Water splashed around bare feet. Dark clouds rumbled from the graying sky, rain showering down and she sprinted into another puddle, mud caked around her ankles. Laughter bubbled past her lips, patched up shirt clinging to her like a second skin as she leapt from puddle to puddle. The earth felt wet, rainwater splashing under her feet.

She hummed an old tune, skipping ahead while the raindrops continued to thrum down on her.

A voice called over the thundering clouds.

"Rumi!" Her mother stood in the doorway, arms curled around her heavy, round tummy. Her voice echoed off into the rain. "Come inside! You'll get sick!"

Tiny hands gripped the tattered skirt, lifting the wet fabric away from the muddied shins and the girl whined loudly. "Mumma, noooo."

Her mother sighed, shaking her head.

Mismatched eyes swung upwards, widening in alarm as the woman trudged out of the doorway of the small wooden house, the fading blue of her yukata growing darker because of the rain. She stopped before her daughter, a snowy white braid hanging off her shoulder. Her green eyes softened.

"I'll stay here as long as you do." Her mother said stubbornly. Her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach as she let out a heavy sigh. "Though your brother might get sick."

The girl paused for a moment, eyes widening in realization. Her mother laughed as a tiny hand clasped around her own, small fingers tugging incessantly at her palm.

"Mumma!" Nimble fingers tightened, and she found herself being guided towards the doorway.

"We can't let him get sick!"

("I'll do anything for you.")

Clack.

"Aren't you going to take it?"

Narumi glanced at the short woman standing a bit too close at her right. She bent down, reaching within the vending machine and pulling out a red box of pocky. The woman at her side bounded forward, not noticing the gaze observing her as she peered inside the glass.

Soft brown eyes shone, fingers clicking away on the keypad of the vending machine until another clatter followed.

With a bounce of her rosy pink locks, the woman retrieved a transparent-yellow bag of candies. There was a rustle of plastic, Narumi staring as the torn candy bag was held out for her.

"Please take some!" The woman beamed brightly.

There's a flicker of her bio in Narumi's mind.

"No, thank you." Narumi declined politely. "I don't really like sweets."

Saeki pouted, cheeks puffing. "It's really good! You should try some um…"

"Shiro Narumi," Narumi responded, and Saeki blinked when the pocky box tore open too. The pocky sticks stuck out from the opening, dusted crimson and looking like a flavour she had never tried before. Narumi grinned faintly, tipping the box closer. "I try yours if you try mine?"

Hazelnut brown eyes twinkled, and Saeki nodded her head vigorously. She plucked out a pocky stick, giggling when Narumi fished out a few colorful fish gummies.

With a pleased hum, Saeki cracked the pocky stick with her teeth, gobbling the broken piece down.

"Mhm, this tastes very—"

Narumi swiftly caught the bag of gummies before it hit the floor. Saeki clamped her hands on her reddening cheeks, tears brimming in her eyes.

"H-Hot! It's so HOT!"

.

.

.

.

.

Saeki hummed cheerfully, slurping sweet apple juice through a straw. Narumi nibbled on a piece of pocky, strolling along the shorter woman.

Saeki let out a content sigh. "Wahhhh, Shiro-chan! Thank you for this!"

Narumi snapped the pocky stick in her mouth, chewing as she smiled kindly. "I'm sorry for burning your mouth like that."

"Well, that was very spicy!" Saeki admitted around the straw in her mouth. Her gaze shifted towards the half of the pocky sticking out from between crimson lips. "I'm amazed that you can even eat that!"

Narumi crunched down the other part too, a glimpse of a pink tongue sweeping across her bottom lip. "I used to eat this a lot as a kid."

Saeki cocked her head curiously, sipping the nearly empty juice box when a flash of blond hair caught her attention. Her lips left the straw with a loud pop.

"Kamei-kun!"

The shout barrelled through the corridors, making the tall blond wince visibly. He whirled around, poorly hidden behind a marble pillar before Saeki hopped near him and Narumi trailed after her in amusement.

"Saeki-san!" Kamei hissed quietly, phone trembling in his hands. "Not so loud!"

Saeki giggled, peeking from behind the pillar and Narumi followed her gaze. In the courtyard stood an elderly woman, her hair trimmed into a short bob cut and donning a blue uniform as she was engaged in a conversation with her coworker. Narumi's brows furrowed. "Motoyama-san?"

Kamei's eyes snapped her way. "You know Sacchan?!"

"Sacchan?" Narumi echoed confusingly. "You mean Motoyama-san? Yeah, I see her in security sometimes."

Kamei scuttled closer, eyes blown wide. He yelped when Saeki snatched the phone from his hands, inspecting the screen with curious eyes before she snickered. "Kamei-kun! Are you trying to take a picture of her?"

"Shhh!" Kamei hissed, spindly arms reaching for his phone. "Saeki-san, no!"

Narumi arched a brow. "Isn't that illegal?"

Saeki looked thoughtful while Kamei went pale, both of them turning towards her slowly. Kamei offered a weak smile, pleadingly clasping his hands together. "Psh, 'course I wasn't taking a pic—"

"You like her?"

Kamei blinked, Saeki perking up at the words as Narumi slipped out her phone, clicking away before she turned the screen their way. Motoyama stood smiling in the profile picture, both hands curved into a heart sign as she beamed up at the camera.

Kamei gawked openly. "Sacchan has Facebook?!"

His hands gravitated towards the phone in awe, staring dumbly when Narumi held it away with a quirked brow. Kamei offered an apologetic smile, arms dropping to his sides. Saeki tapped the side of her cheek.

"Maybe she just blocked you, Kamei-kun."

"Sacchan would never do that!" Kamei slapped a hand over his chest and groaned in faux pain. "Sacchan is too kind, too wonderful, too great to block m—"

"He does that sometimes," Saeki nudged Narumi playfully. Kamei pouted beside them, arms crossing over his chest defensively. Narumi's lips quirked before she snapped a screenshot. The sound alerted the two, both of them gazing at her in curiosity as she offered a cheeky grin.

