Catalyst

Yu Narukami walked with Yosuke and Kanji towards Marukyu, the tofu store that supposedly held the murderer's next target, Rise Kujikawa. The trio were on the outskirts of a small crowd, all piled around the front entrance of the store. Yosuke was struggling to maintain his excitement, in contrast to the youngest of the three boys.

"Are all these people seriously here just to see some idol?"

The silver haired leader only offered a glance as Yosuke stared at the younger student, jaw hanging towards the ground. "Dude, Risette is not just an idol! She's super hot and funny and sweet and-!"

"And probably not nearly as great as you say she is," Kanji interrupted. He shrugged his shoulders at Yosuke's glare. "What? S'what celebrities do, right? They act all cool and nice on camera, but when you really meet them, they're brats."

"Dude, you could not be farther from the truth." The brunnete rolled his eyes with a sigh as he tried wading through the crowd. "What do you think, partner?"

Both boys looked at their mutual friend, who had a seemed to have only just recently joined their conversation. "People are too varied to generalize, but at the same time, you've never met the real Rise, Yosuke. Tatsumi's right, in that we don't know what she's like when the cameras aren't on. We should prepare ourselves for anything."

"Yeah, I-I guess you're right..."

"Man, Senpai... You always know what to say, huh? How the heck do ya do that"

The boy just gave a humble smile. "Shall we?" The wisdom in his voice was obvious to the two boys. The metallic eyes Yu wielded shimmered with his natural charisma. He spoke like the stoic, but brotherly leader they knew him as, but neither realized the snake in front of them. In the sanctity of his mind, Yu rolled his eyes at the two. Idiots. He didn't spare them another thought though. He was more focused on the target.

Rise Kujikawa. The famous idol known all over Japan as Risette. He couldn't believe his luck! An emotionally exhausted idol, ripe for a boyish hero to swoop in and save her? She'd fall for him, and she'd probably beg for his attention. All the broken hearts and seduced saps of his past would pale compared to that achievement.

"I only speak from my heart, Tatsumi-kun. Nothing special to it."

"Whenever I try to do that, I always mess it up..."

"Believe in yourself, Tatsumi. I'm sure you're capable for more than you give yourself credit for," Yu encouraged, bringing a smile to the blonde's face. Yu almost wanted to laugh at how easy it was to manipulate the stupid thug. A little compliment here and there, dashed with some faux acceptance, and the violent delinquent had turned into a loyal, and eager to please, friend.

"Thanks, Senpai."

"It's my pleasure to help."

He had to hide his toothy grin with that fake, unassuming smile Yosuke and the others expected from him. As they approached the tofu store, Yu felt a rise of annoyance. His uncle's meek and pathetic sidekick was at work managing the traffic of the growing crowd. He fought the urge to roll at his eyes at the man as Yosuke began to speak. He'd have to play this role a bit longer before he could meet his next trophy, it seemed.

Yu bid a polite goodbye to Yosuke and Kanji as the three went their separate ways. They had fulfilled their duty and warned the idol of the danger she was in, though, Yu had his thoughts it would amount to anything. More likely than not, the girl would be too stupid to keep out of danger, and too weak to save herself. She'd need them, which was fine by him.

What girl wouldn't want someone like me swooping in to save them? Yu turned to look at the tofu store and considered entering it again with the pretense of worry and compassion. It'd give him the chance to learn more about just what Rise wanted in a man. Once he knew, it'd be easy to act the role she unintentionally gave him. The plan was thrown out a window when he saw an approaching bluette walking towards the store.

His eyes revealed the lustful, passionate hunger he so often hid. Naoto Shirogane. The Detective Prince was on his way to him once again, more likely than not, on the trail of the same case. Maybe he even thought Rise was in danger too...

Time for some entertainment from my dear, my sweet Prince.

Naoto inspected her notepad, silently reading it to herself as she walked towards Marukyu Tofu. She had the intention of speaking to Rise Kujikawa. The idol was the talk of the town, and the recent center of a media storm. Just like the deceased Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi were, and just like the recently missing, and promptly found, Yukiko Amagi and Kanji Tatsumi. If the pattern continued as she predicated it would, and if her theory was right, then the idol's life was in danger.

"Well, fortune smiles on me. Hello, lover." The silver eyed boy stepped out of the dwindling crowd of people, his toothy smirk polluting his features once more.

