I own nothing but my original characters.

"He's an ass."

Narumi tugged the sleeves of her creamy white shirt, fiddling with the buttons while the voice in the comm curved around her ear hummed thoughtfully. "He's filthy rich. 'Course he's gonna be an ass."

"I get that," Narumi said dryly, snatching up the tie lying on her bed. "But I can't believe he did that to me."

"I'm pretty damn sure he's had his share in women. You gotta do something extra to melt that frosty heart."

"I don't think he's the type to fall for that." Narumi deducted, sliding the tie around her neck. "He was looking at me like he was trying to dissect me or something."

"You think he's suspicious?"

"No, but he looked…" She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Kinda annoyed, I guess?"

"Care to elaborate on that?"

Narumi glanced at the mirror for a second, contemplating and sitting down on the edge of the queen sized bed. "You said he works in the third division, right?"

"Yeah?" The answer came smoothly. "I set you in the first division so it won't raise any suspicions when you kill him."

Narumi slid on the sleeves of her blazer, smoothing the black fabric over her undershirt. "Yeah, I know that. But can you pull me a file on the other members in the third div as well?"

"Other members?" The voice mused loudly. "What do you need the other members for?"

"Kambe seems to like them," Narumi explained, buttoning up the blazer and slipping out her ponytail from the back collar. She had carefully observed him, from the slight crease of his brows to the subtle downturn of his lips as Narumi warmly clasped hands with his so-called partner. Narumi tugged the scrunchie off, running her fingers through her hair absently. "We gotta find his weaknesses first."

The voice hummed in approval in her ear, clicking sounds of a keyboard echoing through the communication link. "I'm sending their bios over. They don't look any special— I remember this guy!"

Narumi reached across the bed, pulling her laptop near and clicking away on the new tabs appearing on the screen. With one click of her finger, a window opened. Several words loaded up on the entire page. Narumi leaned against her palm propped on the bedsheets below her, gaze halting over a picture.

Tired golden eyes and tousled sandy hair greeted her, a frown etched onto the man's face.

"This guy was there when you were in the subway."

"He seems to be Kambe's partner." Narumi scrolled through the profile, skimming through the information. "But it doesn't really look like he likes Kambe from what I felt."

"Don't try to run away from the actual topic." The voice growled.

Narumi thumbed down the page absently. "What do you mean?"

"Like that fucking stunt you pulled in the subway!" The man snapped over the communication link. "If I hadn't told you the guy had a fake gun, you could've got shot!"

"But I didn't."

"You didn't— fuck! Don't try to play fucking hero, 'Rumi."

"I have no interest in playing hero." Narumi halted over the designation section. Ex-first division. Now this looked like it was worth her attention.

"You can't die on me. Not when we're so fucking close to winning an entire lottery from that Kambe bastar—"

"Is there a reason why Kambe is here though?" Narumi interrupted, switching through each of the MCPTF members' profiles. "In Japan, I mean."

"Who gives a flying shit why's here." She could imagine the scowl on the man's face. "Your job is to kill him and make it look like someone else did it."

Narumi pursed her lips, crossing one leg over the other as her fingers tapped down the keyboard keys. "Mhm, I have a candidate in mind."

A snort accompanied the voice. "Do you now?"

"Yeah."

Blue and green flickered towards the pair of tired aureate eyes gazing back at her from the laptop screen. Narumi pushed off the bed, smoothing out the fabric of her skirt.

"I know how we're gonna lure Kambe in."

The files thumped, one folder falling over the stack of paperwork on the table. Narumi gently clapped her hands along the tower of files, balancing the stack as the man before the wooden table tapped his fingers impatiently.

"—so what do you think?"

Mismatched eyes peeked up briefly, and Narumi brought her attention back to the files. "I'm sorry, Araki-san. But can you please repeat what you were saying?"

Araki blinked, then pushed the square glasses further up his nose. He leaned against the table coolly, the ends of his lips quirking into a smirk as he began once more.

"Have you tried the café nearby?"

"I don't drink coffee." Narumi answered easily. Araki's face fell, gaze shifting onto her hands occupied with the paperwork. "Café's have more to offer than coffee, you know?"

"Mhm?" Narumi half-listened, checking through the bulky folders. "Do they have takis?"

