Work Text:
While gathering information about the secret lab of Amaterasu Corporation, Yuma Kokohead and Kurumi Wendy decided to search Ginma District. Yuma went to the Golden Path Cafe to see if there was anything useful, with Kurumi following behind.
“Master, do you think you’ll find anything useful at the cafe? Or are you looking for the uniformed waitresses here? Perverted detective…” Shinigami said as Yuma entered.
“I’m not here for the waitresses!” Yuma mentally yelled. “Maybe there is some conversation that may have valuable information. I'm just doing good legwork, yeah?”
“We’ll see about that…” Shinigami grumbled, but Yuma noticed two girls who seemed to be from Aetheria Academy and were discussing something.
“I can’t take this anymore. I have too many tests this semester.”
“And I have a different test tomorrow.”
“But if I do well on this test, I’ll get a new pair of boots!”
“That’s awesome! I should see if I can get my mom to do that too.”
“Oh, then let’s get matching pairs!”
“For sure!”
Yuma then heard Kurumi almost imperceptibly whisper, “Matching pairs, huh…”
“What is it?” Yuma replied.
“Oh, no! It’s nothing!” Kurumi exclaimed as a blush rose on her face.
Cute.
Yuma brushed that thought aside as Shinigami turned angry and spiky, objecting.
“As IF! I’d never let that happen!”
The detective-in-training wanted a break from the truthfully tedious search for this secret lab, so he decided to indulge in Kurumi’s thoughts.
“You want something matching? How about we go search for a store?”
“Huh? Really?” Kurumi was surprised that Yuma both heard her comment and also agreed to get something.
“HEY! Don’t tell me you’re matching with the flatty!” Yuma ignored Shinigami’s complaint and replied, “Yeah. Anyways, I think I’ll enjoy an addition to my outfit.”
Yuma thought he saw stars in the informant’s eyes as she suddenly grabbed his hand for the second time and tugged him outside the cafe.
“Then let’s go Yuma!”
“Argh! Don’t be so sudden!”
“You still don’t have my permission for this!” Shinigami cried out as the two were now rushing towards the nearest store, the death god forced to tag along.
...
An appropriate store ended up just across the street from the cafe, with a name Yuma couldn’t comprehend, like many of the other stores he saw during his stay in Kanai Ward.
“Looks like this store sells clothing and accessories! Let's go in, Yuma!” Kurumi was still excited and was still holding his hand.
While I would say to let go, her hands do feel nice…
Once in, Kurumi scanned the store for anything interesting. “Yuma, what do you think we should get?”
“Um, I guess something simple and inexpensive?” Yuma didn't want to modify his now signature WDO uniform too much nor go too much further into debt, considering Halara and all.
Kurumi pondered for a moment, then something caught her eye. The two went over to a display of various bracelets, with a large selection of colors and designs. “How about these?”
“I can go with them.” Yuma then looked over to see Shinigami looking away, mumbling something about various ways to “murder the flatty”. He sighed, before focusing back on Kurumi and asking, “So what design do you want?”
Kurumi looked over the bracelets, then grabbed one with a strawberry design and another with depictions of green apples.
“Isn’t that the fruits depicted on your jacket?” Yuma noticed.
“Yeah! They’re my favorites!” She explained. “What do you think? Are these okay?”
“I like them. They can remind me of you when we're apart.” Yuma secretly enjoyed the sight of Kurumi becoming flustered at that statement, a pink tinge appearing on her face.
“Y-Yeah! How about we u-um, purchase them then!” Kurumi sputtered out as she brought Yuma to the cashier.
“3,000 shien, please.” The cashier said, but then followed up with, “You two look like a cute couple~”
“N-No! We’re just friends!” Both of them exclaimed with burning faces.
“Mhm, friends who were holding hands the whole time here…”
...
After embarrassingly paying for the bracelets, the two left the store and stayed under cover from the rain.
Kurumi broke the silence by asking, “So which one do you want?”, showing the two bracelets to Yuma.
Yuma thought briefly and decided on the green apple bracelet.
After the two of them put on their respective bracelets, Kurumi suddenly let out an outburst.
“I’m so sorry!”
“For what?” Yuma questioned.
“I forgot I was still holding your hand the entire time, and we both embarrassed ourselves because of it!”
“It’s ok, I…” Yuma looked over to see Shinigami again, this time more dejected than angry. She was pulling on a handkerchief with her mouth, lamenting about how “Master chose the flatty over his soul mate.” He will have to make up for it later but returned to Kurumi.
“I enjoyed holding hands with you.” He put out his hand. “I don’t mind if we keep doing it."
After being reminded of the incident involving the informant and Fubuki, he added, "For the investigation, you know?”
“Huh?!”
“If you don’t mind … but I better not see you like this with Fubuki again!” She grabbed his hand again with a slight flush and a smile on her face.
“Alright, alright…” Yuma sweated a little at this show of jealousy, but he could not deny how cute she was at that moment. He thought about her and the rest of Kanai Ward's isolation in a city of rain for the past three years.
Hopefully, by solving Kanai Ward’s Ultimate Secret, I can change this place and see her smile in a city of more freedom and perhaps sunshine…
“Okay! Let’s resume our search for the secret lab!” Kurumi chirped.
“Right! Let’s go!” Yuma said with renewed determination to find out the truth behind Kanai Ward and Amaterasu Corp, the both of them setting off to Kamasaki District to question people.
After Makoto Kagutsuchi’s intel on the secret lab and Yuma’s absence to visit it with him, Kurumi walked around Kanai Ward to hopefully calm her nerves about his safety, especially after hearing the masked man’s ominous words about his potential last time seeing everyone.
While in Ginma, she overheard chatter from a group of Aetheria girls gossiping about “Kurumi’s boyfriend” and sightings of the two holding hands. She flushed at the thought of being Yuma’s girlfriend but also didn’t deny the pleasant feeling in her chest at the idea of dating a Master Detective who was also her hero.
Maybe I should make a move soon… I guess I'll just have to wait for the perfect moment.
She looks at the strawberry bracelet on her wrist.
Please be safe…