A while back my computer crashed and stopped working. I had a heart attack thinking I'd lost all my half-finished stories. Having managed to recover them all, I thought to myself "I might as well just post these stories, even if they are unfinished". This is the second story (first being 'Zeroed out') as part of my 'post my chaptered stories so they wont be lost forever' plan.
I wrote this story about 2 and a half years ago, back in the beginning of my writing career when I thought I was funny. The writing is therefore of poorer quality/or different then I now currently write. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
The premise of this story comes from the amusing anime 'Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro'.
Story is not betaed, and I apologize for any and all writing mistakes as English is not my native language. Part of it was once betaed by Taliya, however I've made some changes + I'm not entirely sure if this is the betaed copy at all. My computer files are a mess.
Published: 06.06.2018
Wordcount: 6.2K
…
The Devils Within
The blood splattered across the walls were nearly dry – the thick substance let out a suffocating odour in the hot room, however the forensic buzzing about was entirely too used to it to be bothered by the smell. A woman holding a baby in a corner looked green. Every now and again she would hush and beg desperately for the little child to stop crying. On the floor, circles of chalk laid scattered. Each ring symbolizing a spot were body parts of Oruki Ryo, a rich CO, had previous lain. On a table stood a small, bloodied chainsaw.
The corner of the dining hall was the most populated one. A man sat on a single chair, head bowed as if sleeping. A single strain of hair stood up in his otherwise sleek hair. Around him stood a circle of eight people. Two inspectors followed his every move carefully.
A tall man in a meticulous suit was sweating. Every now and again, he would stick his hand in his pocket, just to withdraw it with a flinch. A habit he had had since he was a child.
Next to him stood an angry, brown haired woman. A slender, elegant foot tapped in an unknown frequency. She had things to do, places to be. She had no time to be involved with this time-consuming police investigation.
The third suspect was a light-haired woman. Her head was bowed as tears prickled down her face. She bit her lip, a hand covering the other. What should she do know? She owed everything to the CO. She loved him.
The last two in their little group stood further away, so as to not be in the way. The teen girl stood clutching the hand of a six year old boy. Earlier he had been running back and fro asking the forensics questions with childish curiosity. Sometimes she wondered about him, he was nothing like any other child she knew. However, she was mostly worried. Little children shouldn't be involved with gruesome murders like these. But they seemed to be happening around them all the time, as if they were drawn to death (or death drawn to them). She didn't pay attention to the child at the moment. Her awareness fully focused on the man sitting in the chair.
The boy had his head tilted slightly, eyes half closed behind thick glasses. Every now and again, his lips would twitch slightly, as if he was holding back a smile or trying to talk.
"The culprit," the voice boomed from the man sitting on the chair. Every occupant in the room snapped in his directions, silence settled as everyone took an involuntarily breath. The sleeping-looking man's arm's twisted slightly, before it shot up, finger pointing. " – Is you."
Gasps of shock rang. Eyes turned around to eye the perpetrator.
"Shikowari-san, how could you!" The angry looking woman snapped towards the man standing next to her.
The crying woman's knees buckled, before she slid down to the floor with a soft 'thud'. Her crying intensified.
Shikowari's eyes widened in shock. He held up his hands. "I didn't kill him! You can't prosecute me without a piece of evidence."
"It's in your pocket."
He froze. Hands twitched slightly, as if he considered running or grabbing something.
"You have a habit of sticking your hands in your pockets, don't you? You have several times tried to do so, before stopping-"
"But we didn't find anything in his pockets, Mouri-san." A voice interrupted.
Shikowari turned around gratefully to stare at Takagi. He pointed at him. "Exactly, what the police officer said. You didn't find anything in my pockets. You looked through them!"
If anyone had cared to glance at the six year old boy, they had noticed he had given up all pretence, and a small grin tucked in the corner of his lips. His eyes still half closed, the cerulean eyes examined Shikowari with hunger. Somehow, the man must have sensed something ominous as his entire body tensed.
"That's true. However, isn't your suits hand-tailored? It would be easy to request a hidden compartment in your pockets in order to hide valuables or, let's say, a blood soaked handkerchief to clean your face?"
Understanding dawned on the inspectors' face as Megure prompted 'go check it Takagi'.
