So this has a few references to Backstory, my second fic in this collection, because I wanted to try to expand a little bit on Adachi's character and all the angst and internal feelings I imagine him going through in the entire game. This is an AdachixNanako fic. I love this pairing as well and I hope you do too! As usual, thanks for all the feedback you've given me and do let me know what you think of this one. The next one-shot I'm working on for this collection is much more light-hearted than all the ones I've published so far so stay tuned for that!

All His Wanting

Junes always had the best cabbages. Everything was fresh and green and healthy. But most importantly, it was cheap enough. And if there was one thing Adachi loved about Inaba, it was accompanying Nanako on her trips to the grocery department to do some shopping.

Dojima was working late again that night and he wanted Adachi to drop by the residence to check on the kids. He complied happily enough. He didn't necessarily like Souji that much, but it was always a pleasure to visit Nanako and see how she was doing. Adachi left the office in good spirits and set off for the Dojima residence.

He rang the doorbell and Nanako answered the door within seconds. She opened the door very slightly at first, just to check who it was. When she recognized the man in the black suit with messy hair, she opened the door wide and smiled politely at him.

Adachi smiled sheepishly at the young brown-haired girl and said: "Ah... Nanako-chan! Your father's... Well..." he trailed off.

"He's working late again, isn't he?" she didn't even seem surprised. In fact, she looked almost resigned.

(Poor girl.)

He unconsciously put his right hand on the back of his neck, with a troubled expression on his face. Adachi grimaced and said: "Yeah... Sorry about that. Well, I was just checking up on you and Souji-kun. See if you kids were alright."

"Big bro's out late tonight." (This just keeps getting better and better.) "I should start getting ready for dinner soon." Then, an idea struck him.

"Hey Nanako-chan. Why don't I help out with dinner?"

(She looks like she could use some company...)

Adachi did not particularly like having any interaction with people, or getting caught up in social situations. When it came to Nanako, however, he couldn't help himself. Perhaps it was because she always seemed to be neglected by her own father, and Souji wasn't always around with her either. Adachi found himself empathizing with her.

"R-really?" she brightened up a little.

He grinned and said in an upbeat tone: "Yeah! I may not look the part, Nanako-chan, but I'm a pretty good chef!" The girl smiled and let him into the house. Adachi took off his jacket and went straight to the kitchen.

"So! What're we cooking tonight?"

"Umm… I was going to buy bento sets for everyone…" Nanako looked at her feet, as if in embarrassment. "I'm not very good at cooking…"

Adachi smiled widely, placed a hand lightly on her left shoulder and said: "Don't worry, Nanako-chan! With me around, I'm sure we can cook up something really delicious! Let's go get some groceries at Junes!"

Her eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Yes! Every day's great at your Junes!" Nanako beamed at him and Adachi just smiled back at her. He put on his jacket again, took Nanako's hand and they left the house together, en route to Junes. It was late afternoon in Inaba and the pre-evening hustle and bustle was settling in at the Central Shopping District. Every now and then, Nanako would squeeze his hand as she struggled to keep up with Adachi's pace and he'd just slow down very slightly to let her catch up.

At Junes, Adachi helped her pick out the best cabbages and explained the importance of vegetables and healthy eating. He felt almost happy, just taking pleasure in the simple act of buying groceries with a young child. For him, it was a similar experience to a past memory that was so far removed from this point in his life.

(And if there's anything I've learned from all that… It's that good things never last. It's not real.)

Adachi studied the girl intently as she continued choosing other ingredients for the night's dinner.

(The world doesn't deserve her. She… I wish I could… But I can't. She'll be happier in the new world. When it's all said and done, she'll be better off. I'll take care of her.)

His mind was in a mess.

But all his thoughts soon evaporated when they were back at the Dojima residence, pouring the ingredients into a pot, making a delicious vegetable salad. Adachi found joy (temporary, of course) in teaching her how to prepare a simple dish his own father used to cook up for him.

"Wow… You weren't lying when you said you were a good cook!" Nanako beamed up at him in admiration.

Adachi was perspiring slightly from the heat of the kitchen. He chuckled nervously and said: "Ahhh you mean you doubted me, Nanako-chan?" He smiled at her, his chest swelling with pride at the girl's compliment. "Are you done chopping up the potatoes?"

According to Nanako, whenever Souji was home to do the cooking, he never allowed her to handle the dangerous jobs, such as turning on the stove or even helping with the slicing of the ingredients. But Adachi knew better.

(She can handle herself.)

Nanako looked almost proud when she handed the dish of diced potatoes to him. "I did my best!" He took the dish, looked at the roughly cut potatoes and said cheerily: "Could still use a bit of work but… It's good for a first try." He smiled encouragingly.

Dinner was soon ready and the pair sat together in the dining room, enjoying the fruits of their hard work. "It's delicious!" Nanako exclaimed, "I hate vegetables but this salad's really tasty, Adachi-san!" She ate her food with much enthusiasm and Adachi felt a small smile break onto his face.

He found it odd that such a simple thing like having dinner with his superior's young child could make him feel so fulfilled, so content. He knew right then, in that moment, that such little experiences were what he had yearned for. Adachi looked down at his food, recalling very distant memories from his past, when things were so simple.

(But that's not possible anymore.)

"Nanako-chan?"

The girl looked up at him inquiringly.

"Ahh… Thank you for tonight."

She smiled.