Chương 18: A Lighthearted Conversation
(A/N: When planning out the chapter, I wanted to create an almost Light vs L type of dynamic between Tsukauchi and Kramer that I hopefully deliver to you guys!)
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[1 Day Later]
[Narrator's POV]
The early morning sunlight filtered through the glass windows of the small convenience store, casting a soft golden hue over the shelves. It was quiet, with only the low hum of the refrigerator units in the back breaking the stillness. The smell of recently stocked vanilla ice cream mixed with the faint aroma of freshly mopped floors, and the occasional rustling of pages echoed softly as Kramer flipped through his novel.
He sat comfortably behind the cashier, engrossed in the novel as one hand was lazily dangling a television remote. The store had been open for just under half an hour, and he hadn't seen a single customer yet. But such a sight was understandable given how early in the morning it was.
The world outside seemed to be waking up slowly, much like himself.
"In other news, police and Pro Heroes alike are now on the lookout for a woman named Naito Izumi for the murder of Yoshimoto Seiji, the CEO of the Seiji Fishing Corporation. He was found dead in his office this morning, impaled by a harpoon gun. Though information is currently limited, sources suggest that the murder was premeditated, with Izumi being terminated from the company only days prior. We will continue to upd-"
With the press of a button, Kramer switched the morning news broadcast to something less distracting, turning a page as he did before continuing to read in silence.
'A woman willing to murder for revenge… perhaps there's a lesson to be taught here…' Kramer thought to himself as it sparked ideas for future plans.
Suddenly, the faint chime of the entrance bell rang out, interrupting the peaceful ambiance. Kramer's eyes briefly flashed up from his book, his expression neutral as he noted the familiar face that had just entered.
Detective Tsukauchi, dressed in his usual brown coat and tie, strolled in with an air of casual ease, though his sharp eyes were alert.
"Morning," Tsukauchi greeted, a friendly smile touching his lips as he picked up a basket from near the entrance and started to browse the shelves.
"Good morning," Kramer responded with a nod, his voice calm as he closed the book with deliberate slowness. "Can I help you find something?"
"Just doing a bit of early shopping," Tsukauchi replied, his tone light and nonchalant. He moved toward the snack aisle, glancing at a few items before selecting a can of Pringles. "Got to stock up before the day gets busy, you know?"
Kramer chuckled lightly, his eyes watching the detective with a practiced calm. "I suppose even people in the morning need their snacks," he said, standing up from behind the counter, stretching his legs as he casually tucked his novel away.
The atmosphere felt light, but there was an unspoken tension that lingered beneath the surface. Tsukauchi's eyes subtly scanned the store, taking in every detail as if he were piecing together a puzzle.
"You run this place all by yourself?" he asked, putting another bag of chips in the basket before moving to a different aisle. "Pretty much," Kramer replied, his eyes following the detective's every move. "It's manageable, but I enjoy the work. Keeps me busy."
'True.'
"I can imagine it does," Tsukauchi said with a chuckle, his legs guiding him toward the back of the convenience store where the cold beverages were stored. "Must get some interesting characters coming through here."
Kramer tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You'd be surprised. Mostly regular folks going about their day. Though, every now and then, someone leaves a memorable impression."
'True.'
"Quite relatable," Tsukauchi replied, his smile widening just a fraction. "In my line of work, you meet all sorts. Some are more memorable than others…"
"I suppose so," Kramer said, his tone carrying a note of polite curiosity. "You're a detective, correct? Homicide division of the Police Force, if I'm not mistaken?"
Tsukauchi's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across his features before he nodded affirmatively. "That's right. How did you know?"
Kramer gestured subtly to the badge clipped at Tsukauchi's waist, its inscription briefly catching the light. "Not many carry that particular badge unless they're with homicide. Plus, you've been on the news a few times, handling some high-profile cases."
"Observant," Tsukauchi remarked appreciatively. "Makes sense, given how well-kept your store is. It pays to have a good eye for things, I suppose."
"It does. I like to keep things in order," Kramer replied modestly, his gaze steady. "Makes life simpler, easier to navigate through."
'True.'
