(Author's Note)

Hey guys, so I've been a roll with these recent chapters, huh? It's weird, about a month ago I had gone without uploading for a LONG ass time, and now it's like, every couple weeks, if that!

But if it wasn't obvious, Chapter 8 is done, so that'll be on it's way in the coming week.

I will note, because of the... major shortness of this chapter, I might post Chapter 8 earlier rather than in a week like last time.

With all that out of the way, onto Reviews!

To TheTwoMind: I wouldn't say it's forshadowing but... I can't say for certain my plans won't change so who knows?

Alright, with all that out of the way, here's a sneak peek and I'll catch you all later!

There was a lingering stench in the air as I pulled up to the scene of the crime, yellow tap on all sides surrounding the dust shop ahead. Shattered glass littered the ground. I pulled my bike aside as I slowed to a stop. "Alright Shinnosuke, what have you got for me this time?" I asked aloud as I pulled off my helmet.

I reached down, tugging my hat off my side as I placed it atop my angled head. I ran two of my fingers over the brim of the black fedora, my eyes flicking up to look at the storefront as I got off the bike. I moved ahead, passing by a group of four girls looking on at the scene with some interest as I made my way towards the group of Police Officers standing nearby the shop.

Vale's police department had it's shine, but it's overall luster was brought down by the bad apples hiding beneath. Of course, one bad apple doesn't truly ruin the picnic, only hampers the enjoyment...

"Excuse me!" I said, walking forwards, catching the four individuals standing by the yellow tape. Three officers, most likely detectives, and one teen. I knew one of them specifically, one Shinnosuke Tomari, the one who called me earlier today.

He and I had worked together a couple of times in the past, especially with his department's recent efforts with helping clean up the remaining gaia memories stuck in circulation. The strange teen next to shinnosuke was looking at me with wide eyes, almost as if in awe.

"Oh, Shotaro!" Shinnosuke called out, walking towards me with the teen in tow. "Thanks for coming, think we could get your assistance here?"

I let out a smirk as I lowered the brim of my fedora. "Yeah, what have you guys gotten so far?"

"Same as the last dust store this week. All the dust is gone, but they left the cash again." Shinnosuke said.

I crossed my arms as I looked at the storefront, before an unfamiliar voice spoke up. "Think it might be to drive the prices up to sell for a profit later?" The teen asked, as I turned to look at him. "I mean, there had to have been a lot of dust there, yeah? And you said this was the second hit this week? No one should need that much dust for practical use, right?"

"Depends on how many people are involved or not…" I said, giving a passive look at the teen. "I'm Shotaro Hidari, private dick." I slipped one of my business cards out and passed it to the teen, who took the card without fuss and was staring rather intently at it now. I looked over at Shinnosuke. "You know him?"

"Yeah, he's like that at first." Shinnosuke said, nodding.

I looked off to the side, a far off look in my eye. "Alright, let me take a closer look inside and I'll see if any of my contacts might be able to help out."

"That would be appreciated." Shinnosuke said.

I had Phillip currently looking through the information available to him on these dust robberies. It had been a day since Shinnosuke asked for my help on the case. While nothing at the scene of the crime pointed to anywhere specific, there might've been something from previous incidents that might've been helpful.

I let out a sigh as I picked up the mug next to me, taking a sip as I sat in my chair. The air was still, quiet. For a hardboiled detective like me, these were the only times I could really-

"Excuse me! Is anyone in?" A voice asked from outside.

"Eh? Who could that be?" I asked, moving away from the typewriter. "Come in!"

The door swung open, and the strange teen walked back in, in his off hand was the business card I had given him the day prior. He looked out of breath, like he had just spent the last hour running from-

"Hi, yeah, Uh… I need some help looking for someone." The teen said. I looked back up at him. "See, a… Teammate of mine disappeared last night and we're… Well, most of us are worried about her. I was wondering if you'd be able to help me out."

The teen talked about a team of his, was he a huntsman? He didn't hold himself like one, but there was a fire in his eyes I had seen in other such individuals. "Alright, I'll see what I can do to help." I said, looking up at the teen. He let out a relieved smile, shoulders sagging in relief as-

"Oh, that's great… Because I'm really going to need Phillips help."

"...Eh!?"