Total number of words including notes: 4030

Chapter Six

A usual bright and sunny day, someone is smiling brighter than the sun, sitting on his office chair while reading another file of the usual unsolved cold cases that was handed to him. His friend is now looking at him confusedly while sipping a cup of coffee, staring at the detective, trying to analyse its odd mood.

Their student, Arthur, nudges to him and whispered while also looking at the detective.

"Monsieur Harley, I bet he's in such mood because of Mademoiselle Rosalia. He is starting to get weirder every day; don't you think it's creepy?" Harley looks at Arthur and gave him a nod as an answer and took another sip on his coffee.

"Probably—"

"Oi oi, what are you two whispering there? At least gossip when your main subject is not here."

With a frown, Jimmy rested his chin on his palm while looking at Harley and Arthur, still holding the file of case with one hand.

"W-well. We're just wonderin' Kudo, what's with your sudden creepy mood? It's because of the lady, yes?" asked Harley as he put his cup of coffee on the top of his table, giving Jimmy a teasing grin which made the odd detective flush slightly.

Jimmy let out a sigh and looks at the file he's holding again, 'I guess there's no point on hiding it right now'

"Well the truth is, after I deal with this case the police handed me earlier, I will have to prepare myself to go somewhere." he flashes a bright smile and turn his gaze back to the two.

"Where do you plan to go, Monsieur Jimmy?" asked by his student while raising an eyebrow, Jimmy tried to hide his obviously flushed face when he remembered the conversation he and the magician and her parents had yesterday.

It was another tiring day for him for he had another cat and mouse chase with another murderer. The murderer threatened him with a long and sharp rod that have made it more difficult to be captured, fortunately a wooden rod happen to be somewhere on the ground and he managed to defend himself, thank to his brilliant skills in fencing.

When he finally managed to make the culprit land and the ground, he holds the wrist of the criminal, tight enough so that he wouldn't dare to struggle and put handcuffs on both of its wrists and handed the criminal to the gendarmes.

After the chase, he decided to go home and rest to his apartment above his office, knowing that his payment for his job will be delivered straight to his office.

While walking on his path, he looks around and smiles, feeling the cool breeze of the air, touching gently to his skin which made him feel relaxed. He concentrate on the peaceful surrounding, it is somehow lifting up his tiredness, along with the sound of the wind, the chirping sound from the birds, and the sound of the leaves from the swaying branches of the trees.

For some unknown reason, he imagined the beautiful magician walking beside him while wearing her usual bright smile, the thought made him shook his head and sigh, he could take her off his mind, no matter how he tried, he just keep on feeling weird each days— he has been thinking about the magician every day, the sudden thought about her makes him smile unconsciously that even his colleague and student find him strange. Although he haven't seen the lady since he gave her those white roses last week— he tried going to his usual spot everyday, hoping that he would find her there, performing magic show with the children again but it turns out that he's wrong, so he decided not to go there today. After that day when he gave her those roses, his distracting thoughts about the lady is becoming worst each day, he wants her to be with him, he wants to see her but he couldn't for they both are busy with their own jobs, but they are talking through letters, even though they are both living in the same city of Strasbourg, inside a small town and village.

'love'

That word is still unusual for him, Harley has been teasing him for being in love lately, and he keep on denying it despite of being too obvious, maybe he really is oblivious when it comes to that topic?

"Monsieur Jimmy!"

His eyes widens as he suddenly heard the lady's voice, calling for him. He messes his hair, he is thinking so much about the lady that it made him hear her voice, 'That's it, I've lost it.'

"Monsieur Jimmy!"

'A-again?" he thought after hearing the voice of the lady calling him, this time he suddenly felt someone hold his shoulder which made him turn around

He got surprised when he realised that it was her— the lady magician whom he was just thinking about just now, that explains why it seems like he was really being called by the lady. He stare at her for a few seconds, she is currently catching her breath and slightly because she run towards him. He observed that she is wearing the same clothes that she wore when the met for the first time— the typical clothes that working women wears, though she is not holding any flowers which made him conclude that she came after work.

"Hello there, mademoiselle Rosalia" he greets her and bows in front of her in a gentleman manner. He holds his hand and gave it a gentle kiss.

The lady's face slightly flushed and greets him back.

"Good afternoon, monsieur Jimmy. Why are you here? Are you currently working?" Rosalia asked and gave the detective a curious look.

The detective let out a deep chuckle and scratches his nape before answering, "I actually just finished working, there was a murder case in a bar in rue du Cèdre." he explained as the lady gave him a nod, showing that she understands.