Araki's brow shot up in confusion. "A what?"

"You know, takis?" Narumi supplied with a shrug, compiling the paperwork strewn across her— no not only hers. But their shared desk.

Takei had partnered her up with Hoshino and Araki. "You can learn from them," he had advised kindly. Although his motives were caring, Narumi didn't find much to learn—not that she was actually here to learn anyway— except that Hoshino had more of a professional aura, not quite happy on being assigned "babysitting" duty and that Araki was simply annoying.

Nothing new about that. She had dealt with people like him before. Acting all tough and mighty but just a little cowardice under. Belittling those who were inferior to them. Four days in working undercover and she found herself mentally jotting down everyone's routines.

Narumi had caught sight of that tall, lanky blond from the third division who seemed to have an infatuation with that elder woman from the security department. Then there was that small, coral pink haired woman always lurking around the vending machine, her hands always holding onto some packet of candy.

Narumi would see him sometimes too.

Her gaze followed all of his movements, the way he carried himself with his hands in his pockets. Face devoid of any emotion, dark blue eyes dull as he walked through the halls. With as much carelessness on his face, the figure behind him showed as much more emotion. Back slumped, brows furrowed and a scowl etched on his face, Haru trailed after Daisuke within a small distance.

Always together. Narumi noted.

Sometimes she would be following after Hoshino while Araki trudged beside her, blabbering nonsense; Narumi would smile politely, raising a hand in greeting.

Daisuke would barely spare her a glance, walking along while the golden eyes behind him would widen in acknowledgement. Haru would lift a hand buried into the pockets of his jacket, offering a friendly wave of his own.

Araki always caught the notion and set the two third division detectives with a heated glare as they passed by.

Small actions like this were always helpful in luring the prey in. She had always been taught to approach the target with a plan, and so she did.

"—is that an American dish or something?"

"Officer Shiro," Hoshino stepped in, holding onto another set of folders before he placed them down on her desk. "You can start with these after lunch break."

Narumi nodded while Araki let out an annoyed sigh. "Aw, come on, Hoshino. You can't just burden the newbie with all the work."

"This job isn't to laze around." Hoshino deadpanned, ignoring the way Araki frowned. "You gotta show your work around the office before you can do anything on the field."

"Yeah, but—"

"I agree with Hoshino-senpai." Narumi cut in smoothly. Hoshino awarded with an amused look on the use of the honorific but Narumi easily leaned back in her seat, stretching her legs under the table.

Lacing her fingers together, Narumi steepled them under her chin and offered a bright smile. "Gotta show my worth first!"

Hoshino arched a brow while Araki blinked stupidly, letting her words sink in and he snapped his head towards his partner. "She calls you senpai?!"

"I told you not to call me that," Hoshino said in annoyance. Narumi gave an apologetic smile.

Araki pouted childishly, pointing a finger to himself as he complained. "H-Hey! If you call him senpai—"

The man leaned against the table, bending forward and the tower of folders trembled warningly.

"—then you gotta call me senpai too!"

Within seconds, the entire stack tumbled down. Papers scattered across the floor, folders open and documents disarrayed. All eyes snapped towards their shared desk, wide and unblinking. The door opened and Takei stepped in, only to pause and settle them all with a quiet stare.

Hoshino fixed Araki with a glare who flinched visibly, muttering apologies as he bent towards the floor hurriedly. Narumi abruptly got up from her seat, moving around the desk and kneeling down as well.

"Ah-ah! It's okay, Shiro-san. I-I got this—"

"It's alright," Narumi chirped, collecting the muddled paperwork. One, two, three. "It's my fault for not putting it away once I had finished." Anytime now.

Footsteps approached them, her fingers barely grazing a fallen paper when Takei's voice filled her ears. "That's alright, Shiro. Let him handle it."

Standing up, Narumi turned towards Takei. He rubbed his temples, offering a tired sigh. "Let's just all take that lunch break now."

Narumi peeked at the clock, and placed a hand against her chest.

"Is it okay if I go to the convenience store for everyone today?"

"Are you sure you don't need any help?"

"Thank you, Katou-san." Narumi pressed the bundle of paper bags in her arms together, offering a friendly smile. "But I'm a strong girl."

