It had been a long time, since Heiji had seen his childhood friend last. All these past months he had been stuck in numerous tests and his finals while studying in Tokyo University and wasn't able to return to Osaka for at least half a year. But today he had finally returned into his hometown. Now he wouldn't have to leave again - not for another round of studies - and left Tokyo behind. Well - almost, since all of his things had to get moved to Osaka again but this was going to take another week. He only got some of his main belongings in a bag and left the rest of things for the moving company his mother kindly ordered for him. He met with Kudo the evening before and they went out for some drinks. It wasn't a farewell forever but both friends got a bit sentimental to leave behind their days studying, solving cases together in Tokyo and seeing each other nearly every day since their highschool graduation. But Heiji wasn't able to getting used to the capital city of Japan, too much he was attached to Osaka. To a certain brunette girl, whom he wanted to pick up at work like promised in their last phone call.

So as it was expected of adults who hadn't any business with the kids in the kindergarten he stopped at the entrance door of the building. The young detective took a minute to observe the building accurately and he remembered the time when Kazuha and himself were in here some years ago. His glance wandered around but he didn't find any bell or something to get one of the adults to the fence. So he reached for his phone to call her out.

"Heya! Who're ya? You're none of the Daddys!"

A bit wondering he leaned over the fence to see the girl which was looking curious straight up to him with big eyes. He grimaced a bit because the young man wasn't used to being around such small kids. But then Heiji took himself to a slight affected smile.

"H... hey there little girl, I wanted to pick someone up. Ya know Kazuha Toyama?" He tried to speak in a calm voice but it sounded really forced. A small boy encountered the scene very sceptical. "What do ya want from Aunt Kazuha?!"

He looked at the boy with a sceptical glance. "I already told yer I want ta pick her up. We wanted ta meet up... Now ya go, get her here, ya snoopy little kiddos!"

A bit shocked over this sudden order the two kids looked at him with big eyes. Then the girl began to whine and then to cry. The boy at her side startled and made a step forward to stand up in front of the girl to guard her.

"Ya evil black man made Kimiko-Chan cry!", he hissed sharply at the young man in front of the fence.

"Wha-blac-?!" Stunned he looked at the little boy in front of him. Evil black man?!

His eyebow twitched dangerous while he leaned over the fence, down to the child. "Listen, kiddo, I'll show yer what that evil black man is able to do with little brats like ya if ya don't shut up!" But he didn't have the possibility to carry on, when a yell came over. "HEIJI HATTORI! Are ya just insane?! Ya can't tell such things to small kids!" Her voice sounded snippy as always when Kazuha came over to him with a strict face and her hands on her hips.

"Toshi-Kun, go over ta the others and play with them, will ya? I'll take care of this evil black man," she added with a grin.

"Hey, who's an evil black man?", he murmured annoyed and watched after the boy who ran away gladly. The only child he really got along with was Conan Edogawa and he wasn't exactly to be called a child.

"Ya really have some nerves ta frighten some little kids!"

"Just wanted ta scare 'em a tiny little bit!", the detective declared, rolling his eyes.

"Do ya hear yer own words, Heiji?" This woman got her right job, he thought right away and glared at her, while she waved her forefinger severely in front of his nose. "Stop it!" He felt like one of these kids being scolded. " He just wanted ta protect his friend which ya scared ta hell!"

When she explained the situation to him, his eyes got softer and suddenly the detective had to think about those times when he protected his childhood friend at the same age against all those evil entities coming up against them.

"Seems as if he'll be on a good way then!", he approved.

Heiji watched her when Kazuha waved to her colleagues before she came around the door to join the young man. He took the moment to take a peek at her curves which became more feminine every time they met - or was it just his imagination? He put his hands slowly into his pockets while waiting for her to come over.

"So, the great detective of the west have a free minute ta finally come home again?" Her eyebrow raised a bit sceptically. Well, she never seemed happy about his decision to study in Tokyo.

"Naaaah, I don't have just one minute ta come over... From today on Osaka got me back! Surprise!" He bowed down to his best friend and showed her a big grin, while she looked at him surprised as expected. But he missed noticing the slight reddish shadow on her cheeks while thinking about his upcoming propose. "Let's drink ta it, Kazuha! With some takoyaki at my cost!"