Shikowari flinched, taking a step back. His fists clenched tightly. "Fine, I admit it," he growled through gritted teeth. "That fucker wanted to fire me. I've worked far too hard for this company to let him steal everything!"
"You are wrong!" The crying woman on the floor looked up. Face crunched up with tears. "Oruki-san wanted to put you on the board. Kagoma-san was retiring."
Shikowari paled. "But. I heard-" His eyes widened. Had he mistaken the conversation he had overheard? His thought's flashed back as he remembered the conversation, he had only heard half of it. Despair wormed into his thoughts, what had he done? His knees buckled. Every ounce of his strength suddenly drained. He let out a heavy breath. His head felt fuzzy. Grasping his head, he took another step back. Why did he feel so weak all of a sudden?
Shikowari's eyes started to wander all on their own. Flicker of black danced across his vision, threatening to overcome him. His eyes settled on a small form. Everything else in the room seems to have darkened, voices gone still. He barely noticed the police officer named Takagi grab his shoulder. Eyes flashed behind the glasses the little child was wearing. The boy lifted his head, and he was suddenly struck with helplessness in the power laying in those eyes. They were drawing him to him, like a moths around a fire. Later, when he woke, he would swear he had been hallucinating. Stuttering, the last of his energy was drained as he stumbled into a heap on the floor. The last thing he remembered was the glowing eyes.
…
"Culprits have a habit of passing out when you are around dad, isn't that strange Conan-kun?"
Mouri Ran glanced down at the child walking next to her. The murderer had been ushered into a police car mere 10 minutes ago, passed out from stress or shock. The little group of three had been released to continue on with their day with promises of going to the police station the next day for their statement. Mouri Kogorou grunted.
"It's because they are so wowed by my greatness. Going up against such a great detective as Sleeping Kogorou is taxing for the lesser intellects!" He let out a deep throaty laughter.
Ran hummed in amusement. "Whatever you say, dad."
Conan twitched an eyebrow slightly as he regarded them. To his senses, Kogoro's aura oozed of alcohol and failure. The stinking scent of resentment and grief radiated everything he touched. Regrets of the past laid heavy on the man. If he had only learned how to see past it, that aura would have dissipated and morphed into hope for a better future where yjru could be a family again. But regret and fear from Kogorou and Eri laid as a dark cloud over them. Their daughter the only light behind the clouds.
Ran felt like the spring rain. A radiance of happiness with all the belief in the world that everything would be alright again. One could wash of the regrets of the past easily. She was a child like that. All innocent looking and believing in a world where everything would be good in the end. Conan was surprised her innocence hadn't been washed away ages ago, considering all the deaths she had seen. Somehow, she had managed to keep her hope for humanity intact. She was a blinding sun amongst the heavy clouds in the street. It was somewhat refreshing.
"Let's go get something to eat, we skipped lunch. What would you like to eat Conan-kun?" The girl smiled warmly down at him.
Conan's lips twitched slightly. "Whatever is fine, Ran-neechan. I'm not that hungry."
He resisted the impulse to lick his lips like a content cat. He could still taste the mystery on the tip of his tongue. This particular murder mystery had his taste buds quivering in excitement. Human food could not compare. The radiance a solved mystery oozed of was not simply a taste for your palates. It was a taste that sang to him. It rushed through his blood. Filled his entire body with its flavour. Human words could not describe the feeling.
Humanity was such a curious specious. They all lied and deceived each other in a way demons could not dream to imagine. They tore at each other, broke their loved ones' hearts, felt pleasure from pain in a way demons could never think of. Demons at least were true to their nature. They never pretended otherwise. Evil intent from humans were so easy to pick up, the flavour clung to their very essence. Just walking down a street amongst the crowd was enough to rile his hunger. He could smell them, the mysteries they concocted. Almost ripe to take, but not yet. He had to be patience. Good food would always come for those who wait.
That's why he had chosen to follow this man after all. This failed detective with his many regrets. He did not blink an eye at the strangeness of the situation. He was weak minded enough that possession was so easy it was laughable. The perfect cover. Who would ever think a little boy was the puppet-master behind the deductions. It was such an easy task to snuff him out. He knew Kogorou's mind well now, he barely had to utter the thought to render the sleuth unconscious. From there he stole his voice. It was only a partial possession. He had no desire to possess him any further, the very thought made him shiver in revulsion.
