a/n: bringing this back (hopefully). sorry if things seem off or anything it's been a while since I've gone over my notes for this fic;;
The great detective had failed to capture the phantom thief. The news had spread like wildfire within the office and Minaho was fully aware of that. It was difficult to ignore the mutterings and glances, especially when they were all about him. It was strange, for once hearing nothing but failure around him (it reminded him of his younger years, when he would make the common mistakes, but at least back then mistakes were forgiven).
Thankfully, those who were there the night before or had encountered Hayabusa were willing to stand up for him. Although, it hardly caused a dent in the matter. The results were in and no one could deny the fact that the phantom thief had gotten away.
The chattering becomes annoying and to block out the sounds, he heads to his office. Being by himself without all this background noise, he'd be able to think more clearly. He'll be able to devise a plan, one better than the last in order to capture the uncatchable. But last night had really shown him just how difficult this task would be.
Once inside, he shuts the door, and heads straight to his desk. A folder is open with the files on Hayabusa. He wastes no time scribbling notes and adding his own observations from his experience with the thief. It helped fill in the blanks, have notes that others on the force would never think to write down. The detective now had a better idea of what that thief was capable of, what his limitations could possibly be.
As his thoughts begin to create and form new possibilities, his hand trying to keep up with every possible detail, theres a knock on his door. The visitor, Manabe, doesn't ask to enter and steps inside.
"I'm assuming you heard everything out there?" He asks while shutting the door behind him.
"As you have to," Minaho replies while jotting down his last thought. "And you're here to address that matter? Or maybe even ask for help on new data you've compiled?"
"The former. I don't need your help and you have your own assignment to worry about," he mutters that last part to himself before walking towards him. "Anyway, everyone out there is all talk. They like rumors and find this gossip to be the best thing they've heard in a long while." It's not everyday the best detective fails, he nearly added. "I want to hear it from you, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all." Minaho leans back in his chair, hands going behind his head as he recalls last night's events. "He does some strange things for a thief. I was pretty surprised that he had me fall for one of his tricks. Not anyone can just do something like that. I didn't want to believe that he could really pull off suck tricks- all while literally disappearing to!"
"They're all just parlor tricks, aren't they?" Manabe asks. "Haven't you figured out how they work yet?"
Minaho shakes his head. "No. They are connected to the feathers he uses though. I don't know how those work yet. But their usage seems almost...magical."
"Magic doesn't exist, Kazuto," he replies firmly.
"Oh, but you can't rule out the possibility. Besides, you weren't there to see it for yourself," Minaho replies as he lets his hands down, now resting them against his desk. "Still, this isn't something I'm going to end up solving- capturing overnight. He's faster than I thought and catching him on my own..."
He wasn't fast, he didn't have the physical abilities to keep up with the other. Sure, he could order others around but that wasted time. If he could move like the thief, follow him, then maybe he'd have a chance. There was always the thought of injuring the other, but he disliked using weapons. Minaho hadn't fired a shot at someone ever before, only dummies and targets. Besides, this man was a thief, not a killer. A stun gun would be better to stop his tricks.
"You look like you're having fun."
The comment causes him to look to Manabe. "Am I?"
"I may not hold the same level of observational skill that you may have, but you seem a bit more...interested in this compared to other cases?" Not to mention he had that look on his face as he had trailed off. There was determination in his eyes, a kind he hadn't seen in a long while.
Minaho chuckles. "Maybe I am. I suppose it's because he really does pose a challenge. He's difficult to read, although I can argue his tricks can help with that. But the way he moves, I can figure out only so little. He does have some rules to follow, he's only human and his body and cause will tell me more in due time. Eventually, I'll have him figured out, every step of the way."
"So, that's what has you riled up? The thrill of the challenge?" He pauses. "Not anything else?"
"Now, why are you asking that?" Minaho asks while tilting his head.
The analyst glances over to the frame sitting upon his desk, motioning towards it. "Your...father chased after some phantom thief to, didn't he? I know you want to follow in his footsteps, but I never thought so literally. Chasing after the same type of criminal," he mutters. "He never caught one either, so-"
"Am I hoping to catch one in his place?" Minaho finishes, quickly enough to startle the other. "I'd like to think I'm not, but perhaps I am." He pauses as he looks to the photograph. "I want to do what he couldn't. But you know, I never expected to be given an assignment like this, same as his." He chuckles lightly. "Perhaps it's fate playing with me in some form?"
