Chapter Text
When i decided i want to be detective, i really didn't except 'that'.
Papers, another papers, check these papers. Did i said papers? But i couldn't blame my uncle for that, we are working with police after all, i need to warm up yeah?
Yeah.
27 minutes and i could go home. Shuichi was tired.
''Let's see...'' - he muttered to himself.
A group, around 10 members, they call themselfs D.I.C.E.
Shuichi carefully reviewed the pages concerning reports of crimes covered by the temporary guilt of a criminal group.
graffity, false alarms, theft from small grocery stores (mainly those selling sweets), vandalism, fake bombs in buildings, and a host of other ‘actions’ aimed at upsetting the law enforcement agencies and other residents of the city. This group does not seem to be hiding either. At every “crime” scene (although that sounds too serious), there is graffiti, a sticker, or some other sign of the D.I.C.E. logo. Are they serious criminals or just a bunch of bored kids? Saihara couldn't think any more because he jumped in surprise (he does this with almost every movement) - hot, still steaming coffee appeared on the table.
"Shuichi? How are you doing, kid? You've been muttering something about not getting enough sleep since this morning, so I made you some coffee." The man sat down on the chair next to him, finishing his second breakfast. It was quite ironic, considering that evening was slowly approaching.
I won't lie if I say that this coffee is the biggest relief of the day. As a teenager, I used to laugh that the first lesson without caffeine wasn't a lesson, but with each passing year, I function worse and worse without it. You have to die for something, right?
“Well...” I took a sip. The slightly bitter taste spread across my tongue and finally reached my throat. How nice it is when my throat still hurts!
The older man looked gently at my hands. “Oh, that thing... damn it...” I looked at my uncle's irritated face. I mean, it was actually calm, but I always notice other people's emotions, or maybe I'm just oversensitive. I took another sip and finally said, “What's up?”
He sighed.
“Don't you think it's just a bunch of kids?”
Oh yes, I noticed that right away.
“Well... I think so too, looking at it this way.”
“But the problem is that it's too much, several times a week, but each time they leave more and more evidence, and we're not making any progress. They're playing with us, and they're definitely succeeding,” he interrupted me.
“You don't have anything?”
"Well, in theory we have something on their leader, but they always wear masks and don't like meetings very much. We often see them in action, but they hide easily. The worst thing is their leader, because we practically never see him anywhere.
You know what I mean? They give us so many clues that we end up empty-handed, outplayed by their games."
Okay, now I know more. I suspect that's why there's so much work now. If this happens almost every day... it's terribly difficult, no, not difficult, just tedious. those kids... maybe someone my age? or is it someone older, trying to remain a child? whoever he is, the fun must end. this is not a circus, it's real life. - the boy finished his coffee, sighing at the ticking clock
“Oh, I kept you at work again, haha,” he laughed. “To be honest, you're starting to look like a corpse. Pack up and go home. See you tomorrow.”
“I can stay...” I was interrupted by a chuckle, and my uncle patted me on the back.
“No way, I don't want to see you here anymore.”
I sighed and packed my things. Even though he often irritated me and always will, I will always love him like my own parent. He is really caring - I owe him a lot.
“Bye...” I said quietly, hoping he heard me, put on my jacket, and signed out of work.
It was late autumn, so a pleasant chill blew across my cheeks. It always stressed me out to walk home alone in the dark—not that I'm scared, but I look over my shoulder about every five minutes. Despite everything, I lived in a fairly quiet neighborhood. There were a lot of fields, nature, many abandoned but quiet places (I definitely loved the quiet ones), and at the same time, it wasn't difficult to get to the city, and I chose a nice apartment for myself. The only useful thing from my parents is maybe money? I have a very nice and well-kept apartment, for half a year now, but I have it.
I take that back, it's not nice, if my mother can read my mind, I apologize profusely.
And anyway, it didn't make much difference, I work a lot, I know what money is and I respect it!
I also wondered whether to get a cat. Dogs are adorable, but a dog would be bored with me. It's not that I don't have a heart for animals, but I'm afraid that my social battery would run out even with a dog. Cats are such an oasis of peace - unless you come across a crazy ginger cat - I'm not stereotyping, but movies with silly cats always feature a lot of them with that distinctive coat color.
After about 40 minutes, I finally reached my apartment. I took the keys out of the small pocket of my backpack and opened the door. Honestly? I took off my pants and fell onto the bed. It was a tragic day.
An annoying sound rang in my ears, I quickly grabbed my phone and turned it off. 6 AM. Why am I doing this to myself? I lay there for a few minutes staring at the ceiling. Am I having an emotional breakdown? Maybe? Although I have one every day when I wake up, so it's nothing serious. I washed my face and made myself some coffee. I didn't have time yesterday, and coffee in the morning is definitely the best.
I packed my things, got ready, and left the house. I think a walk will do me good. I don't usually eat breakfast because I feel terrible, so I'll probably stop by the nearest store next to work and buy something to keep me from feeling hungry and, at the same time, from getting dizzy. I'd like to gain weight, but I never manage to. My mom says it's in my genes, but I rarely believe her. I don't know what made me do it, but instead of taking the usual route, I headed towards the city. Maybe I'm really hungry? I'll think about a light salad.
Today was a little warmer, and the sun was shining nicely. Even my mood improved, somehow.
I slowly turned into the old streets. Why? I don't know. My subconscious told me to.
The streets were quite narrow and long. The buildings lining them were as old as the world, seriously old. They weren't particularly tall, but tall enough that you would have to climb to get onto the roof. Why am I thinking about this? I don't know. At one point, I stopped, and my heart was beating faster.
I feel like I'm being watched.
I took off my headphones and looked around - empty.
I sighed with relief, but I still felt a strange sensation in my throat and stomach. I was about to put my headphones back on when suddenly I heard.
“Hey, detective, over here!”
Black and purple combat boots hung from one building, and purple hair, partially covered by a mask, blew slightly in the autumn wind.
No. Fucking. Way.