Ah, he really missed those sneaky little takoyaki balls. He got some in Tokyo but it wasn't the same. He didn't even know if it were the takoyaki themselves (no one could tell him they're better anywhere else than Osaka!) or if it was the missing company of the brunette but he was sure he wasn't able to live without them anymore!

But Kazuha turned away. "And what's yer girlfriend's opinion about ya leaving Tokyo and meeting with yer childhood friend? Or did ya bring her with ya?", she asked sharply and took a seemingly shy glimpse back at him.

"G-Girlfriend?!", slipped from his mouth stammering. Suddenly he realized that she sure was herself in a relationship bringing up that topic so fast. They hadn't seen each other in a while and in their age it was kind of normal to get to that point sooner or later. He took one moment, staring at the back of her head. Twitchy he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. It was obvious, he'd love to spout out the fact that he was after that one woman called Kazuha Toyama all these years! But at this location it was too awkward. Even more if she was spoken for another guy!

"Ah... Well... I didn't had time for those kinda things." His answer was short and sober. In his mind Heiji praised himself for this clean answer. Then he silently cleared his throat. "And... what's yer boyfriend's opinion that ya meet up with another guy?", he asked carefully but desperate and watched her reaction accurately.

She turned around with a wide grin, the hands on her back and cheeks slightly flushed. "Oh, he told me it's not a problem, since it's only ya!"

"A-ahhh...!" His answer sounded awkward, trying to keep that contrived smile on his face while being disappointed at the same time. Suddenly the young detective felt like he wasn't supposed to be here. But he messed it up all by himself waiting so long with his own confession. It was not Kazuhas fault that she didn't wanted to stay an old maid with 25 years. While in his mind he smacked himself he slowly turned his face disappointed away from her. Unconsciously he made a small pout about this fact of her being taken away by another guy and angry about himself. It felt like minutes but it happened all in just some seconds on his mind.

Just when Heiji wanted to raise his voice to turn around their conversation, Kazuha declared: "I just made a joke, don't look at me with that pouty face, ya moron!" And then she began to laugh. He blinked once, then twice. "Joke?" He grimaced. "Ya dopey cow, I thought I did miss such an important point in yer life!", he ranted, secretly relieved, but was interrupted by her taking his hand and pulling him with her. "Come on, I'm hungry! Hurry!"

Heiji stumbled first but then followed her and closed his fingers around her small ones. It was a long time since they last run hand in hand through the streets of Osaka and it was somewhat a nostalgic feeling following her to their favorite Takoyaki Restaurant nearby. But it felt alright, even after all those years. A pleased smile laid down on his face. A childhood friendship was nothing that could easy breaking apart.

After they greeted the staff in the small restaurant politely, they sat down at the bar and it didn't took long until the owner recognized them and made them the same servings as always.

"I'll take some beer with it," he declared and glanced at his best friend. "Want some? Or do ya want some non alcoholic drink ta toast ma comeback?" He winked at her with a wide grin on his face. Heiji himself was used to drink some alcohol on occasions but didn't know if it was on her side, too.

"Eh..." Kazuha began a bit unsure. But then she agreed.

They got their servings and the young Osakan detective rubbed his hands in eager anticipation. He didn't wait and put one of the takoyaki balls with the provided stick into his mouth as soon, as the plate was served. Since it was really hot he blowed out the hot air between chewing, while Kazuha began to speak again. "There's still something I wanted ta tell ya..."

She showed him a considerate glance. "But ya have ta promise ta not freak out about it, 'kay? It's no big deal and I think it sounds more dangerous than it actually is. I just want ta tell ya because I don't want ya to be offended!" She put a takoyaki in her mouth and didn't took her eyes from him.

"Mh?" His mouth was still full with takoyaki while she talked to him. He swallowed his takoyaki before started to speak as well. "Sounds like some big secret?" His voice sounded a bit skeptical. Perhaps she wanted to tell him about another guy in her life whom she fell in love with. It was possible that she got to know other people while he was away. Heiji showed her a skeptical glance while raising another takoyaki to his mouth. Silently he examined the tanned ball with mayonnaise and green onions on top. He wasn't ready for an rival in love now since it would cause him to get to his point faster than expected. "So, what's that 'no big deal but want ta tell it Heiji'-secret?"