"Is that so? Maybe we should just go home then, and I'll make something instead."
Somewhere in front of them, Kogorou grunted as someone walked into him. Conan glanced up at Ran. Slipping into the know well-versed persona of a child, he gave her a large smile.
"Sounds good, Ran-neechan."
Looking placated, the girl squeezed his hand. She had been unwilling to let his hand go since they left the building. "We'll be meeting up with Sonoko tomorrow for lunch. We are going shopping. Isn't that going to be just great?" The girl continued amicable.
Conan twitched an eye in displeasure at the idea. The logic of a teenage girl lay somewhere unreachable to him. Not to mentioned he had learned quite quickly how much he loathed malls. They were evil to the point that only the devil himself could have constructed such a building. It was a brainwashing torture chamber of the most despicable kind.
"Sonoko said she saw a gelato place with half price. So it won't be too boring for you," She tilted her head, her soft smile radiating like a sun. He looked up at her. Ran was a curious being, something about her was alluring. He couldn't put his finger on it. His choice of staying had originally been swayed by her. He remembered well the day they had first met.
…
The rain pitter-pattered as it hit the concrete. The rain was insufferable, getting into every creak and crook. If given the fraction of a second chance, it would soak you to the bone. Shinichi raked a hand through his hair and felt the water droplets stick to his fingertips. He shuffled back into the brick wall behind him, trying to press his body as far away from the water as he could. The old Oaktree he was standing under gave him marginal cover from the rain.
He had forgotten how cold it could be up here – and he was reminded of how much he hated the cold. He had grown bored of the nether world. The mysteries, though plentiful, had come repetitive ages ago. Demons were so predictable. He had grown hungry, unable to sustain himself on the mysteries of the demon world. He fed on the mazes that protected evil, the mystery.
Shinichi glanced up. The leaves on the trees ruffled slightly in the wind. Drops of water slithered between the cracks opened, and it fell on his face. His nose creased in displeasure as he reached up to wipe it away from his face with a soft sigh.
He had been drawn to the human world many a time over the years when the enigmas were too strong, too big, to ignore. Sometimes their world needed the supernatural to guide them. Cracks between the worlds would gape long enough for the respectable parties to enter. Shinichi closed his eyes. Oh, how satisfying those mysteries had been. He dreamed of their tastes for centuries. This world tasted so much better. An area of new palates he had never conceived of. He wanted to gorge himself in them.
That's what had led him to this. How he wished he had been born within the classifications of the lesser demons. If he had, he would have been allowed to access the other realms whenever he pleased. If anything, it was Lord Yusaku's fault. The smug bastard, lord of knowledge and riddles. How could he enjoy a meal when the demon lord enjoyed nothing more than spoiling the mysteries?
So here he was. Sneaking behind his back to enter the human world in search of a lousy meal. He felt a satisfied smile curl on his lips. At least Yusaku was forbidden to enter this realm, his very presence would struck a natural disaster. Any human within a hundred miles would most likely indulge in their darkest desires. Being as he was one of Yusaku's entourage, the same affect would ooze of him in a smaller scale. Food was always attracted to predators. Regardless, the problem wouldn't be apparent in the short term. He wasn't staying longer than necessary. If he was found missing, the repercussions would be severe. On the other hand, demons kept their cards tight to the chest. Even if anyone saw him leaving, it could be months, years even, before anyone noticed he was missing. Time worked differently in the nether world.
"Are you alright?"
Shinichi started in surprise. Cerulean eyes shot up as he glanced at the female standing just a few meters away. He hadn't heard her coming. He cursed inwardly, he should pay more attention to his surroundings. He eyed her carefully. She was a light-skinned girl of about 160 cm. She was slender, yet sported an athletic and curvaceous build. A martial artist? Her eyes were bluish-purple that practically eradiated kindness. She had long, dark brown hair tucked behind her ears with short wavy bangs over her forehead. The scent of spring rain and wet flowers tickled his nose. He took in the fragrance curiously, there were something more, something hidden in the smell he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Yeah, I'm alright," he finally answered after a spotted pause. A few seconds had been needed in order to fully absorb the current language. The girl shifted slightly, a look of worry still apparent in her eyes. By now, his interest in her had vanished. He wasn't here to chat with the locals. He was hungry.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
With a sigh, his attention turned back to her. Though the meal would be dissatisfying, he could still feed on her energy. If she felt tired, there was a larger chance she would go away. The thought made his stomach churn. Unlike most of his apparent 'siblings', he had standards. He wouldn't simply feed on anything.
