Tag Archives: okiya-subaru

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okiya-subaru:

“Good luck on your path. Graduate studies may be difficult, but it is rewarding if you enjoy your field.”

…Wait, wasn’t he the one that offered the tea after seeing that Subaru was upset? “It’s not a problem.”

“Thank you. Good luck to you, as well." 

Yes, it was Hakuba who offered. And perhaps Hakuba that received the most benefit. Oops. 

The young detective wondered what would become of this meeting. Okiya was pleasant; much more so than most of the people he’d come to know in Tokyo, sadly enough. And he was interesting. There was something about him that Hakuba couldn’t quite place that intrigued him… Made him need to know more.

"Would you be interested in meeting for tea again next week? Same time, same place?”

It was worth a shot.

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okiya-subaru:

“I am going to Tohto university for my doctorate in the field.” Subaru grinned slightly. He wasn’t lying there. A requirement for being in the FBI was having at least a four year degree. Finishing up his education would be wise, now that he was officially ‘dead’ and would need to do something else before the Black Organization was taken down. (Though it required a bit of forgery on his part to avoid raising too many eyebrows.)

“So, do have any ideas for which school you’re planning to attend?” Subaru kept his face impassive. His wig was starting to really irritate his scalp over time, which was rather uncomfortable.

“Oxford, if all goes according to plan. First law for undergrad, then criminology for graduate.” Hakuba shrugged after that, looking over his tea cup at Okiya, as if trying to figure him out. “I’d thought about attending here, but I think I will get the most out of it back in the United Kingdom." 

The teenager finished his tea and set the cup down a final time.

"Thank you, again, for the tea. It was just what I needed." 

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okiya-subaru:

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Well, at least this kid didn’t hear about that case. Like how the age of the perpetrator was noticeably older than him. Still, he had to go with the story. “…It’s a little hard to enjoy wandering about the city or watching plays when people are constantly making comments about you.and wanting to call the police.”

He took a sip of his tea. “I’m preferably going there next time when they don’t have a serial killer running around that I fit a similar profile with.”

“Understandable. I really do hope that you get the chance. I’ve only been to New York City once, but I did enjoy my time there quite thoroughly." 

Really, Hakuba could understand the uncomfortable sensation of knowing that everyone around you is pointing fingers behind your back. It bothered him that it happened, in Japan or elsewhere, to anyone. But what could be done about it?

"So what university are you doing your – masters? doctorate? – at? If you don’t mind my asking, of course.”

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okiya-subaru:

Subaru glanced at the photo. This kid was a traveler. Here was to him not getting sucked into the quagmire he and a few others were trapped by. Either that, or he would be a fellow silver bullet and him not knowing would put him in danger. Hard to tell at this point, but how Hakuba and Kudou had similar styles in some ways, from what Subaru knew, made him really wonder.

“New York at night is a wonderful sight. It was a shame I couldn’t see more of it at the time of my visit. There was a serial killer loose when I went there who happened to have long hair and was Japanese. Believe it or not, I had my hair quite long for a time…” Omitting the hair color differences and how he was investigating it, naturally, he let the words hang there.

“Ah, I see… that truly is a shame.”  Hakuba frowned at the news, but nodded his head. “Crime never sleeps, though. There is always something, somewhere, going on… and you shouldn’t put off enjoying life just because of that." 

Spoken with true naivete. 

He nodded his head again, looking very stern as he looked Okiya over again. "So next time you’re in New York, try to enjoy it at least a little bit, long hair or not, ne?”

The teenager picked up his tea cup again, taking a long, happy sip. 

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okiya-subaru:

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“Pinot gris is more a favorite of mine. It goes well with many foods, so it’s rather on the versatile side. Moscato is good, though, I will admit.” He scratched the back of his head.

“Unfortunately, I’ve never been. I was in the United States for a time. New York City, to be specific. So, have you been to Paris?” He picked up his tea and sipped it.

“Ah, yes, many times. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it." 