"No, it's no secret and though I'll tell ya this since I'm sure ya will hear about it sooner or later anyway!" Kazuha sighed annoyed. "Well, to be honest there's somehow a guy..." Heiji stopped chewing and looked at her, but she added quickly: "He seems ta like me a lot, but I don't." The young detective began to chew again and concentrated relieved back on his plate.

"To be honest, I don't even know him. I even don't want his attention nor his presents but he doesn't seem to get it. I notice him watching me..." She paused for a moment, then added: "Remember, it's no big deal!"

"So, it's a stalker?", he mumbled thoughtfully, but calm. Kazuha herself didn't seem to actually feel a lot puzzled by that man so he wasn't needlessly blowing it up.

"Yeah, he seems ta be some kind of. But I can protect myself very well as ya might know. So I don't worry about it that much. So don't get worried about it, only about him," she ended with a wink and put another takoyaki into her mouth.

"Yeah, ya can be really frightening!", Heiji teased. Then he looked down to his plate and turned one of the takoyaki balls in the sauce around. "Are ya sure ya don't know him? He has to have a reason ta follow ya..."

"Oh, look at me, am I myself not a reason enough ta be followed?", she teased a bit. Heiji looked a bit skeptical at his childhood friend and looked straight but unremarkable down to her breast. She didn't build up on them a lot. So this wasn't the reason. He smirked. Though she got more feminine. Perhaps it was her job or just her age. And she had a cute face not to forget those sparkling emeralds. "Well, perhaps he noticed something no one else does?", he teased with a smirk. Kazuha let out an angry "Oh, Heiji!" and made him laugh.

He took his glass and raised it to her. "But if ya're not concerned yerself why should I blow it up?", he ended with a smile. It was important to watch that man but it was only dangerous if he would infiltrate her private space. "And if he gets annoying yet I'm back again ta stop him!", he praised himself and got back to their planned reason for getting together this evening. She also raised her glass.

"Oh, so I don't have ta be afraid because of anything in this whole world..." She showed him her tongue and left open if she meant it serious or just to tease him.

"No, I'll take care of it. But the world has still to be more afraid of this tomboy beside me!" "Ha ha!", she let out an angry laugh.

He chuckled again and took a sip from his drink. It was dry but well done, no wonder with the Asahi brewery nearby. He took another sip and got back to his plate again. He missed those times with his best friend. They were able to easily joke around, talk openly to each other, no secrets. Well, beside those hidden feelings. But he was sure that it was just a matter of time, now back in Osaka he got plenty of it. The sound of an incoming message from his phone got him back from his thoughts. Heiji got the phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen. "Ah, my mother." He did some finger strokes on the display and opened the message while fishing for the last takoyaki. "Aww, cute," she teased him, since it got some memories of their ten year old versions dallying somewhere too long. But his expression wasn't showing excitement about the message he got. He was nearly 25 years old and they ordered him around. With a slight sigh he put it back into his pocket. "Just a reminder to be back for dinner. My dad's coming home early because they want ta discuss about ma' future. Sure he wants ta tell me to start a career at the police", he mumbled, then looked to the young woman at his side. "But I'm tempted to start my own detective agency!"

He raised one hand reflectively to his chin. "I just can't imagine to be inferior to someone. It's easy for my dad to talk since he has no one who orders him around."

"Oh well, I think uniforms are really sexy, ya know." She showed him a big grin and Heiji had the feeling she wanted to push him into that. But he blushed a bit about this opening and looked shyly away. She was into that sort of things? "I wouldn't wear it forever, ya kno'... If I'd join the police I'd want ta be inspector, commissar or above! Not only a small patrolman." With a sneaky grin he looked teasingly at her. "So sorry ta deny yer the view of myself in an sexy uniform!"

"Oh Heiji, ya grant me nothing!" She stuck out her tongue at him. He laughed about her reaction but it was an interesting thought she'd like to see him in an uniform though.

"But... Ya could open a detective agency with Kudo-Kun, don't ya?" She tilted her head with a sweet look on her face questioning this and Heiji looked at her skeptically. Was she conscious of him having to leave Osaka again for that? "Speaking of Kudo-Kun, what's he doing? How's Ran-Chan?", she added quickly as if she wanted to omit the other question and he didn't have the possibility to ask her about that.

