Six more have entered the bakery.

shsl-queenofcakes:

“Hakuba-san, then. A pleasure to meet you! My name is Karin Kanoya. And what’s this about a case? How old are you? You don’t look any older than me. You’re a police officer?” She frowned, crossing her arms. “I can assure you there aren’t any criminal activities going on here. Feel free to ask me anything you like, though.“

At his sheepish admission, Karin’s smile returned, her attitude melting away in the face of his request. “Of course I have decent eclairs. Best eclairs in the country, if I do say so myself. And I do. And so do three of the nation’s top food magazines.” Laughing, she pulled a pair of tongs from under the counter, gesturing to the display case to her left. “I have chocolate, vanilla, and spiced cinnamon at the moment, but the last one changes every few days. I get bored.“

The young detective listened intensely to everything that the baker said, hesitant, curious… but relaxed in relief at the news about the eclairs.

"Oh, thank God,” Hakuba said, smiling. “I’ll take one of each, please… and a glass of milk if you have it? I can’t tell you how terribly I’ve been craving them." 

He stepped up against the counter, eagerly, and remembered that he’d been asked other questions. "Oh, and ah, I’m seventeen. I’m a detective – private consultant, really… for investigations. I work with the police force on cases now and again. The, ah, case I mentioned earlier concerned some break ins recently, actually…”

DATE-O START! || akaikujixyaku

akaikujixyaku:

“Oh hush, you’re just trying to make me feel better for being such a shoddy private eye." She laughed, before slanting her head and raising her brows, "I read every single story about Sherlock when I was younger, (and revisit them still today), but it hasn’t seemed to do me a load of good. Alright, alright, enough self-pity for now.

Let me think for a moment, I bet I’m just over-deducing." Bone. Flora. Plane. Ancient. Plane, ugh, it always came back to that- so what places apart from an airport would have a plane, in Tokyo? Well it was a big city, come on Emi, consider your options. Can you make a list of places we’re not going to? Flora but not floral- no parks, no botanical gardens, no sakura trees. Ancient, but not outdated, that marked away the temples and monuments, because admittedly (while still being beautiful and good sights to see) they were markedly outdated. Bone. Bones. Not a graveyard, thank god, that’d be a peculiar date unless streaming horror movies against the wall of the arrangements office (they’d had a few events like that in highschool).

What bones could you visit and take interest in? Fossils. Oh… Oh wait… bone, flora, plane, ancient. Ancient… History.

It dawned on her like a slap across the face, the poor young journalist burying her face in her hands for a few moments, before collapsing into a fit of laughter. "Oh I really am awful, how could I not have gotten that? You really have to stop being so sweet to me Hakuba-sama, I could have been much quicker if I hadn’t streamlined all of my thought on my first idea.”

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7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718.

Goodness gracious, I feel so silly. I’m sorry to have rambled at you. And to think- I’ve visited there with Akira on no few occasions.“

The detective laughed, but it was not a cruel sound. He was amused, yes, but it was more that she was so refreshingly humble than anything else. Hakuba glanced at her, briefly, before turning back to the road with a broad, lop-sided smile. 

"Perfect. Not to worry, Himura-san… it takes a lot of practice. I’m pleased to hear that you’re no stranger for where we are going, as well… It reassures me that I’ve been correct in my assessment of your person, and means that I haven’t been misguided in not allowing us nearly enough time to explore the entire museum.”

Hakuba merged through traffic, on the way to the exit. “I’ve somewhere very specific I’d like to take you. So tell me,” he changed the subject, feeling quite pleased with how everything was going thus far. “What is your favorite phase of the moon?”

For the Love of a Painting || kaitouxjeanne

kaitouxjeanne:

As if the broad-shouldered young man needed anymore charm, he showed a smirk that could summon pink to the cheeks of about all the girls here. However, Jeanne knew better than to fall into the pace of a charmer who knew the trade so well. Or she told herself now. Thankfully or not, he turned away from her to look at the crowd.

Well, it’d hardly be right for the detective to bring a date that wasn’t the police force to the heist. If only he were that unprofessional. This job would be much easier, without the alibi-creating. But speaking of alibis, the opportunity to both take closer looks at any traps he might’ve laid is tempting.

But she wouldn’t appear too eager. The blonde demurred, looking out to the crowd herself as if there was chance of better company. She even went so far as to slip herself away from his light grasp. Before it seemed as if she was going to reject, however, Jeanne placed her hand, the correct one, into the one she just vacated. 