"You've been chasing the culprit, aren't you?" she asked as he crosses her arms.

The detective nods as he sigh, "Yes I am. It was a tiring chase since the culprit keeps on fighting back, good thing that the officers backed me up. How about you, what are you doing here mademoiselle?"

"I was about to perform a magic show for the children today, I haven't done that for a while since it has been a busy week" she said and smiled brightly while looking at the detective.

'Lucky'

Thought by the detective who is still staring at the magician,

"Are you okay, monsieur? you must be really tired. It seems like you didn't heard me calling you earlier" said by the magician, worriedly while still looking at the detective.

"I apologise about that, well I was just planning to go—"

"How about we have lunch and coffee in my house then?" the lady said, cutting out what the detective is about to say. He was slightly surprised from what she just said and sweat dropped.

"I...no you don't have to do that, I don't want to be a bother"

"Are you sure? at least do accept, think of it as my thank you gift for you, please?" the lady said while looking at the detective with hope in her eyes.

The detective stare at her while thinking, 'accepting her offer would be a huge opportunity for me, I could finally spend some time with the magician... it would also be a chance for me to ask her on out— just the two of us.'

The thought made the detective blush and he shook his head to get back to his senses and clears his throat.

"Sure then, mademoiselle. After all, it is rude for a gentleman to decline such kind offer from a lady" he said and flashes her smile.

The lady's eyes beams brightly in excitement and suddenly pulls him, leading the way to her house. "Follow me!" he chuckles in as shook his head as he let himself get pulled. He continue to stare at the magician while blabbering things about how excited she is and what she will prepare for him, he felt that his heart is about to melt, seeing how beautiful and bright she look, especially while smiling.

However, his smile faded after hearing those men, talking about inappropriate stuffs about the magician while calling out her name, he suddenly stops walking and glimpse at them, they are sending her malicious gaze that made him give those men a deadly glare, he didn't realised that Rosalia is already calling him several times.

"Monsieur are you alright?" said Rosalia but instead of answering her, he pulled the magician closer and wrap an arm around her waist that had made her surprised and flushed at the same.

"Jimmy what's—"

"Just go with it. Those men are staring and talking about you in an inappropriate way" he said as he looks at the men for the last time and hold her tight and possessively.

Rosalia gave him a small nod as she looks at Jimmy with an odd serious expression on his face as they continue walking till they are finally far from the place where those men are but still, Jimmy is still holding her tightly as they continue to walk towards her home.

Rosalia looks at the detective again, while walking beside him, leading their way. She is still blushing because of the detective. That scene they encountered always happen and she will just ignore them to avoid causing some chaos, but seeing the detective act like that, she noticed how deadly his glares are, that he just gave to those perverted men. She let out a sigh in relief as the finally reached her house.

They finally stop in front of the door of the lady's house as he wait for him to let go, but his arm is still wrapped tightly to her waist.

"Monsieur Jimmy?"

Jimmy looks at the magician as her she looks down, pointing at his hand. The detective flushed when he realised it as he let her go and gave her some space. The magician let out a chuckle at his reaction as he knocks on the door.

"Père! Mère! I'm home" she called and knocks on the door again, few moments later, a lady open the door for them, she looks around the age of 48 with a short brown hair it is slightly messy like the Rosalia's, still she still looks young. He noticed that her mother has deep blue eyes which are different from her daughter's.

'Perhaps she got it from his father?' he thought as he watches the two, talking with each other.

"Mère, I want to introduce my acquaintance, Jimmy Kudo" the lady introduced him as her mother looks at the detective.

He looks at the magician's mother as he bows down and greets her, "Good afternoon, madame. I'm Jimmy Kudo, a private detective."

Rosalia's mother smiles and bows down gracefully, "Celine, Celine Kuroba. I am Rosalia's mother, nice to meet you Detective Kudo"

"Jimmy is fine, Madame"

"Well then, Jimmy. Rosa, why don't you lead your guest inside?" she said and moved to give both of them way inside. The two of them enter the house as the detective roam his eyes around the place. Unlike their house where he used to live with his parents, it is not that huge but it is enough to it one family. He also saw some things that are used for different magic tricks, flowers, and a dining table where the all eat together, the second floor is probably where the bedrooms are, by the size of their house he deducted that there are at least 2-3 bedrooms inside. The Kuroba's house is simple yet pleasing, it looks comfortable, he also saw some portraits; he smiled when he saw a portrait of Rosalia, both when she was young and when she finally became a beautiful adult.