"Oh, how you'd expect of a heavy loving couple. Planning their wedding and all these things...", he told her with a smile. He was a bit envious that those Tokyoites were far ahead of him and Kazuha while he was still as nervous as he was seven years ago. He took a big sip out of his glass. Continuously he heard their voices telling him how long he wanted to wait with his own confession. They always thought about that this easily in their perfect life with perfect confessions! He always had been relieved when Kudo and himself were able to go out alone because he couldn't stand their flirting the whole time. It hadn't anything to do that Kudo wouldn't deserve it, it was just too much for Heiji to handle while being stuck in his own relationship. He'd love to being himself at this position and planning all those lovey-dovey things.

But looking at his childhood friend she was excited about those news. Kazuha clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's so great! Did they tell ya when it's going ta happen? We should absolutely go there together!" There she was, this hopeless romantic fool. Heiji managed a crooked grin.

"No, they didn't tell me a date. Next year perhaps... It's supposed ta be big and we're invited in any case!" He smiled in thought of dating her in an evening gown. It was a long time since they went out on something big together. "But we can visit them anyway. We only have ta find a matching weekend!" Back in high school they visited their friends a lot, so why should they stop?

"Oh, that sounds really nice! I haven't seen them in a while!"

He took one last sip from his glass and left it on the bar, while taking a glance at his wristwatch. It was nearly 5 pm and he had to left for his meeting with his parents soon or he would've been late. So he glanced over to the brunette at his side. "I'll walk ya home." He wanted to get the most out of this date since it wasn't sure when they would have time again for another one. Well, he was in Osaka again but it wasn't the same like back in high school when they always had partly the same way home. It wasn't a matter of course to see each other daily now. Beside that he didn't actually know what his parents wanted to tell him this evening while he was convinced that his dad just got him a job at the police. So spare time for each other was getting precious and it would get more difficult to leave the city spontaneously for a short trip to Tokyo. It was much easier back in high school days. While it would be easier if he'd decide to open a detective agency - Kazuha wasn't able to leave her work this rapidly. There was a reason for them not being able to see each other more often in there past years and even didn't know when they would be able to see each other next. There were a lot of other responsibilities beside work. Like today: He just would have loved to take more time for her but well, his parents wanted to see him on his return day at least once.

Their way to Kazuhas home was silent. Kazuha seemed to be preoccupied so Heiji wasn't too much into interrupting her with that. Perhaps she got already drunk, he wasn't really able to tell the difference. When they arrived at her home street, Heiji took a glimpse at the good old Toyama-residence with its fully lightened windows inviting for a warm welcome. His glance went back to his best friend. "I want ta pick ya up tomorrow again. I'll surely have more time then." He paused, seeing the slight blush on her cheeks. "Well, if my parents don't come up with something in our chat later."

"Sure."

They stopped in front of her house and the young detective turned to look down at her. "Anyway, I wish you a nice evening, Kazuha." His lips bend upwards for a soft smile. "It was nice ta meet ya again."

She smiled soft, nearly shy in return. "I was glad, too. G'Night."

Heiji watched her until she vanished through the door of her home before he turned away to take his leave. But suddenly he stopped and looked around to a dark space between some houses. Was there anyone standing just a moment before? He frowned but then continued his way home.

"I'm home!" His yell went through the old traditional Japanese house while he got out of his shoes at the front door. The rice paper door of the TV room opened and his mother stuck her head out. "Welcome Heiji, come in here, so we can start talking. Dinner's ready, too." He took a short scrutinizing look at his mother, then nodded and followed her into the room. The sooner, the better, he thought, when he sat down at the table with his parents. He greeted his father with a short nod. "Father."

"Welcome back, son."

His eyes met the meal his mother prepared and again he got a weird feeling about this situation. She seemed to have put more effort than normally into it, increased the amount of dishes. "It looks great. Do we have something to celebrate?" He smirked and thought about something like his return. But this wouldn't suit his parents. He grimaced in misgiving. Did they want to make him feel good with a good meal? With a skeptic look on his face, he took some of the dishes and filled his plate.

