19:12 PM
Tokyo at night was decorated with colorful neon lights, making it look particularly gorgeous.
A peaceful yet lively evening.
Orange lights streamed from the open windows of shops along the bustling commercial street, accompanying the silhouettes moving across the paved sidewalks.
"Sorry for the wait, Yoshiki-kun!"
Okino Yoko's bright and cheerful voice made the waiting Hayashi Yoshiki smile.
The two had finally chosen to meet in a small alleyway.
Because there was no one around, Yoko Okino took the opportunity to remove her sunglasses and mask.
She looked especially beautiful today.
Her long chestnut hair was neatly styled, and her expressive face had a faint blush to it.
But was it a deliberate disguise?
Wearing a white blouse paired with a black OL-style suit, she resembled a sharp office professional. Her round, slender legs were wrapped in black pantyhose, making her look incredibly attractive.
"I actually wore this during a TV drama shoot. What do you think, Yoshiki-kun?"
As if she had noticed Hayashi Yoshiki's slight surprise, Yoko Okino spoke up on her own.
"That's a little too pretty, Yoko."
"...It's not that exaggerated."
She hunched her shoulders a little shyly and smiled.
Then, seeing the smile on Hayashi Yoshiki's face, she asked:
"So, are we going now?"
"We should probably eat first, right?"
"...Yeah."
Yoko Okino was indeed a little hungry.
The two walked out of the alley, and Yoko Okino lowered her head slightly to put her mask and sunglasses back on.
Wearing a hat would've been safer, but she'd styled her hair carefully today…
Hayashi Yoshiki and Okino Yoko walked side by side.
No hand-holding.
No chatting either.
Yoko Okino kept her head lowered—she was clearly worried about being recognized... and since her voice was very distinctive, she didn't want to speak too loudly.
Suddenly, Hayashi Yoshiki reached out and gently grabbed her hand.
"It's a red light."
His gentle voice carried through.
Yoko Okino nodded.
She glanced at his hand beneath her sunglasses and realized his hands were broader and warmer than she'd imagined.
It was early summer in June, and the heat had begun to settle in.
People around them were less relaxed than during cooler weather—most hurried along the sidewalk.
More pedestrians began to gather at the crosswalk under the red light.
When the signal changed and they began to walk again, Yoko Okino, still being led by the hand, suddenly realized the red light must've ended earlier than she thought… but Yoshiki was still holding her hand.
"What do you usually like to eat?" he asked.
"...Probably yakiniku and sukiyaki."
"Because you don't get to eat those often?"
"Yes."
As expected of Yoshiki-kun.
Yoko Okino couldn't help but smile under her mask.
But truthfully, she didn't want to eat that kind of food today—those dishes would leave odors on her hair and clothes.
"What about you, Yoshiki-kun? What do you like to eat?"
"Me? McDonald's nutritious breakfast."
"Huh?"
Yoko Okino was very surprised.
"Surprised?"
"A little. I thought Yoshiki-kun would be the type to enjoy dining in fancy Western restaurants..."
"I go to places like that sometimes."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
Since they were walking through a busy area, when speaking to Yoko Okino, he would use his other hand to lift his mask slightly and speak in a deliberately muffled voice. He found it rather amusing.
Walking side by side, the two suddenly decided on sushi for dinner.
——Conveyor belt sushi.
"I've been wanting to try this kind of sushi for a long time."
"Then let's go in."
"Okay."
Hayashi Yoshiki had noticed that the sushi restaurant had dividers between the bar seats, which made it easier to maintain privacy.
The food was just okay.
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't really like eating raw food. He mostly ordered cooked sushi and similar dishes.
Yoko Okino seemed delighted just to be eating out with him.
"I didn't know conveyor belt sushi restaurants had gashapon machines. I never knew that."
"Well, it's not exactly common knowledge."
After they left the restaurant, Hayashi Yoshiki kept holding her hand. The way he naturally extended his hand made it feel completely natural.
Yoko Okino was quietly excited.
Hayashi Yoshiki glanced at his watch. "It's not even eight yet—still early."
"Yeah."
"Come to think of it, I forgot to ask—Yoko, aren't you tired after working all day?"
"Not really. Today's scenes were all very light, and I had time to nap in the afternoon."
"Sounds nice."
"So what did you do today, Yoshiki-kun?"
"I checked on the new office, then replaced my passbook. After that, I just looked forward to today."
"..."
Seeing the smile on Hayashi Yoshiki's face, Yoko Okino momentarily held her breath.
Even with her sunglasses on, she was too shy to meet his gaze.
They fell into brief silence.
But it wasn't awkward.
As they kept walking, Yoko Okino's attention shifted to their footsteps… She noticed they were out of sync, so she quietly adjusted her stride to match his.
Hayashi Yoshiki noticed.
"..."
"..."
"The office you mentioned earlier, Yoshiki-kun, do you mean your detective agency?"
"Yeah. I ordered the sign and the lightbox this afternoon. If we're lucky, it'll be ready tomorrow."
"I see... Actually, that reminds me—"
"Hm?"
"I might be cast in another TV drama, and the director mentioned hiring a professional detective as a consultant for the storyline."
"Really?"
Yoko Okino began talking about the drama project.
It was a mystery-themed show—in this world, detective-related stories were very popular with the public.
Hayashi Yoshiki thought it was worth considering.
He needed more visibility and a higher social standing. Otherwise, the texts from Gin over the past few days—all ordering assassinations—wouldn't stop.
Gin had even gone so far as to help him open an office—to "free up" more time for Organization work.
Tch. A model worker pushing others to become model workers too.
"Yoshiki-kun, do you like cats?"
As they passed by a cat café, Yoko Okino asked.
"Cats? I guess... I think I do."
He answered her honestly, then noticed Yoko Okino looking through the window of the café.
"Want to go in?" he asked.
"...I don't know."
"Hm?"
"I think cats are cute, but I've never interacted with one before..."
Yoko Okino replied hesitantly.
Ever since she became a well-known idol, her agency and manager had strictly forbidden her from being around animals, for fear of injuries.
"Then let's go in and have a look."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
"Eh...?"
"It's okay. I'm here."
He gently took her hand and led her toward the cat café. After hesitating for just a moment, Yoko Okino followed.