Passionate Flames [SaiOma]

3. Bonding Through Investigation

He pulled out a notebook and wrote down all of her odd, perhaps suspicious, behaviour and reactions with the plan of sharing his observations with both his partner and Rantaro.

"What's up, Saihara?" Kokichi asked as he was pulled aside after breakfast.

"Has Shirogane's been acting...odd ever since yesterday to you?" Shuichi asked, taking his notebook out of his pocket. "In terms of after we found Akamatsu."

"Yeah, with the way she's behaving it's like she planned to kill Akamatsu but was satisfied by just hurting all of us, especially Amami."

"We'll note all of it down and I plan to talk to Amami about it when we get evidence that confirms or heavily implies what we're suspecting." The detective told his partner. "As for right now, I remember he had mentioned she went to the library yesterday. Let's investigate there."

The shorter boy nodded and the pair made their way to the basement.

"On our first day here, Akamatsu and I found a hidden door. We think it might be the mastermind's way of spying on us." Shuichi made sure no one else was in the room. "I want you to help me investigate, I have a theory that the same door could contribute to our case against Shirogane."

So, they investigated as thoroughly as they could. Shuichi had even added dust to the door's card scanner for a plan of his own.

After closing the door, Kirumi came through the library's grand entrance.

"Oh, Tojo!" The detective nervously greeted, hoping she didn't see what he had just been doing.

"Good day Saihara; Oma. Do you need me for anything?"

"No, thanks. You should enjoy your free time like everyone else." The detective nervously chuckled, trying to perhaps subtly convince the girl to go elsewhere.

"Saiahara and I were just on a date actually." Kokichi interjected with a wide smile.

"Oh, I see. Would you like me to leave you both to it?"

"That would be great!" He wrapped his arm around the taller boy's waist.

With a swift bow, the girl left them as they were.

"Oma, why would you say that?" Shuichi sighed.

"Are we not dating?"

"Yes, we are but now isn't the time to be so...casual about it?"

"So you wanna keep me a secret?" Kokichi was visually upset with his partner.

"No, it's not like that!" The detective hurried. "Akamatsu was just injured and I don't want the mastermind to target you. Plus, everyone's worried about her too. It would be insensitive to come in and announce that we're together."

The Ultimate Supreme Leader couldn't help but crack a smile in his detective's direction. He loved hearing the boy talk, regardless of what he had to do to hear it.

"Oma..."

"What? I thought you knew me better, Saihara."

"You know I-" Shuichi cut himself off. "Y'know what? Let's just keep investigating. It's what we were here for anyway."

The shorter boy's smile dropped, realising his mistake. Unfortunately, Kokichi was never one to be able to easily apologise with words.

So, he simply followed his partner around for the rest of their free time as he tried to find a way to apologise.

On their way from the basement they were stopped by Kaito.

"Hey, Saihara!" He greeted.

"What's up Momota?"