Rosalia went towards the kitchen and wears her apron as she looks at Jimmy and her mother.

"I'll cook for today, mere!" she said as she starts to tie her long brunette hair with a ribbon and walk towards her mother.

"Are you sure, sweetie? You should be with your guest and take some rest" her mother said while looking at her, a bit worried but Rosalia flashes her a sweet smile and holds her hand.

"It's okay, don't worry about me. I'm perfectly fine." The magician insisted. Jimmy just watch the both of them and notice how sweet and caring Rosalia is to her parents. He can easily say that they never had a problem with her because of her kindness.

He looks at their family portrait, she also has a brother who seems like over around his age, he and the magician looks slightly like each other but the difference is, he has the same colour of their mother's eyes.

"You must be the one Rosalia talks about a lot, Jimmy, the man who cleared her name after being accused. Why don't we sit down first?" Rosalia's mother said, Jimmy gave her a nod as an answer as he sit while putting his hand on the table.

"Yes ma'am, I'm the detective who proved her innocence on a murder case at the ball, together with my partner, Harley Hartwell, and the British host, Sebastian Hainse." he said as Rosalia's mother gave him a warm smile.

"Thank you so much for helping my daughter, it means a lot to us"

"You're welcome ma'am, it is my job to bring justice and find the truth by investigating. Also, I'm sure that Rosalia couldn't commit something inhumane, she is a nice woman and aside from that, she was with me the whole time, and I doubt that witches or wizards exist. She is a magician, and I can clearly see that she is using tricks to perform those, I can figure it out" he said and flashes a wide grin that made Rosalia's mother chuckle

"So you are her critic then? And you got curious about the tricks she used"

"If that's the term for that then yes, I am. Her tricks are really challenging, and the way she moves, she looks really elegant. Though I was a bit surprised to witness a lady magician, it is rare at it is my first time seeing one, ma'am"

The lady chuckles while listening to him because of the amusement visible in his eyes while he talks about her daughter.

"Well it is a family tradition since her father was born to be a magician, he taught me a lot of things and we applied it to our children. Based on what you said, then you must already saw her perform?"

"I did, the first time I met her she was in my usual spot where I usually rest, she was performing a magic show for the children in the village that time and they look so amused. I couldn't help but to watch it and the next thing I know, she already noticed that I am watching so she called to come to her and made me her assistant for her magic show" he said while smiling widely, he let out a chuckle when he remembered the moment she met the magician for the first time.

"Then I assume that she was also having her break from work that time. She loves to perform a show in front of the children, she really enjoy making them amused and happy at the same time" she said and took a glimpse on her daughter, "After all, she is an aspiring magician and there are times that she is performing in front of everyone aside from children whenever he her father or her brother brings her to their magic shows" she continued, Jimmy gave her a nod showing a lot of interest about the story.

Few moments later, the lady went out of the kitchen and walk toward the dining table with a tray with plate of foncer and a huge bowl of maigre

"Well here it is," the magician said and smile as Jimmy stand up and walks towards her

"Let me help you, mademoiselle" he said but Rosalia insisted

"No need monsieur, you're a visitor so you can just relax"

"Then at least let me help you to get the plates" he said and walk towards the cabinet to get the plates and utensils, enough for them to use. After Rosalia put the tray on the table and served it, she looks at the detective and sighs.

"Just have a sit, Jimmy. I can handle it" she said as she gets the plates and utensils from him that made her accidentally hold his hand. They felt a sudden spark as their hands touch which made them look at each other.

The cerulean orbs met those soft azure ones. They stared at each other for a while and caught themselves lock at each other's eyes as silence filled the whole room.

Jimmy couldn't help but to admire how beautiful her azure orbs are, on how soft her hand that he could hold for days.

He gulps, realising that he has been staring at her for a while, he couldn't look away from her, especially that her beautiful and bright azure orbs are completely locked up with his cerulean orbs, the magician's cheeks suddenly tinted red as both of them stare at one another, admiring each other's details secretly.

"What is happening here and why is this man holding my daughter's hand?!"

A sudden shout made the couple back in reality and almost jump in surprise. He looks at the man who seems to be furious— a man with a fix yet slightly messy hair, his azure eyes looks a bit sleeping which made him conclude that he just woke up.

With a simple observation he can already tell that, he is now facing the lady's father.

"Who gave you the rights to hold my daughter's hand?"

The seriousness of his voice made jimmy gulps nervously as he swear drop

"Sir was just—"

"Young lady who is this man, is he your husband?!"