"Yes," he said crudely. Hoping his voice conveyed his irritation. It seemed she couldn't take a hint as she took a step closer to him. He narrowed his eyes. The fragment of spring rain intensified. He opened his mouth to ask her, quite rudely, to leave, when she suddenly offered him her umbrella.
"Take this, home is just five minutes away, I don't need it." A friendly smile blossomed on her face.
Shinichi froze. Had the human female just offered her umbrella? The rain was thick enough that she would be soaked through walking for only five minutes. He had been nothing but rude since they started talking. What kind of mentally unstable person was she? He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Decreasing his tight hold on his powers, he let out coils of energy to survey the immediate area. He couldn't sense anything of demonic in nature. She's not possessed then. Focusing his energy on the umbrella, he could feel no malicious intent behind it. He shouldn't have been so surprised, if the female had any intentions of tricking him, he would have smelled in immediately. Humans couldn't hide the scent. He prayed on deceit and lies. So then why, did she smile at him like that? If she had any survival instinct, she should have run away screaming.
Shinichi's stomach churned in confusion. The umbrella still offered out in the space between them. He tighten his control on his powers, the tingling scent would evaporate shortly in the rain. Hiding his presence once again. He turned his head away.
"I don't want it."
The girl blinked. Her hand shook slightly. "But you are soaked through! You'll get sick if you keep standing outside here in the rain."
He glanced back at her. Her voice thick with worry. Why is she so worried for a stranger? This human made no sense to him. There was no deceit in her voice, only sincere honesty. What could she possibly want with him? In his bafflement of the odd situation, he decided to question it. He needed to know what made her tick, if it wasn't the same egoistical ideals everyone else has.
"Why do you care? I could be some kind of weirdo-"
He didn't get any further before she interrupted him with a smile.
"Well, obviously." Shinichi blinked. "Then why-"
"Only weirdos would stand outside in the rain without an umbrella or raincoat waiting for someone. But you must be a kind person too, if you are willing to wait in the cold and in the rain."
Ah, he thought. A misinterpretation of a character. She assumed he was a good person based on misleading facts. A kindred spirit of some sort. It was a disappointing conclusion to this enigma. All interest evaporated and his eyes started to wander.
"So you are offering me your umbrella out of pity? I'm already soaked to the bone, it won't make any difference either way."
A tick crept into her forehead. "I'm trying to be nice here, don't be such an asshole." Her hand had still not withdrawn, the umbrella still offered in the space between them. Small droplets of water hit the back of her head, no longer covered by the umbrella.
His lips twitched upwards. "It's a simple deduction. I'm not going to be any less wet by taking you up on the offer. By refusing you, you wont be wet and sick tomorrow." He shrugged. A drop slithered from his forehead, down between his eyes. A tongue flickered between his lips to lick up the water as it reached the corner of his mouth.
Her eyes narrowed, a ting of irritation melded with her scent. With a small huff, she turned around and started in a direction. Her long feet ate the distance.
He watched her leave in the corner of his eyes with amusement bubbling in his chest at her odd behaviour – or rather, he had a hard time understanding her. He wasn't sure what had lead him to decline her. Every ounce of his demon part had urged him to accept the umbrella, just to get out of the rain for a little while. But the human had put his teeth on edge. She was something he had never encountered before. An unselfish creature who had offered her only source of cover from the cold weather to a stranger that done nothing but to mock her kind gestures. Could something like that truly survive in the world? In his world, she would be thought upon as weak and defected. She would not have last a day before she was devoured. The human world was a different place. He had never been here unsupervised before.
Shinichi closed his eyes. Maybe it had been a mistake to come here. He knew nothing of this world. As a Majin, he was rarely allowed to go anywhere. Naturally, as a disciple of Yusaku the knowledge of all the realms was easily in his grasp. He had studied the philosophy and sciences of this world. He could retell every topic with ease, even the most redundant ones. Facts, however small, was needed to know in order to solve any mysteries. But the human mind? He could not wrap his mind around any emotions that didn't contain anger, or vengefulness or deceit. Kindness was not a word afflicted with the demonic language.