"I can send you her pics if you want."

A moment of silence passed. Kamei clutched his hands before his chest, eyes sparkling with happy tears as he stepped closer. "You'd do that?!"

Narumi inched away from him. "Sure. Isn't she kinda old though?"

"He's into that." Saeki grimaced, lips clamping around the straw once more. Kamei shot her an annoyed look, wincing when Narumi let out a snort. "I guess everyone has their own tastes."

Kamei faltered, arms flailing in an attempt to explain himself. He blinked in confusion as Narumi held out her phone, inclining her head. "Your phone number?"

The blond gawked openly. Narumi awarded Saeki's watchful look with an amiable smile. "You too, Saeki-san."

"You're a hero." Kamei said solemnly. He took the smartphone from her, adding in his number. "And here I thought all those first division people were stuck up assholes."

Saeki nodded in affirmation, peeking down at the screen as well.

"You're both in Katou-san's division, right?"

Both pairs of eyes snapped up at her, staring owlishly. An audible pop filled the air as Saeki pulled away from the straw, her small shoulder pressing against Kamei's arm as they both pinned Narumi under a silent stare. She smiled back softly.

Kamei began incredulously. "You know Katou-san?"

Beside him, Saeki's eyes gleamed with newfound realization, a slow smile tugging her lips with each passing second.

"Yeah," Naumi twirled a stray silver lock around her finger, tugging at it before she coyly glanced sideways, smiling bashfully. "I met him in the subway once. He's a very… nice person."

Kamei squinted his eyes, trying to put two and two together. He yelped when Saeki squealed loudly, clutching the empty juice box tighter between her hands. "Yes, yes! Katou-san is very nice."

Saeki giggled mischievously while Narumi beamed at her. Kamei's brows furrowed in sheer puzzlement, only to wince when Saeki smacked his arm excitedly, eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Kamei-kun, add Katou-san's number too!"

"Ehhh?! Katou's?!"

"Just do as you're told!"

Kamei grumbled under his breath, adding in his coworker's number too. Saeki giggled beside him, offering a thumbs up.

Narumi thanked him politely, pocketing away her phone and offering a faint grin.

"By the way, do you know where Katou-san is right now?"

.

.

.

.

.

The empty tea can fell into the basket with a loud rattle. Haru sighed, plopping down onto the couch in the waiting area. His eyelids slid shut, a loud exhale leaving his lips as the beginnings of a headache crept to his temples. Another day, another session of screaming furiously at Kambe as the bastard slapped a wad of cash on a culprit's face and made the guy admit the crime.

Haru groaned in frustration, sinking into the cushions of the couch. The afternoon shift was about to end and he was already suffering from a migraine because of the rich asshole.

"Katou-san?"

Amber eyes cracked open. His body was slumped against the couch, head tilted back on the headrest as pools of blue and green peered down at him.

Haru blinked dumbly, freezing on the spot as Narumi's hands were settled on her knees, hovering close enough that he could make out the dust of freckles scattered across her nose.

Too close!

Narumi tipped her head forward, silvery locks tumbling down her shoulders. Haru ceased breathing in fear that his breath may give away the cheap cup noodles he had for lunch a few hours ago.

His eyes didn't mean to trail, dipping past her pale collarbones and halting over the black tie curving along her chest. Haru swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing with the notion.

Narumi smiled brightly. "Wanna go out?"

The mechanics in his brain froze and he blinked rapidly in disbelief. Did… did she just ask me ou—

"My coworkers are going out for drinks later. Would you like to join us?"

Oh. The first division going out for drinks, huh? A faint memory of when Hoshino had first joined settled in his mind, reminding him of the time he didn't really want to remember. Haru smiled apologetically. "Shiro-san, I—"

"Inspector Katou isn't going anywhere."

Haru jolted instantly. Narumi stood up straighter as Haru swung ahead, sitting upright. Cool obsidian blue eyes calmly gazed back at them, and Haru arched an eyebrow because of the faint frown set between Daisuke's brows.

Slender arms circled loosely around his neck, warm vanilla perfume curling around him from all sides.

"If he wants," Haru's face flushed a bright cherry red when Narumi dropped her chin atop his head, peeking up at Daisuke lazily. "Then Kambe-san can join us too."

Wh-what is she—

Daisuke's indifferent expressions flickered for a brief moment, eyes narrowing. "We can't. We have a case to attend."

"We do?" Haru echoed in surprise.

"Yes, we do." Daisuke confirmed coolly, pinning him down with a careful look. "We should leave now, Katou."

Haru went stiff as the arms around his neck tensed, a faint blush coloring the tips of his ears when the back of his head cushioned against something soft.

Narumi teetered forward, smiling up at Daisuke's calm gaze.

"Then allow me to join you both as well."

Haru softly exhaled, blinking dazedly as the arms around his neck finally withdrew. Narumi clapped him on the shoulders, rounding around the couch to face him with a friendly smile. "If that's alright with you, I mean."

He stared at her in bewilderment, turning from her awaiting gaze to Daisuke's heavy frown. Haru rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well—"

"Mind if I join in as well?"

All eyes snapped sideways, and Haru blinked. "Cho-san?"

Chosuke stepped beside the couch, hands stuffed into his pockets and cigarette lit between his lips. His gaze shifted on them one by one, flitting from Kambe's disapproving frown to Narumi's curious eyes until he offered Haru a smirk. "Yeah, been awhile I've been in action. Don't wanna get rusty now."

"It's just a simple case," Daisuke informed, brushing his fingers along his earlobe a little too quickly. "There isn't going to be any action."

"I'd get some experience too," Narumi offered, ignoring the inscrutable look Daisuke sent her way. She clasped her hands together, a pleading smile lifting her lips. "I haven't worked in any physical cases here yet. So this'll be a good opportunity."

Haru's brows creased as heterochromatic eyes set on him expectantly. Daisuke's frown deepened in the background, fixing him with stare, quiet and calculating. Haru shifted under the pressing looks, silently turning towards Chosuke in an unsaid appeal for help.