"Agreed," the detective concurred, pausing momentarily before continuing. "Speaking of order, I was actually in the neighbourhood following up on some recent incidents. Thought I'd drop by and see how things are going, especially after that unfortunate theft you experienced not too long ago."
Kramer's expression remained unchanged, though there was a subtle shift in his eyes — a spark of recognition at the direction the conversation was taking. "I appreciate the concern, but everything's been fine since then. The necessary reports were filed, and the bank handled the cancellations without any trouble. Inconvenient, but manageable."
'True.'
"But I'm curious," Kramer started. "How did you know that I was a victim of a crime like theft? Such a small crime in the grand scheme of things…" Tsukauchi paused for a moment, placing a bottle of iced tea into his basket as he considered the question.
"I was reviewing a few case files this morning before coming here," he explained. "I guess yours happened to be the last one I looked at. It probably just stuck with me, given how recent it was."
Kramer shrugged as the response, accepting the answer without probing too much. "But I will say, looking over those files is a nice break from all the Jigsaw crimes that have happened recently."
"Mmhm," Kramer hummed, tapping a finger on the counter as he did so. "It's certainly been hard to miss, especially after your declaration live on television claiming that you were going to capture the guy."
'True.'
"How do you feel about all that by the way?" Tsukauchi questioned, walking out of the beverages section of the store and walking towards the register. "With all the Jigsaw stuff in the news, must be quite the topic around here."
Kramer took a moment before answering. "People talk about it, of course. It's natural for something so shocking to dominate conversations. But I think most folks are just trying to go about their lives, hoping it doesn't affect them personally."
'True.'
"I guess so," Tsukauchi agreed, setting his basket on the counter. "It's interesting how people react to crime. The recent case with the CEO, for example… Some say the harpoon gun was overkill, others see it as a fitting end for someone they believed was in the wrong."
Kramer's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained neutral. "People have different views on justice. Some take matters into their own hands when they feel the system has failed them. But murder… it's never justified."
'True.'
Tsukauchi nodded slowly, observing Kramer's reaction closely. "You're right. Murder is never the answer, no matter the reason." He paused, then leaned slightly closer with a playful smirk only jesters could have.
"You wouldn't happen to be Jigsaw yourself, would you?"
"I'm not a murderer, Detective," he replied softly, his tone carrying a note of definiteness as he met the detective's gaze evenly.
'True.'
Tsukauchi chuckled, stepping back. "Just checking. Never hurts to be safe, right?" Kramer could only hum in response as the Jigsaw began to ring up the items one by one. There was a brief pause as the conversation lulled, the sounds of items beeping filling the air.
But it didn't take long before Kramer started asking questions of his own. "So," he began, "how have the cases been going? The ones you're working on, I mean?" Tsukauchi raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression was neutral but curious. "Why do you ask?"
Kramer shrugged lightly, scanning another item and placing it in a plastic bag. "Just a natural curiosity, I suppose. It's not every day you have a detective in your store, and even more so to talk to a detective one-on-one. Especially with all the Jigsaw stuff, your line of work has to be pretty demanding."
Tsukauchi studied Kramer for a moment. His gaze was sharp as if he was weighing the intent behind the question. Then, he nodded slightly. "It has. The Jigsaw case, in particular, has been… challenging. He's meticulous and leaves very little behind. We've been piecing things together since the first case, but it's slow work."
"Sounds frustrating," Kramer remarked, his voice carrying a note of empathy. "I can't imagine how difficult it must be to track someone like that down, especially when they seem to stay one step ahead, taunting you like a carrot on a string."
'True.'
"Mmhm," Tsukauchi admitted with a thoughtful hum as he continued. "But we've made some progress. We're narrowing down potential suspects, and there have been some promising leads. It's just a matter of time before we catch him."
Kramer nodded, his expression showing polite interest as he scanned the last item. "I'm sure you'll get him," he said steadily. "It's only a matter of time, as you said. I can personally assure you that the moment he's in custody is the day you get some well-deserved sleep."
'True.'
Tsukauchi smiled slightly at that, though his eyes remained vigilant. "I appreciate the vote of confidence. We're doing everything we can back in the Police Force to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. One coffee at a time, haha."