Him again. Damn it... "You," sighed the sleuth.

"Yu, indeed. So glad you remember me, my Azure Paradise," he chuckled, his voice as arrogant and sickeningly smooth as she remembered. The silverette approached her, but she stood her ground against him. She would not be bullied by the young man. "How are you, Naoto?"

She clapped her notebook shut, not even glancing at the arrogant man as she began to stroll past him. To her irritation, he followed after her. "Are you really so obstinate?" she asked, stopping in front of him.

"Obstinate? My dear Prince, you wound me," he exaggeratedly sighed. "Such harshness, from such sweet, sweet lips." He moved in front of her, flashing a toothy smirk at her.

"I don't have time for your impetuous antics. Leave me be," she demanded, speaking firmly, like the authority figures of her own life always spoke to her. She ignored the sense of irony and focused on the obstacle in her way, glaring at him. He smiled back.

"You have a passion in your eyes. I like that," he cooed. "I like you even more, though. Cute and smart? The complete package, really."

Naoto felt her patience running thinner and thinner, but it was shattered when he admitted to liking her. That lie was the final nail in her self-control's coffin. She stepped towards as she voiced her vexation. "Enough! I have no time or patience for anymore of your stupidity!" Narukami, and several other passersby, watched with shocked eyes. She turned and began to walk away from the store, cheeks red from shame and anger. As she predicated, he followed her.

"Wow, I-"

"Shut up." He did, surprised by the quick, yet efficient statement. "I do not know why you insist on this act around me, nor do I understand why you feel the need to embarrass, not only yourself, but me as well, but I do not care. You will stop harassing me. This is your final warning before I take more drastic matters in regards to your harassment. Am I making myself clear, Narukami?" Her eyes glared into his and she made the full weight of her intentions clear. The look of surprise was one that Naoto allowed herself to savor, before she spoke again.

"If you must act in such a way, at least do so to someone else. I'm sure there are plenty of boys at your school that can be won over by your childish flirtations. I, on the other hand, am done." She didn't bother to say goodbye. She began to walk around the silent silverette, thinking the admiration he had in her was finally quelled. She was proved wrong when she felt a hand lock around hers.

A scarlet fire flowed onto her cheeks as he turned his head to grin at her. That cocky, smug smile was back on his face. She opened her mouth to argue, only for him to speak first. "Why are you here, Detective Prince?"

The bluette tried to calm down the inferno on her cheeks. She yanked her hand out of his and met that smirk with a small scowl on her own. She wouldn't be intimidated. She wouldn't be pushed around. "I am here to assist the Inaba police force in regards to a case. You don't need to know anything more than that." His silver eyes seemed to gleam in the light of the sun as he leaned closer, like a snake approaching his prey. Naoto just kept standing her ground.

"You think Risette could be next, don't you?" With seven words, Naoto's composure was cracked. Her cobalt eyes widened the slightest bit as she took a slow, easy breath. Narukami's eyes stared back at her, a knowing grin on his face.

"Kanji Tatsumi, now Rise Kujikawa... What do you know about this case, Narukami?"

"You want to know what I know? Follow me," he teased, pulling away from the sleuth and walking down the sidewalk.

Naoto watched the older boy, and she bit the inside of her cheek in anger. It could be coincidence.. Entirely coincidental. Tatsumi Textile, the questioning... No, there's too much evidence. He knows something. He has to.

She had to solve this case. There was no question of if, she had to solve this case. If that meant coming face to face with a murderer, she accepted that. But she never expected it meant talking to a perverted, flirt, especially not one who believed her to be a boy. She took a deep breath and composed herself. If solving this case meant further interaction with this arrogant fool, so be it. She followed after Narukami, believing herself ready for whatever may come next.

Despite her calm, even-tempered exterior, her mind was racing. Her mind wondered just what the silver sycophant knew... and despite her best efforts, some small part of her felt a rush of excitement when she saw him standing there, in a shadowed alleyway. A mysterious informant with details regarding such a bizarre murder mystery? It reminded her of her books... She stomped the feeling done and approached him.

"What do you know about the murders, Narukami?"

"More than you'd think, less than you'd expect," he joked.

Naoto felt her temper rise, but she bottled it up and continued. "If you know something, why haven't you informed the proper authorities?"

"Maybe I'm looking for a reward?"

