Breaking a Barrier
Naoto Shirogane had always been known for her calm, collected demeanor. As a detective, she was trained to maintain a level head, to rely on logic and reason above all else. Emotions were something she compartmentalized, kept neatly tucked away in the corners of her mind, only to be brought out when absolutely necessary. But that control was slowly unraveling, and the person responsible was none other than Krom Drazzal.
Krom was a recent addition to Inaba, a small town already filled with secrets and mysteries. Their first encounter was serendipitous, almost as if fate itself had orchestrated the moment. It was a typical day in the shopping district, the air filled with the sound of chatter and footsteps. Naoto was focused on her thoughts, her mind preoccupied with the latest case she was working on, when a group of students hurried past her, their excitement bubbling over as they jostled each other playfully. One of them accidentally bumped into Naoto, and she found herself losing her balance, teetering on the edge of an ungraceful fall.
But before she could hit the ground, a hand shot out, catching her just in time. The grip was firm, steadying her with ease. Naoto looked up, her heart still racing from the sudden jolt, and found herself staring into the eyes of a young man with striking green eyes and jet-black hair that framed his face in soft waves.
"Are you alright?" His voice was calm, a gentle concern underlying his words.
Naoto quickly righted herself, brushing off the brief moment of vulnerability. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," she replied, her voice composed, though her heart was still pounding in her chest.
The man smiled, a subtle curve of his lips that conveyed warmth without overstaying its welcome. "I'm Krom Drazzal. Nice to meet you, detective prince." He smirked.
Naoto studied him briefly, still a bit shaken but unwilling to show it. His name, Krom Drazzal, didn't ring any bells, and yet, something about him felt familiar. There was an air of calm about him, a quiet confidence that intrigued her. She nodded politely, tipping her hat slightly as she always did when meeting someone new.
"Krom Drazzal," she repeated, making a mental note of the name. "Thank you again for your assistance."
Krom gave a small nod. "I'm glad I could help." There was a brief pause as their eyes met again, lingering just long enough for Naoto to feel a twinge of curiosity tug at her. She wondered why someone like him was in Inaba, a town that rarely attracted newcomers unless there was a reason. But for now, she held back her questions.
As they went their separate ways, Naoto couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. It wasn't often that someone caught her attention like this.
In the following weeks, Naoto and Krom began to cross paths more frequently. Whether it was at Junes, in the shopping district, or even while walking along the riverbank, it seemed that their lives were inexplicably intertwined. Each encounter deepened their bond, though Naoto found herself struggling to maintain the emotional distance she so often relied upon. Krom was different. He was sharp, intelligent, and thoughtful, qualities that Naoto couldn't help but admire. More than that, he seemed to understand her in ways most people didn't.
One evening, as the sun began to set over the quiet town of Inaba, Naoto and Krom found themselves walking together along the riverbank. The sky was painted with shades of orange and pink, the light reflecting off the water in a shimmering glow. They walked in companionable silence, their footsteps falling in sync with one another, neither needing to fill the space with unnecessary conversation.
Krom broke the silence first, his voice soft yet steady. "You've been quiet today, Naoto. Is something on your mind?"
Naoto hesitated for a moment, her eyes cast downward as she considered her response. In truth, there was something on her mind—more than just the usual cases and puzzles that occupied her thoughts. It was him. Krom had been on her mind more often than she cared to admit. The way he always seemed to know just what to say, the way he could make her feel at ease even when her thoughts were racing. It unsettled her, this growing attachment, this warmth that spread through her chest whenever he was near.
