'I'm telling you to take a break. Working on hunting that thief down day and night isn't going to help anyone. Do something normal for once. Go to a cafe and people watch. That's normal for you, isn't it?'

Kazuto reads the message over again, practically hearing Jinichirou's scolding tone as he did. It was his way of showing that he was worried for his health, physical and mental. Being up late at night, which never bothered him, and giving all his time to figuring out how to catch that phantom thief was draining. Was it showing? Perhaps he was slipping up. Just a bit.

So, he decides to follow through with his friend's word of advice. To take a break and stay out of his office. Although he was eager to go and bother his friend with words of his own. Asking about his day off and what 'normal' things he did. Did he still have a thing for solving math equations under a time limit, he wondered?

Those would be thoughts for another day. For now, Kazuto found himself sitting in a cafe, one popular for its coffee thanks to being placed nearby the local college. He took a sip of his iced tea, letting the cool and refreshing flavor wash down his throat before getting back into his so called hobby.

Eyes would wander across the cafe, taking in customers and employees alike. Each person was analyzed via their movements, their voice. The way they walked, the way they held themselves, the way they responded to one another and how they ordered their drink. It's easy to deduce what kind of person they are when they're not trying to run away from him.

'How would Hayabusa act if he were here?'

The thought swirls in his mind, distracts him from his observation of these civilians. He could see him trying to fit in, not causing a fuss, but it's not like he was going to steal some coffee, was he? A phantom thief, outside of their work- just who were they? A normal person. They couldn't have the same persona during the day. But bits could seep through, revealing their counterparts.

'Jinichirou is going to scold me for thinking about this, isn't he?'

It's not his fault that he was so caught up in this case, but…he'd stop thinking about him. He was on a break after all.

A bell chimes, signifying a new customer. Perfect timing to distract himself from work! He could use a new person to observe. Kazuto's head turns to the source, watching a familiar face walk inside.

It was the boy he ran into from before. The brunette he hardly had time to examine thanks to other priorities on both sides. Now, he could watch, observe with no problems. Eyes followed the boy, watching him force his body all the way to the cashier. He slumped forward, only straightening up when he was noticed by the employee. A yawn was stifled, his eyes were half open. It wasn't an uncommon sight for most college students, but he didn't seem to fit the more…demanding majors. Looking at his build, he'd guess he was into sports. It was difficult to see any muscle with the clothes he had on, so he couldn't pinpoint which one exactly. If only he could get a better look…

That's when the boy turns, just having finished his order and, unknowingly, faces Kazuto as he puts his wallet back into his bag. His eyes stay glued onto his face. His ears begin to perk up. There's something- he's not sure what or why- familiar about him.

And it drives him crazy not being able to find a reason why. There's always a reason. All one had to do was think of all the possibilities and then begin to narrow them down. He could do that. He did it. Constantly. But for this boy…he couldn't.

Without a word, he finds himself getting up from his spot, leaving his half empty cup behind. He's drawn towards this mysterious boy and wants to speak with him.

"Never thought I'd see you again," Kazuto starts with a grin as he stands right before him.

The brunette jumps, startled by his sudden presence. The phone in his hand, which was shoved into his pocket after being greeted so suddenly, had been a great distraction for letting the detective get close. He lets out a sigh.

"Oh, hey." A small smile is forced. It wasn't one from lack of energy, he noted. "Not still mad about last time, are you?"

That was his main concern? He must have had trouble in the past before, people being angry over something as trivial as a bump in the street. It must be the cause for his unease. The brunette scratched at his cheek, avoided his eyes, even tried to take a step back against the counter.

Kazuto shook his head. "Trust me, I'm not angry over something like that. I'm only curious." The other raises a brow in response to that. "Is something wrong?"

"Hm?"

Before he can inquire further, a name is called out for an order. Hayato. The boy makes a quick turn to grab his drink from the pick up counter. A quick thanks was given as he held the cup, almost hesitating to turn around and meet with the detective's gaze once more.

"Sorry. I'm just…tired." Hayato says before taking a sip of his coffee. He shudders and grits his teeth. A flavor to bitter for this student. "Midterms coming up and all that. I'm sure you know how that is."

"I don't," Kazuto admits. "I'm not a student- do you want to sit with me?"