That damn smile again... Naoto felt a new level of revulsion for the older boy. Narukami was worse than she thought. He wasn't just a flirtatious, arrogant ass. He lacked basic moral principle, it seemed. "I'm sure the local law enforcement can compensate you for the information."

"I don't want money, Naoto-kun." Yu was walking away from her, deeper into the alley. She had no choice but to follow, having to move slightly faster to keep up with his long strides. "I want something far more amazing. I want to spend time with the great Naoto Shirogane!"

W-what?! Her cheeks went aflame once more, and she struggled to meet his gaze this time. The Detective Prince grabbed the rim of her hat and bent it down, hiding her wide eyes behind it. She tried to speak, but her throat felt unnaturally dry. "I... You... You want to... with me?!" Naoto cursed herself for her fumbling, but she was at a lost for words. Narukami wanted to spend time with her in exchange for information on the case?! This was nothing like her books...

Narukami stared at her, savoring her exasperated stuttering and crimson face. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her up to face him, taking in the look in her eyes. He was loving this... "Yes." His teeth gleamed like a wolf, and Naoto was the corned sheep. It was the wake up call the sleuth needed.

No! I am not some damsel. I won't be so easily taken! Naoto smacked his hand away, but he smiled despite the stinging pain.

"A few dates, a few lunches, maybe even dinner. During which, I will give you hints and teases for your intellectual mind regarding the case, my dear, Prince. What say you?" Naoto rolled her eyes as the delinquent's melodramatics. He held a hand out to her, his steely eyes on her. He added a wink, probably thinking it was charming. She begged to differ.

"What is stopping me from bringing you in for obstructing law enforcement?" The blush on her face was finally fading as she returned to the battlefield with her walls rebuilt.

"Well, I am a very good liar, for one. I'll deny it, and deny it well." The narcissist never lost his tone of smugness. "Secondly, Id imagine you don't want to share credit for this case. Wouldn't you prefer seizing it for yourself? The Great Naoto Shirogane, the Detective Prince, solves a murder mystery that left experts baffled! He does what no one else could!" He placed one hand on her shoulder and pointed to the sky. "And you don't have to share any credit! It'll be you and you alone who solves this case! I would already have my reward."

Either Narukami was smarter than she gave him credit for, or he was simply lucky. If it was the former, she knew he was trying to use her ego and desire for respect to his advantage. If it was the latter, she had all the more reason to hate him. She didn't rely on things as ridiculous as 'good luck or 'fortune.' She worked hard and took genuine risks...

Like this risk.

"Very well. If you truly have information on the case, then I will agree to meet up with you tomorrow. Anything beyond that will be discussed during the meeting."

"Excellent! It's a date!" Yu shouted, causing her to blush for a third time. She took a step back, glaring up at him as the faint, red hue colored her porcelain skin.

"It is not a date," she quickly corrected.

"Calm down, my darling Prince. Just an expression. Now then, I'll see you at the Junes' Food Court tomorrow for lunch," he smirked. The silverette was already walking around her by the time she opened her mouth to retort. "I will see you there, my Cerulean Beauty!" His voice echoed, bouncing off the stone walls, as if mocking her.

Naoto was left with her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, standing alone in the grimy alley. She took off her hat and rubbed her head, her fingers going through her blue locks. She tried to calm herself down, to cool the flustered cheeks and her pounding heart. She felt regret pumping through her veins, but she stomped it down and swallowed her pride. Arrogant ass.

The Detective Prince let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and waited a few more moments in the shadows. The last thing she needed was to be seen walking out of an alleyway with him.

This could all be a waste of time.

But what if it isn't?

How could he know anything the police doesn't already?

He would know if he was the murderer.

Were I that lucky...

She shook her head and felt her face contort with anger. She suppressed it again, maintaining her mask of dignity and control. I need to learn. I need to work harder to solve this case. This is just a lead, one of many to follow on.

She finally started to walk out of the alleyway. Yu Narukami may be an arrogant ass, but there may not be as many lies in his story as I thought. Police reports mentioned Narukami and other local children finding Kanji Tatsumi. If there's even the slightest chance...

"I will see you there, my Cerulean Beauty!"

She released her stress and bottled emotion with a heavy sigh. She was going to get to the bottom of this mystery, and once she did, she'd wipe that smug smirk off of Narukami's face.

END

Edited 4/30/2016