Haru nodded, glancing back at the multiple paper bags she held. "Was just making sure."

He fumbled with the shopping back in his own hand, searching something inside it when he heard Narumi pipe up again. "Do they always send you to get them snacks, Katou-san?"

The shopping bag rustled within his grasp as he fished around the cup noodles and the packet of gummy bears. "Not always. Kamei's the one who usually gets them."

Narumk laughed jokingly. "They keep on sending me everyday to get them though. Didn't know being a runner came with the job."

"They always send you?" Haru's brows furrowed, finally finding what he was searching for.

Both continued walking down the street, the stack of paper boxes pressed against Narumi's chest bulkier and heavier than the plastic bag Haru was holding onto. Narumi's gaze dipped towards his hand, focusing on the cup of flavored yogurt he had been looking for all this time. Haru shook his head, expressions souring slightly.

"Eh? You should tell those idiots that you're not some runner. They've got no right ordering you to get stuff for them."

"Mhm, you're right." Narumi nodded, a sigh escaping her lips as she peered up at him. "But it's kind of hard to say no when someone just expects something from you. I don't want to be rude."

"You gotta speak up for yourself," Haru advised, a frown touching his face as he picked at the wrapper of the cup's rim. "Those first division idiots should learn some manners. You can't just let them bully you around."

"You're right. I'll try to speak up next time."

Tearing the seal away, Haru brightened on the sight of the smooth creamy pink dessert. Unfortunately the store was out of his favorite strawberry milk so he had opted for yogurt instead. After collecting everyone else's snacks too, he hadn't expected to meet Shiro-san at the cash counter. The paper bags set before her was enough to tell him that she had been assigned the same duty as him. He could recognize most of the snacks the first division preferred. From Takei's bitter coffee to the chill orange juice Hoshino sipped during break time.

Not like I care about that anymore.

Disposing the plastic seal in a nearby trash can, Haru shifted the shopping bag onto his wrist as he fiddled with the yogurt cup and plastic spoon.

"Would you like some, Shiro-san?"

"Of course!" She beamed, and Haru raised his brows, perplexed when she inched closer to him.

"Ahhh!" Narumi opened her mouth wide, eyes falling shut.

Haru felt his whole face warm up suddenly.

"W-What are you doing, Shiro-san?" He stammered, shuffling away slightly. A car whizzed past him from beside the sidewalk, honking loudly in warning. He flinched, falling back in step with the white-haired girl.

Narumi pouted, glaring childishly. "What do you mean what am I doing? Aren't you going to feed it to me?"

Ehhhh?!

"Wh-Why would I do that? You can take some yourself!"

"But my hands are full," she jerked her chin towards the paper bags tucked around her arms. "I can't use my hands right now, Katou-san."

Haru shook his head, switching both the cup and spoon in one hand. "Just hand them over to me then."

She glanced from his offered hand back to his face before she tipped her head back with a heavy sigh. "This is most unfortunate, Katou-san."

Haru quirked a brow. "What is?"

Heterochromatic eyes looked up at him, and Narumi jutted her lips out into a childish pout. "That a pretty girl is opening her mouth so wide for you, yet you refuse to give it to her."

The way Haru's brain interpreted that sentence wasn't something he thought he was capable of thinking. Maybe he was just spending too much time with Kamei. Yes, that was most definitely the only explanation for this. He was just spending too much time with that perverted blond because there was no way; absolutely no way she meant what he thought that she just meant—

"Thinking of something naughty, Katou-san~?"

"Ehhhhh?!" Haru whipped his head at her, warm cheeks burning up again. "Hah?! Wh-why? Why would I—?"

Glossy lips curling into a sly smirk, she tilted her head to the side. "Well if you weren't, then you may prove it by letting me taste some of that snack you got there."

And then she was parting her lips again, making that loud "Ahhh!" sound with her mouth as she turned her head towards him.

Haru flushed brightly, cheeks tinging pink as he glanced down at the dessert in his hand. With trembling fingers, he scooped up the yogurt within his spoon, and glanced sideways as he held it out for her. Narumi clamped her lips down on the plastic spoon, eyes brightening in delight.