"Well, a tiny bit." It was his mother who raised her voice first. The young Hattori looked at his parents in expectation of some informations and chewed on his food. His parents shared a look, Heizo nodded his wife and seemingly let her take care of this business. Perhaps it wasn't the worst choice since he didn't had the best relationship to his son. So his dad laid down his hands crossed into each other relaxed on the table and waited for the reveal while his mother continued. "You're now nearly 25 years old. Did ya already thought about yer future?"

Heiji swallowed his food. "Ya mean if I want ta start working. Yeah, I want ta start. I only need ta find a right place for my agency."

His father raised an eyebrow, seemingly starting to showing more interest in this conversation. "I'm able ta find ya a job at the police. Some months in patrol duty but then you'd be able ta find something higher. Earn some money and built a solid base for yer plans."

The younger man took a serious glance at his dad after his words. Heizo repeated himself everytime they talked about this topic while Heiji was aware that he wouldn't have any other bills than the monthly rent. He'd continue living at his parents home or - if they didn't want him here anymore - he'd sleep in his agency. This would be okay for a start. Shizuka laid her hand on the arm of her husband, since she seemed to not like the turn of their conversation. Then she turned back to her son.

"We didn't want ta address this. We meant a wedding." CLANK.

On shock Heiji let go of his chopsticks. He looked at his parents speechless with widened eyes. Did he hear right?!

"We know, this comes all of a sudden. But we think, you and this girl would match very well..." His mother tried to calm him down with a soft tone. Girl? Which girl?! He didn't want to be paired off with someone!

"The daughter of my colleague got into some trouble at the moment, so we thought about this." It was Heizo who now joined the conversation again.

Heiji angrily slammed his hands on the table to stop his parents from any other word. "Are ya two crazy?! Ya can't decide over my life as if I'm some kind of object!" He stood up in anger and turned for his leave.

"Heiji! Just listen till the end whom we're talking about and what-!"

"No, just shut up!" He left the room and made his way up to his own room.

"HEIJI!", he heard the angry voice of his father after him but he played deaf and didn't answer at all. He slammed the door after himself, made sure, that no one was able to enter and kicked the trash bucket beside his desk away. Then he ruffled his hair in a short phase of despair. Whoever they chose for him he never even wanted another relationship than that with Kazuha! He looked around in his room but didn't know what to do with himself. When someone slammed at the door he flinched and looked back at the it. This couldn't be anyone else than his father and he was really glad that the door was separating them.

"Listen-" but he stopped. Heiji heard his mother talking to Heizo but wasn't able to understand what they exactly were talking about. Their voices were too vague through the closed door while whispering in front of it. The young detective sat down on his bed and was a bit relieved he didn't have to be afraid of his dad breaking through the door. Then he fell frustrated to the side and laid down.

"Heiji, we'll meet for the Omiai and signing the formulars for the wedding tomorrow at noon. Let this matter sink in and hear us out then again calmly." Like always the voice of his mother sounded soothing. Well it was at lunch time. Enough time to settle things up, put this whole wedding matter away and meet with Kazuha again in the afternoon. But he didn't want to answer his annoying parents today, turned on the TV instead and pumped up the volume. He was aware that they were able to hear it through the door. Again he heard a conversation between them, then their departing steps down the stairs. He glanced suspiciously at the door, then watched TV. As if he would ever consider marrying another woman than Kazuha...

Talked of the devil, he received a text message from the brunette.

'I just got the news... everything alright?'

Wait, did they tell Kazuha as well?!

He laid a hand on his face. They now wanted to destroy him everything, it seemed. So they directly told Kazuha to hold her back from meeting him too much. It wouldn't make sense seeing him meeting up with his best friend this close, going on a takoyaki date. Heiji took his hand down again and looked back at the screen of the mobile phone.

What was she feeling now? What was she thinking? Was she happy for him or sad?

He rolled around with a frustrated sound and rubbed his forehead with his fingers.

Damn it! Everything was just too much to handle, more than any case he got to solve in the last years!

His glance went back to the open text message when he left out a deep sigh.

'Sorry, Kazuha. I'm still a bit puzzled. Let's talk about it tomorrow when we see each other.'

His expectation was meeting her in the afternoon and then the whole thing would be nothing to worry about anymore. If he would talk openly to her he would risk the need to tell her his feelings through text messages. And that was really a worst case scenario.

But... Which colleague of his father has a daughter in wedding age anyway...?