Hakuba pulled out his phone and flipped it open, quickly scrolling through various applications, looking for photos. "Although, if you do visit France, make sure that you also see some parts other than Paris… such as Leon, to get the full experience. Ah, here we are.”

He turned his phone toward Okiya to show a photo of, surprise, the Eiffel Tower. 

“But Paris is the most beautiful city in all the world. Ah… sorry, I’m rambling. I suppose I got a little excited, thinking that you might have been there…” Blushing, he put the phone away. “New York, though… it’s lovely, too.”

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okiya-subaru:

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So he drank? Subaru supposed it made sense; the British Isles had a lower drinking age than Japan or America. He clasped his hands for a moment. “I favor white wines. As for yourself?”

“The same, though I have to admit that my favorite is a little self-indulgent… Moscato, an Italian dessert wine.”  Hakuba took another sip of tea, then shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not very dry as far as white wines go, but if you really want dry, there are better ways to get pissed.”

Clearly, the detective’s attachment to alcohol was in no way hampered by any sort of fear or connection to any sort of criminal organization.

“Where, overseas, did you travel? Any particular place that you favored? Paris, I hope." 

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okiya-subaru:

That made sense, he supposed. Though it did surprise him it took this long for Hakuba to turn the tables and ask a question.

“Well, I enjoy reading, working on computers, and cooking. Skiing is fun during the winter months. I’m also fond of trying varieties of bourbon.” There was no need to mention anything involving deduction or hacking.

“Bourbon, hm?” Hakuba tilted his head curiously, taking another sip of tea before setting the cup down. “A fine spirit, that. I’m partial to scotch, myself. What about wines? White? Red? Of course it changes depending on the context, but in general?”

A secret hobby uncovered, sparking excitement in the young detective. 

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okiya-subaru:

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“Ah…” The answer was rehearsed. The look in Hakuba’s eyes mostly said it, from Subaru’s observations. He took a drink and set the tea down for a moment. 

“Social obligations, though? What sorts of things do you find yourself engaged in? After all, you’re a teenager. Wouldn’t you rather spend time cutting loose?”

Hakuba closed his eyes as he took a longer sip of tea, considering how to handle the situation. The engineer was persistent and the detective unprepared. For the moment. He lowered the cup and looked back at the man, raising a curious brow. 

“Ah, no. My father is the Superintendent General, you see, and there are… a lot of responsibilities that come along with that, as his son.” Right, yes, title drop. That should be adequate. Now to divert attention.

“But what about yourself? Any particular hobbies or interests? Aside from your thesis, of course." 

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okiya-subaru:

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Subaru nodded and went to the table.”Some of those vipers are not asleep. Even as their previous crimes grow colder, they move on to fresh kills. Take care not to get bitten as you work.”

He took a drink of his tea. Newcomers piqued his curiosity by a fair bit, particularly detectives. And, if Hakuba was living in Tokyo, Subaru wondered if Masumi or Kudou knew him, but it would not be prudent to ask such questions. Not yet, anyway. “Any hobbies of note?”

It was curious to Hakuba that an engineer would have such carefully cautious opinions regarding a detective’s work, but he let that marinate for the time being. The question posed to him distracted the teen rather effectively. 

Hobbies.

Hakuba blinked. What had he said in the interview just the other day? 

“Reading, mostly. Casework and school take a great deal of my time. I work hard to bridge the cultural/language gap to stay at the top of my class and maintain balance between that and my detective duties.” He paused, just as he had in the interview, before adding, “As well as social obligations.” Cue the same, playful smile.

He took a sip of tea. 

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okiya-subaru:

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“A noble goal, yes, though it’s wise to temper that drive with caution. Sometimes the creators of such cases strike like vipers upon a detective uncovering their wrongdoing.” The tea was done and Subaru took his, taking a sip.

“Certainly… but I’d rather deal with a sleeping viper than a rabid, snapping dog, if that says anything.” Hakuba shrugged, taking his own tea and locating a table off and away from the counter, gesturing to it with a faint smile.

“I prefer the cold and calculated over crimes of blind passion, essentially.”