Clink and Click

After playing in the snow, Jun and Akari spent the afternoon unpacking some of Akari's boxes.

"You know... I've just noticed you don't own a single piece of cooking equipment." Jun said as he unpacked the plates.

"Oh." Akari pouted as she carefully unwrapped a mug. "Why do you have to notice things like that?"

"I notice everything about you." He smirked. "Like how you don't own a single bowl..."

She huffed. "I was going to get some."

"Sure you were..." He shot her a questioning look. "Right after the cooking equipment I suppose?"

Akari threw the packing paper at Jun. "Oh hush. I'll get them the next time I go shopping, better?"

Jun caught the paper easily with a small smile. "Do you want to go together?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You think I can't do it on my own?"

"Of course not. But you might need my expertise." He glanced at her. "Do you know the difference between a cast iron pan and a stainless-steel pan?"

Akari blinked. "There's a difference...?

He let out a small teasing laugh. "Maybe."

"So much for your expertise..."

"We'll get you a nonstick pan-" 

Jun's phone buzzed, he looked at the caller with a sigh before answering. "What?"

Akari watched as Jun quietly listened on the phone, he eyes glanced at her as if apologizing for the interruption.

Once the phone call was over, Jun ran a hand through his hair. 

Akari's eyes flickered with worry. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah everything is fine." He paused, debating before proceeding carefully. "Do you still want to get better at talking to people?"

Akari tilted her head, confused where his question came from. "I do... Why?"

Jun's phone buzzed with a text. He quickly read over the message. "Michi wants to get together before the year ends to celebrate. She invited us but if you're not comfortable then we won't go."

"Michi invited us...?"

He nodded. "Tomorrow night at an Izakaya. It would be Michi, Kota, and you and me, if you want."

Akari fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. "It's only four of us. I think I can handle that."

"So you want to go?"

She nodded. "It might be fun."

-

The following night, Jun and Akari arrived at the Izakaya. Warm light spilled onto the street from the small wooden building, and the faint scent of grilled food and soy sauce drifted in the air as they stepped inside.

Inside was warm and lively, filled with the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses. 

Jun and Akari were led down a narrow corridor to a small private room to be met by Michi and Kota who were already there, seated on the cushions with drinks in hand.

As the door closed behind them, Akari finally pulled her hood and mask down.

"Finally!" Michi chimed. "Was beginning to think you'd bail again."

Akari bowed her head politely. "Sorry we're late."

"Oh please, it's fine." Michi glanced at Kota. "Kota, move."

Kota groaned as he got up. "Tsk. Why do I have to move?"

Michi gestured for Jun and Akari to sit across from her and Kota. "So the lovebirds can sit together, obviously."

Lovebirds? Akari glanced at Jun, her cheeks started to warm. 

Jun guided Akari to sit beside him. "I see you've already started drinking?"

Kota held his glass up. "We worked hard this year. We deserve it."

"Michi worked hard with all her kids." Jun shot Kota a questioning look. "What did you do this year?"

"Hey! I did all the grunt work for you." Kota defended. "Without me, this whole case wouldn't have seen the light of day."

"Didn't you just interrogate one man and then deliver a letter?" Michi asked as she put her glass down.

"You two can't seriously be ganging up on me right now." Kota looked to Akari in desperation. "I helped a lot, didn't I, Akari?"

"Huh?" Akari blinked, caught off guard. "I... uh... I don't really know what you did..."

Michi laughed. "See? Even Akari can't defend you."

Kota pouted. "I can't believe you guys. I worked super hard."

"Sure you did..." Jun brushed him off. 

Kota protested dramatically. Akari couldn't help but laugh along with Jun and Michi.

Jun let his hand rest on Akari's thigh beneath the table, out of sight, giving it a light squeeze as a reminder that she could relax.

"Jokes aside." Jun looked at Kota with sincerity. "Thank you, Kota. You helped out plenty."

Kota cringed. "Okay stop. That doesn't suit you."

Akari chuckled lightly before turning to Kota and Michi, lowering her head. "Thank you for your help. I don't know what I would've done without you all."

Michi's eyes softened. "Raise your head sweetie. It's what friends do."

Akari raised her head. "Friends?"

"Any friend of Jun, is a friend of ours, right?" Michi nudged Kota.

Kota smirked. "I don't know... I much rather be friends with just Akari than Jun." His expression and tone too flirty for Jun's liking.

"Like I would ever let that happen..." Jun's jaw tightened slightly as he muttered to himself. But Akari caught it despite him trying to be subtle.

Akari placed her hand over his. "Jun..."