Chosuke shrugged nonchalantly.

Haru thrust a hand through his hair and sighed.

"You're the new recruit in the first division?"

"Yes," Narumi unbuckled her seatbelt, smiling politely as she tore open the small box in her hands. Reddish brown crumbs scattered across the car's backseat, but she held out the box to the man seated beside her. "It's nice to meet you, Nakamoto-san."

"Cho-san is fine," Chosuke responded, declining the pocky sticks presented before him. "A transfer I've heard?"

"From the US, yes." Narumi affirmed, picking out a pocky and clamping down on it. The pocky sticking out from between her lips, she scooted out in her seat. "Been just a month here."

Hands cupped around the box, Narumi shook it above the centre console. "Would you like some?"

Daisuke kept his eyes on the road, gloved fingers curled around the steering wheel. Haru peeked at the offered treat from the passenger's seat, smiling kindly. "Thank you, Shiro-san. But we just had lunch."

"You both had lunch together?"

"Not together," Haru elaborated, looking up at Daisuke briefly before he rolled his eyes. "I had some cup ramen. Kambe had a fancy French dish or whatever."

"I invited you to join me," Daisuke finally commented, blue eyes peeking at him from behind the dark aviators perched on his face. "It was you who declined, Katou."

Haru scoffed loudly, crossing his arms as he sat back in his seat. "Like hell I'm gonna eat something that costs more than my three month salary—"

The pocky packet rattled noticeably once more. Haru paused, turning slightly and Narumi smiled back. She squeezed herself more in the small space between the front seats, packet dangling from her fingers. "Cup ramen isn't a good lunch, Katou-san. You should eat more."

Golden eyes softening, Haru tentatively raised a hand, feeling his face faintly warm up.

His fingers had barely brushed against the packet when the car lurched forward promptly. Narumi winced, jerking backwards and slamming against her seat. The box in her hands tumbled violently, pocky sticks scattering over her skirt.

Chosuke spared her a glance. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Narumi muttered, pressing a hand to the back of her head.

Haru shot his partner a withering glare. "Kambe!"

Daisuke lessened the weight on the gas pedal, grip loosening around the steering wheel as he swerved the car to the right. His gaze flickered towards the back mirror, meeting Narumi's pointed stare and he stopped the car at the corner.

"We're here."

The car doors fell shut, Narumi dusting the crumbs off her skirt as Chosuke paused at her side. Haru offered her a worried look, brows scrunched together in concern and Narumi smiled meekly.

"Sorry about the mess in the car—"

"Let's get moving."

Daisuke shifted, slipping his sunglasses over his nose and Narumi kept her gaze hot on his back as they all followed him towards the tall silver gates.

Bright yellow tapes stretched across the gate bars, hanging off the iron wrought warningly.

"Didn't the first division already handle this?" Haru muttered, ducking beneath the tapes and trailing after his collegeues. Daisuke spared him a glance. "If they had, then we wouldn't have been required here."

"Stop right there!"

They all paused, watching an eldery woman march closer. Motoyama frowned, decked out in her security uniform as she approached the group. "You do not have the clearance to enter the crime scene."

Daisuke clicked the side of his sunglasses, scanning the woman before him. "How much—"

"They're with me, Motoyama-san." Narumi flipped open her official badge, offering a friendly smile. "Kindly let us go inside."

Motoyama skimmed over the badge, humming in approval. She pursed his lips thoughtfully, then nodded. "Oh. I wasn't informed you'd be coming, Narumi-chan."

"Wanted to give it another look," Narumi lied smoothly, already stepping on the paved pathway leading towards the gigantic house inside. Her head dipped into a curt bow. "Thank you, Motoyama-san."

Narumi trudged ahead, beckoning the others to follow. Chosuke fell in step with her, an amused smirk curving his lips. "What's the case even about?"

"A murder case apparently." Daisuke answered from a few steps behind them.

Haru glanced around the lush green lawn, pausing on a teenage boy crouched beside a flower bed. He raised a muddied hand in a friendly wave, acknowledging the group with a small smile.

"Does he live here?" Haru inquired, jabbing a thumb in the boy's direction.

Narumi bounced her shoulders. "The couple has no kids of their own. So I'm assuming he's with the servants."

Chosuke quirked a brow. "You know about the case?"

"I did make the file for this case, yes." Narumi answered, glancing over her shoulder and shooting Daisuke a tight smile.

"Though if Kambe-san had informed me beforehand, I would've brought the file with me."

"Unnecessary," Daisuke stated, quickening his pace. Haru cursed after him, breaking into a quick job as Daisuke threaded through the group. He touched his earlobe, Narumi following the motion when his earring flashed momentarily.

"HEUSC, send everything you can find related to the Fujimoto's murder case."

Another flash flickered through the rounded-stud in his earlobe.

"Understood, Daisuke-sama."

Narumi bit the inside of her cheek, gaze sweeping over the sunglasses perched on his nose. Her stomach churned. Fucking rich people.

"G-Good Evening!"

Pale eyes watched them closely as they neared the double doors. The woman smiled warmly, gripping her white apron and bowing with a swish of her brown braid.

"I'm the head maid of the house. My name is Ijichi Sakura."

Sakura clasped her hands together, shifting about awkwardly before she pushed open one of the doors. "This way, please."

Clear marble ran across the floor, surrounding a long and wide staircase. A bright, colorful chandelier hung from the arched ceiling, the entrance room vast and furnished with exorbitant furniture.

On the floor, a chalk outline of the corpse was drawn out.

"This, um, this is where Fujimoto-san was found dead." Sakura wrung her hands together, glancing at them all.

"Are you the only one working today?" Chosuke inquired.

"I've been working here for years," she smiled politely. "Me and my son have been working here for so long."

"Who?"

"My Akito." Sakura squeaked, wringing her hands together. "He's mostly in the garden."

"And your husband?" Chosuke prodded, and Sakura smiled ruefully at the floor. "It's been eight years since he passed away."

