious consideration towards the latter. "I think I'll stick to the plan...reluctantly, at least. I'm worried I'll just make a fool of myself if I see you alone."
His pulse quickened as he swallowed, hesitant to ask the next question - even if he was sure of the answer. "You missed me that much?"
Another pause, but then, quietly, "...Yes."
Souji lowered his gaze from the window to hide the red in his cheeks at her honesty. No one was watching, but he still felt like she was watching him. "It's the same for you, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I really want to see you."
"I'm going to try and get some sleep. Honestly, if I think about this anymore, I'll be up all night long…"
"Good point. I'll let you go now, then."
"Right. I'll...see you when I see you?"
"Definitely. Good night, Naoto."
"Good night, Souji-kun."
Despite knowing the call was over, Souji kept the phone to his ear and listened to the dial tone, focusing on the sound such that even the regular bustle of the city seemed to die down. "...Sweet dreams."
He closed the device and let it dangle loosely in his hand. It was easy to hope that Inaba was just over the horizon, that he could run there if he really wanted to. Of course, this was not true, and it didn't make the wait any easier. He glanced at the duffel bag he had packed and ready to go, letting his gaze wander to the cabinet next to his bed. A picture taken some time ago stared back, proudly displaying him standing tall with his friends. Once again, lining up with many times gone by, his eyes fell on the young detective that stood happily with her present company.
He liked her smile. That was one of the little things he missed the most. Dwelling on that only made him more restless, the realization drawing a sigh out of him. "...I should get some rest."
My real concern is with fixing the earlier chapters. This overhaul will give me the chance to go over errors I wanted to fix, too. I guess I'm just hoping I make a bigger impression this time around...y'know, now that I have some idea of what the heck I'm doing.
I hope you enjoyed. Till next time!