"Oh, wow! I didn't know flavored yogurt tasted so good!"

Haru tried his best not to wince under the disapproving glare of a passer by old woman while her teenage daughter cooed at them from behind her. I can't believe I actually did that.

"Thank you very much, Katou-san." Narumi smiled innocently at him, and Haru let out a sigh, looking back at the cup in his hand. "You're welcome, Shiro-san."

Gathering more yogurt into his spoon, Haru brought it up to his mouth, only to pause when he noticed stains of pink gloss around his spoon.

Narumi spoke up from beside him once again, a slight tease in her voice.

"Ever heard of an indirect kiss, Katou-san?"

Clack.

The cup fell, yogurt splattering across the sidewalk in pink smears.

.

.

.

.

Haru blinked, lifting his face from his folded arms when Kiyozumi placed something on his work desk. From the other side of the long table, Daisuke's sunglasses drooped low on his nose as he stared at the object quizzically as well.

Chief Kiyozumi hummed as he walked back to his desk. "That new officer from the first division sent this for you, Katou-chan."

Golden eyes stared at the box of strawberry milk on his desk, a green sticky note attached to the corner. The words written in with a bright blue sharpie, reminding him of a set of heterochromatic eyes.

Sorry about your yogurt.

— Shiro (⁎˃ᆺ˂)

Daisuke quirked a brow when his partner's face burnt a warm crimson before Haru groaned, thumping his head against the wooden desk.

Files slid into the shelves one by one. Dust snowed down from the wooden surface, leaving her fingers with a sheet of powdered white. Narumi lifted another file, reading over the names written across the blue folder in permanent marker as she slipped them into the shelves one by one.

The archive room was silent despite the occasional swish swish of the folders placed within the shelves. Hoshino had instructed her that everything must be placed in chronological order, shooting a frosty glare when Araki insisted on helping her out too.

Narumi had taken in the archive room with calculating eyes. Observe your surroundings. Know the exits. Know what can be used as a weapon. Know where the first strike can come from.

Be aware.

The rules stuck to her like glue.

Sunlight slipped in through the slanted windows, filtering through the dust particles in the air. Narumi pushed a broken table away, a loud creak echoing off its cracked leg.

Clumps of dust clung onto the front of her uniform, standing out against the black fabric. Narumi sighed in annoyance.

She had turned back towards the shelves briefly, hand swooshing away the thick layer of dust a bit forcefully this time when the wooden plank above her head rattled in warning. Narumi recoiled swiftly, arms catching the shoebox falling from the top shelf.

Her nose wrinkled as a cloud of dust burst into the air. Face scrunched up, Narumi waved her hand until the dust dissipated and focused on the worn out box in her arms.

With a flick, the cardboard lid laid on atop the cracked table. Nimble fingers examined the contents, a glimmer in Narumi's eyes when muddled photographs greeted her. She picked through them examingly.

Her attention focused on the date scribbled in red at the corners, various pictures of men and women in suits— most likely the first division. A picture caught her eye through the quick searching and Narumi slipped the glazed paper out.

Huh. Narumi tilted her head, gaze sweeping over the photograph leisurely. So he does know how to smile.

The stream of light pouring in through the open door shifted suddenly. Narumi moved, grip tightening around the cardboard box tucked under her arm as her eyes snapped towards the open door.

A familiar face blinked back. Narumi loosened her hold, a cheeky smile tugging her lips as she raised the photograph near her face.

"Katou-san," Narumi thumbed down his face in the photo as she giggled. "You don't have eye bags here."

Haru stood in the doorway awkwardly. He looked dumbfounded because of her comment but he gradually recognized the photo in her hand. Narumi watched the panicked look coloring his face momentarily before he schooled the expression into a soft grimace.

"Shiro-san," Haru took in the stacks of files neatly lying near her feet. "What're you doing here?"

"Was putting away some old cases," Narumi answered, curiosity bubbling when Haru's eyes flicked from the photo to the box in her hold.

Haru cleared his throat gruffly. "You don't look like you're working."

"Yeah," Narumi admitted shamelessly. Her thumb tapping on the first division group photo. Haru went a little pale and she grinned faintly. "It was hard to resist to not look, y'know?"

