Even during this early January, winter refuses to stop just yet, and its cold continues to plague the entire city. Some wished for winter to continue, and some wished for spring to come. However, for Shiba, she already finds herself warm within her office. Okay, a correction, a little too warm than she liked. Her establishment already had the heating on, so none of her employees would be bothered by the freezing chill, so most of them could be found not wearing a jacket. But Shiba had worn off more than just a jacket.
Since her office is closed off with minimal ventilation, it is rather heated than being in the hallways. Shiba is already in her tank top and tight black slip short, just to deal with this stupid heating. As much as she likes turning that heating off, she doesn't want everyone to deal with the cold inside. Yes, you could say that Shiba is being a naughty woman than elegant, but does she want to sweat horribly through all that extra clothes?
There's a knock on the door, and Shiba looks up. "Come in."
A man opens the door. "Hey, boss, there's- Woah!"
"I know, I know. It's just too damn hot in here," Shiba responded; she wasn't bothered by the cleavage she was showing. "What news do you have for me?"
"Oh, well, actually, there's this friend of yours here," her goon replied. "Said she had an appointment with you."
"Huh? I don't remember having an appointment," Shiba replied. "Who is this woman you're talking about?"
Then the said woman pops into the door. "Hello there, Matsubara-san~."
To her shock, her goon had let Detective Sumida into her establishment. The only thing she doesn't want to happen ever again.
"What the-?!" Shiba almost stood up. "Ho-? Dammit, that's the detective you're letting in!"
"Eh?! Kuso!" the goon stepped away from Sumida. "How do you want me to deal with-"
"No, no, no, no, forget it," Shiba waved him off. "You just go do your stuff. I'll handle her from here."
"You sure, boss?"
"I'm certain. Go on."
"R-right away, boss."
As the goon leaves, Sumida comes in with a big grin on her smile. "Ha ha, so you're not kicking me out for today…."
"As much as I liked to, I got some work to do here, and I don't feel like kicking you out now. So go ahead and take a sea-" Shiba paused upon Sumida's flustered face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just- kuso!" Sumida almost looked away. "A-are you prostituting yourself or something?"
"Prosti-?" Shiba immediately realizes the dress she's in. Her face immediately reddens and covers whatever dignity she has on her breasts. "Dammit. Um, sorry about that. This room is rather hot, so I wear little to accommodate the heat."
"Tha-that's alright," Sumida got herself a seat. "How the hell a woman like you can have something that big?"
"You- were you talking about my breasts?" Shiba restrained herself from mocking her. "Are you jealous of my bosoms?"
"I ain't sayin' anything like that! Jeez!" Sumida tried her best to not get distracted by her bust. "I was making a comment."
"Okay," Shiba grabbed a book to fan herself. "What are you doing here? How did you know where my establishment is?"
"Oh, I asked around carefully," Sumida replied. "Took a lot of convincing and… misdirection to find your place."
"Fine, you found me. So what?" Shiba asked. "You're going to arrest me again?"
"Interesting proposition. But I don't feel like it," Sumida leaned against her chair. "Just thought I'll stop by to have a chat with you."
"Is that a subtle way for interrogation?"
"Hey, you said that. Don't worry. I won't tell the cops you're here or anything."
"That's reassuring, detective."
Sumida huffs, fanning herself with her hand. "Crap. You weren't joking it was this hot."
"Why do you think I only wear this in the first place?"
"At least I don't have to spend my dignity just to cool myself."
"Oh, shut up, Sumida."
"Hey, boss," Maru happened to come in. "We got a problem- what the? How come the detective's here?"
"I just happened to stumble upon here, punk," Sumida bragged to him.
"You know what? Forget that," Maru turned at the violet woman. "We've got a bigger problem, Shiba."
"If it's about those stupid complaints from those arrogant officials, tell them they reap what they sow."
"That's the fifth problem, but that ain't matter. Your parents are coming over."
Shiba raises both eyebrows, and Sumida curiously looks over. "Oh, didn't know you're still in touch with them. Are they also…?"
