𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 037 | adventures in kyoto

movie 7 — crossroad in the ancient capital

'cause i love you more than you could know
and your heart, it grows every time it breaks
— wish you pain, andy grammer

"No, I am not attending the press conference," she sighed into the phone, sitting on one of the couches at the Mouri Detective Agency. Ran gave her a concerned glance, to which Suzume waved it off with a smile. "Maybe because I'm tired?"

Takagi stammered on the other end. "Well, I mean, I just thought—"

"Enjoy a break, Suzume," Sato interrupted, clearly having taken the phone from Takagi's hands. "We won't bother you unless something important pops up, okay?"

"Sounds good." Suzume hung up and looked back over at Ran, who was bringing over a couple of drinks. "So, how's your day been?"

Ran smiled at her. "It's been good," she replied. "How about you?"

Suzume shrugged. "Alright. Nothing exciting, which I can't tell if that's a good or bad thing."

"Well, with your luck..."

"Yeah, yeah."

~ — — — ~

At the Hattori household, Heiji tossed aside the magazine he had been reading. He got up and grabbed his jacket, putting it on. He then went over to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small pouch. He opened the pouch and shook it, letting a small bead fall into the palm of his hand. He looked out to the sakura blossoms outside his bedroom window reminiscently.

"Heiji!" Kazuha slid open his door with a smile. "Are you there?"

Startled, the detective fumbled with the bead before it fell onto the ground and rolled to Kazuha's feet. She bent down and picked it up while Heiji sighed.

Kazuha frowned. "That's not good. This is important to you, right?" she asked, walking over and handing it back.

"Uh, y-yeah, I should put it away," he stuttered, quickly stuffing the bead back into the pouch as she gave him a look.

She looked at his jacket and hat. "Heiji, are you going out?"

"Yeah, there's something I wanted to check out." He paused and looked at her. "Was there something you wanted?"

She jolted before quickly shaking her head, a faint flush on her cheeks. "No. I just thought you'd like to see the sakura blossoms at Tomorogi. But, that's alright."

"Really?" Heiji smiled obliviously, stuffing his hat into the back pocket of his jeans. "Then I'll be leaving."

Kazuha waved as he left the room. "Take care!" He waved back and the minute he was out of her sight, she slumped as she shut the drawer with her sock-covered foot, disappointed in herself. "Why do I have to see him off with a smiling face?!"

~ — — — ~

"As I thought, Kyoto is the hometown of all Japanese people!"

Suzume chuckled at Sonoko's declaration, sharing a fond look with Ran as Kogoro came up behind them.

He looked at them sternly. "Alright, I brought you here on a special occasion, so don't get in my way."

"Yes, sir," the three girls chimed unconvincingly, making him huff and continue walking towards the taxis.

Suzume chuckled before letting out a strangled noise as Sonoko unexpectedly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into her side. She gave her friend a questioning look.