Jimmy and Rosalia's eyes widens as the both look at the magician's father

"Pére you're wro—"

"Your fiancé them? Young man, you can't just easily have my permission to—"

"Sir I'm not—"

"Don't try to cut me off when I'm speaking" he said that made Jimmy shivers and shook his head knowing that it was all a misunderstanding.

'Geez, what's with people now-a-days?'

"Just like I have said, you can't just easily have our permission to marry her, after all, we don't know who you are yet"

"Pére you got it all wrong, he is neither my husband nor fiancé" Rosalia tried to explain, feeling embarrassed about the current situation.

"Then what, a suitor? Young lady how come you never introduced him to us! I can't believe that you already have two suitors after that ball. We do not even know who this man is, what if—"

"Darling what if let the kid at least explain themselves? You already lost your poker face"

This time the lady's father has been cut off by his wife who is now pouring water on their glasses. Jimmy just looks at them, nervous and blushing even for just a bit. The man glared at him with a hint of danger, Jimmy gulps.

"You better explain yourself, young man."

Rosalia sigh in relief as all of them sat on the dining table, Rosalia and Jimmy started explaining themselves, from the first time the both of them met up until Rosalia offered Jimmy to eat lunch at their house, her father starts understanding what happened bust he is still doubting the detective.

"As you can see, he is the detective who cleared my name on that ball." Rosalia said as he crossed her arms, "You should apologise to him, pére."

"N-no it's alright" Jimmy said as he looks at the magician's father, "I should have introduced myself properly. Sir, I am Jimmy Kudo, a private detective" he said as he lend his hand for a handshake.

"Timoleon Kuroba, a professional magician and Rosalia's father" he said as he accepted his hand for a handshake, after that Rosalia's father rested his back on the chair as he looks at the detective, "So you were tired but still you went all your way here for lunch, please do tell your own reason" he continued while looking at the detective

Rosalia was about to say something but Jimmy starts to speak, "Honestly sir, I accepted it because it is rude to decline a lady's offer— but yes, I do have other reason to why I went here" he said as Rosalia's father smirked and waits for him to continue

"I would personally want to ask for your permission to ask your daughter out tomorrow, to have a stroll around the village and to treat her something she would want"

Jimmy explained everything to his friend Harley and to his student. Harley started to laugh on what happened to him as he holds his stomach.

"So, did her father agreed since you are acting so weird, smiling all day?" asked by the other detective, still holding onto his laughter.

"No, he didn't. But Rosalia said that she will accept since it will be the best way to thank me after that case where she got involved." He said as he grins widely, "His father could not do anything since both his wife and his daughter insisted."

"But doesn't that mean that the lady just agreed to save you, then that means she was forced!" Arthur said that made the detective frown.

"Of course not, if she was the option about not agreeing to my offer is always there yet she chose to come with me.

Arthur and Harley shrugs as they look at Jimmy, "Then good luck for today, hopefully you'll get lucky and won't have to encounter another murder case" Arthur said and burst into laughter.

The detective let him as he shook his head. He has no time to be in a bad mood since today is a chance for him to be with the magician whole day.

After some few hours everything is set, he have finish everything that he has to finish and still had a time to freshen up. He went towards the place where he and the magician will meet, he grins widely as he saw the magician looking perfectly appealing yet simple.

He bows down as he greets her with a wide grin, "Mademoiselle, thank you for accepting my offer" he said as he kissed the back of his hand.

The magician let out a giggle as she looks at him, "Well, I would never decline such offer. So, shall we go?" she said as he locks her arms to the detective's, "So as my escort for today, where shall you take me?" she asked.

"Well maybe somewhere out of the village, for something new" Jimmy said as he chuckles

The both of them start strolling around, telling stories that they have never told with each other. It was wonderful for the both of them; Jimmy bought her flowers and some bread from the bakery the pass by, no cases have interrupted them which made him think that lady luck is on his side, until...

"Rosalia"

A familiar voice interrupted their conversation. The both of them turn around to look who called the lady. Jimmy frowns and gave that person a glare.

"Monsieur Sebastian...and monsieur Harley? What are you both doing here?" Rosalia asked.

Jimmy sighs and exchanged glares with the British Detective,

'I knew it; this day is too perfect to be true'

NOTE: This was quite interesting to write, Jimmy finally met Rosalia's parents, Toichi was quite different in here since you know how father acts when it comes to their female child, right? I would also like to make it clear that Sebastian met Rosalia's parents before Jimmy did.

-Dark Knight