Haru nodded, noting her bandaged finger. "And what happened to you?"

"O-oh!" She nervously cradled her hand, shrinking under the attention. "My hand got caught in the door two days ago so my finger cracked. But I'm fine now!"

Narumi crouched down beside the chalk outline, taking note before she drummed her fingers on the floor. "Hoshino-senpai made me compile the report for this case. The woman, Fujimoto Yumi, was found dead right here yesterday morning—"

"It was around eight in the morning to be precise." Daisuke interrupted coolly.

Narumi blinked, standing up as Daisuke waved a gloved hand through the air once more, continuing on leisurely. "The first person to find the body was this head servant accompanying us at this very moment—"

A hand shot out, and Daisuke halted, hand freezing in mid air when his sunglasses were swiftly plucked off his face. He stared in bewilderment as Narumi slipped the dark aviators over her own eyes.

Multiple transparent-blue windows popped in her view, hovering in the air before her. Holographics, huh? She stepped back as Daisuke attempted to snatch his sunglasses back, a frown etching on his face when Narumi whistled in awe.

"Woah, this is pretty cool!" She turned around, meeting Haru's flat stare. Chosuke looked on in sheer amusement, smirking when Narumi perked up. "Cho-san! I can see your bank account details—"

Narumi smiled apologetically as Daisuke cleared his throat loudly, setting her with a stern look. She sheepishly took off the glasses, handing them back. Daisuke pocketed them in his suit, speaking calmly.

"As I was saying, this woman was the one to find the corpse. The victim died due to the multiple stab wounds on her chest and a gash on her throat."

Chosuke curled a hand around his chin. "From a knife?"

"A dagger."

"It's from a dagger actually."

Daisuke and Narumi answered simultaneously, sharing a look; Daisuke frowned while Narumi offered an apologetic smile in return.

Haru raised a brow. "Did they run it by Forensics?"

Narumi parted her lips, rolling her eyes when Daisuke beat her to it. "They did. Though, there were no fingerprints or whatsoever. Just a few chunks of dirt."

"Where's the victim's husband?" Haru inquired from Sakura.

"Sir has been taken under police custody." She responded quietly, eyes fixed on the ground.

"Without any clues that he was the one who murdered his wife?" Haru frowned.

"He would be the number one suspect." Chosuke shrugged as Sakura fiddled with the corners of her white apron. "Hunting is one of sir's hobbies for many years. The same dagger was used to kill his wife too so..."

"I'm sorry," she clutched her apron in tight fists, voice breaking a little as she sniffled. "I-I still can't believe that this happened."

Haru placed a hand on her shoulder kindly. Narumi observed how Daisuke slid his hands into the pockets of his black slacks, gaze shifting from Sakura and towards the outline chalked on the marble flooring. "The husband is likely to be the least suspect. A real hunter would never stab his prey like that."

With all attention focusing on him, he continued sagely. "An easier, or rather more humane way, is rather different."

Narumi's eyes flickered, head tilting to the side curiously. "You hunt?"

Haru set him with an unimpressed glare. "Oi, this isn't a moment to show off your hobbies, you bastard—"

Daiuske beckoned Sakura closer. The woman bit her lip nervously, walking to him. Daisuke nodded in approval, and she blinked as he turned her around. Her back facing him, Daisuke pressed his hand onto her head.

He gently nudged her head towards her shoulder. "First you simply bend the neck, the chin being near to the chest."

Narumi let out a silent snort as Sakura flushed slightly, fidgeting as Daisuke pressed the side of his palm against her throat. "You place the hunting knife by the jugular, then you slice it in one quick motion."

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut as his finger grazed across her throat. Daisuke met Chosuke's unamused look, the curiosity in Narumi's eyes and finally, Haru's frosty glare with a quiet stare.

"It's only a matter of seconds till the animal goes still."

"You didn't have to perform it like that," Haru scowled at the man. Daisuke stared back, unfazed as Sakura stumbled away. She clutched her throat, rubbing her hands over the touched skin. Haru lifted a hand worriedly but she started babbling. "There were also some people who didn't like so the police said it could be an assasisnation—"

"It's not an assassination attempt either." Narumi interjected, grinning confidently as she slid out a ballpoint pen from the breast pocket of her blazer.

Daisuke shot her a dark, withering glare as she sauntered behind him.

Narumi patted his shoulders, taller than him by a few inches because of her heels. "Kambe-san, if I may use you as a dummy?"

Daisuke's scowl deepened, and he shrugged her hands off. "Absolutely no—"

"If it were an assasination attempt, it would've been different." Narumi curled an arm around his neck, completely ignoring his incessant squirming.

His gloved hand clasped down her wrist, squeezing warningly.

Narumi kept her tenacious hold on him, an amiable smile plastered on her face as she went on. "You see, when you slit a person's throat, you have to cut it from ear to ear."

She tapped the pen near his right earlobe, dragging the tip across his throat slowly. "It's so the windpipe and the jugular get severed."

The pen's tip arched over his Adam's apple— if only it was a blade— and she felt him tense, muscles growing taught in her firm hold. His hold tightened on her wrist more, but she made no effort to pull away.

"This'll make them bleed and suffocate at the same time." Narumi clicked the pen against his left earlobe, gaze lingering over the smooth round earring.

"A hired assassin would prefer this method 'cause it's quick and easy."

Narumi slackened her hold, arms dropping to her sides as she stepped aside. Daisuke's hands flew to his throat, rubbing the skin where the pen had left a curving inky blue line. He set her with an icy glare.

Clicking the pen, Narumi innocently smiled at the flat stares she was awarded with. She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

"Well, that was what they taught us in the academy anyway."

Daisuke adjusted his tie, a scowl gracing his face. "Learned all that from the US degree?"

Heterochromatic eyes peered up into deep blue, and Narumi grinned faintly. "Mhm, yeah. Some of us actually have to work pretty hard to get here."

Narumi folded her arms behind her back, regarding him with an easy smile. "Now not all of us can afford to buy our way in, now can we, Kambe-san?"

