October. Cooler weather. Subdued colors. Something about the season of fall evokes a sense of stillness. Birds migrating, and trees entering hibernation. Almost like a spirit parting from the world. Everywhere the eye lands is still, aside from the biting wind which gives the illusion of life by stirring leaves which are already dead. The calm before the snowstorms, as Dad used to say.

So much time has passed, yet I've heard no word from Shinichi on the case. Sparks of doubt plague me during our moments together. Is he really investigating Toreck Wendell as he said he would? Although, I'm in no place to question whether he is or not. It's my problem, and if he wishes to stand clear, by all means I should encourage his silence on the matter. But then... it brings back a feeling of isolation. That I'm alone in this matter. I guess by allowing Shinichi to work on the case, a purpose came alive in me once more; that I'm helping the FBI get one step closer to Wendell. But actually I'm doing what I've always done since we first moved here. Wait. Sit and wait for Wendell as good bait should. It's more frustrating than it sounds. Living life day to day for months, always expecting something drastic to harm me in some way. Yet it never happens! It's psychological warfare, and I'm afraid I'm slowly losing.

Shinichi stepped into my room Monday morning, asking, "Ready?"

"Almost!" I went from one drawer to another. Opening, searching, and closing.

"You're going to make us late again."

"You say that everyday," I commented over my shoulder.

He crossed his arms. "Because we're late everyday."

"Are not."

"I think my last two detentions speak for themselves."

Then finally I spotted it. "Got it!" The green lanyard fit comfortably around my neck. Adorned at the end is the soccer ball keychain Shinichi gifted me.

Shinichi rolled his eyes in good humor, the slightest blush at his cheeks. I snatched his hand and whisked him out the door, shouting, "time?!"

He checked his watch. "It's gonna be close if not at all. Five minutes till school starts."

Of all the times in the world, that time we arrived on the dot. Or at least Shinichi did. I forgot to change my shoes at the entrance, and blundered in seconds after the bell. Unfortunately, the first course of the day happened to be History.

The teacher implored the class with a sparkle in his eye, "to start, can anyone name samurai from the Heian Period?" A medley of answers sang through the air, however after the teacher sang them a good some of praises for their contributions, he asked, "any other? Sachiko!"

"Was my hand raised?" I murmured, wryly gaping at my palm until an answer popped into my head. "Momotarō?"

"Momotarō...?" He almost seemed offended. A good indicator of how off that was... "Your mind is in folklore. Get out of there."

The class boomed with laughter. A cringeworthy situation to get caught in. Why's that so funny? I propped my textbook up, and laid my head behind it.

Not soon enough, the lunch bell rang to save me. Ran, Sonoko, and Shinichi gathered at our usual spot in the hall, on the steps, where we ate together.

"I witnessed a confession yesterday," Ran announced, "It was so cute!" Then her eyebrows drew together. "But they were also so fidgety. I almost left, it was so awkward to just watch them, I can't imagine how they felt themselves." She sighed. "Nothing like the beautiful confession from that romance on the television last night..."

I narrowed my eyes. "Those shows you and Sonoko watch are so unrealistic... No one confesses like;" I swayed against Shinichi's chest, peered up at him with pleading eyes, and with the sweetest voice said, "please. Let's run away together, because all I need from this world is you."

Shinichi blinked at my display.

I sat up and flopped my hand out, palm up, to call attention to his expression. "See. Normal human react—"

Shinichi's hand fell into mine. He pulled me close, then tilted my head up, and dropped an octave to say, "I couldn't agree more. Eloping with you is something I've dreamt of since the day we met."

I glared at him. "You're not helping..."

Ran clasped her hands together. "You two are so cute."

That got me to yank my hand away. Feeling embarrassed, I scarfed down food for a distraction. "Ran, you have a weird definition of cute..."

Ran's smile widened. "The way you two can set up a scene, acting on-the-spot, it's like you're reading each other's mind. Being silly with someone like it's normal is cute to me."