The scent of spring rain and flowers tickled his nose. Warily, he opened his eyes, knowing before he opened them what he would see. The girl had showed up again, in another 30 seconds she would be here. He groaned inwardly. What does she want with me?
Finally reaching him, she held her hand out. "Here."
Shinichi glanced down on the object. It was a spare umbrella. His frown deepened.
"Why?" he said simply.
She cocked her head, a warm smile curled on her lips. "You seemed lost."
Shinichi glanced up in surprise. She was more perceptive then he had given her credit for.
"And?"
She let out a deep sigh. "God, you are insufferable. Just take the damn umbrella."
He eyed the object carefully. Why are you going to such lengths? He wanted to ask.
"If I'm taking it, there's a very large chance you'll never get it back."
The female hummed in reply. "That fact is already taken into consideration. I'm giving you this umbrella. I don't have any hopes in getting it back."
He raised an eyebrow. "And that's all right with you?"
"Would it help if I called it a gift?"
Shinichi snorted in amusement. "I'm a stranger, why would you give me a gift?"
She paused, before a large smile blossomed on her face. "I'm Mouri Ran, pleasure to meet you. Now that we are acquainted, please take this gift as a late birthday present."
Shinichi stared at her. What was up with this woman? She seemed to have a strong-willed mind that was used to dealing with arrogance. How could she take him with so appease? He was a demon, he could suck her energy dry without a moment thought. In the grand of things, she was less than an ant under his boots. But here she stood, unafraid, lecturing him about kindness. Not knowing what else to do, he held out his hand.
She moved to put the umbrella into his hand, but did not relinquish her hold. "It's common curtesy to introduce yourself in response you know."
He glanced up into her face. Blueish eyes flashed dangerously as cerulean eyes met hers. She was certainly a frightening human. He caved.
"I'm Shinichi." The dangerous lines around her eyes morphed into a friendly expression. "Nice to meet you Shinichi-san. Happy birthday." She relinquished her grip on the object, and it fell into his hand.
His fingers curled around it. He blinked. What had just happened? He stared at her. She couldn't possibly be human, could she? She had to have some drop of supernatural blood in her. He hadn't felt anything earlier, but there had to be something there. It just had to. He hadn't just caved to a human. Not him, not one of the disciples of Lord Yusaku. It was ludicrous, and If words ever got to him, he would never live it down.
"What do you say to that?" she had a hand on her hips.
Shinichi stared at her in incredulity. "I'm not going to thank you."
Ran grinned. "You're welcome."
He narrowed his eyes. "I said I wasn't going to thank you."
"You're welcome!"
Shinichi let out an insufferable noise, "whatever. Go away." He shooed her away with a hand. After stumbling with the contraption, he opened the umbrella. That's better. He was still wet, his clothes clinging to his body, but at least he had cover from the icy cold water.
"When's your friend coming?"
Shinichi pursed his lips. "When he gets here," he answered vaguely. He turned his head away, hoping she would take the hint.
"I'll wait with you then."
He stared at her in disbelief for a long moment as something curled in the tip of his stomach. However it didn't seem as though she noticed his discomfort as she hummed in contentment. Perhaps if he ignored her, she would go away?
"Are you a student somewhere? You don't seem to be more then seventeen." She waited several seconds without getting a respond, before continuing talking as if the pregnant pause wasn't there. "I'm seventeen too. I go to Teitan high. It's a great place."
Ran shuffled to stand next to him as their umbrellas brushed against each other. Her eyes glittered where the artificial light from lamps over head reflected off the falling water. "Do you have any hobbies? I'm the captain of Teitan Karate club myself. You seem rather athletic too. Do you do martial arts by any chance?"
This time she stopped talking, and looked at him with expectant eyes. He moved an inch away from here and bit the inside of cheek in confusion. Apparently she could not take a hint, it was time to change his approach to try scare her off.
"I slaughter babies for a living."
Her bluish eyes widened slightly, before pursing her lips in disapproval. "That's not funny."
"I wasn't trying to be funny, Mouri-san." Shinichi couldn't keep a sly smile away.
Ran scowled. She was pretty, by human standards he mused. A curious being. One second all sweet smiles, the next all fury and death glares.
