ALICE IN BORDERLAND <)>

one day before the borderland

MY WORKSPACE WAS FAR FROM organised when I left at the end of my shift. After spending nearly 8 hours looking for clues on a missing-persons-case, I was exhausted to say the least. You'd think that after being in this industry for 7 years that i'd be accustomed to it— but that wasn't the case.

But no matter, the break was here.

I made my way to the front of the station, frequently checking my phone for a new notification. "Yo, Morizono!" I smiled upon hearing my name, and turned to meet a tall, light-haired man leaning against a nearby wall.

He wore a cheeky smile as he pushed himself off the wall. "Riku." I nodded back. "Your time off seems to be doing you well." I added, noticing his fresh-looking clothes.

He put his arms out and laughed. "What can I say? I heal like the mighty Hercules." I shook my head with a laugh. "I've missed that laugh."

Riku is my work partner of two years, nearly three before he was badly injured during one of our investigations. The only reason he isn't working right now is because his injury had him in hospital for a couple months.

Although we mindlessly flirt and joke about, our relationship is completely platonic. We learned that the hard way when the single life got too much for us and we kissed— let's just say we couldn't stop laughing afterwards.

You can thank my brother for that status. My older brother— and only sibling— is extremely overprotective of me. Our parents left when I was 15 and he was 25, and since then we've been left to fend for ourselves. Because of that, he made some pretty strict rules.

Number one— don't get involved in shit that can get you killed.

(Part of the reason I became a detective...)

Number two— don't get a boyfriend.

(Hence my single status)

Annddd number three— always listen to him no matter what.

(Does any sister listen to their older brother these days?)

Despite those three totally useless rules, he was a pretty good brother. I mean, he's kept me alive for all these years so who am I to disregard that?

My side suddenly began hurting, knocking me out of my trance that I hadn't realised I was in. "We gonna start heading or was your plan to stand out here all day?" He said and started walking away.

I rolled my eyes but followed him, nonetheless.

After walking for a while, we eventually found a small bar to settle in. Riku ordered our usual which were served pretty quickly.

"Here you go." The bartender handed us our drinks, to which we thanked her. I went to pull out my wallet but Riku snatched it off me.

He never lets me pay for anything.

"I am financially stable you know." I scoffed, grabbing my wallet back but putting it in my purse instead. He wouldn't give in now, but it was worth a try.

Riku raised his eyebrows and placed the money for the drinks on the table. "And I'm not injured." He joked.

Our laughter was interrupted when the bartender suddenly placed her hand onto Riku's. "Don't worry, it's on the house." She sent a flirtatious wink to him, trailing her hand over his while giving him her best fuck-me eyes.

The awkward moment was interrupted when a voice shouted a woman's name, to which I assumed was hers with the way she flinched and rushed off.

It was silent for a moment, both of us registering what just happened. It was until we both shared a glance that we burst out laughing.