I continually munched my food. That's true, but it would be too mortifying to admit in front of him... I glanced at Shinichi, only to catch him looking away. I paused. What?

A hand crept into my bag of chips. I caught it by the wrist and found the culprit to be Sonoko.

"Want some?" I asked rhetorically, seeing as she already had a few in a vice.

Without hesitation her other hand came around. "Yep!"

"Whoa, whoa!" I raised the bag out of reach once she had handfuls. "That's the whole bag!"

She nibbled the bunch she procured, leering as she did. "I think you owe me."

"What's this about?" Shinichi pipped in.

I rolled my eyes. "She's probably still upset that I covered her room in silly string."

"Trespassing, littering, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief," Sonoko scoffed. "You're lucky I'm not pressing charges."

"With what proof?"

Sonoko tugged Shinichi into the fray. "He'll find it for me!"

Shinichi released a small eh? As his eyes darted between us.

I slammed my chopsticks down, "Yeah, right! Shinichi's on my side!"

"I've known him way longer than you!"

"Time and trust are two different things entirely, and I trust him way more than you!"

Shinichi nervously scratched at his cheek. "I'd rather not be in the middle of... whatever this is..."

The warning bell chimed then and there. I stared at my partially eaten lunch in dismay as everyone dispersed. Class picked up shortly after, and what's usually three more hours of school felt like a lifetime with hunger pangs eating away at my patience.

Once we were dismissed the Class Representative announced to those filing out the door, "don't forget! Starting tomorrow we'll be collaborating with class 2-B for the Cultural Festival that's next week!"

"Cultural Festival?" My ears perked at the words. "Class 2-B?" That's Shinichi's class!

I dashed all the way to the lockers, shouting upon spotting them, "Did you hear about—"

"The Cultural Festival?" Shinichi interrupted.

"Yeah! And—"

"Class 2-B is collaborating with 2-A!" Ran broke in with mock-enthusiasm.

Sonoko rolled her eyes, "and you wanted to tell us how excited you were about it."

I nodded vigorously, glad they understood.

Seeing as Sonoko usually takes a car home, she said her goodbyes to us at the front gates. Leaving Ran and Shinichi to accompany me on our journey home.

"Why are our classes working together?" I asked.

"Our Class Representatives decided that since the majority of students in 2-A and 2-B have their own clubs to attend to, that they would take what's left of the classes and work together on one big attraction," Ran said.

"So you're going to be working to promote the Karate Club... ya know, I've been wanting to join the Track Team myself. Seems I always forget to sign up though."

"Never too late for that." Ran's gaze went skyward in thought. "I've never met anyone who enjoys running like you do though, why is that?"

I apprehensively admitted, "Runners High."

"Huh?"

"After a vigorous run some people get the feeling of being on top of the world." Shinichi explained. "It's commonly associated with endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which are released by the brain in reaction to the body being put under stress. Like when an athlete runs for extended periods of time."

"Know it all," I remarked. "You actually know it all."

"He just knows a lot of useless facts," Ran assured me.

"It's not useless," Shinichi defended, crossing his arms. "It came in handy here, didn't it?"

Once we got to Ran's stop, and waved her goodbye, Shinichi decided we should spend some time at my home. Mostly, he appeared to be interested in the lemon pie I baked last night, but I'm not complaining. Afterall, it's not everyday a willing taste tester steps through the door.

"I'm home!" I called, and realized a bit late that my announcement interrupted some enthusiastic conversation in the living room between Mother, Father, and... someone else.

"I'm here, too," Shinichi added. However, I had been trying to puzzle out who would be visiting. He wouldn't turn around, and the back of his head was rather... generic and brown. Anyway, my parents don't have friends. Well, none that I know of.

"Welcome home, Keiko." Mother responded. "And Shinichi, make yourself at home."

Once we were in the kitchen I strained my ears to hear their conversation, while Shinichi helped himself to the lemon dessert on the counter.

"From the look on your face, you obviously don't know who he is." Shinichi commented, with a generous slice of pie in his hand. "Got an idea?"