Shiba sighs. "Don't mind that. When are they coming over?"
"Well, they should be here in…," Maru looked at his wristwatch. "Three minutes from now."
Shiba spits out the tea she just drank. "Brmh, what?! That soon?! Why didn't you tell me a lot sooner?!"
"You think your parents would bother telling us much earlier?"
Shiba grunts with exasperation. "No. Alright, finish up your business and get everyone ready to receive them. And make it quick."
"Got it, boss!" Maru quickly left the office.
Shiba quickly stands up and grabs her clothes. "Sumida, help me get dressed."
"What the-?! You're not even wearing a skirt?!" Sumida flustered once again at her slip short.
"What? Expecting me to get naked?" Shiba asked sarcastically. "Just help me dress up!"
"Fine, fine," Sumida responded. "How do you even wear this anyway?"
"Don't tell me you never wear a dress," Shiba gritted her teeth.
"It's not really my liking, alright?"
A couple of times, Shiba suffered wardrobe malfunctions due to Sumida's unfamiliarity with fashion, to the point where Sumida had accidentally groped her assets. With one minute left, they sit in their respective chairs, waiting to receive the parents.
"Wait, why should I stay here? I should be leaving now."
"No, no," Shiba shook her head. "Knowing my parents, if they bump into you and find out you're not one of us, I don't want to be the one to drag your corpse around."
"Okay, so what do I do when I meet them?"
"Just be a good girl and follow my lead. And try not to upset my mother. Okay?"
"Clear as crystal."
Maru returns to the office. "Boss. They're here."
"Alright," Shiba patted the dress on her chest. "Let them in."
Maruu gestures for the parents to enter, and Sumida finally gets to see her parents for the first time. The father looks like a gentleman with a thick mustache covering his entire upper lips, with short brown business-like hair, and his body is half-plump. The mother is quite an elegant and beautiful woman whose hair is the same as Shiba's. Somehow, she's felt a little more nervous about them than Shiba, and she can't tell why.
"My precious little grape~, I'm so happy to finally meet you again," greeted the mother.
"I'm so happy to meet you too. But please, stop calling me that," Shiba nodded back. "I honestly thought you were busy in Hawaii."
"Our business there was finished earlier than we expected," the father replied. "So we thought we stop by to see how our child is holding out."
The mother turns toward Sumida. "Oh? Who is this?"
"She's just an associate of mine, Sumida."
Sumida stands up to bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Matsubara-okaa-sama."
"The pleasure is mine as well," the mother responded. "I never thought you would hire a female employee, Shiba."
Shiba chuckles, winging the collar of her dress. "I figured it's about time I hire someone new."
The father then clears his throat. "How come this room is quite hot?"
"Ah, that would be the heater we used. Since this room is closed off, the heat collects up."
"Oh, dear. Maybe you should start looking for a new office," the mother replied.
"Maybe one with windows," Sumida added.
"As much as I liked that idea, I'm still insecure about anyone peering into my office," Shiba glared at Sumida. "Especially when there's a detective nagging on my back."
"That's pretty unfortunate," the father replied. "Do you need my help on that case?"
"No, no, it's fine, father," Shiba shook her head. "It's the police I'm handling. Not some sadistic competitors on the loose. I don't need drastic measures. Not now, anyway."
"If you say so, honey."
"Ah, now that I remember," Shiba grabbed a teapot from behind her. "I bought this teapot for this occasion. What do you think?"
"Oh my, so elegant and so charming," her mother joyfully commented. "This must be quite expensive."
"It's a limited edition, so I bought it as soon as I could," Shiba replied. "Glad that I could make you smile."
"Indeed, darling," the mother nodded. "Oof, this heat is pretty unbearable. I would like us to go out for a walk around this fine city. Perhaps we get ourselves some lunch along the way. What say you?"
Shiba nods her head to the side with a blink. "Beats getting stuck here for too long."
"Brilliant," the mother clapped, then looked at Sumida. "Sumida-san, was it?"
