[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 20 - ... Thanks to you too

   Yoko opened her eyes, then straightened up, yawning. She stretched before staring at her bedroom wall and laying back down and staring at the ceiling. She said nothing for several minutes lost in thought.
   The night before, she had immediately come home and gone to bed. She felt like everything that had happened the day before was just a dream. But looking at her camera nearby, she could only see the truth.
   -They really made an effort for me, huh...
  She continued to stare at the ceiling before smiling.
   -... I should do it too then...

   The former high school girl took a deep breath before getting up. She had an idea in mind. So she got ready quickly and left the badroom. Jinpei was there, in the livintroom.
   -...Hello Matsuda-keiji. She greeted with a smile.
   The policeman turned around. He was surprised. Surprised that Yoko had a smile, when it hadn't happened once since it happened.
   -Hi. He contented himself with replying.

   The girl walked away to grab something to eat from the kitchen.
   After a few moments of hesitation, she spoke.
  -Hum... Say... Can we go to the store today? I know that it's not open everywhere but... If you can't, it doesn't matter, huh... Seeing that you can be called on a case... She asked, feeling sick. easy.
   He just yawned at first, before answering.
   -If you want...
   His expression showed that he did not want to go more than that, which amused Yoko a little.
   -Sorry to bother you with that... She apologized, a little embarrassed.

    After she finished breakfastp, the policeman took her to the mall, which was open.
   Along the way, the man had noticed that she hadn't taken her bonnet, when she usually didn't want to take it off. She was still afraid of being discovered but... Something must have changed her.

  The car stopped in the parking.
  -I'll let you go. Announced the policeman.
   -Eh ? But...
   -You're big enough to manage on your own, aren't you?
   The former high school girl puffed out her cheeks. She had decided to make an effort. And above all, she wanted to thank Jinpei for taking care of her by offering him something, although it was with the latter's money. Yes. She had decided to do as her friends did: offer something.
   - Could you come...? It will be better... And... And without lying... I would be more reassured...
   She looked away for a moment, a slightly sad look in her eyes. But that glow disappeared immediately, returning to a glow it had only had for a very short time.

   Jinpei sighed and got out of his car. Apparently he couldn't leave her alone. Besides, he had taken on the responsibility of looking after her, so if anything happened to the kid, he would be responsible for it.
   Seeing that the policeman had finally got out of the car, it pleased Yoko. So she started to run towards the mall and waited for her tutor in front, who arrived with his hands in his pockets.

   -What do you want to do first? he asked.
   -To buy food. By the way, what do you like to eat?
   Jinpei looked at the former high school girl. He quickly understood where she was coming from.
   -Uh... Never mind.
   It wasn't going to help the girl. On the one hand, he lived alone and didn't seem to know how to cook. His meals often had to be based on a dish already prepared.

   Noon arrived fairly quickly. A few purchase had been done. Yoko had taken basic foods to make a curry. It was the easiest to do and could take a few days.
   The girl with the glasses looked around her. Without lying, she was hungry, and in this place, there were places to eat.
   - Say, Matsuda-keiji... Can we eat somewhere? If it does not bother you ?
   -Mmh...? If you want...
   He followed the kid he was babysitting. It wouldn't hurt to eat at a restaurant, though he hoped it wouldn't be too expensive.

   Along the way, he stared at the former high school girl. She had changed dramatically overnight. She who barely dared to speak to him...
   Maybe her exit the day before had had something to do with it. He didn't know where she had gone and she herself had ignored him. But thanks to that, she was better.
   Certainly, his good humor was not unpleasant.

   Evening came quickly. Jinpei and Yoko had been home for a few hours.
   The policeman stared at the sky, smoking at the window. He turned his head when he heard the girl go into the kitchen. He let her cook. He had nothing to do with waiting after all.

   The brunette, for her part, was standing on a chair in order to have proper access to the kitchen plan. Her height was not an advantage.
   She busied herself, as she had planned, with making curry. Luckily she had asked to buy some utensils, because there wasn't much in the apartment. At the same time, Jinpei didn't know how to cook.

   Yoko stayed in the kitchen for a whole hour watching the cooking. Then, once ready, she set the table.
   -It's ready ! She announced, bringing the rice and the pot filled with curry.
   Jinpei approached and observed what she had done.
   -... Isn't there a bit too much for two? he asked.
   -Yes... I'm not used to doing little... But I hope you'll like it anyway... She answered embarrassed.
   Her look was a little saddened, tears in her eyes. But after shaking her head as if to chase an idea, it was back to normal.

   The two sat down at the table and served themselves in curry. The young girl remained silent, waiting for the opinion of the policeman.
   - It's not bad eh! He launched after tasting.
   -Thanks ! She replied with a smile, then started to eat. By the way, you wouldn't mind if I cook here?
   -Eh ? Why ?
   -As long as I live here, I will take care of the meals... Consider it a thank you for taking care of me!
   He was silent for a moment.
   -... Thank you... Added the young girl with her head down.
   Jinpei sketched a smile. Why not let her do it after all?
   -As long as you only do good things to me, that's fine with me!
   -I'm not such a bad cook! Leave me to manage! And then, it will always be better than if it is you who cooks!
   She supported her end of sentence with a slightly mocking tone. The policeman didn't take it as badly as she feared.
   The meal ended in a rather good atmosphere.