okiya-subaru:

“It is certainly not a field for everyone.” That was understating it by a lot on Subaru’s part. Going into the details would bore nearly anyone to tears.

“Cold cases?” That would definitely be a bit on the risky side for Hakuba, if he stuck around these parts and more and more Organization murders kept going cold. The more people snooping around without an inkling of the danger, the more likely they’d get in harm’s way accidentally. “Any particular reason or is it just due to it sounding interesting?”

“Ah…” Hakuba wondered how to answer the question without giving too much information, both to save himself embarrassment, and to not talk the poor man’s ear off. “It seems to me that there is quite a bit of work to do in that regard… and I’ve become used to cleaning up the other, ah, less patient and thorough… colleagues of mine." 

The detective cleared his throat with a small, polite cough, and looked back at the counter, waiting on the tea – which was nearly ready. "Fact-checking is something that I very much enjoy doing… and seeking to find closure when all other hope is lost seems a rather noble cause." 

okiya-subaru:

Interesting. Subaru would have to look into this kid’s solved cases, though he was somewhat curious of if Hakuba knew of the murderous pack of wolves roaming the streets. “Oh? What sorts of cases? Robbery? Missing persons? Murder?”

He adjusted his glasses and handed money to the cashier, enough for both of their drinks. “My field of study was and is engineering. I am working on my graduate thesis at the moment.”

Hakuba at first had moved to answer the question while fishing for his own wallet, but hesitated when that became unnecessary. He looked from the cashier to Subaru, faintly confused, but grateful.

“Ah, thank you very much,” he said first, then nodded to both he and the cashier before returning to the matter of hand. No need to embarrass the gentleman with further displays of appreciation.

“Engineering, hm? I imagine it’s quite intense… at least if the Oxford students that I know in the program are to be believed. Brilliant work they do. A very respectful field. Very competitive. As for myself…” Shifting back to the previous subject – himself – Hakuba couldn’t resist the smug smirk that was creeping in.

“Homicide is my specialty, though as a student and intern I do quite a bit of everything. Whatever the force and my private clients can use me for, really. Once I’ve, ah, transitioned fully to university, I’ll focus specifically on Cold Case forensics.”

okiya-subaru:

“I did for a time, but that was a few years ago. It was for a study abroad program.” He followed Hakuba, contemplating what he would get. Lies were becoming second nature, though that was to be expected.

“Mmm… I’ll just have a lemon and ginger tea, please.” Subaru then turned his attention back to Hakuba, pulling out his wallet.

“Are you here because you enjoy traveling or is there another reason?” The kid had better Japanese than Jodie had when she first traveled here, which made him curious.

Hakuba turned his gaze to the board, squinting as he read over the various offerings. No Earl Grey, he discovered, but he doubted that they would have milk available anyway. While he considered his other options, he smiled broadly. It was a lovely change of pace to be out and about in such pleasant circumstances. 

“Ah, I had a couple of cases that drew my attention here… but I also wanted to spend some time with my father.  He’s usually far too busy to come out to the United Kingdom, so I try to do a semester or two out here now and again." 

Or a year or two, depending on what trauma the detective had decided to try to deal with at any given time. 

He looked back to the cashier when she it looked like she might be ready.

"Actually, what he’s having sounds excellent… Lemon and ginger, please.” He looked back at Okiya. “What was your area of study, if I might ask?”

okiya-subaru:

“…Thank you.” He entered, glancing around. It seemed rather slow, compared to usual. “I am curious. Your accent is British of some form, correct?”

“Yes, actually. I reside mainly in London, but am currently doing a semester  in Tokyo." 

The teenager seemed pleased to have been placed correctly, though he wondered if that meant that his accent had grown a little sloppy. It was true that he preferred English over Japanese, but that was no excuse for speaking incorrectly. He’d have to try harder. 

Hakuba stepped up to the counter, attention remaining with Okiya. 

"Do you travel overseas often?”

okiya-subaru:

“I am interested, yes. Okiya Subaru.” It was tempting and he needed to calm down.

Off to tea it was, then. Down the block, around the corner, just into the area that catered more to business than residential. Poirot Cafe. A familiar area to some, only vaguely for Hakuba. He’d only been there for tea and, once, to deliver mail to Mouri Kogoro. Ugh.

He held the door for Subaru, and smiled. “After you."