"Maybe a business associate?" I scratched the back of my head. "No choice but to ask, I guess."

Foot first, I slid round the corner, intently watching the back of the mans' head. Surely Mother and Father wouldn't call in extra security. If that's what he is though, what happened? What would call for more protection? A break in the case? A new lead? Some prepo— Suddenly they boomed with laughter, specifically Fathers boisterous guffaw, that propelled me all the way to the back wall.

Eventually Father calmed enough to acknowledge my presence, "Keiko." He took a deep breath then waved me closer. "Say hello! This is our neighbor. Such a kind young man, he was there right in the nick of time." Father heartily reached a hand around, and shook the man by the shoulder. "Really incredible, he knew the exact problem our car had earlier."

When it comes to remembering a face, I'm never the reliable one. However, with him in my house, I took it upon myself to at least try. The man had soft blue eyes, sun-bleached brown hair, flat eyebrows that rested just above his eyes, and the most disarming smile. I found myself staring. Something about him seemed familiar...

"Haven't we met?" The man's question sent my heart to my throat.

"Wh—" I caught my breath. "What?"

"Ah, that's it." The man eagerly sat up. "Two months ago. The Yamasaki Manor."

"Oh!" The memory hit me. "The Philosopher... um." ...no wait, he had a name...

His eyes fell to the ground. "Truly a tragic event. My heart wrenches at the thought of being involved with such people. Ah, and I do believe your friend enjoying the pastry over there was the one who solved the dastardly crime." He eyed my immediate right. I looked back, and saw Shinichi stepping closer.

Mother piped in, "I read about that case in the paper, such an odd case." She winked at me. "It's nice to know you've made such good friends, Keiko. Good friends are hard to find."

My head wrapped around the phase. So, good friends = useful, huh? "Yeah, well, thanks Mother. A- anyway, I wasn't aware anyone lived next door. How long have you been there?"

The Philosopher raised a brow. "Four months. Must be my irregular work schedule." He quirked a smile. "Usually I go in early morning, probably before you even wake up for school. Then I get home anywhere from the afternoon to midnight. It's a wonder we've ever met at all," he chuckled.

"Four months is still a lengthy period of time," Shinichi commented. "You should have met her at least once before or after the Yamasaki case be it by coincidence or accidental sighting." His gaze narrowed. "Unless you've been purposely avoiding her."

"Now that would be silly." The Philosopher laughed. "I believe it is that coincidence hasn't been so kind to me lately that our proper meeting hasn't come until now. And speaking of which, where are my manners? My name is Watanabe Tanaka."

We took turns introducing ourselves to him—politely—I had to elbow Shinichi during his introduction, as he glared at Watanabe the entire time.

"Ah, yes," Mother turned to me. "We wanted to thank Watanabe for his help. You made a pie last night, right Keiko?"

"Y- yeah, but—"

"Could you bring him a slice?"

Watanabe held his palms up, humbly declining, "I shouldn't."

"No, we insist," Father added.

"Well, if you insist..."

All looked expectantly at me, beaming, and waiting.

"I... I'll go get it..."

Shinichi followed me into the kitchen. A cheerful conversation ensued once we exited.

"But you baked it for me..." Shinichi stated as I sliced a piece off the lemon pie.

"How'd you know?" I had to question.

"I didn't, but what you said just now confirms it."

"Darn it, you always get me with that..."

Shinichi watched me gather silverware, and napkins. "Are you really gonna give him a piece?"

"You ask like I have a choice."

"Put something spicy in it," he mischievously grinned, sifting through the spice cabinet.

"Why?" My eyebrow raised. "You're not seriously upset that he's sampling your pie?"

"Right," Shinichi replied, all sarcasm. "Cause I'm so sensitive." He scoffed. "Keiko, something's not right about Tanaka."

I snuck around the corner, observing him once more. Dark blue sweater, jeans, and tennis shoes. Not an attire that screams anything like hidden weapons or yakuza. "He doesn't seem bad."