"Right," Haru responded slowly, standing in the doorway as he took a step in. "You should— you should probably get back to work."

What're you hiding? Narumi slipped her hand into the box once more, dainty fingers racking through the photos searchingly.

Haru swallowed, inching closer. "Give that to me. I'll put it bac—"

"Look, Katou-san." Narumi called excitedly. A flash of fear sparked Haru's eyes when she held out another photo. "There's another one of yo—"

Haru sprinted ahead, arms flailing to snatch the offending photograph out from her hand. Instead his foot caught onto the files on the floor, and he stumbled, files and paperwork splaying across the pale tiles as rough hands slammed onto the shelves, bracing him from the fall.

Flowery perfume lingered around Haru, filling his lungs and reminding him of how Narumi stood caged between him and the shelves, his arms propped on either sides of her face.

"Well," Narumi cocked her head, the ends of her lips curling upwards as she leaned even closer.

Haru marveled over the color of her eyes; blue and green standing out even more with that sharp eyeliner and he could fairly make out the scatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose. The heat of a blush crept up his collarbones, tainting the tips of his ears crimson when something soft pressed against his own broad chest. His heart thundered, promising to hammer out of his ribcage any second.

Narumi hummed, tipping her head upwards. Their noses barely brushed and Haru froze as her knee grazed the inside of his thigh.

"This seems quite scandalous."

With an undignified squawk, Haru ripped away. The copious files under his feet trembled once more, throwing him off balance and onto the floor.

Haru winced, landing on his behind. A snicker escaped Narumi's lips but she pressed a hand against her mouth, hiding the amused smile.

Folders rustled under Haru while he cursed, pausing when Narumi sat down on her knees, placing the box and picture face down on the floor as well. Her mauve colored nails drummed atop the box.

Narumi awarded him with a curious look. "Is the photo really that bad?"

"N-No!" Haru blurted, flinching because of the desperation in his own voice. He sighed, rubbing his face. "Okay, the photo you have of me is kind of embarrassing. Can you please not look?"

"Sure."

Haru stared owlishly as Narumi shut her eyes, shoving the box near him. "All you had to do was ask, Katou-san."

Murmuring a quick apology, Haru hurriedly grabbed the box, stuffing the photo into the pocket of his jacket. He shifted onto his knees as well, pushing against the floor to stand when he stopped.

Narumi continued sitting before him, dust spotting the knees of her thin black tights and Haru cradled the box in his arms.

"You didn't have to close your eyes, you know?" He mumbled loudly.

An eye, like a sharply cut jade, cracked open and Haru rubbed the back of his neck, flushing a little as Narumi observed him lazily. "Just wanted to give you your privacy."

Haru muttered curses under his breath once more, standing on his feet and holding out a hand. Narumi examined the offered hand, only to motion towards the files scattered under his feet.

"I should get back to work."

Haru wrapped his arm around the box awkwardly. "Uh, yeah. Let me just…"

He cautiously leapt out from the pile of files. Haru flattened his back against the shelves, stepping beside her crouched form. "Sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

"Accidents happen." Narumi shrugged.

Haru turned around, arms stretching above his head as he placed the shoebox on the top shelf. The sharp corner of the photograph poked out from his jacket's pocket. Narumi reached out, fingers quietly slipping the photo out with practiced ease and into the file she held.

Haru clapped his hands together, dust puffing out as he dropped down on his feet again. Long arms gathered the files, and Haru tugged them closer. "Here. Let me help."

His eyes skimmed sideways, noting the head of snowy white then drifted back on his hands. "That wasn't necessary you know."

"Mhm?" Narumi set the file aside. "What was?"

"The mil— strawberry milk."

Narumi pressed her hand down onto the file, turning her head while Haru continued on mumbling. "You didn't have to do that."

"I was the one who made you drop that yogurt," Narumi thumbed the file pocketing the photo. With a bounce of her shoulders, Narumi grinned faintly. "And I saw you looking for it in the aisles in the store too so~"

The blue folder fell from Haru's hand, smacking down on the other files. Clouds of dust drifted upwards as Haru absorbed her words, blinking rapidly as he twisted around incredulously.

"You saw me l-l-looki—achoo!"

