The writer was already on edge from having to fight through the crowd. The careless chatter of city folk, the patter of feet on pavement…. all at once it was almost enough to drive him into full panic mode. For underlying all of the unease caused by unwelcome stimuli was the worry associated with an enormous research paper that he still hadn’t even purchased the right texts for. So, with the full intent of keeping to himself and staying as invisible as possible the writer had tugged on a sweater and set off for Kodemi’s Library and Cafe.
The only precursor to the abrupt seizure of his arm was the sound of screeching tires, which Toshio paid no mind to. He’d just assumed that some idiot had been texting behind the wheel and swerved a little, or…..or….but turns out that it was in fact this lunatic who, after dashing across a busy street, had run straight to him.
“Let go of me!” He cried, getting only a brief glance at his attacker’s face before focusing on the hand that as closed around his arm. It wasn’t a threatening hold, and….and the stranger said he needed help? Catching sight of the panic in the stranger’s intelligent brown eyes Toshio stopped struggling and gulped a few times. Being useless, how could he ever be helpful to someone… “What i-is it? I don’t w-want to buy anything and won’t give you money, if that’s what you’re after.”
“Oh, God no,” Hakuba said quickly with a shake of his head. He straightened up, brows knitting helplessly over a nervous smile. “I’m, ah, trying to get away from someone… could you pretend to be one of my clients, just for a moment? I’m a detective; I’ll make it worth your while."
Although he was reluctant to do so, he removed his hand from the other teenager and transferred the coffee cup to it so that he could fish out one of his business cards to offer to him. Despite the unusual circumstances of their meeting, it did appear to be legitimate. Hakuba Saguru, Private Detective.
"You’d just need to walk with me a short while – perhaps to that bookshop? Talk to me as if you’ve got something on your mind. She won’t approach if she thinks I’m in a business meeting. Please. I’m absolutely desperate for your assistance."
And he was, really. That particular woman was someone that he had hoped that he wouldn’t have to deal with for quite some time, yet. No, he was certainly not ready to face her, and he hoped and prayed that this would be evident on his face.