Blue eyes sharpened into cold steel, pinning her down with a heavy scowl. Narumi gazed back calmly, silently prompting him to fire back.

Someone cleared their throat loudly.

"...Getting back on the case," Haru began, brows furrowed. "You're implying that the killer wasn't the husband or a paid assasination."

Daisuke let out a heavy sigh.

"If it were the husband, he would've killed her like a professional hunter." He elaborated. From beside him, Narumi nodded in affirmation. "The multiple stab wounds and the shallow gash on her neck show that someone inexperienced did it."

Haru pinched the bridge of his nose, brows creasing more in annoyance. "So we have no idea who actually killed her?"

"I have a culprit in mind," Daisuke answered, gaze drifting and settling down on a particular person.

The maid flinched under his pointed stare.

Haru followed his line of sight, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Haahhh?! Don't go implying things on other people like that, bastard!"

"I agree with Kambe-san on this," Narumi piped up.

Daisuke spared her an indifferent glance, and she shrugged at Haru's angry scowl. "This woman is likely the number one suspect."

"Oi! Just 'cause you both have read the files, doesn't mean you can just—"

"It's true!" Sakura broke into a mess of sobs, clutching her chest as she wept. Haru stared, dumbfounded while Sakura sniffled, fat tears dripping down her face. "It was me! I killed Fujimoto-san!"

Chosuke watched her scrutinizingly.

Haru pursed his lips, brows knitted together. "Sakura-san, why—"

"She's got so many bruises on her arms." Narumi pointed out the black and blue patches littering Sakura's forearms. The woman continued sobbing, making no effort to cover up with her sleeves.

Narumi asked softly. "Did Fujimoto-san beat you a lot?"

Sakura nodded, eyes squeezed shut as she sobbed.

"Were you romantically involved with the victim's husband?"

Haru shot Daisuke a menacing glare. "Kambe—"

Sakura nodded once more, hiccups wracking through her entire form. Haru chewed down his bottom lip, looking concerned as Daisuke started coolly. "The beatings must've been when the victim found out about the affair."

"I-I'm sorry," Sakura wept openly, hands clamped on her mouth. "I'm so sorry for what I did."

A moment of solemn silence passed, Sakura's whimpers the only sound echoing through the large room. Haru grimaced, unhooking the handcuffs dangling from his hips as he reached for the sobbing maid. "Mam, you are hereby under arrest for the murder of—"

"Stop." A hand clamped down on Haru's shoulder, golden eyes peeking back in surprise.

Chosuke frowned, pulling his hand back. "She isn't the killer."

Sakura paled, stilling immediately.

Narumi blinked, perplexed. "She just confessed—"

Chosuke turned towards Daisuke, staring questionably. "Didn't you say that the knife had chunks of dirt on it?"

"Yes?" Daisuke arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "There were no fingerprints, however."

"Her finger is broken," Chosuke gestured towards Sakura's taped up hands.

She sucked in her bottom lip, trembling in panic when Chosuke continued on grimly. "She couldn't have held a dagger with broken fingers and managed to kill the victim."

"N-No!" Sakura babbled hurriedly, pale blue eyes wide in sheer trepidation. "It-it was me! I swear—"

"Your son." Chosuke commented deductively and she flinched, hands shaking.

"Where was he when the murder happened—"

"Don't. Move."

Malice dripped from the sharp tone, and Narum cursed under her breath, peering up the flared staircase. Her fingers traced the curve of the gun strapped under her blazer, mismatched eyes sharpening.

The metal of the revolver glinted under the chandelier's lights. Akito stared down at them, standing atop the flared stairs case, a gun clutched tight within both his hands.

Haru cursed loudly.

"Stay where you are!" Akito bared his teeth, hands trembling as he swallowed thickly. "I'll-I'll shoot if you don't!"

"Akito!" Sakura cried out, staring at her son in shock. "What're you doing—ah!"

A hand shot out, clamping down on her shoulder. Sakura gasped, eyes blown wide as she stumbled backwards. Something cold dug into her temple, and she paled visibly.

Narumi pressed the muzzle of the gun harder, eliciting a low whimper from the maid. "Drop the gun, kid."

There were gazes pinning her down, Haru and Chosuke registering her with alarm. Daisuke observed her quietly, his eyes flickering and lips pressed into a thin line. I can worry about them later. Narumi focused on the boy, never breaking eye contact.

"Just toss the gun down." She ordered firmly, tightening her hold.

Sakura whimpered.

A gunshot tore through the air.

Narumi blinked once, then twice as Chosuke hissed out a curse, swaying where he stood and clutching his arm where the bullet had grazed passed. Blood seeped out from between his fingers, staining crimson all across his rugged suit.

Daisuke grabbed Chosuke's shoulder, letting the man lean his staggering weight against him.

Smoke puffed out from the gun in Akito's trembling hands, his breathing erratic as he watched the older man tumble forward.

"Cho-san!" Haru shifted towards the older man swiftly. A bullet embedded itself in the wooden floor, missing his feet by inches. Golden eyes snapped back up at the staircase, Akito's entire form shaking as he stammered.

"I said stay the fuck where you are!"

Gentle hands curling around his bleeding arm, Chosuke groaned as Daisuke pressed his palms against the bullet wound. Daisuke's lips tightened, gaze snapping towards Haru's worried face. "He's going to bleed out. We need EMT urgently—"

"That woman beat my mother regularly!" Akito snapped, tears brimming in his eyes. The gun in his hands shook violently. "She hated my mom so much. Just because I'm actually the bastard child of the master of this house!"

Haru held his hands up, taking a step towards the stairs. Akito gripped the gun tighter, alert and bristling when Haru began calmly.

"I understand," Haru said firmly, hands up in the air. "You didn't mean to hurt Fujimoto-san. And I'm sure that you don't want to hurt anyone else now either."

Akito wet his bottom lip, tears dripping from the corners of his eyes. "I didn't mean to kill her. I was so angry when she broke my mom's finger—- I-I didn't want to kill her, I swear!"