He sniffled, eyes squinting as he rubbed at his nose. Aureate eyes shifted sideways when soft laughter filled the air. Haru narrowed his eyes challengingly. "Oi, what's so funny?"

A delicate pressed against her lips, Narumi snickered openly. "You sneeze like a kitten!"

"Ehhhhh?!" Haru shot her an unimpressed look. "I don't sneeze like a cat!"

"I never said cat." Narumi corrected, placing file over file. "I said kitten."

"How am I a kitten?" Haru countered, mimicking her and piling the files in order.

"Well," Narumi sounded thoughtful, a slight tease slipping into her voice. "Kittens are cute."

The stack of files between Haru's palms crumbled back on the floor, warm cheeks flooding with heat once more as he whipped his head to her, fumbling over his own words.

This is too easy. Narumi smiled back innocently, meeting his stunned gaze. Heels dragged against the tiled floor as Narumi teetered sideways. Her eyes glimmered in mischief when Haru scooted away from the touch of her smaller shoulder, a look of utter disbelief on his face—

Light filtering in through the crack of the door shifted again. Narumi perked up, gaze snapping ahead. Haru followed after, perplexed as the door pushed open.

Polished shoes stepped into their view, hand clasped around the door handle as round mauve eyes settled on them.

"Katou-senpai?" Hoshino echoed dumbly. His gaze regarded their touching shoulders for a moment, and Hoshino cleared his throat, eyes narrowing. "What're you doing here?"

Haru parted his lips, shoulders hunched in alarm.

"Katou-san was helping me get things on the top shelf," Narumi explained smoothly, inclining her head with a coy smirk. "Right, Katou-san?"

"...yeah." Haru said slowly. His eyes flicked upwards, meeting Hoshino's flat stare. "I was just helping out."

Hoshino nodded in understanding, the furrow in his brows not leaving. He opened the door wider.

"Kambe-san seems to be searching for you."

Haru shot up on his feet, wincing when more files tumbled onto the floor. Narumi snorted, collecting the files once more.

"Damn it! Sorry—"

"Katou-senpai," Hoshino frowned. "You shouldn't keep Kambe-san waiting."

"Right, right." Haru nodded, gaze dipping with an apologetic look. From the floor, Narumi waved her hand amiably. "It's alright. I got this."

A string of apologies on his lips, Haru tiptoed around the jumble of blue folders.

Hoshino sidled aside from the doorway, watching his ex-partner's retreating back quietly. He stepped back, hand loose around the doorknob as he peeked upwards, noting the absence of any blue files on the top shelves; nothing there but some old battered folders and an ancient shoebox.

Mauve eyes drifted downwards, his brain processing the multiple scenarios instantly flashing through his mind. Narumi held a file in her hands, mismatched eyes gazing carefully as if daring him to speak any of those suspicious thoughts aloud.

"Yes, Hoshino-senpai?"

Hoshino's lips pressed together, a slight twitch in his brow but he masked the expression away as soon as it came. "Don't call me that. And get back to work."

The door fell shut.

Narumi listened as his footsteps departed, placing the file on the floor. Fingers slipped in, sliding out a photo and Narumi inclined her head, idly tracing Haru's face with her thumb.

This'll be easier than I thought.

Daisuke fixed his partner with a side eyed stare as Haru hissed out curses, furiously searching the pockets of his tan jacket.

"What the hell," Haru's brows knitted in confusion. Daisuke stepped back before Haru incessantly tugged off his jacket. Deep blue eyes slid over the crumbled white shirt, settling back on frantic golden eyes as Haru flapped his jacket wildly in the air. "Damn it! I swear I put it in here!"

"Something lost, Inspector?"

"No! Unless I dropped it—" Haru halted before a look of horror crept over his face and he groaned. "Yeah, I guess I did lose something."

Daisuke arched a fine brow, staring as Haru set him with a deadpan look.

"My dignity."

A\N: This is so self indulgent you guys don't even know.

To those curious about the photo thing, in the official drama CDs of the anime for check 3 there's a scene where it's said that the first division has an embarrassing photo of Haru when he had first became a detective (something that Haru isn't happy about so he begged Daisuke to retrieve that photo from them only for Daisuke to use it against him too lmao)

Thank you for reading~!