He doesn't wait for a response as he takes the empty, nearby seat. Kazuto smiles at Hayato, waiting for a yes. Even if he seemed like he was stressed, this one didn't seem like he could deny his offer. Not at the moment anyway. Maybe if he wasn't trying to force himself to be awake at this hour, he would have escaped the detective's grasp.

It takes a few moments before Hayato takes the seat across from him. In his eyes, it looked like he was fighting over the decision to leave and study or stay with this nosey stranger. The latter had won.

"I was supposed to attend Inazuma University, but things ended up differently for me. So, I suppose, I'm lucky enough not to have the experience of college level midterms and finals like you do."

"Hmph. You're really lucky, aren't you?" Hayato mumbles as he takes another sip of his drink, eyes shut so he doesn't have to make eye contact with him. "I mean, that's a shame. Not everyone can go to their dream college."

"Was this one yours?"

Hayato shrugs. "It was the closest one."

"Convenience, eh? Does it at least have your field of interest?"

"I'm…undecided." Hayato slowly sets his cup down, taking in a breath, holding, letting it out. Finally, he looks up to meet with Kazuto's gaze. "Criminal Justice was something I initially looked into, but that didn't really work out."

"Oh?" His ears begin to perk up once more. "Perhaps if I was enrolled we could have been classmates! Although you really don't look like the type to be into that subject."

"What can I say? Looks can be deceiving."

Kazuto catches a smirk that vanishes in the blink of an eye. How curious.

And Familiar.

"I'm very aware they can be."

"You sound like you have experience with that."

"I might. Would you believe it's my job to look for me to read people? To find out what they've done and expose their true colors?"

"You mean like a detective?"

"Yup!" He chirps, noting the lack of surprise others normally had. "I'm a detective!"

"You don't look like one to me."

"As you said, looks can be deceiving." Hayato rolls his eyes to his own words against him. Had the uneasy feeling disappeared from him? "But, I'm also not the cliche type with a magnifying glass or dress like the very famous Sherlock Holmes. I think it would be far too obvious and easy to point us out on the job if that were the case."

"It'd be funny though. No one would expect it."

"Well, people also don't expect a young adult either."

"And that's why no one would believe you're a detective."

"But you did."

Hayato takes this moment to have another sip of his drink and Kazuto takes this moment to observe him once more. He shoulders were relaxed, hand resting on the table, feet not tapping against the floor. He was calmer than before, but…there was still something wrong. He was still guarded. Well, wouldn't anyone be when talking with a stranger? No. This was different. He was having an open conversation with him and yet…

'What am I missing?'

Out of habit, he still tries to read his movements. Even when he pulls out his phone and looks at his new message. Brown eyes widen for a moment and a brief look of panic crosses his face.

"Um, sorry, but I have to go. Class is starting soon." He says with an apologetic smile. Hayato gets up from his seat, relieved.

"I didn't meant to take up your time, but it was nice talking with you."

"Yeah, same to you, detective."

The smile on Kazuto's face wavers if only for a moment. The way he said it. It reminded him of that phantom thief…

"Kazuto. You don't want me calling you student, now do you?"

"Sorry," he laughs nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, see you around, detec- Kazuto?"

"Hopefully we meet again, Hayato."

The detective only smiles as the other nearly darts out of the cafe. He must really be in a rush to have ran out that quickly. Perhaps he was later for class than expected.

Now, Kazuto was left to his thoughts. And he can't help but find it silly that he thought he and that phantom thief were similar. One was nervous and attempted to be polite, the other was more harsh and cocky. Different, but it could be his act. But that could apply to anyone, really. And he couldn't simply jump to conclusions without the proper evidence.

While he had his hunch and there were similarities…he still couldn't help but find Hayato interesting. Maybe he'll find an excuse to bump into him again.

a/n: I want to let those reading this fic know that I commissioned a piece on the two main characters of the fic! I hope you can check it out (and maybe support the artist as well because she does some fantastic art)! This isn't really from any scene in the fic itself but I like the image of them looking up/down at each other and just had the imagine in my mind for a long while haha.

here is a link to it (this site kills links so get rid of the spaces when you try to use the link)

zafiro-satoshi. tumblr pos t/1896185625 21/commissio n-for-ozrockbitway-thank-you-so-much-for