"And I believe you," Haru made appeasing gestures with his hands. "We want to help you, Akito—"

"No, you can't!" Akito broke into a sob, hot tears sliding down his face. His gaze shifted towards his mother, his knuckles growing white, and Narumi stared back at him, pressing the muzzle against the women's temple threateningly.

"My mother had nothing to do with it," Akito breathed heavily. "Please let her go and I'll surrender."

Narumi snorted, unimpressed. "Do you think we're dumb—"

"Let her go."

Heterochromatic eyes flared up in surprise, turning and meeting firm gold. Haru set her with a solemn look, and Narumi's brows creased. "What?"

"I'm telling you to release Sakura-san—"

"Are you insane?!" Narumi snapped, roughly shaking the whimpering woman in her hold. "He's gonna fire if we let his mother go—"

"Shiro-san." Narumi paused, muscles tensed as Haru held her gaze, golden eyes flickering as he spoke solemnly.

"Trust me."

You can't trust anyone— Another rule in her life; etched deep into her mind. Trust was where everything spiralled out of control, trust was where if she let this maid go, her son would fire and they would all die. She couldn't die just yet; there was a lot she still had to do—especially for her family.

There's a familiar voice echoing in her mind, a man's face flashing behind her eyes with trees towering over them from all sides. "You want your siblings to go to school, Rumi?" Fingers had tucked a strand of her dirty, uneven hair behind her ear. "Want to save your mom, right? I can help you."

Trust had made her hold a blade; feel the cold of metal.

"All you have to do," the voice continued coaxingly, larger and rougher hands clasping around her own. "Is to trust me."

"Please let her go, Shiro-san."

Haru's voice cut through her thoughts sharply, tugging her back to reality.

Her fingers went lax slowly, and Narumi recoiled her arm, releasing the woman.

Sakura stumbled forward, crumbling to the floor in hysterical sobs. Narumi stiffened, breath hitching when Akito raised the gun, only to let it fall on the floor with a loud clatter.

Haru shifted from beside her, saying something that she didn't quite listen to as Akito bolted down the stairs. He threw himself into Sakura's arms, tears falling down his face uncontrolled and unchecked as he wept with his mother.

(Trust and you shall be trusted.)

"How'd you know?"

Haru blinked, turning sideways. "Know what?"

"That he wouldn't shoot," Narumi deadpanned.

The ambulance streaked the lawn in colors of blue and red, paramedics and police men thronging about the crime scene. From the veranda, Narumi could make out Chosuke seated at the back of an ambulance, getting his wound treated.

Mismatched eyes peeked upwards as Haru hummed from beside her, a smug grin tugging his lips as he curved a hand around his chin. "What if I told you that I didn't know?"

"I'd still believe you," Narumi admitted honestly. Haru awarded her with a surprised look, and she cracked a grin. "You seem like the type who'd run into trouble headfirst."

"Haah?!" Haru protested, lips curling downwards. "Oi, I'm not that reckless!"

"Then why don't you share your little secret with me, inspector?" Narumi smirked teasingly, nudging his arm.

Haru took a step away as if burnt by the touch, face heating up faintly and he huffed, averting his eyes. He let out a sigh, an easy smile on his lips. "I've seen people like him before."

Narumi watched curiously how his eyes softened, gaze peering out towards the police car Akito sat handcuffed in. A frown marring his lips, Haru glanced back at her. "There was remorse in his eyes."

"He shot Cho-san," Narumi muttered pointedly, clearly unimpressed by his reasoning. "He nearly shot you too. What remorse are you talking abo—"

"That's because you were threatening his mother."

Narumi paused as Haru sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"He wouldn't have shot if you hadn't done that, Shiro-san."

Narumi let his words sink in.

"With kids like those, you gotta talk to them from the heart." Haru tapped his fist against his chest, smiling widely with a confident glimmer in his eyes. "They're good kids. Just misunderstood. So even if they make a mistake, it's our job to make them realize it but also help them move towards a better future."

Haru stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, gaze dipping to meet her quiet stare. "And he knew you weren't actually going to shoot. That's why he shot."

How can you be so sure? The question sat on the tip of her tongue, fingers curling into fists by her sides. You don't know me.

Narumi mulled over his words momentarily, cocking her head to the side. "Mind if i try something on you, Katou-san?"

Golden eyes blinked at the question, Haru's brows arching slightly before he nodded. "Uh, okay?"

There was a constant hum in the air; an incoherent buzz of chatter of officers, paramedics, reporters around them as Narumi stretched her arms out. "Can you please hold your arms out like this?"

His brows creased in confusion, Haru obliged, awkwardly spreading his arms. "Like this?"

Narumi nodded, turning and stepping before him. Her hands reached out, and Haru jolted, eyes widening when her hands slid under his jacket. Her palms clamped down on the either side of his ribcage.

A cheeky grin tugged her lips when he spluttered, stiffening under her touch. She dragged her hands down his waist until her fingers pressed against his hips where she squeezed.

"Sh-Shiro-san!" Haru stammered, warmth flooding his cheeks. "What are you doing?!"

He doesn't even wear a holster. Narumi dropped her hands to her sides, peeking up at his flushed face, holding back a snicker. "You really do have a small waist, Katou-san. I'm so jealous!"

His face hot, Haru glared down at her. "Th-That was so—"

"I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable," Narumi pressed a hand to her chest unapologetically. She cocked her head to the side, and smirked. "I hope you won't file a harassment report on me~"

Haru fumbled over his words, a scowl gracing his features.

"Tell you what!"

Haru stared flatly, dumbfounded when she lifted her arms too.

"You can do it to me too so we'd be even!"

"Wh-What!"

"I'd let you have a free pass too," Narumi suggested, a low smirk curling her lips. "You can even cop a feel too if you want~ I won't mind—"

Hands clamped on her wrists, tugging her arms back down. Narumi blinked as Haru set her with a stern look, cheeks still a little warm.

