"You know, sometimes I can't really understand what's going on in your head. Silly, right?" Ranpo smiles and takes a sip of his hot chocolate.
"Uh... thanks?" Poe smiles awkwardly, unsure if the comment was a compliment.
The detective quickly changes the subject.
"It's nice here. Do you come to this cafe often? You should have told me about this place sooner; the chocolate's amazing!" Ranpo smiles again, curious about the answer.
"I used to come here quite often when I first moved to Japan" Poe replies, smiling and taking a careful sip of his drink.
"Why here and not somewhere else? Is it because the tables are small, so fewer people can sit near you?" Ranpo teases, chuckling.
"Actually, that would have been a good reason, now that I think about it. But I initially chose this place because the menu outside had English words, so I had some idea of what I could order" Poe admits, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, I see" Ranpo says, smiling and taking another sip, his gaze still on Poe.
"...Fitzgerald gave us little warning before his move to Japan about his intentions. It was quite confusing and difficult to learn the alphabet and basic Japanese sentences in less than a month," Poe lamented.
"Did you make it?!" Ranpo exclaimed, surprised.
Looking down, embarrassed, Poe admitted, "No... that's why I came here after several meals of eating things I couldn't identify."
"Haha, okay! I would have been in the same situation if I were you," Ranpo laughs it off and takes another sip.
"You seem very... excited and happy... I mean, you always are, but this time even more so. Did you solve a particularly difficult crime? Or did someone important to you give you special praise?" Poe asks, curious.
Ranpo smiles, placing his cup of hot chocolate down, and sweetly gazes at it, lost in his thoughts.
"Let's just say... I received... a very special prize today."
-------------------
Poe smiled at Ranpo as they stepped out of the café.
The weather was quite pleasant, though a scarf was necessary to protect from the chill.
"Thanks for paying, Poe," Ranpo said with a smile as they strolled down the street.
"Oh, don't mention it, it was my pleasure," Poe replied, feeling a warmth in his heart.
"You know what? I could take a day off today," Ranpo smiled, a smirk on his face. "I've solved enough crimes this week, and nothing interesting came up in the newspaper today."
"Oh, that's great," Poe responded with a smile. "So, do you have any plans for what you want to do today?"
"Umm... no. Any ideas?"
"How about a crime film at the cinema?"
"No! Crime films are too predictable and they without information. What's the point of solving a crime if they don't show you the crime scene and the crucial details?" Ranpo quickly talked back, pouting. "Next suggestion?"
"Umm... how about a walk around the city?" Poe was cut off once more.
"No! Walking is boring!"
"I don't have any other ideas..."
"What was the address number of the café we were at earlier?" Ranpo suddenly asked, his expression turning serious.
"Umm... I think it was 41."
"Okay!" Ranpo's smile returned, and he continued walking, hands swinging cheerfully.
"Did you ask because you want to go back there?" Poe inquired gently.
"Of course!" Ranpo beamed, chuckling. "I want to try the other desserts they offer!"
Poe chuckled a little too. Ranpo was just....adorable.
