Project SEKAI: A Rose Among Thorns

Chapter 1.5

(Another A/N: Since this AU is based off a dating sim, expect some Mafukasa, Ankasa, Mizukasa and Shizukasa :3)

Tsukasa's POV:
The morning light reflects off the windows as I make my way to Miyamasuzaka Street, determined to confront Mafuyu Asahina once more.

My boss allowed me some time off after hearing about Ena's disappearance, but I know my true purpose here is to find her myself.

In front of Mafuyu and An's house
After taking a deep breath, I knock at the door. It swings open and I find myself facing Dr. An Shiraishi, who greets me with a smile.

"Mr Tsukasa, this is a surprise." As she steps back to let me in, she winks in a way that tells me this is exactly what she intended when she gave me their business card.

"Please come in." Her smile is as warm as last night. "Thank you" I say, also with a smile. When I step forward, An gently catches my arm and leans in to whisper something.

"She values confidence and logic, so hold your head high and make your case with unwavering conviction." An explains. Despite my nerves, I nod.

It's good to know there's at least one person on my side. I can't help but glance around curiously.

So this is the famed agency of Mafuyu Asahina...The room is filled with various books, sheets of music, and maps.

I warm my hands at the fireplace. It looks surprisingly cozy..."Mafuyu, we have a guest!" An yells out.

A moment later, Mafuyu emerges from the back with a stack of papers on one hand. "If it's a client, then—" She pauses when she sees me. "Did you have unfinished business with us?" I take a deep breath.

"Let me join the investigation into Ena's disappearance." I say in a determined tone. "We already discussed this matter, and the answer remains the same." Mafuyu lets out a sigh.

"Please! For Ena's sake, I'm willing to take the risk!" I yell out. "You would only impede our progress." She gives me a cold glare.

"I'll prove otherwise. I'm a journalist who's capable of handling his own" I cross my arms. "I have hones my craft over years of diligent pursuit. You, on the other hand, lack such experience." She glares yet again.

"But that only implies inexperience, not incompetence" I look at Mafuyu, feeling a slight bit of confidence.

Mafuyu sits down and crosses her arms, regarding me an expression somewhere between irritation and amusement. "Do you think you have what it takes to handle one of my cases?" Determined to prove myself, I stand my ground.

"Yes, I do!" I might not be on the same level as Mafuyu, but I'm not as inept as she thinks. "Very well, then what do you make of this conundrum?" She spreads out the papers she's holding on the low table in front of her. I scramble to sit down by her side.

The case notes describe a series of burglaries plaguing three antique shops in Tokyo. In each instance, a calling card preceded the theft, and curiously, the stolen items were pottery works of modest value, all crafted by the same artisan.  "What, in your estimation, is the thief's motive?" Mafuyu asks in a stern manner.

"It appears as though the thief is fixated on the works of this particular artist. It's too much of a coincidence that all of the stolen items were made by the same person, especially when they weren't of high value." As Mafuyu hears my words, she nods.

"Precisely." Her tone bears a hint of approval. "Now consider, if you will, a persistent rumour insinuating that the artist in question had his art stolen prior to his demise..."

"What?" Why withhold that detail before asking about the motive?! "That makes me wonder if the thief is some relative of the artist, attempting to reclaim what they think is rightfully theirs." I start to think about it after I say.

"Indeed, a hypothesis I myself entertained. The thief's footprints were discernible after the third burglary amidst unpleasant weather conditions that rendered the ground sodden. Yet, the imprints were markedly faint, penetrating no more than a fraction of an inch in the mud. Any insight into the burglar's nature from this observation?" Mafuyu asks.

"The footprints must have been planted to hide the true identity of the thief." I say, slightly confused. "And how did the culprit avoid leaving their footprints behind?" Mafuyu asks and I realised something. "I...hadn't thought that far ahead." I sheepishly chuckle out of nervousness.

"Beware the pit of overanalysis. At this juncture in my inquiry, I pursued leads indicative of an intimate associate or familial confident of the departed artist. Curiously, the culprit seems to be familiar with the establishment's layout, yet no one fits the description of those who frequented the premises. How the did the miscreant know about the whereabouts of the pottery?" Mafuyu asks.

"The thief could've canvassed the shops without anyone noticing" It's just a guess but it's worth a shot. "Improbable. So many break-ins would have attracted attention." I just then realised how much of an idiot I am...

"I expect to have this case resolved, but it was intriguing to see what you would do with the same evidence." Intriguing..? Is that a compliment or an insult?

"While your deductions may falter, they still eclipse the incompetence of the fools I have to deal with on a regular basis." That's good, I think...?

"See? It would be beneficial to have someone like him helping with the investigation." Mafuyu casts a discerning glance toward An. "And what impels you to advocate on his behalf?"

An's gaze flits between us. "His friend has been kidnapped, and he has a right to search for her. I believe he'll try whether we allow her to join the investigation or not." An glances at me real quick.

"That's right." I swallow hard. "If you won't let me help you, I'll just have to search for Ena on my own."

"You see? It would be much riskier for him, and it wouldn't benefit us at all. But in our company, he'll be in less danger and might even be able to contribute to the case." As An stands up for me, Mafuyu regards us both with an inscrutable expression. I hold my breath, awaiting her verdict.

At last, she sighs and shakes her head. "Stop staring at me like two hungry cats hoping for a scrape of food from the table." She rolls her eyes. "Very well Mr...what was your name again?"

"Tsukasa." Ouch. If Mafuyu Asahina forgot my name, it can only be because she doesn't deem it worth remembering.

"Mr Tsukasa, you may assist with the investigation as long as you follow a few simple rules. First, you shall obey my instructions during the investigation without complaint, regardless if you know better. Second, the investigation shall proceed at the pace I set. Thirdly, since discretion is of utmost importance, you will move in with Dr. Shiraishi and myself for the duration of the investigation. Do you understand?" She glares.

"Yes!" My heart sings. Just you wait, Asahina. I'll prove my worth.
You'll never forget my name again.

The End
Continuing in Chapter 2...