"Uh, yes."
"Why don't you come with us as well?"
Shiba restraints herself from showing her alarm and stares at Sumida.
"Eh?" Sumida awkwardly opened both his palms. "Um, I don't think I would. I don't want to ruin your family reunion."
"That's nonsense, my dear," the violet mother replied. "We would like to know more about you. Shiba never had a female employee before."
"Yeah, but-"
"Come now," the mother already walked toward the door alongside her husband. "Let's not waste any more time."
Once they are out, Sumida and Shiba nervously and restlessly stare at each other.
"Crap, I can't exactly refuse them, can I?" Sumida furrowed her eyes.
"They're an insistent sort," Shiba answered. "Sorry, looks like you need to behave around them for a while, or they'll-"
"I got it, I got it," Sumida stood up. "Let's catch up then."
As they were catching up with the parents, Sumida got a glance of a goon carrying a crate at one far end of a hallway; that must be the weapons, she thought. Then again, no one at the station would bother helping her on dealing with Shiba, and she's just here to have a chat with her. They met Shiba's parents at the front door, and they went on to start their walk. To Shiba's surprise, Sumida is willing to guide them towards exciting places and landmarks this city could offer. At the very least, Shiba is glad Sumida hasn't said her actual occupation yet as to why she knew places around the city, calling herself a traveling sort of woman.
Shiba herself even finds joy in the places Sumida brought them to. The park, the arcade, the museum, and a few other places that Shiba didn't even know. Sumida did a little well on socializing with her parents, as she wasn't used to talking with someone who talked like the nobles back in the middle ages. Sumida also evades the questions Shiba's parents ask that would invoke Sumida's true identity, leaving the parents with little confusion. Sumida eventually leads the Matsubara Family to an expensive-looking restaurant with fair prices on the menu. Yes, the Pars-King Steak Restaurant.
At first, the parents are surprised to be led into this restaurant but make no complaints. When they look at the menu, however, when they are slightly startled.
"My good lord!" the mother commented. "These are a little cheap. I can't believe this establishment has deceived me into thinking it was expensive."
"These look like reasonable prices for me," the father replied. "I didn't expect this particular steak costs this little, though."
"Oh, that one?" Sumida asked. "It's pretty delicious. I daresay more delicious than the one they sell near the open market."
"That, I can vouch for," Shiba agreed.
"Then I'll take your word for it," the father replied. "You already have something to order in mind?"
"I think I got it," Sumida replied. "I wanna try this borscht."
"Oh? I didn't know they sell Ukrainian dishes too," Shiba commented.
"Wait, I thought this was Russian."
"It's Ukraine's traditional dish," the mother explained. "But it is also common to be made in Russia as well."
"Really? Glad to know that, then."
Once their menu is served, they relish their meal with such delight. Even at this point, Shiba doesn't have to worry about Sumida spilling out unwanted answers. Sumida listens to their parents all about Shiba herself, especially the part where she really adores big-game hunting. They also told her how rebellious and adorable Shiba was back then, and Shiba could not repress her embarrassment and asked them to quit talking about it. Sumida also finds it surprising that Shiba was home-schooled instead of taking study at a formal institution.
The parents also tell her much about themselves, including the countries and backwater places they visited via their personal ship. Now Sumida knows why Shiba was home-schooled. Nevertheless, they had quite a brilliant time at the restaurant and decided it was time to return to Shiba's establishment. Sumida was more than obliged to guide them using whatever shortcuts they could use. They soon enter an alley.
"It has been a delightful day, Sumida-san," the mother spoke with a smile. "I'm glad I invited you to come with us."
"Don't mention it, Matsubara-sama," Sumida nodded. "I found great pleasure with our walk."
"Say, how about we invite you for game hunting one day?" the father offered.
"I dunno," Sumida hesitantly replied. "I'm not more familiar with traveling around forests than I am traveling around cities."
"That's fine," the father assured. "That field is of my expertise. I can help you around on that."
