Tears Of Themis || 未定事件簿 FanFiction

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

"Winnie, the entrance is in an alley?" Marine asked.

When we have approached the restaurant's location, Winnie had suddenly pulled us into an alley.

"Grandpa Vern renovated the first floor of his house into the restaurant, so it's not on one of the main streets." Was all that she said.

Even the alley is well kept, probably because it's located in the central business district. The fragrance of camellias wafted over from a nearby flowerbed, setting an elegant atmosphere.

"It's right around the corner. So? Aren't the camellias wonderful? Grandpa Vern planted them for his wife." She stopped then turned around to us.

"Yes, they're beautiful indeed," I said.

"I see. Mr. Green really loved his wife, didn't he?" Mariene commented but upon turning the corner, she freezed.

I stepped forward to look for what she saw, but all I can saw was a young man with light brown hair wearing an orange shirt and navy green jacket over it.

"Lu-Luke!?" She muttered out loud.

The man turned towards her voice and was visibly surprised, but then his coral eyes reflected a glint of happiness.

"Mariene? Is it really you!?" He ran toward us with a sunny smile
You

"I ... I didn't expect to see you here. How have you been?" He examined the girl from hair to toe as if he didn't believe what he saw right before his eyes.

"I've been great. How about you? There was no news of you after you left for the capital. I didn't expect that we'd meet again like this ...," She answered. "Back then, my parents and I contacted National Central University, and they said you were selected for a secret research project, So ...."

"Y-Yeah ... It was a confidential national project. During the experiment, I wasn't allowed to have any outside contact. I came back as soon as it ended. I–"

"And you didn't contact me? It's not like I changed my number!" She cut him off and playfully punched his arm.

"Well, I ...." Luke extended his hands forward, as if wanting to hold hers.

"Luke ...," The girl muttered.

Luke withdrawed his outstretched hands and put them behind his back.

"It wasn't my choice. Can you forgive me?" He asked with his puppy eyes.

Her eyes softened then said, "There's nothing to forgive. I'm not angry. I'm so happy to see you again!"

"Really? You really are happy to see me?" The man went back to his cheerful self. In response to the excitement in her voice, Luke's tense body relaxed.

"Of course. Are you back for good, or will you have to leave again?" She asked.

Luke's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly smiled again.

"Do you want me to stay?" He playfully teased.

"It's not like what I say matters. The country owns you now, doesn't it?" Mariene answered the question herself.

"Of course your words matter! I'll listen to you this time–"

"Ahem!" I fake coughed to remind them that there are still other people here.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot. Luke, this is ...." Mariene was about to introduce us, but she just realized that she hadn't even asked my name yet.

"Joanne. My name is Joanne Charmaine, but you can just call me Joanne. I'm a new intern at Themis Law Firm, but I used to work as a free agent at AJ's Corporation."

"AJ's Corporation?!" Mariene exclaimed in disbelief. "Wow, you must be a really amazing person!"

"Yeah, I heard it's almost as famous as Pax Group," Luke added, crossing his arms.

"Well, then Joanne, this is Luke Pearce. He is my childhood friend but we got separated when we were 16 years old because he was accepted at National Central University and had to move to the capital, while I pursuit to study law in Stellis University."

"Nice to meet you, Luke." I extended my arm to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you too," He said.

"Oh, and he's also a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes," Mariene blurted out intentionally.

"Hey, you didn't have to say that!" Luke protested. But I didn't pay attention to what they're saying anymore, because I instantly got fired up at the sound of that name.

"Wait, you're also a fan of Sherlock Holmes?!" I exclaimed out loud.

"Uh ... Yes?" He answered awkwardly.

"Me too!!!" I said enthusiastically with a wide grin on my face.

"Wow, that's great!"

"I know right?! I'm totally obsessed with mystery and detective stories! Well, not really for Sherlock Holmes, 'cause I haven't read all of the novels yet, only two of them, but I read the manga adaptation! And the movies! And stuff! Well basically I love everything about mysteries and detectives and–" I ranted out with a little too much excitement.

"That's amazing! We should really hangout sometimes." Thankfully, Luke reciprocated the same energy as I did.

"Okay, okay, we'll chat later." Until Mariene had to mediate us. "Let's talk about why you're here. Is it ...." She was about to continue her sentence but then her gaze happened to fall upon Luke's Sherlock Holmes keychain, and a sudden realization hit her. "The private detective that Winnie was talking about ... It's you, isn't it!?"