"Kazuto..." Manabe pauses, trying to carefully pick out his words before sighing. He couldn't form something pleasant with his words, if only they were easier like numbers. "Well, I just hope you don't get obsessed or anything with him."
"I won't. I'll think of a way to capture him and put this all behind me. It'll be just like any other case I take. Except with a higher difficulty. Still, nothing I can't handle." Minaho flashes a smile at him.
"Hearing that, I can't help but worry now..." Manabe sighs again and slumps forward slightly. "But, I am glad to hear that you aren't throwing a fit over it like Kita is..." He glanced over to the door, for a moment, hoping the other wouldn't be dropping in to hear that. They then glance to the file with scribbled notes left open on Minaho's desk. There was more than he expected to see written besides the thief's papers.
"I know this is going to be your top priority for a while, but...we should go out to eat sometime. I don't want you cooped up in here," not caring about your health, "and making your office even messier than it already is."
"I never knew how much this irks you." He's tempted to keep it this way, see how long Manabe can manage entering here with it being a mess. "I accept. It's been a while since we last ate together."
"A day will be arranged then." A smile, even if it only lasts for a moment, forms from his lips. "For now, I should be going...do take care, Kazuto."
Minaho only gives a wave to the other as he leaves. His gaze drifts between the papers on his desk and the photograph of his father. "I wish you could help me now," he whispers to the frame.
He had stories to go off, tales of how his father had to track down thieves- normal ones. There was only so little he had about his father's phantom thief chases. It had been the last type of case he had taken on before he passed on. And he couldn't recall him mentioning others catching these thieves (chasing definitely, but he'd hardly heard of capturing them).
It makes him consider looking through files, ones about past phantom thieves. But would there be any information on them? There had to be some.
Maybe there's some at home.
The thought gets him to his feet. Most of his father's papers had been disposed of, but others remained there. It would be easier to access them then getting the files from the archives. (Besides, he wanted to see just what kind of phantom thief his father had been chasing. Maybe he could learn something from him even now.)
Minaho shuts the folder and begins to make his way out of his office, out of the building. He still ignores the whispers around him here. It's easier now that he knows what he wants- has to do. As he heads outside, he begins to slowly pick up the pace. Part of him observing the world, while the other is lost in thought of this curious phantom thief.
Although he's quite aware of the world around him, it seems someone else isn't. Someone is in a bit of a rush and as he turns a corner, the two end up colliding into each other. Or they almost do. The stranger seemed to have managed, just at the last second, to stop himself, step to the side to dodge the detective. It was a rather quick movement, causing the other to stop.
"Ah..." The other male breathes out before looking at Minaho. The brunette looks tired, but when their eyes meet, for a quick moment, he swears that he catches shock, surprise, fear in his eyes. It's quite the change in emotion, though believes it might be due to the fact they just barely dodged each other.
"Are you okay?" The stranger asks as Minaho looks to him, giving him a friendly smile.
"I am. That was quite the fast reflex there. I don't think I've ever seen something like that before."
The other forces a smile, letting out a relieved sigh. "Yeah. I always get told I'm quick on my feet. Sorry about that though, long day." He tries to hold back a yawn and just manages to do so.
"It's almost familiar, you know..." Minaho says as he eyes the other. There was something about the way he moved, spoke. Maybe he was imagining things, confusing this with another person. "Ah, but you're in a rush, aren't you?"
"Hm? Oh, I am!" The brunette responds quickly. "An apology is all I can give for now." His smile turns to an apologetic one. "I don't want to be late, but...sorry again." After another apology, the stranger even bows his head slightly to him. Before Minaho could throw in another word of reassurance, he's already dashing off, leaving the detective behind.
He makes sure to run at a steady pace, but once he's far enough, it seems like his legs are moving faster and faster- to the point where he almost passes the hospital. He finally comes to a stop and glances back out of paranoia. That detective wouldn't be following him this far, would he? No, he couldn't.
It's not like he knew who he was, or if he did, he didn't show any signs of it. Hayato let out a breath he'd been holding in, ready to just drop to the ground. He didn't have the energy to run so far and so fast, but after realizing who he had just run into, he couldn't take any chances. After all, it's not every day you run into the detective who wants to put you behind bars.