"You better not. My dad's a detective."
That prickled his curiosity. That certainly explained the tinge of mystery in her scent. The smell of spring rain and flowers. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the smell. She smelled like wet sunflowers, it was a fragrant of being baked in the sun all afternoon before the rain fell, of rustling grass in the wind. Nothing in the nether world could compare to the freshness, of the life her soul sang of. He couldn't tell if he liked it or not, it was certainly different. Maybe nice in an overly nauseating way. He took another breath for another taste. He froze.
Shinichi's eyes snapped open. The rich flavour of a mystery coated his tongue. It was spicy and hundred times stronger than anything he had smelled in the netherworld lately. He could practically see it in the air. A shade of periwinkle dancing in the air, beckoning to him. Soon¸ it whispered. Before he knew it, he ran. A yell off "Shinichi" barely reached him in his excitement. If he wanted to see the mystery he had to go now.
The pavement flew under his feet. The streets fell away as the sweet, succulent smell thickened around him. His entire being tingled in anticipation. What ingenious contraptions of plot would unravel to him? He stopped abruptly. A second later a form bumped into him from behind. He did not pay it any attention. His eyes roamed the area. It was here. Something would happen here, he was sure of it. The street was for the most part deserted. Rain pitter-pattered as it hit the concrete. Next to a wall further down the street stood a lone, small figurie.
Rain dripped into Shinichi's face, he must've dropped the umbrella in his excitement. He ignored it, it did not matter anymore. The thick, periwinkle aura filled the air. He could almost hear the euphonious hum. Anticipation trembled through him. Soon, soon.
"Shinichi!"
Something shook his arm. "What's the big deal? Why'd you run of like that all of a-"She was cut off abruptly. A black van splashed water all over them as it rushed by.
Shinichi closed his eyes a fraction in order to not get any water into them. Other than that, he ignored it completely. Any discomfort was meaningless in the grand of things. Next to him, Ran muttered a curse. The rustling of clothes told him she was patting her body in order to brush off the mud.
The van screeched to a stop, a second later a man jumped out of it, grabbed the small figure down the road. A scream had Ran looking up in alarm, before the person was dragged into the van. A second later the car started, and it was gone behind the corner before anyone could react.
Huh¸ he mused, how curious. The previous thick air dissolved. Only the shiver of the periwinkle aura remained at the scene. A child just got kidnapped, that certainly explained the sweetness of the scent. He could still smell it, the scent from the child. A girl, she smelled like apple blossoms, something immature but blooming.
Ran gasped.
Oh great, she's going to scream, he thought crudely. Why had he been in such a hurry instead of spending ten seconds to make sure she was not following him?
Ran did not scream, instead she calmly picked up her phone, pressed a few buttons and held it to her ear. "Dad? It's me. There's been another kidnapping."
Shinichi looked at her in surprise. Interesting. The human had broken every expectation he had had so far. He paused at her words. Another kidnapping? A small smile tucked on his lips. The game is afoot.
…
An hour later, he found himself sitting in a sofa in Mouri Kogorou's office. He was ignored for now, as police officers and Ran's detective father went over the evidence. Ran had a remarkable ability to remember details. It was clear she was used to how investigations progressed. The case was simple. The last couple of weeks, children between the ages of 4 and 9 had been disappearing from the streets. There were no logical patterns as to where and when they struck. Parents were warned to keep their children from going home alone.
Shinichi stroke his chin thoughtfully. Couldn't be a serial killer, so far no bodies had showed up. With the amount of disappearance there could only be one option. Someone was kidnapping children for human trafficking. Why they had suddenly increased he couldn't tell. Theory; They are moving to a new location and so grabbing as much merchandises as they could. Second theory; they are desperately need for children for a reason. He glanced at the pictures and documents on the living room table. What was the connection?
"Want some tea?"
He looked up at Ran. He shook his head. He didn't care much for human food.
She smiled softly in response. "I'm sorry for getting you involved with all this. We haven't really gotten to talk since the police came." She scratched her head in embarrassment as she let out a small laugh.
Shinichi waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it."
His eyes wandered back to the documents. Something niggled on his mind. This room, with all these police officers, echoed of mysteries. Some solved, some unresolved. It clung to their very presence. The smell of coffee and smoke overwhelmed his nose. It would take some time to get used to this in order to differentiate the unique flavour of each officer. He could smell the deceit and lies.