Smiling teasingly, she said, “A tempting offer.. I suppose I will let you hold me back, detective.“ 

For now.

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It was almost unfortunate that every move she made played so perfectly into the profile that Hakuba was beginning to establish. She was a crafty one, this Jeanne d’Arc… and while the detective was certain that he was going to get into a lot of trouble with her, he couldn’t exactly complain about that. 

Her ploy worked wonderfully, and as Hakuba gently tightened his grip upon her hand, he nodded in kind and began to lead her toward the side tables. 

"Champagne?” he asked, taking a flute from the first one they approached. “Or are you more of a wine enthusiast?" 

Hakuba’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he shifted, ever so slightly, to take in the rest of the atmosphere, noting people as they milled about. God, with this distracting challenge, Kaitou KID could come in disguised and Hakuba might not recognize him. 

Moonlight Visitor

themoonlightthief:

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A light hum left his lips, grin turning into a playful, teasing smirk as he regarded Hakuba. He couldn’t help himself. It was simply too much fun playing along and, he supposed, this was as good an opportunity as any to…find out a few things.

“Alright then. As you wish, detective.” Tapping his lips with a white gloved finger, he winked playfully. “Then, would you be so kind to give me a kiss?“

Hakuba regarded the thief for a moment, allowing his gaze to study the young man before him. Then, after feigning brief contemplation, smiled, satisfied, confident. "Certainly, monsieur voleur.

The detective stepped toward the thief, closing the gap.between them with deliberate measure. Lifting a hand slowly, as to not startle his quarry, Hakuba touched the side of his face. Not to search for a mask, only to trace from his cheek down the lien of his jaw and to his chin, tilting the face he longed for up toward him, ever so gently. 

With this accomplished, he only let himself gaze at those eyes for three and a half seconds before closing his eyes, leaning in to give that requested kiss. Hakuba was no stranger in the logistics in strategy for such a thing; this was his one chance and he wanted it to count. To mean something. Lips parted, only slightly, to add warmth and invitation.  Opened first, then closed upon those lips, drawing him in. The first, lasting approximately 5.4 seconds; the second (without parting; he didn’t think he could get away with that) for an even four. Finally, an innocent peck, meant to seal that intent. 

This was the ‘kiss’ he wanted to give, so long as Kaitou were willing and receptive.

themoonlightthief:

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He let out a light hum in contemplation, momentarily directing his gaze up and away as he thought about the question – and how to answer it. While it would be easy enough to lie to, perhaps, hopefully, get Hakuba out of his home earlier, it would be easier for the detective to figure out the truth if he really wanted to. 

Besides, it’s not like his mother’s sudden trips around the world were an uncommon or unheard of thing. 

“Don’t know. She left the country a few days ago, so I’m guessing either sometime this week or the next. She didn’t mention anything about it in her last message though, so…”

A shrug.

And then the magician’s attention was caught as the doorbell rang. 

“See?” Kaito grinned cheekily at the other teen, before turning away and swiftly heading down the hall to open the door. “Told you it’d be here soon enough.“

Hakuba followed after, but a several steps behind. He wasn’t sure if Kaito wanted him to come with, or stay back, but he wanted to help. As he cautiously moved into the hallway, he couldn’t help but think- dryly -that this was a perfect illustration of their relationship problems. No communication, no clear boundaries or guidelines, no give or take. Unspoken expectations and the detective flailing to keep up, eager to please but helpless without direction. 

Not that there was really a relationship to begin with. Just… tentative friendship? Rivalry? Direct opponents, perhaps, in terms of law and freedom. Huff.

He leaned against the wall and waited for some sort of indication that he could do anything for Kaito, arms folded across his chest. Kaito was used to fending for himself, clearly, with his father gone and his mother taking over the world, one overseas trip at a time. No wonder he never wanted, or at least thought, to ask for help.

But at least there would be rootbeer.

harajukuharuspex:

“Hey!” Akira waved at Hakuba. She could almost feel the waves of anxiety rolling off of him. She could definitely see the anxiety in his tense stance, the shorts (Hakuba-san, representative Detective of the East, did not wear shorts).

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“First time?” The poor dear looked out-of-sorts in his tank top and those shorts, far from his usual dapper suit. “You can sit next to me, if you like.“

Hakuba swallowed hard, turning to look at the girl who’d called his attention. As if the embarrassment weren’t palpable enough on its own, his face tinted with the attention. 

"Ah… yes, it’s… ah, my first day.” Which is what she’d just asked you. The detective winced at his own inability to speak in any sort of coherent manner, and raised a hand to rub at the side of his neck. “Ah… uhm, sure.. I’ll sit with you. Thank you.”

