As a self-proclaimed delinquent with a knack for brawls, Midori Orisaka clearly knew her way around treating minor injuries.
Applying ointment with a cotton swab, she worked so gently that Shuichi Hayashi barely felt any pain.
At the counter, Eri Kisaki watched the two with a blank expression. As Midori's head inched closer to Shuichi, Eri let out a sharp huff.
Across the room, the sound of Yukiko Fujimine chopping radishes grew noticeably louder.
"I'll take it from here," Shuichi said, suddenly feeling a chill. He quickly took the swab from Midori and applied the ointment himself.
"This is the stuff I use for kendo practice," Midori said, oblivious to the tension. "It's great for blood circulation and bruising. Apply it morning, noon, and night, and you'll be healed in three to five days."
"Thanks," Shuichi said politely. "You haven't eaten since school, right? Why not stay for dinner?"
"I appreciate it, Senpai, but I've got to help at the flower shop," Midori said, standing to leave. "Mom'll worry if I'm late."
"She looks like a delinquent, but she's a good kid," Shuichi mused as she left.
"Good girls are easier to fool, huh?" Eri said coldly. "With your skills, getting your arm hurt by some punk? Did you fake it to win a pretty girl's sympathy?"
"Exactly!" Yukiko chimed in, nodding. "You took down three robbers at my apartment last time without a scratch!"
"When did you two get so in sync?" Shuichi said, exasperated. "Midori explained it already—it was a sneak attack."
"Midori? One day, and you're already on a first-name basis?" Yukiko said, mimicking his voice from last night: "'We've known each other less than five days, hardly friends…'"
"In kindergarten, it took him months to call me and Kogoro by our last names, and he kept his distance," Eri added, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But a pretty girl shows up, and he's all cozy, calling her by her first name."
"Hmph, just chasing skirts!" Yukiko declared.
"Ulterior motives!" Eri huffed.
"Mo… motives…" Yukiko faltered, tapping her chin. "Hey, glasses girl, my kanji's not great. That's too hard to follow!"
"Then use a homophone," Shuichi cut in. "Like, 'bewitched by beauty.'"
"Got it! Silver-tongued!" Yukiko grinned, turning to Eri. "Your turn, glasses girl!"
"Idiot!" Eri sighed. "You're barely smarter than Kogoro."
"Hey, what'd I do?" Yukiko protested, then froze, realizing. "Shuichi Hayashi! We're not playing a word game! You can't dodge this! And you owe me for tricking me into a day's work!"
Looking at the fuming chef, Shuichi thought for a moment. "Eri, Teitan's exam is on Saturday, right?"
"All day Saturday," Eri confirmed.
"Everyone's been working hard," Shuichi said, looking at Yukiko. "How about Sunday daytime, the four of us go out? My treat. How's that for an apology?"
"Going out sounds great," Yukiko said, frowning. "But aren't you saving for college? Won't it cost too much?"
"It's fine," Shuichi shook his head. "Chief Ono gave me some coupons last time—amusement park, art gallery, museum. No sense letting them go to waste."
"Amusement park!" Yukiko's hand shot up.
"Eri, what do you think?" Shuichi asked.
"Doesn't matter to me," Eri said indifferently.
"Amusement park it is," Shuichi decided. "Let's invite Reiko too. She hasn't gone out in a while."
"Amusement park, amusement park…" Yukiko muttered excitedly, her work efficiency visibly spiking.
"That excited?" Shuichi chuckled. "You've been to Mihama's amusement park before, right?"
"A few times with Yuka," Yukiko said. "But she's such a scaredy-cat, she wouldn't try half the rides. I didn't want to leave her alone."
"Roller coasters, haunted houses, pirate ships—I've wanted to try them forever. Oh, they added bungee jumping last month! Let's do it!"
"Bungee jumping's fine with me," Shuichi said. "Kogoro's out—he's terrified of heights. Eri, you…"
"Nope," Eri shook her head. "Too dangerous."
"Tch, glasses girl, you're that scared?" Yukiko teased. "Bungee jumping's for the brave. From now on, you'll call me 'Lady Courage,' you cowardly glasses girl."
"…I take it back!" Eri gritted her teeth. "You want a challenge? Fine. Whoever cries from fear has to kneel and admit defeat!"
"Hmph, deal!" Yukiko nodded, chin high.
Shuichi listened, speechless, about to say something when the izakaya door swung open.
Expecting Kogoro, they were surprised to see Officer Megure.
"Not another case, is it?" Shuichi asked, frowning.
"No, no, it's not like things happen every day," Megure said, laughing awkwardly. "The past two days have been busy, but Matsumoto-senpai says it's an exception. Mihama's usually safe."
"No dinner either—we're not open yet," Yukiko said, glancing at the counter. "I haven't even finished prepping."
"I'm not here to eat," Megure shook his head. "Detective Samezaki sent me. You helped us big time with the nightclub case, Hayashi. We didn't know how to thank you, but there's a movie event at Mihama City Hall this Friday. Want to come?"
"A movie event? What's an ordinary guy like me doing there?" Shuichi said suspiciously. "What's really—"
Before he could finish, Yukiko cut in, excited. "Officer Megure, is it just for Shuichi? Can he bring others?"
(End of Chapter)
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