Jun glanced at her, his face softening. "Sorry..."

"Hey Akari." Michi interrupted gently. "Are your blue eyes your real color?"

"Huh?" Akari blinked. "My real color...?" Akari quickly looked at her reflection in her handheld mirror, surprised to see her natural blue eyes stare back at her. When did I stop wearing my contacts...? The realization took Akari off guard. Since when did she stop trying to mask and hide herself?

Jun noticed her pause. He gently let his thumb circle her thigh to steady her. 

Michi noticed Akari's pause too and offered a warm smile. "Well, I think they're prettier than the red contacts."

Jun smiled at her. "I do too."

Akari looked up, her thoughts still scattered. "Thank you..."

Just then, the server arrived with steaming plates of yakitori, grilled fish, a few side dishes, and a round of sake and beer for the four of them.

"Finally!" Michi exclaimed. "I'm starving."

Kota placed the sake glasses in front of each of them, raising his own. "Here's to the success of taking down the biggest criminal organization in this city." He glanced at Akari. "And to new friends we made along the way."

The rest of them raised their glasses, clinking them together in celebration.

Clink.

The warm sake left a sharp bitter taste in Akari's mouth, but she brushed it off. As they dug into the food and continued drinking beer and sake, the friendly banter continued. Nostalgic stories of their detective team days, Kota complaining how he can't find a date, Michi rambling about her kids, and Jun quietly chuckling at it all.

Akari found herself smiling, letting herself enjoy the stories and laughter around her. She glanced at Jun, who caught her eye and gave her a soft smile. Her insides warmed in an odd way that she didn't quite understand.

"You know..." Michi tilted her head, studying Jun and Akari. "There's something different with you two..."

Akari met Michi's eyes, her face flushed. "Different...?"

"The way you two look at each other..." A knowing smile crept to Michi's face. "It's very familiar." 

Jun shifted slightly, trying to act casual, though he couldn't hide the small proud smile that lingered on his lips. "Oh really?"

Kota looked between the three of them, not quite following. "Wait what?"

"Oh nothing." Michi teased, waving it off easily. But her eyes fell back on Akari whose face was much too flushed for someone merely embarrassed. "Akari, you okay?"

Akari barely nodded. "Yeah... Just warm..."

Jun moved closer for Akari to lean on him. "Do you feel sick?"

Kota took another sip of his beer. "It is a bit hot in here. Maybe she needs some air."

Michi shook her head, her eyes flicking between Akari and the empty sake cup. "No. She's drunk."

Jun stiffened. "What?"

Akari buried her face slightly into Jun's shoulder. "Is that why my body feels so heavy...?"

Kota laughed. "Wow, we have a lightweight on our hands."

Michi elbowed him sharply as she handed Jun a glass of water. "Help her drink this."

Jun's face twisted with concern as he tried to help her drink. "You should told me you were feeling it."

Akari groaned as she pushed the water away. "I didn't know... I've never drank before."

Jun froze. "Never?"

Michi sighed softly. "That explains it. I'll call you a cab."

Jun set the glass down and wrapped his arm more securely around Akari. "That's my fault. I should've checked."

Akari shook her head against his shoulder. "No it's okay. I wanted to. I'm just dizzy..."

Jun's grip tightened slightly. "Still..."

"She'll be fine." Michi's smile softened. "She just needs water, food, and someone by her side."

Kota smirked. "Looks like that part's covered."

"Cab's here." Michi stood to help Akari with her coat.

Jun slipped his own coat on. When Akari's steps wobbled, he didn't hesitate. Jun gently lifted her up to carry her.

"Jun... Put me down. I can walk..." Akari murmured sleepily. 

"Just let me help you." Jun said quietly, adjusting his hold to make sure she was comfortable. He then turned to Michi and Kota. "Thanks for dinner."

"Get home safe." Michi waved as they left.

When they were left alone again, Kota shot Michi a knowing look. "So should we be preparing for the wedding now or...?"

Michi let out a sigh. "I just hope they're not that obvious in public. She's a celebrity after all..."

Kota leaned back. "Yeah... That could get messy." He sighed. "Still... It's nice seeing him like that."

Michi smirked. "Jealous, are you?"

"Very!" Kota whined, slumping against the table.

-

Jun held Akari carefully in his arms as they stepped out into the cold night air. He carefully opened the cab door and eased Akari into the seat, placing her hood over her head a little later than he would've preferred.

Click.

Jun froze. A faint noise had come from somewhere in the distance. He looked around, eyes scanning the quiet street, but he couldn't see anything. Did I imagine it? He looked back at Akari and figured the best thing to do was focus on getting her home.