Kramer handed the bag of items over to the detective, his hand brushing against Tsukauchi's briefly as he did so. "I'm sure you are," he replied, his tone calm and measured. "Though I imagine that dealing with cases like this must be mentally exhausting. How do you manage to stay on top of it all?"
Tsukauchi's smile widened a fraction, though there was a hint of something more serious beneath it. "It's part of the job. You have to stay focused, even when things get tough. You learn to compartmentalize, to keep your personal life separate from your work."
Kramer nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought as he processed the information. "It must take a lot of strength to do that. To keep your personal feelings from getting in the way of the job, right?"
"It does," Tsukauchi agreed, his tone carrying a note of respect. "But it's necessary. The moment you let your emotions take over, you start making mistakes. And in this line of work, mistakes can be detrimental to the case and your coworkers."
Kramer's expression softened slightly as he handed over the receipt. "You're right. In a field like yours, things can never be personal. It's a tough balance to maintain, but it sounds like you've got a good handle on it." Tsukauchi took the receipt, his eyes briefly scanning the total before tucking it into his pocket. "It's not always easy, but it's what needs to be done…"
The conversation seemed to lull once more as Kramer grabbed the plastic bag, now filled with cheap snacks and drinks and handed it over to the detective. Tsukauchi eyed Yuudai before grabbing the bag from his hands and sparking the conversation back to life.
"You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, Yuudai," Tsukauchi said, his tone light, but there was a note of genuine admiration underlying his words. "Ever thought about joining the force yourself? It's rare to find someone with your level of observation and composure. We could use someone like you."
Kramer's lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile, his eyes gleaming with subtle enjoyment. "I'm just a simple shopkeeper, Detective. Trying to make a living and keep things in order around here. But I have to admit, it's a flattering suggestion. I'll certainly keep it in mind."
'False…? What part?'
Tsukauchi chuckled softly, but there was a seriousness in his eyes that belied his casual tone.
"I mean it, Yuudai. With the way you carry yourself, the way you notice things… those are qualities we look for in good detectives. You've got a sharp mind, and that's something we value on the force. If you ever decide you want a change of pace, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd personally make sure you get a good recommendation."
Kramer's smile remained, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes as he processed the offer. "I'll have to find someone to run the store for me if I do consider the job. Do you have a number I can contact if I accept your offer?"
Tsukauchi reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small business card, offering it to Kramer with a warm smile. "Here's my direct line. Don't hesitate to call if you ever want to talk about it, or if you come across anything unusual. You never know, you might just have a knack for this kind of work."
Kramer accepted the card, glancing at it briefly before tucking it into his pocket. "I appreciate the offer, Tsukauchi. It's good to know that someone like you is looking out for the community."
Tsukauchi's gaze lingered on Kramer for a moment, as if searching for something deeper in his words. "We all have our roles to play, Yuudai. Whether it's running a store or chasing down leads, every piece matters in the grand scheme of things."
Kramer nodded thoughtfully, his mind already working through the implications of Tsukauchi's words. "Indeed. Every piece matters."
A brief silence followed, filled with the soft hum of the store's ambiance. Tsukauchi finally broke it, shifting slightly as if preparing to leave. "Well, I won't keep you any longer. I've taken up enough of your time."
Kramer nodded again, this time with a polite smile. "It's been a pleasure, Detective. I'm sure we'll cross paths again…"
Tsukauchi returned the smile, though there was a hint of something more — curiosity, perhaps, or a lingering suspicion. "I'm sure we will, Yuudai. Take care…"
Kramer watched as the detective walked out of the store, the bell chiming softly behind him. His smile faded as the door closed, leaving him alone once more. The store was quiet again, but the tension lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the dance they had just engaged in.
As Kramer returned to his book, his mind was already at work, analyzing every word, every expression, and every subtle cue from the detective.
'Working alongside the man hunting me down, what an interesting proposition…'
(A/N: Guys, I know I've said this before but let me cook with the next chapter! I promise that I'll deliver a satisfying trap that all of you will be pleased with. Taking all your comments/suggestions really made this one possible, so thank you all! Anyhow, take care, guys!)
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