"You shouldn't do things like this." He muttered.

"Oh?" Mismatched eyes peered upwards, meeting molten gold, and Narumi inclined her head curiously. "Things like what?"

His hands gently squeezed around her wrists, and she closely noted how Haru's gaze lowered to the ground; to the distance between them. His fingers uncoiled, releasing her wrists before he mumbled dejectedly. "Things like—"

"Inspector Katou!"

The voice tore through the air, and Haru clamped his mouth shut, scampering towards the paramedics.

"Coming!"

Narumi kept her gaze on his retreating back, idly rubbing her warm wrists. She peeked sideways, meeting the steely blue gaze. "It's kinda hard to believe you both are partners."

Daisuke leaned against the marble pillar, slipping his sunglasses off before pocketing them. There was blood on his sleeve from where Chosuke had been leaning on him earlier. "You seem quite invested in my partner."

Narumi hadn't quite expected him to respond. But response from his side meant that she had finally found something that irked him; a piece that he wasn't adamant on sharing. The "my" he had opted for when addressing Katou was enough for her to know.

"You both seem like such contrasts," Narumi chirped, clasping her hands behind her back. "I'm assuming there would be a lot of arguments in a partnership like this."

Narumi watched with rapt and careful attention how Daisuke slid out a gold-plated lighter, blue eyes calmly set on her as he lighted the cigar hanging from between his clenched teeth.

"How much?"

Her brows creasing, Narumi stared as he breathed out a dark puff of smoke. It cleared away after a passing second, showing a set of sharp blue eyes.

Daisuke inspected the cigar nonchalantly. "How much for you to stop interrupting in our affairs?"

There's a tug in the back of her head, mind reeling back to the memory of dripping rooftops, cold floors and days of empty cracked clay bowls sitting silently in the corner of the cramped room. The claws of starvation gently dug into her stomach, but Narumi was quick to shake the feeling off. She stood a bit straighter and offered a lopsided smile.

"Ah," she made a sound of acknowledgment, nails digging into her palms as she strolled ahead. "You mean Katou-san's affairs?"

"We're partners." Daisuke said flatly. "So it's both of our business then."

Obsidian blue eyes carefully watched as Narumi hummed, nearing him and turning around right at his side. His gaze remained fixed, eyes half-hooded but cautious as she tapped her blood-red painted nails on the marble pillar he stood leaning against.

"I did hear that you were quite eccentric, Kambe-san." She marvelled loudly, leaning back against the cold marble pillar. She set him with a pitying look.

"Though actually trying to buy people seems a little shallow, don't you think?"

"Your price?" Daisuke demanded, calm and smooth, like he had been saying the two words ever since he was a child.

Your head on a silver platter. "I actually do have a price," Narumi smirked playfully, turning her head towards the crowd of people spread out in the lawn before them.

Daisuke followed her line of sight, a frown curling his lips downwards.

There's a head of fluffy milky brown locks among them, complete with a set of a baggy beige jacket and old-graying jeans. Haru was half- crouched down, knees bent in an uncomfortable angle. Chosuke sat before him in the foot of the ambulance's back doors, a tired smile on his face and his arm propped in a cast.

Narumi grinned faintly, folding her arms under her chest as her gaze flickered up to steel blue eyes pinning her with a miffed stare.

"Not sure if you can afford it."

Beep.

His hand froze midway in turning the running faucet off. Haru quirked a brow, toothbrush dangling from the corner of his mouth as he fished around his pajama pants for his phone. Another vibration whirred through his pocket before he slid his phone out, thumb casually swiping across the screen.

|Unknown
I hope I'm not disturbing but

Haru stared quizzically, the water running in the background when the screen lit up again.

|Unknown
I wanted to know if Cho-san is doing alright

Haru's brows creased even more and his thumb automatically began typing.

|You
Who is this?

Tapping away on send, he clutched the end of the toothbrush, a frown curling his lips when the phone beeped in his hand once more.

With an annoyed sigh, Haru glanced back at the phone reluctantly. He paused, perplexed when the screen brightened with another message.

|Unknown
(—sent a picture.)

Haru arched a brow, idly tapping the notification.

Cobalt blue and emerald green greeted him, pink lips tugged into a beaming smile as snowy white hair splayed around her head, spilling across the baby blue pillow. His phone vibrated again, a banner popping up on the top of the screen.

|Unknown
Recognize me now~? ( ‾́ ◡ ‾́ )

Haru found himself lost for a moment, staring at his screen flatly until the toothpaste in his mouth started slipping back into his throat. He choked, roughly tugging out the toothbrush from his mouth and spitting into the sink.

His ears burned, a look of utter disbelief on his face as Haru owlishly stared at the phone in his hand.

"Shiro-san?!" Haru said incredulously, wiping at his mouth. He quickly turned the running faucet off, brows furrowed as he began walking out of the bathroom. "How did you even get my numbe—"

Ding.

|Unknown
?Katou?

Haru pursed his lips, plopping down on the side of his bed. He thrust a hand through his hair, ruffling up the already tousled sandy locks as his thumb hovered over the keyboard.

He typed down a "ok", chewing on his bottom lip before erasing the word. Sounds too short.

His thumb tapped across the screen, typing a "srry I didn't know it was u".

No, no. Have to use proper grammar.

Roughly tugging at his hair, Haru quickly deleted the entire sentence. Maybe a simple "shiro?!" would suffice. No, sounds too rude.

Haru let out a groan, dragging a hand down his face. He flopped back on the bed, glaring up at the cracks in his apartment's ceiling. He raised his phone, scrolling up until the sent picture gazed back at him.

Mismatched eyes peered at him, glimmering with mischief and he squinted, warmth touching his cheeks—

Ding.

The phone tumbled out of his hand, smacking him straight on the face.

Haru cursed loudly.

|You
Recognize me now? ( ‾́ ◡ ‾́ )

Narumi lay on her stomach, idly swinging her bare feet in the air as she boredly looked down at her smartphone. She had her chin propped up by one hand, knuckles digging into her soft cheek as she waited patiently.