He abandoned his hope of hiding in the darkest corners of the classroom and instead cam to stand, and ultimately sit, next to Akira.

“I’m, ah… Hakuba, by the way. Hakuba Saguru.” He extended a hand toward her. “And you, miss?”  Had he not been so distracted by his plight, he might have made a comment about how the girl was cute or sweet or something like that.  Alas, he was too out of his comfort zone to even think about it.

Keep it Together

akaikujixyaku:

Just keep talking to me.

“Yeah, I know. It’s a long time… but I’m trying… Y’know, I never realized… how difficult putting your thoughts together.. into words.. could be.." She laughed, which slowly sputtered off into quiet, small coughs, before she closed her eyes again, and focused on breathing, briefly touching her lips to the speaker, and tilting her head back. She could feel the light on her face. Warmer, than usual. Because she was colder, than usual.

"Not just thoughts, but feelings…. Like.. I can tell you.. how I feel.

That I’m… scared…

and…that it hurts. Fuck it hurts a lot, ehehh.”


‘But that’s good, right? I can still, if just, feel it. And.. you’re coming.’ She could hear, in the distance, just barely, the sounds from outside her front door. It was so unlike her to be a damsel- she did all she could not to rely on other people. Not to burden them, not to push her emotions, her needs, her desires, her hopes. Hers was a philosophy to serve wherever she could be used, however she could be the hope, the help, the saviour. When it came down to it, there would always be one person that she couldn’t always save.

Himura Emi.

That’s alright.

Because for every damsel, no matter how occasional they were in their helplessness, their inability to save themselves,

There was a knight.

Himura-kun… I’m here.

She hung up her phone, and let it drop from her hand, turning her eyes away from the light, and opening glassy eyes his way. It was a morbid scene, of course. Dark poetry lingered in the almost picturesque contrast of red against white tile, and the black remaining clothes she bore. Her jacket almost blended into the scene, save the emblem on the back. It must have been a sight. But even still, she smiled at him. 

“Yes you are, Hakuba-kun.”

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“And fortunately, so still, am I.”

“Thank God for that.”

His tone was firm, but calm as Hakuba stood in the doorway to the bathroom, and surveyed the situation. Slipping the phone into his pocket, the detective ran through the figures and processes in his head. Female, seventeen years old, approximately… 160.8cm,  61kg, giving a body mass index of around 24… 

“Are you staying calm?” Hakuba asked, this time adding a little bit of humor into his voice. Now that he wasn’t driving, his secondary function was to calm and reassure. Bedside manner to make the work easier on the both of them. 

After setting the bag down, he stripped off his suit jacket and hung it on the doorknob, then removed his tie, movements quick and practiced. This done, he rolled up his sleeves and stepped over to the sink, turned on the faucet, and reached for the soap while waiting for the water to get as hot as it could.

There were three points of entry that he could see from his earlier vantage, but there were potentially more. She was pale. Once his hands were washed, he took reached for the cleanest looking towel and dried them, turning to her afterward. He took up the medical bag again, blanket stuffed on top, and walked through the blood to kneel at her side. He took the blanket and folded it flat, moving to gently first lift her shoulders and head to slide it between herself and the tile.

Six more have entered the bakery.

shsl-queenofcakes:

She snorted, wiping her hands on the yellow-dotted light pink apron tied around her neck. “Sorry about that, shop rules are that I have to make at least one horrible pun per customer. I’m running out of them, so they’re getting worse.“

Smiling, she offered her flour-dusted left hand to him in a show of camaraderie. “Anything you need, Mister….”

“Hakuba,” the detective answered with a smile as he took her hand and shook it, gentle and firm. “Hakuba Saguru. I’m actually investigating a case and have some questions about your customers, if you’d be so obliged. Though…”

Hakuba glanced sideways, somewhat sheepishly. “I’m, ah, also wondering if you have eclairs. It’s been so long since I’ve had a good one I think I might die if I don’t find a decent bakery soon.” He paused, briefly, to knit his brows, apologetic embarrassment scrawled on his face. “Please tell me you can help me?”

Keep it Together

akaikujixyaku:

Three minutes after he got off the motorway. With a little bit of slack time between his exiting the freeway and an extra minute up the elevator, it was at most eight, nine minutes before he got there. He really had been fast. Nobody discredit a hellbent gentleman on his efficiency. Nine minutes. You’ve got this. Keep it together Himura. Hold on. His question left her without a response, not (actually) aware of the exact time. It felt like it had been an age.