"Just because he doesn't seem bad, doesn't mean he isn't. That's the whole trick criminals work around in court. Look innocent, and nobody will try to accuse you of anything."

"Gotcha..." Yet after staring a while longer at his lanky figure, I imagined, if he ever posed a threat, that a well placed body slam would do the poor guy in. "But he's so feeble. I can't take that seriously when the guy looks like he'll snap like a twig."

Shinichi cupped a hand over his mouth, then retreated further into the kitchen for a full blown laugh.

"I said something funny?" I anxiously questioned as Shinichi recomposed himself.

"No, it's that I thought something similar about you." He leaned against the counter. "The other day you wanted a serious soccer match, me not holding back, remember?"

"I only lost by one point," I huffed, stomping my foot. "And it was serious, right?"

"Yeah," Shinichi admitted while scratching the back of his neck. "Your legs are so short though, at the time, I couldn't take you seriously. Like a Pomeranian barking at a Golden Retriever."

I upturned my nose. "Still doesn't change the fact that I came so close to beating you."

Shinichi glowered. "Your agility is what got you so far, your aim is horrible."

"So, on a scale, my agility surpassed yours, and your aim surpasses mine." A grin spread across my face. "Combine our strengths, and the Tokyo Spi—"

"Keiko~?" Mother called.

"Oh!" The pie in my hand wobbled from being startled. "Coming!"

"—recently got a new job." Watanabe told Mother and Father as I walked in. "So, it's likely that we'll be mending a better neighbor-to-neighbor relationship from now on."

"Where do you work now?" Mother asked.

"A Daycare. Hopefully, working with children there will be better than teaching them at a school."

"You were a teacher before?" The question came from my mouth before I could stop it.

He accepted the pie with a, "thank you." Then nodded. "Yes. I taught middle schoolers. Not my cup of tea, really. Perhaps my luck will better itself with a younger generation."

Back in the kitchen, Shinichi scarfed down the last bit of lemon pie. Triumphantly dropping the pie pan into the sink as he did.

"Seconds?" Shinichi asked, all smiles, and slightly protruding belly.

I shook my head in disbelief. "This is so no one else steals a piece of your pie again, isn't it?"

"No." His eyes wandered to the living room. "But if it so happens that no one else can steal it now. I see no harm."

Right. "Anyway Shinichi, how about I walk you home? Seems like they're going to be talking for a while."

"Alright."

As we stepped out the door, I shouted, "Mother, I'm leaving for a bit!"

"Be careful!" She replied.

Not like that even needs to be said in broad daylight. Trees swaying in the wind. Clear blue sky's. The occasional chirp of a bird, and flocks overhead migrating in perfect formation. All the signs of a perfect day.

I tugged Shinichi as he began walking the wrong way. He yawned and mumbled something, but didn't elaborate.

"You feeling alright?"

Shinichi shrugged.

"...was the pie bad?"

He shook his head for a negative.

"Then—"

"Heeyy!" Rans' voice rang out ahead of us. "What are you two doing out and about? Still in your uniforms I see."

"Hey, yourself," I replied, then hastily searched for a clock. "Wait. What's the time? You can't seriously be telling me that you had enough time to go home, change out of your uniform, and find us here?"

"Yes and yes." She smirked. "And what have you two been up to?"

"Snacking on some pie and..." I nudged Shinichi, "you've been rather quiet."

He shrugged once more.

That's when it hit me. "There wasn't even a rush. You ate a whole pie, and now you're experiencing a sugar crash?"

Ran laughed, "It's like something a child would do, eat until they're full, then nap it off."

"Shut up," Shinichi snapped, his fierce reaction got me to laugh as well. Then he turned on his heel, and waved us goodbye. "I'm going home, see ya tomorrow."

"Bye!" We waved him away.

That's when Ran invited me to accompany her on a trip to the grocery store. My stomach readily agreed to that; loudly. Luckily it only evoked a good laugh from Ran. She even offered for me to stay the night and join her for dinner. While thinking of that neighbor Shinichi warned me from, I accepted her offer. Afterall, it's only one night.