He's probably blushing his face off right now.

The thought made her lips twitch in sheer amusement.

The comm around her ear crackled to life, a low growl filtering through her left ear. "Why'd you have to talk about throat slitting like that?"

"He was getting on my nerves." Narumi answered easily, swiping a lazy thumb across the screen. "Rich boy has hunting hobbies. No need to show it off."

"You're gonna make yourself fucking suspicious."

"Someone had to put him in his place."

"You're supposed to gain his trust. Not the opposite, Rumi."

Dots finally appeared on the screen, signalling that Haru was finally typing. Narumi's eyes flickered attentively, closely inspecting the shift in the popped up chat.

Haru is typing…

Her brow arched, and she sat back up when the words disappeared. A second of silence passed, and she snorted as he started typing once more.

Only for him to back down again.

He's so cute. Narumi snickered, pressing her knuckles against her lips as he began typing again. Her phone didn't ring with a new notification.

"What's so funny?"

Narumi tossed her head back in boredom, kicking out her bare legs as she settled down on the soft mattress on her back.

"Ever heard of a cop who doesn't carry a gun?" She asked airily, holding her phone before her face.

"Huh?" The voice said. "Why you askin' me?"

"Oh, come on." Narumi prodded, resting her phone screen down on her chest. Her fingers idly twisted one of the milky white locks spilled around her head, and she gently tugged at it. "Who can I even ask about guns except for you, sensei?"

"In Japan, it's mostly the uniformed police that carries 'em."

Narumi gazed up at the arched ceiling, continuing to thoughtfully twist the strand of her hair around her finger. The memories of early afternoon flared in her mind. She stretched her legs, drumming her fingers atop her stomach.

"You remember Hyun-Ki?"

"Who?"

"The Korean sugar mill owner. Guy who smoked a lot of cigars."

The voice in her comm made a sound of acknowledgment. "You mean subject twenty-one?"

Narumi rolled her eyes. "Those numbers had names, you know?"

"Like I care." The man snorted in the communication link. "They were all just targets. Nothing more, nothing less. I've told you to keep that in mind."

She brushed off the subtle iciness in his tone. "I remember dipping his cigar's ends in cyanide."

Her mind drifted back to the sound of people screaming, women clutching their expensive dresses and pretty pearls in horror at a fancy party. There was a man lying motionless in the middle of the ballroom, white foam gushing out from his gaping mouth. A cigar sat loose in his hand, barely held by the lifeless fingers.

"You wanna do the same thing with Kambe?"

"It'd be risky to do it twice," Narumi shifted on her side, phone slipping off her chest and plopping down on the mattress. She tucked an arm under her head. "I just saw him smoking these expensive cigars today, kinda just reminded me of subject twenty-one."

The voice hummed in approval at her reference for the dead man this time.

"And," Narumi frowned, eyelids sliding shut. "I've heard Kambe keeps forgetting his own cigar cases at random places. The things are made of fucking gold and he forgets them."

"Fuckin' rich bastard."

A ding filled the air.

Narumi's eyes cracked open instantly. She reached for her phone, thumb swiping and clicking open her messages.

|Haru
(—sent you Nakamoto Chosuke's contact.)

Heterochromatic eyes blinked once, then twice before Narumi burst into a fit of giggles. She clutched her stomach, laughing as the voice in her ear piped up again.

"What's so fucking funny, Rumi?"

Her shoulders shaking in mirth, Narumi lifted her phone. She imagined squinted golden eyes, pursed lips and faint crimson dusting across his cheeks. Wish I could see your face.

Her fingers tapped away on the screen.

.

.

.

.

.

Haru buried his face into his pillow, muttering expletives under his breath. He froze, popping his head out from under the covers when his phone rang from beside his bedside.

The screen lit up, filtering blue light through the pitch black darkness of his room. He stared at it in mild horror.

Haru reached for his phone slowly, bottom lip trapped between his teeth as he cautiously tapped on the upcoming notification.

|Shiro
Thank you! ʕ ᵔᴥᵔ ʔ

Haru exhaled softly. His muscles tensed once more, staring flatly as the screen shifted slightly.

Shiro is typing…

His mind raced with multiple thoughts, brows furrowing even more. He'd already deleted the picture sent to him. Just what is she doing texting me in the middle of the night like this—

His phone rang again, and he blinked.

|Shiro
Goodnight~! (≧◡≦)

Haru let out a breath that he wasn't sure he was even holding in the first place. With a silent grumble, he switched off his phone. He laid it beside his pillow, turning away from it and facing the wall of his small bedroom.

He squeezed his eyes shut, throwing the covers over his head

.

.

.

.

.

Narumi yawned, plucking the communication device curved around her ear. She set it on her side drawer, right beside her phone before her hand reached for the lamp.

One click and her entire room dissolved into complete darkness.

Beep.

Narumi paused half-way in slipping under the soft blue comforter, gaze snapping towards her phone. She inched near the side of her queen-sized bed, peeking down at the lit up screen.

|Haru
Night.

A\N: this chapter came out slow because classes started and I hate uni because it messed up my entire writing flow but hopefully this chapter makes up for the wait 'cause of its length .3.

*It's canon that hunting is actually one of Daisuke's hobbies. It was mentioned in one of the drama CD's where they talked about how Daisuke has even hunted moose in the forest. Rich ppl hobbies go brrrr

**The part of Daisuke leaving his cigars in random places is taken from the original fkbu novel where Daisuke is known by other detectives for leaving his super duper expensive cigar cases at random places because he's so forgetful (and he's rich so he can buy new ones).

On a side note, this entire story is happening during season one. We're not going to be following any of the episodes line-by-line but keep in mind that they're happening somewhere in the background too.

Next chapter is gonna be hella fun cause that's when the actual action happens hehehe. Honestly my fingers are just twitching to get the next part done already hehehehe (tbh half of it is already completed hehehe) I have half a mind to bump up this story's rating but we shall see -w-

Thank you for reading~!