With the hand not holding the towel, she fumbled for the phone one more time, this time pulling it into her palm (ignoring the blood all over the poor thing) and swiping her way into seeing the clock. 10:43— A quarter til eleven, nearabouts. Fuck’s sake. She let the screen tip against her skin for a moment, sighing, before pulling it back and offhandedly replying.

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“I can’t be sure… Two hours? Longer? It couldn’t be much, but… Before you called… I wasn’t… aware of things very vividly..

It’s not… that bad, considering…" Liar. It was lucky that her heart beat as slowly as it did, or else there’d be even more to deal with, and less energy to handle it with. Thank you, freaky cardiac dysrhythmia. I’m sorry… Hakuba-kun..”

“Two hours,” Hakuba repeated, voice still calm and even, unrelenting in its neutrality. Fuck. Two hours. Really?  He wondered if he would be able to avoid involving the paramedics at this point. But if she had been able to identify what she had, clearly she had some experience with this and had probably done at least some basic treatment, right? He had to hope. 

“It’s all right. Just keep talking to me.”

He pulled in to the lot for the apartment and parked. Seatbelt off. Keys in hand, a mad dash from the car to the trunk. He dug through the various ramble and dragged out the field medical kit that he kept on hand, slammed the trunk shut, and hurried to the door.

“I’m entering the building now. Hitting the elevator.”

The reception was bad in the elevator but Hakuba kept the phone pressed against his ear, regardless, watching the numbers as they increased on the side panel. When it hit the floor, he hurried out, jogging to the apartment door and lowered the bag, feeling around the trim for the key. 

“I’m coming in, Himura-kun… Hang on.” The moment his fingers touched metal he pulled it out and unlocked the door, pushing his way in after stooping down to grasp the bag. Once inside, he closed and locked the door, then turned to face the blood stained floor, hesitating a moment to collect himself. 

Then he started along the trail. 

“Himura-kun… I’m here." 

Keep it Together

akaikujixyaku:

Ah, good. It wasn’t that she didn’t think he’d be willing to help- there was just some relief to be had that he sounded very determined. She smiled- a welcome turn to her cheeks that she hadn’t expected. Emi knew she couldn’t just keep lying there, or she’d go completely under again. Finally, she was able to pull herself over by the counter, leaning her back against the doors and coughing a bit, exasperated by the motion, taking a second to let her head settle before shaking her head. He couldn’t see that, genius.

“No!.. I can’t… Go to the Hospital… I’ve got to handle it here… They’re probably waiting for… someone with my injury report… it’s… a .32 cal… Heh. I’ve had… worse, I guess… There was some.. shrapnel too, from…" She paused, swallowing and laughing humourlessly, "I’ve already removed the pieces, I just… can’t…" It was from a minor explosion in the warehouse she and a few accomplices had taken down, no big deal, or anything. The Police should be arriving there soon if they responded to her message quite timely.

"I locked the door.. The key is.. tucked behind a loose piece of trim… on the wall." There was a clatter as she tugged the handtowel down off the wall, covering the place of her wound and applying as much pressure as she could, howling a slight at the initial pain before ‘laughing’ it off and biting the inside of her lip, and hissing air out.

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There was a clear red stroke where she’d dragged herself across the tiles. "You remember the room?.. it’s on the third floor. 332 C. Sorry if the place.. is a mess.It was good, really, that she keep talking. Keep herself busy. Something had to keep her awake.

Nice that the first time he’d see the inside of her apartment she’d be shirtless with a towel rack ripped loose from the wall and blood all over the floors. Oh well.

No hospital. .32 caliber. Shrapnel. They’re probably waiting for someone with my injury report.

The detective managed to breathe out his sigh inaudibly, knuckles white as his fingers tightened around the steering wheel. So it was one of these situations. He honestly hadn’t expected that from Himura-kun, but then again, she was a brilliant girl and he had a knack for attracting this sort of trouble. 

Fortunately, it meant that he was also quite practiced at dealing with it. And with the information that she’d specified, it sounded like she had as much a handle on the situation as could be hoped for. 

"That’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’m almost there – about three minutes once I get off the motorway." 

The coughing didn’t sound good. Really, Emi sounded exhausted. Pain level estimated at about a seven… possibly an eight. But she was tough. 

"How long have you been bleeding?”

Hakuba was careful to keep his voice as calm and level as possible. He merged into the next lane, then the next, signal on, letting the bmw do its handling as smooth as silk to the exit. Then into the city again, reluctantly reducing speed.