A man in his 40s in the corner was chatting up a pretty, blond forensic. He was cheating on his wife. It was a distinctive odour. A muddy rosewood colour oozed of him, a shade belonging to the characteristic of 'pink', but muddy, corrupted. It was disgusting and distracting his thoughts. His hunger flared.
"I forgot to ask earlier, but did you call your friend? It would be bad if he has been waiting outside in the rain for the last hour."
Shinichi glanced at the girl in confusion. Friend? What is she talking- ah, that. He had completely forgotten. He waved his hand once more in dismissal. He paused. He had two options in front of him. One could get him a step in the door for the investigation. If he lied and told them he was a detective and had in fact been observing the area as he had figured out the culprits would strike there next. It would also give him an alibi as to why he suddenly ran away earlier. Possibly better access to the police resources. On the other hand, that would put him in under the police radar. Figuring out a good backstory in the long run would be difficult.
He glanced at the documents on the table. A second plan was forming in his head, one that would get him away from the police and Ran, but still keep him in the middle of the investigation. There was a gamble of course, but worth a shot. For some reason, the thought of getting the human girl involved churned his stomach. If it didn't pan out, he could always just find a new mystery, they were bound to pop up sooner or later in his presence. The thought of fleeing felt tasteless. Curiosity burned in his mind. He wanted to solve this crime. No, he wanted to solve all of them.
Making sure to memorize the maps and information, he stood, dropping the towel he had borrowed earlier. His decision was made.
"You are right, I completely forgot about it." He patted his pocket with a mock frown. "It seems I dropped my phone somewhere."
Ran frowned in worry. "Maybe you dropped it in our run earlier? We should go look for it."
He twitched an eyebrow slightly. This girl was just too nice.
"You mean I should go look for it."
Ran pursed her lips.
He held up her hand before she could respond. "I need the fresh air. This entire debate has been quite shocking, I hope you understand?" He widened his eyes in what I hoped was a distressed expression.
Ran face fell, a blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. The thought that he might be upset about what transpired in front of him had probably not crossed her mind when he hadn't reacted accordingly in the first place.
"Of course, my apologies Shinichi-san. Of course you'd want to be alone for a while to collect your thoughts."
"I'm glad you understand, Mouri-san." He put a hand on her shoulder. "I think I've done everything I can to help here, which wasn't much considering your cognitive skills surpasses mine."
Her blush deepened. The colour shifting to a soft sherry pink. The tint mirrored in her scent. He let the spring rain and sunflower wash over him for the last time. Such a curious being. So delicate, but so strong. Sunflowers could easily survive being stepped on, the stem too strong to be ripped up by bare hands. He snorted inwardly, it was time to leave if he was getting so semantical already.
"Take care."
She grabbed his hand before he got two steps away. He turned in surprise. Cerulean eyes met blueish ones in curiosity. Sparks shot up his arm from where she was touching him. How odd. So far the humans had instinctively kept him at an arm's length. Not even Ran had touched him, accident or otherwise. Hunger flared again. She was an enigma, this girl. However, it was not one he could prey on. Hers was not the kind that hid malevolent intentions. Even the deceit the cheating husband would be an inadequate meal. He would leave those to the lesser demons who preyed specifically on those.
"What?"
The girl avoided his gaze. By now, her entire face burned red.
"Will I-. Will I ever see you again?"
Shinichi widened his eyes in surprise. Had he just heard correctly? Did the female enjoy his company? No one had ever uttered those words to him, not in all the centuries he had lived. What was wrong with this female? She had no survival instinct. It could only compare to a lamb trying to befriend a hungry, flame-eating dragon. Part of him wanted to show her off with a laugh, to ludicrous her. He swallowed down the thought. He had somewhat enjoyed her company. She was alright, for a human. If anyone asked, he'd deny it.
His lips twitched slightly. "Maybe," he said vaguely. It was all he could say really. His breath hitched slightly when she gave a tender smile in response. The word cute flashed through his head. Before he could even examine the feeling, he left the agency. He couldn't afford the distraction. He would never see the female again anyways. There was a mystery to solve and a plan to put in action. Everything else fell away as his hunger purred in his ears.