"Okay then, I'll think about it," Sumida then looked over to Shiba. "Hey, mind if we stop by a shop for a moment? I want to get a drink along the way."
"I don't mind," Shiba nodded.
"Good, I just want to check my-" Sumida suddenly slipped forward. "Woah!"
Shiba quickly holds her from falling. "Dammit, you okay?"
"Kay, I'm fine. What did I just step on-" Sumida looked behind her. "Oh, someone littered banana peel on the road."
"Huh, and I thought the people around here would never litter that carelessly."
Shiba's mother bends down to grab a fallen item. "Oh, Sumida-san, you dropped your wallet."
In a split second, both Shiba and Sumida were frighted. Sumida immediately reaches for her wallet. "Ah, thanks. Please, hand it over-"
The mother immediately pulls away. To Sumida's horror, her wallet is open for the parents to see. The smile on the violet mother quickly vanish.
"What's this?" she asked. "Detective?"
And a second later, both parents whip their suppressed pistols at the alleged detective. Sumida took a step back at this new predicament, nervously taking a gulp at this development.
"To think that you managed to mask yourself as our daughter's employee," the mother's tone was unnerving for Sumida. "It is severely humiliating that your identity had to be foiled by a simple accident. Though, I admit I am embarrassed that our daughter has been fooled by your deception. She is rather sharp when it comes to double agents."
"Alright, so what?" Sumida asked, swinging her arms wide. "You'll shoot me on the spot?"
"I agree with your proposal," the mother made a smirk. "Darling, if you would be so kind."
The parents straighten their aim and press the trigger. But they didn't shoot, for their own daughter immediately stands in front of the detective.
"Honey, what are you doing?"
"I'm not letting you kill her."
"Do I need to remind you that she is a detective?" the mother asked, her elegant anger apparent. "Or you already a fool to think she's still your emplo-"
"I know she's a detective!"
The parents blink in surprise, though the father frowns his eyes. "Why haven't you disposed of her if you knew who she is?"
"I don't want to see any blood be spilled," Shiba replied. "Moreover, Detective Sumida…. She's my friend."
"What?" you can hear the tone of blasphemy in the mother's voice. "I have told you the risk to be a friend of the authority, and now you're willing to throw all I taught to you out of the window?"
"I still remember your lessons, mother. It's just…," Shiba looked at Sumida's concerned face. "She's a valuable friend. She's the only reason why no cops are coming at me."
The parents look disappointed, but they lower their guns. "Do you really trust her that much? You are making a mistake here."
"I know I'll be screwed by my decision one day, mother. But I trust her that much. Besides," Shiba smiled at Sumida. "We both have someone in mind to look after."
"And that is?"
"Huh, Sumida-san, Shiba-san?"
They all look behind Sumida and Shiba to see a certain young girl with wavy blonde hair staring at them, excluding the guns.
"Eh, Sakurako?!" the supposed rivals asked, then Shiba continued. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm taking a walk around the neighborhood," Sakurako replied, then leaned to the side to see the parents. "Hmm?"
Shiba and Sumida look back only to see the parents already hidden their weapons and replaced their indignant faces with a smile.
"Oh, is this…?" the violet mother asked.
"I'm Sakurako Oomuro," Sakurako scanned the two parents carefully. "Are you Shiba-sensei's parents?"
"Why yes, we are," the father replied. "Also, Shiba-sensei?"
"She was a teacher at my school," Sakurako answered. "She's my friend."
It seems the mother wasn't informed of this occupation. "And Sumida-san?"
"She's also my friend," Sakurako then looked between the parents and the women. "Did you just have a fight?"
"Oh, no, no, we just have… 'a little disagreement,' little one," the mother tried her best to be convincing.
"Okay then," Sakurako replied with indifference. "Are you guys taking a walk too?"
"Oh, yeah," Sumida replied. "We're just about to go back to Shiba's place. Shouldn't Himawari be with you?"
"She has homework to do."
"What's the homework?"
"Math."
Sumida snorts with dissatisfaction. "Sucks."
