Kind of a crazy time we're living in, huh? I hope you're doing well and keeping healthy.
I'm gonna try to write at least one chapter a month. Being stuck at home should give me enough of a kick in the butt to at least do that.
Naoto was pleasantly surprised to learn that Rise was holding a handshake event in the same city she had been sent to for a case. It was only a matter of reaching out via text and finding a quiet cafe or restaurant before the two were sitting across from each other and catching up. Naoto was still lazily working her way through her first cup of black coffee, while Rise was cheerily downing her second. The detective chose not to comment on the tiny pile of sugar packets and cups of creamer, a move that was perhaps for the best. "So what's new?"
"I can't-"
"Wait."
Rise pointed the cookie in her hand at Naoto. "Don't be cheeky and say you can't discuss your case with me. I know you're thinking about it."
Naoto simply smiled innocently and drummed her fingers against the side of her cup. "I wouldn't dare. To answer your question, I would much rather be home, yet I find myself out here because I was asked to stay longer than expected."
"Complications?"
"Somewhat. I will sort it out later."
Naoto swirled the coffee in her cup and smiled at her friend. "Don't let me bore you. Tell me how you've been."
And so it went. After day after day of working long hours at the precinct, Naoto was only too glad to relax and spend some time with Rise. Time lazily passed them by as they chatted about life, work, and whatever lay in-between. "Have you called Senpai lately?"
"No. I try not to call until I'm certain my work is done."
"That sounds annoying."
"It's fine. Souji understands. I'm just surprised by how well he copes with it...I think."
"You think?"
"...Can I be frank with you?"
"Yeah, of course."
Naoto pushed her cup further to the middle of the table and leaned back in her chair. She turned her gaze to the ceiling and let go of a slow breath. "I miss him."
"I know."
She reached up to fiddle with a cap she no longer wore, catching herself with a start. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand and mumbled, "I'm sure I'm just going to vent aimlessly now."
"Go for it. I'll listen."
"I just...I want to help people. That's part of why I became a detective in the first place. And when these cases keep presenting themselves to me, I feel obligated to stay and…"
Naoto clenched her fists as if grasping at something that would help her focus. "I feel awful for saying this, but I'm frustrated! I want to see Souji, I want to...to sit on my couch and play with Tora and Taki, and it's driving me up the wall."
Naoto, in a rare turn, looked genuinely nonplussed by this. She looked down at her lap in thought and tried to kickstart her thinking with a sip of coffee. When that didn't work, she turned her gaze up to her friend, gesturing to further demonstrate her confusion. "How does Souji take my absence so well?"
She was surprised to see that Rise was trying her best not to smile, something that was confusing, worthy of further investigation. "...Rise-chan. Is there something you're not telling me?"
Rise giggled and tried to wave her off, but to no avail. Naoto simply set her cup down and fixed the idol with her most steadfast look. Before long, she crumbled, still tittering as she asked, "Is that what you really think?"
"Yes. That's...why I told you as much."
Rise expected the non-answer, although she thought she was detecting a hint of deadpan mixed in for good measure. She rolled her eyes and shook a sugar packet at Naoto. Predictably, the detective refused, putting a hand over the top of her cup just in case. "Hoo boy. Senpai is really sneaky sometimes."
"...?"
"Do you remember that spare key you gave me?"
"Yes."
"I use it. To visit sometimes. Y'know, see how he's holding up when his dearly beloved is off kicking butt."
"I assumed as much."
"Mhm. He told me once that he's not a huge fan of plans changing at the last minute."
Naoto felt a pang of guilt; she knew exactly what was being referenced. An unexpected development in a case one or two months prior had led to her extending her stay out of town. That was quickly followed up by the police chief begging for her help with yet another situation. To say Souji was disappointed by the double delay would be a gross understatement. Of course, there was a silver lining - particularly in the way he welcomed her back.
Still...thinking back on that made her realize that delay was very similar to what was happening now. "I know. Or...I had an inkling, at least. It can't be helped, however. We both know that."
"Don't beat yourself up too much. He understands you way better than I do."
"Now who's selling themselves short?"
They shared a laugh. Rise swirled the last dregs of coffee left in her cup when she realized that Naoto had developed a dreamy look in her eye. "...You're thinking about him now, aren't you."
It was less of a question and more of a statement. "Unashamedly."
"Well, call him! As for me, I'm going to go order some cake."
Without another word, the idol shot up from her chair and swept out of the room, leaving Naoto with the scent of coffee, a view of the streets outside, and her thoughts. ...Hmm.
She fished her phone out of her pocket and quickly found Souji's number. The line beeped once, twice...then a noise. "Hello?"
"Naoto? Hey, I wasn't expecting you to call."
"I know." Naoto smiled to herself and looked out the window. "I just felt like it."
