blackmail; shuji hanma

five. i know places

"Would you like to tell me why you're investigating Moebius?" Hanma asked, towering over her with his impressive height and waiting for her to give him an answer. In his hands, he flickered open his lighter and started turning it on and off, an action that was only intimidating because of what fire could do to her precious files. There was an oddly serious expression on his face, which made her feel as though he was baiting her into something, but she pushed that aside, not wanting to lose the strange relationship she had with the delinquent before her.

Underneath her mask, (Y/N) let out a quiet sigh. "Would you like to tell me why you were involved in that fight outside of school two weeks ago? You know, the one where the police were called but nobody got arrested because the bystanders were too afraid to say your name?"

A delighted smirk overtook his features as Hanma leaned forward, way too close for comfort, and said, "I knew you had blackmail on me."

"Is that why you asked me why I'm investigating Moebius?" (Y/N) couldn't help but ask, thoroughly defeated at her own game. 

"Part of the reason," he shrugged, slipping his lighter back into his jacket pocket, "but I want to know the actual motivation too. I'm positive you already know I'm the temporary leader, so as the leader, I want to know why someone not affiliated with any gang is sneaking around."

"I'm not going to give away my information, if that's what you're asking. Or include it in any of my articles. It's just my own curiosity leading me," she informed him.

Hanma grinned, "Curiosity killed the cat."

"Really? That's so cliché of you to say that," (Y/N) said, rolling her eyes, but under her breath she had to add, "And satisfaction brought it back."

At the same time, one of the trash cans in the alley was knocked over by a stray cat that jumped out from within it. The cat promptly noticed them and hissed, before running off in the opposite direction, creating even more noise as it leaped over empty cans and glass bottles. Hanma and (Y/N) both watched it go, then looking at each other with identical bemused expressions on their faces. 

"Let's find somewhere to talk that isn't here," he suggested after a pause, though it sounded more like an insistence.

(Y/N) nodded, "As long as there's food."

He slung an arm over her shoulder, one that was too heavy for her to push off despite his lanky figure, and began walking with her out of the alleyway, back onto the main street. His grin only grew when he realized she was going along with his actions and wasn't going to run off, but she reasoned with herself that going with him would get her closer to calming her growling stomach. They walked in sync through the streets of Tokyo, neither of them knowing where they were going, simply searching for somewhere to go without a place in mind.

After a bit of trekking, a family restaurant came into view with a sign out front saying that couples meals were half off. Considering she didn't have enough to cover a full meal for both of them, she ducked out from under his arm, grabbed his sleeve, and tugged him in the direction of the restaurant. She hoped he didn't see the same advertisement she did, but that hope was crushed the second the door was opened.

"Table for two?" the older waitress asked with a kind smile.

"Yes, thank you ma'am," (Y/N) answered with a matching smile, not wanting to be rude. 

The waitress guided Hanma and her over to a booth, and once they were seated, asked, "First date?"

Hanma's amused grin and the advertisement flashed through her mind at the same time, and although she knew she would never live it down, she had to lie to the waitress. With a nervous smile, one that wasn't forced, (Y/N) said, "Is it that obvious?"

"Just a little, dear," the waitress said with a wink. "I'll be back in a minute for your order."

Once she was gone, Hanma leaned across the table, resting his chin on his propped up hand. His smirk was way too entertained and (Y/N) decided this was worse than him finding out she had blackmail on him. 

"A date, huh? I didn't know you were that interested in me." Hanma mused, a spark of mischief in his eyes, especially once he realized she was scowling beneath her mask, "Is that why you've been seeking me out?"

"No, it is not. I'm only doing this so out food is half off." (Y/N) said grumpily. 

Their waitress returned and set two waters down in front of them, along with straws. Hanma told her they needed a couple of more minutes to decide, so she left and the two of them were alone once more. Her scowl still in place, (Y/N) brought down her facemask so she could drink from her straw, glaring up at him while she did so. 

"That's the first time I've seen you without your mask since our run in at school," he said, studying her for longer than she thought was necessary. She couldn't understand what was so fascinating about her face, because her braces were still very much apparent whenever she opened her mouth to speak.

"Don't get used to it," she mumbled. (Y/N) went to pull her mask back up once she was done drinking, but Hanma reached over and grabbed her wrist before she could do so.

His explanation for his actions was, "We're going to eat soon anyways."

Eventually, they ordered their food and ate in semi-silence, sometimes catching the other staring. Dirty and empty plates were piled up before them, (Y/N) counting out the bills she needed to pay while Hanma idly twirled his straw around in his drink, watching her do so after offering to pay and being rejected. Her main reasoning was that the money he had was probably not his own - she was right. 

"Hey, before we part ways, I've got an offer for you," Hanma said as the sky outside began to darken, signaling evening was transitioning into night.

 She wasn't as worried about the offer as she thought she would, simply saying, "Really? And what might that be?"

"You should be my personal info broker." Hanma saw the confusion in her gaze and continued, "Get me the information I need on different things like Toman and other gang members, and I'll guarantee your protection around Tokyo. The only stipulation is that I'm the one you deal with, nobody else, no matter how good their offer."

"I doubt I could deal with anyone else." (Y/N) said with a light sigh, "And, I'll think about your offer. Give me twenty four hours."