Prologue

Ever since we came back from B. Tubb's Pizzeria that night, something changed about Ame. They were little things: a bit of a spring in her step and a tiny shimmer in her eyes. Most folks would have said that she just unwinded and had a fun night out at the pizzeria, just like most of the Shrimps last night. I did too. Ame even said that I seemed quite refreshed on the way home - and it wasn't just the alcohol.

But Phoenixes like me have incredibly sharp eyes. I saw something more beneath the surface. I saw her writing her monologues in her notepad more often - even when we were alone. I saw her glancing at the Garand rifle I had on display in my house. I saw her looking out to the moon when she laid in bed.

I didn't know what it was or what it meant, but I could tell that it was there and she never said a word about it. I could tell that it was something that Ame was quietly wrestling with. Something that, for now, Ame didn't want others to find.

I didn't have the courage to ask her about it. If it was something I needed to know, Ame would have told me. I didn't dare to overstep my bounds - or to look into that notepad of hers.

Ame and I were friends, but haven't known each other long. I didn't want to rock the boat. Not when the next phase of our mission was starting.

Little did I know that my sharp, Phoenix eyes didn't see justhow much Ame had changed.

As Subaru-senpai and Ina-senpai pulled up in front of my house again that morning, I was about to find out.

…

For Kiara, things started off like she expected.

Just like their first morning meeting, Kiara welcomed her two guests with her chipper smile. Ame pulled up two more chairs for the dining table and Kiara prepared two more cups of coffee. Ina and Subaru updated the undercover detectives about the goings-on at Central Station. In exchange, Ame and Kiara regaled their reliable allies with stories about what went down at Dicey Odds and the chaos at B. Tubb's Pizzeria.

Subaru listened intently and reacted loudly like she always did. Ina, on the other hand, was curiously silent. Kiara saw the doctor stealing glances of Ame while she spoke - but Ina barely said a word.

"I'm glad that you were able to get the civilians out of the way at Dicey Odds, Detectives…" Subaru finally gave her assessment. She tapped her finger on the dining table, "But helping the Shrimps run their protection racket on a legitimate business - even if you had to do it to protect yourselves - won't sit well in the Review Board next quarter." She shook her head, "North District Station filed a report, you know? The two of you weren't mentioned directly, but you're giving Chief Enma more and more ammunition to treat you two even worse."

"Treat us worse!? I'd like to see that. We can barely use Dispatch as it is." Ame shrugged. Then, she laid her hands on the table too, "Even our support team has to do things under the table."

"I agree." Kiara chimed in, "We're already doing the best with what we have - and we've made a lot of good progress." The Phoenix then smiled deviously, "Plus - it's not like the Review Board will ever hear about the details of our operation, right?"

Subaru cringed and shuddered, "You're starting to sound like Ame, Detective Takanashi."

"That's because she's learning from the best." Ame snickered.

Ame and Kiara bumped fists. Subaru groaned. Ina, meanwhile, just sipped her coffee.

Subaru heaved a sigh now and gave Kiara one last warning.

"As long as you don't adopt too many of Ame's questionable quirks, you should be fine." Subaru mumbled. She then cleared her throat and changed the topic, "But that's not why Dr. Ninomae and I are here today." The morning Watch Commander brought out an envelope from the pocket of her coat and passed it to Ame and Kiara, "Here's what I've been looking into, Detectives."

Ame took the envelope and opened it. Kiara, meanwhile, looked over her shoulder curiously.

"It's a lot of names." Ame scanned through the contents, "Some are marked with exes. Others have dashes."

"Exes are the City PD personnel who have clear, provable ties to either the Shrimps or the Deadbeats. I have enough evidence to have them arrested when the time is right." Subaru explained, "Dashes, meanwhile, are ones I have suspicions about - but nothing concrete yet."

"So many exes…" Kiara frowned. She pointed to the paper and faced Ame, "We've seen some of these people in the cannery. They clock out early."

"That makes sense." Subaru hummed, "Those folks you pointed to are Evening Shift folks. They run the switchboards just like I suspected." She folded her arms and shook her head, "I run as clean a ship as I can with the Morning Shift, but we still have to be careful."

"Hmm…" Ame rubbed her chin, "The ones I'm more worried about are the dashes." She tapped on the paper beside two prominent names, "Detective Ouro and Chief Enma herself. I'm surprised they're not exes."

"They're high profile folks - and they're powerful." Subaru heaved a sigh, "It'll be hard to get concrete evidence against either of them without stepping on people's toes. I'm just a Sergeant, you see. My rank can only take me so far. I need more time to pin something on them."

"We're counting on you, Subaru." Ame nodded and passed the envelope back to the Watch Commander.

"That aside…" Ina started to speak this time, "We do have a bit of good news."

She finished off her cup of coffee and brought out two paper packages tied with neat little ribbons. Ina set those things on the table and smiled proudly, "I managed to finish your costumes for the mission to the South District early."

"Already…!?" Kiara squawked, "We were expecting the costumes to be ready tomorrow!"

"When it comes to arts and crafts, Ina can put in more effort than anyone else." Ame smiled warmly - more warmly than usual. She gave a thumbs up and added, "Plus, when she's motivated - look out! She'll make masterpieces left and right."

