016

"Thanks for helping us pick up some clothes for the party, Hideo-san." Akibara-san beamed and lowered her head in gratitude.

"No problem, just call me whenever you guys want to hang out." Hideo-san flashed a smile."Good luck on your case Najisai-san, have fun at the party, though."

"Thanks, take care out there." I nodded and waved goodbye.

As I watched Hideo-san disappear down the street, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Even though he's a good guy and all, sometimes his constant chatter can be a bit much to handle.

"Well, that was unexpected." Akibara-san muttered with a smile as she turned to me.

"What was?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Running into Hideo-san like that," she answered."It's been ages since I last met one of our classmates."

"I see." I nodded and offered to carry the bags she was carrying, thinking that it was one of my responsibilities as a man to help her out with things like this.

"Did you have fun?"She asked while handing me her things.

"Well, the day itself wasn't that bad, I suppose." I whispered with a shrug. "Though I would have preferred one without a surprise meet-up."

Akibara-san gently nudged me on the shoulder with a grin plastered on her face,"Come on, Raku-kun, loosen up a bit. Let's go get a drink or something."

"A drink? Like alcohol?"

"Yeah! I know a great little bar just down the street, and I've been meaning to check it out for a while now."

"Really?" I chuckled."What's the occasion anyway?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to grab a drink with my favorite detective." She teased with a wink.

I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't much of a drinker, but I couldn't deny that the idea of spending some more time with Akibara-san was appealing. Plus, maybe a little alcohol would help me forget about the stress of the day.

"Sure,"I shrugged as I gave in to her wants,"Lead the way."

With that, Akibara-san excitedly grabbed my arm, and we ran down the street towards the bar, the buzzing of the city around us.

As Akibara-san dragged me along, I couldn't help but stare at her in amazement. Despite being annoyed earlier because of Hideo-san, her presence alone made me feel a sense of warmth. It wasn't just because of her infectious laughter or the way she looked so carefree in that moment. It was because, for once, I felt like I wasn't alone in this city.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Why was I suddenly feeling this way? I had a mission to complete, and yet, I couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Was it her smile? Her energy? Or was it the way she effortlessly made me forget my troubles?

But I quickly pushed that thought aside, not wanting to get too sentimental.

Instead, I glanced at my watch, realizing that it was already evening. How had time flown by so quickly? I made a mental note to keep better track of it in the future, but for now, I let Akibara-san continue leading me wherever she wanted to go.

I tried to force myself to focus on the task at hand. We needed to solve the case and catch the killer. That was my priority, not getting distracted by Yako's infectious laughter or her stunning smile. But as she continued to pull me along, I couldn't help but observe her surroundings, taking note of the small shops and cafes we passed by. It was as if I was seeing the city in a different light, through Yako's eyes. And although I didn't want to admit it, I was starting to enjoy myself.

But as we arrived at our destination, I felt a twinge of nervousness overtake my body as I noticed the sudden spike of people around us.

As we walked into the bar, the scent of burning incense welcomed us, mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It was dimly lit but not too dark, with a warm yellow light emanating from the small lamps on each table. The walls were covered with dark wooden panels, and the floors were polished with a glossy finish, reflecting the warm light that filled the space.

The bar had a cozy interior that instantly made me feel relaxed and comfortable. Soft jazz music played in the background, which added to the overall ambiance of the place. I couldn't help but let out a contented sigh as I took in the atmosphere.

Akibara-san tugged my arm, pulling me towards a booth in the corner of the bar. The seating was cushioned with deep red velvet, and a small table sat in the center, covered with a white tablecloth. I could hear the sound of our shoes tapping against the wooden floor as we made our way to the table.

I sat down, taking in the view of the bar. The walls were decorated with old black and white photos, giving the place a vintage feel. The bartenders wore white shirts with black vests and bow ties, and they moved about the bar with a certain grace and precision.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that the bar was beginning to fill up with customers. Yako noticed my preoccupied state and gave me a playful nudge. "Hey, Raku-kun, you're not going to sit there in silence all night, are you?" she asked with a grin.

"Silence is my favorite kind of conversation." I mumbled as I began to browse the selections the bar offered.

"Rude."

I heard Akibara-san mumble beneath her breath, but I decided to ignore it for both of our sake.

"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts."

Akibara-san nodded and flashed a smile before leaning back on her seat, her eyes scanning the bar. "It's a nice place, don't you think so?" She said, taking in the surroundings.

I nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath of the incense-laced air. "Yeah, it's a great find. Thanks for suggesting the place."

"No need to thank me. One of my co-workers actually mentioned it during work, so I figured I should check it out."

"Oh, I see." I replied and looked in her direction. "Did one of their cases involve this bar? I never would have guessed this place was a scene for a crime."

"Eh? Crime?" She cocked her head in confusion."What are you talking about, Raku-kun?"

"Hmm? You said you overheard it from work, so I assume this place is connected to a crime or lawsuit that your firm took on?"

I looked at Akibara-san, who was biting her lower lip nervously."You... are working as a prosecutor now, aren't you?" I asked, remembering how it was her dream job.

Her face fell, and she shook her head.

"No, I'm not." She whispered quietly."I'm actually working as an accountant in a small company."

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at my assumption. I had always known that Akibara-san was ambitious, and I had assumed that she had achieved her goal. "Oh," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Well, that's still a good job, right?"

Akibara-san shrugged,"It pays the bills,"She said in a cheerful tone, yet I could pick out the disappointment inside  her voice.

I felt a pang of sympathy for her. I knew how it felt to have your dreams fall short of your expectations. "I'm sorry," I said, trying to offer some comfort. "But you're smart and hardworking. I'm sure you'll get to where you want to be eventually."

She smiled weakly, but I could tell that she was still disappointed. "Thanks, Raku-kun," she said. "I hope so too."

I watched her get up with a cheerful smile and dust herself off,"I'll go on ahead and order for us. Does beer sound good?"

"Yeah, thanks." I answered with a simple nod and watched her walk away, taking a mental note to cook for her once we arrived back at her apartment.

I couldn't help but admire Akibara-san even more. Despite not being able to achieve her dream job, she was still working hard and trying her best to make the most of the situation. It was a trait that I admired in her, and it made me respect her even more.