At 5:30 p.m., Shuichi Hayashi was prepping ingredients for the evening rush at the izakaya when he caught Kogoro Mouri sneaking a peek through a crack in the door, looking shifty as ever.
"Just come in already," Shuichi said, exasperated.
"Heh heh," Kogoro gave an awkward chuckle, slinking inside before dropping into a dramatic ninety-degree bow. "Gomen nasai, Shuichi!"
"Save it," Shuichi snorted. "How did Reiko get a key?"
"My mom gave it to her," Kogoro said, scratching his head. "Once she heard Reiko was your cousin, she was smitten. When Reiko said she was cleaning your place, Mom handed over the key without a second thought."
Kogoro leaned in, his expression turning sleazy. "So, your collection… really all gone? You didn't stash any treasures away?"
"Everything was in that box!" Shuichi growled, glaring. "Thanks to you, flipping through it last night and leaving it scattered all over the floor."
"I thought you'd clean it up later," Kogoro said with a sheepish grin. "Didn't expect Reiko to show up today…"
"Who's Reiko?" a voice interrupted from the doorway.
Shuichi and Kogoro turned to see Yukiko Fujimine stepping inside. Ditching her school uniform, she wore yellow sandals, a sky-blue dress, and a white hat with a red ribbon bow. The bright ensemble made her already striking features pop with an effortless, radiant charm.
Kogoro's jaw dropped, and even Shuichi couldn't help but admire her. Compared to their childhood friend, who hid behind bulky glasses and plain clothes, Yukiko knew how to turn heads.
"Reiko's my cousin," Shuichi said, snapping out of it. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm exhausted," Yukiko groaned, ignoring his question. She plopped onto a stool at the counter, sprawling across it without a care for appearances. "Water. I'm dying of thirst."
Kogoro scrambled to fetch a glass, while Shuichi chuckled. "Shopping wore you out that bad?"
"Shopping? As if!" Yukiko slapped the counter indignantly. "I went to buy that hot detective novel, Night Baron. Tons of bookstores were sold out. I trekked to half a dozen before I finally found a copy."
She paused, her frustration mounting. "I was this close to buying it when I saw an ad at Mihama Mall. Yusaku Kudo was holding a signing event at the third-floor bookstore!"
"Let me guess," Shuichi said, smirking. "You didn't buy it and ran to join the line."
"Exactly," Yukiko pouted. "I queued all morning. Yusaku Kudo didn't even show up until noon to start signing."
"Did you get a signed copy?" Kogoro asked, setting the water in front of her, his curiosity piqued.
Yukiko shot him a withering look, downing the glass in one gulp. "Do you see a book in my hands?"
"No," Kogoro said, blinking. "You didn't get one?"
"I was worried about losing my spot, so I didn't even step out for water. I stood there all day," she fumed, clenching her teeth. "And just when it was almost my turn, they ran out of Night Baron! That jerk Yusaku Kudo—why didn't he bring more copies?"
"I've got a copy of Night Baron," Shuichi offered, then remembered, "but it's at Eri's place. Once she's done with it, I'll lend it to you."
"Really?" Yukiko's face lit up, but then she glanced around, puzzled. "Where's that stingy glasses-girl? She's not here today?"
"Eri's got a cold and's resting at home," Shuichi replied.
"A cold?" Yukiko smirked. "Figures. Glasses-girls are always so frail, skipping workouts."
"Frail?" Shuichi shook his head. "Eri could take on ten of you."
"What?" Yukiko's eyes widened, skeptical. "That glasses-girl's that tough?"
"Eri's been training in martial arts with Shuichi since we were kids," Kogoro explained. "She looks delicate, but she's no pushover."
"Huh," Yukiko nodded, her big eyes twinkling as she turned to Shuichi. "Well, maybe I could—"
"No way," Shuichi cut her off.
"Hey, I didn't even finish!" Yukiko huffed, puffing out her cheeks. "You promised yesterday to teach me something. Don't tell me you're backing out?"
"Back then, maybe," Shuichi said. "But now? I'm running this izakaya. No time to teach you martial arts. If you want to learn, join a school club. You'll pick up plenty there."
"Shuichi's right," Kogoro chimed in eagerly. "Join our judo club! We—"
"Is the judo club even active right now?" Yukiko interrupted.
"…Not yet," Kogoro admitted, scratching his neck. "But it will be soon."
"No thanks. I'm not hanging out in a room where someone died," Yukiko said, waving him off. "Anyway, what's for dinner tonight?"
"Tonight?" Shuichi raised an eyebrow. "You're planning to mooch food and drinks?"
"Mooch?" Yukiko gasped, indignant. "I pay for my meals. I'm a customer, Hayashi-kun. Treat me like royalty!"
"If you're a customer, come back when we're open," Shuichi said with a sly smile. "Right now, we're not taking walk-ins."
"You!" Yukiko gritted her teeth, standing to leave.
Before Shuichi could stop her, Kogoro blurted, "Eri's not here tonight. Why don't you help us with the cash register?"
"Hey—" Shuichi started to protest, but Yukiko was already nodding enthusiastically.
If Eri finds out, you're a dead man, Shuichi signaled with a glare.
She's sick, right? If we don't tell her, she'll never know, Kogoro shot back with a wink.
"What are you two doing?" Yukiko asked, squinting at their silent exchange. "Where's my work uniform? Can I change now?"
With the deal done, Shuichi had no choice but to let her stay. He dug out Eri's work uniform. "This is the only one we've got. It's Eri's, so…" He glanced at Yukiko's chest. "Might be a bit tight."
"This is the uniform?" Yukiko held it up, grimacing. "It's hideous. The style and color are so outdated. Can't the izakaya get something cuter, like a maid outfit?"
(End of Chapter)