"I know," Sakurako scanned them all again. "Did you all have fun?"
"Oh, yeah, pretty much," Shiba replied. "My parents seldom visit me, so we try to make the best out of it for today."
"Really? I could've sworn you were about to have a fight."
"No, no, just like what her mother said," Sumida denied. "We just had a little disagreement."
"If you say so. Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"There's nothing new on my current cases, so…," Sumida shrugged. "I'm taking a day off for today."
"That's nice. You still didn't get shot yet?"
Shiba stifles her chuckle, though her parents are mildly surprised by her question.
"I oughta get pissed if you keep asking me that, Saku-Saku," Sumida smiled but with annoyance.
"I was joking," Sakurako replied. "Just try not to get into a shootout like I did. It's bad for your health."
"Please don't say that so casually."
"Okay, I guess I shouldn't bother you longer," Sakurako replied. "I hope you all have a good walk. I'll see you later."
"You too, Sakurako," Shiba and Sumida responded simultaneously, much to their own surprise.
Sakurako bows at the parents. "Okaa-sama, otou-sama. Have a good day."
"You too, Sakurako-san," the father responded.
'Twas then she leaves the alleyway, leaving them alone once again. The parents immediately return to their original resentment as they look at the two women. Shiba once again acts as Sumida's shield, expecting them to draw their weapons again. However, at this point, the mother merely sighs.
"Are you certain you can vouch for her?" the mother asked. "One thing about the police is that they can stab you in the back at any time as long as they find any proof of your operation."
"Matsubara-okaa-sama," Sumida answered instead. "I have thought of what you just said. I ever planned on doing that. But…," Sumida shook her head. "I can't. I just can't. Not now, anyway."
The parents consider her words for a moment. "Is it mainly because of that young lady?" the father asked.
Shiba takes a deep breath. "Yes."
The mother regards them for a moment, eventually sighing in defeat and smiling. "Very well then. As a parent, I understand why the both of you are hesitant to defeat each other. Let us forget that this ever happened."
"…. So…," Sumida awkwardly asked. "That's it?"
"For now," the mother replied. "Mind you, you should not give us another reason that we should dispose of you as soon as possible."
Sumida takes a deep breath. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good, you can have your wallet back," the mother said. "Come on now. Don't be afraid. I won't bite."
"… Alright, just don't shoot me," Sumida took back her wallet. "Thank you, Matsubara-okaa-sama."
"You are very welcome," the mother replied. "Now, with this out of the way, let us continue our walk. Hopefully, no more interruptions will impede our fine day."
"If you would be so kind, lead the way, detective," the father continued.
"Of course, sir," Sumida nodded. "Let's go."
They stop by the store for a while before returning to Shiba's hideout. The parents had a friendly exchange with their daughter and Sumida before they finally decided it was time for them to leave. They did ask about Sakurako, and they told them what they could. The parents bid a fare thee well to both of the women before leaving in a sedan car. After they watch the parents leave, Sumida then asks her.
"I kinda feel bad that I didn't help you on anything."
Shiba sighs. "You don't have to be sorry about that. The fact that you haven't reported the police anything about my operations is already a great help for me."
"That's because I got more important cases than yours. Don't you forget about that."
"I'll remember that."
Sumida sighs out a cold fog and looks at the sky. "So, we're friends, huh?"
"Considering how long we haven't tried to kill each other again, yeah. For now, I can consider you as a friend."
"How long do you think that would last?"
Shiba shrugs. "How much attention do I get from the police?"
"Fair enough."
They still stand there to regard the roads, and Shiba turns her head. "Shouldn't you be going now?"
"You know, I like to stay here a little longer. If that's alright with you."
"You still want to talk to me after all that?"
Sumida bobs her head playfully. "I've got nothing else to do."
Shiba merely grins. "Fine. We'll talk inside. It's as if you adore a scum woman like me."
Sumida then whispers. "Well, I do like you."
Shiba blinks sharply, then turns at Sumida. "What?"
"What?"