For a brief moment, Kiara thought that Ame sounded a little bit different. For someone who was normally restrained, Ame was showing off more joy than what Kiara was used to seeing. Still, Kiara tried not to think too much about it.

"Eh…? Is that so?" Kiara grinned. She turned towards Ina now and chimed, "Isn't that nice, Ina-sen…"

Kiara stopped halfway through. Despite Ame's praise, Dr. Ninomae was unmoved and quiet. It was a sharp reversal from the pride that painted Ina's face when she showed off the packages.

Wasn't she supposed to be happy to get complimented?

It was almost like Ina was seeing a ghost.

"Ina…" Ame prodded cautiously this time, "Something bothering you?"

Ina turned towards Ame and opened her mouth. She looked like there was something she wanted to say, but she held her tongue. Instead, she shook her head and gave off a strained laugh.

"Oh. I blanked out." Ina gave her an excuse, "Sorry. I've been working after-hours on these costumes so I'm a little bit out of it." She quickly grabbed her cup and handed it to Kiara, "Could I bother you for some more coffee, Kiara?"

"Eh? Already?" Kiara frowned.

Tension was starting to fill the air in the dining room. Tension between Ame and Ina. That much was clear to Kiara. She took Ina's cup and stammered an answer.

"O-of course, Ina-senpai." The Phoenix then turned to the Duck across the table and gingerly gestured to her, "Actually, I might need some help with the coffee machine. Could you lend me a hand, Subaru-senpai?"

Subaru tilted her head innocently, "But your coffee machine's the simple ty-"

"Just help me out, please." Kiara urged now. She took Subaru by the wrist and dragged her into the kitchen and closed the door behind them, leaving Ina and Ame alone at the dining room table.

"OMAE!?" Subaru bristled, "What gives!?"

"Shh…!" Kiara shushed, putting a finger over her mouth. She set aside Ina's coffee cup and leaned against the kitchen door. Then, she whispered, "Listen, and stay quiet."

Subaru pouted but soon followed suit. They pushed the door slightly ajar until they could see the tensely silent scene in the dining room.

Ina and Ame were seated across from each other. The doctor's purple eyes were sharp and inquisitive. Ame, on the other hand, evaded Ina's gaze.

"Say, Ame." Ina broke the silence, "There's something else that happened last night, isn't there? Something you don't seem to want to share."

"What are you talking about?" Ame answered coyly, "I already gave you my statement. Do you want me to type it up for you too?"

Ina suddenly slammed her fist on the table, rattling her and Ame's cups.

"Ame. We've known each other for years. I know when you're lying." Ina pressed the attack, "Look at me when I'm talking, damn it!"

Ame pursed her lips and obliged.

"So, I may have left out a few details." Ame finally admitted, but she was still stubborn, "Loose lips sink ships, you know."

"And getting in too deep will destroy the whole damn navy!" Ina shouted, raising her voice on Ame for the first time in a decade, "Do you want me to see YOUR name on Subaru's list next time!? How far are you going to take this? A dash? An ex!?" She stood up and towered over Ame, "What if I see your name in the morning newspaper, Ame!? In the obituaries!"

"Ina…"

"I can see it in your eyes, Ame." Ina spoke with both tenderness and pain in her voice, "I look at you today and I think I can see the old Ame from before the War again." She looked into Ame's eyes and begged, "That old Ame went too far. Something brought her back - and I want to know what it is!"

The Ame from before the War?

Kiara and Subaru watched nervously through the gap in the kitchen door. They, too, were waiting eagerly for Ame's answer.

The senior detective, however, just sipped on her coffee and replied with full composure.

"The old Ame died in the War. You and I both know that. She wouldn't survive in this City of lies." Ame looked into Ina's eyes and insisted, "But look. Our mission in the North District is progressing incredibly well - even after the odds stacked against us. We have our foot in the door of Gawr Gura and her Shrimp's gang. Now, among other things, we're about to start our mission in the South District with Mori and the Deadbeats." She set down her cup and looked at her own blurred reflection, "I don't know what's gotten over you, but let's take a step back and get this job done. Just like we always have, Ina."

"Ame…" Ina frowned.

"I won't bite off more than I can chew." Ame finally promised, "I've had a few close calls during this whole undercover mission, but I managed to make it through with everyone's help. Especially yours." She managed to wear a small smile, "Where would I be without you, Ina?'

The doctor's cheeks flushed red. Her ear-like hair flaps drooped down and she turned away from Ame.

"You're unfair, Ame. Saying the things I want to hear so casually." Ina whispered beneath her breath.

"Did you say something just now?" Ame asked.

"Nothing." Ina cut Ame off immediately, "You're right, let's get back to the mission."

The tense air between the two old friends finally lightened up. Kiara and Subaru returned to the dining room table with a fresh pot of coffee. The two birds pretended that they didn't hear a word of Ame's and Ina's heated conversation.

But one glance with her Phoenix's eyes told Kiara everything she needed to know.

Dr. Ina'nis Ninomae's suspicions were alive and well, gnawing at her beneath her kindly, practiced smile.

…

Queenpins

Second Opinion

...

To Be Continued