The Knights Himura

#36: Skunkworks

Tsukiko walked along the Electronic City streets with Kazuo. She struggled to keep her eyes on the street ahead. She kept turning to look at some new product or thing that interested her.

There was a decent amount of people around, but it was still unusual to see so few people. Tsuki was used to seeing the streets somewhat crowded and the shops filled to the brim.

The lack of people blocking the outsides of the buildings allowed her to window shop as she passed. She only glanced over from time to time, worried that Kazuo might scold her.

The somewhat garish advertisements succeeded at breaking her concentration. She started to forget why she had even come to the electronics district in the first place. It was nothing more than following the private eye's lead.

"What're we looking for?" Tsuki asked.

"Well, anything that seems suspicious." Kazuo's head panned left and right.

"...like?"

"Think about last time. Last time, they bought all the liquor in a three kilometer radius. Stuff like that stands out." Kazuo turned to look at Tsukiko.

"Not sure what they'll be buying here. What're they gonna do, buy fifteen toasters? Start an electrical fire?" Tsuki sighed.

Kaz rolled his eyes. "Fine, then just keep a look out for anyone or anything that looks strange."

"Sounds easy enough, those guys stick out like--"

"Hold up." Kazuo stopped, holding his arm out to block Tsukiko.

Tsukiko nearly fell over. "W-what?"

Kazuo whispered. "Guy to your right, don't turn, just look."

Tsuki moved her eyes just slightly to the right, noticing an oddly dressed man. "Yeah, what about him?"

"He's been staring for a while, huh?" Kaz whispered.

Tsuki stood still for a while, trying to look like she was looking elsewhere. "...yeah, you're right."

"Think he's tailing us?" Kazuo's voice grew a bit panicked.

Tsuki groaned. "...follow his eyes."

"Yeah, they're a bit low, his eyes are right about..."

"He's checking me out, Kaz." Tsuki put her hand on her face.

"Oh. Huh." Kazuo scratched his head.

"Can't tell whether to feel proud or embarrassed." Tsuki played with her hair.

"Proud, I guess? Fumi likes you for a reason, maybe you tick his boxes too." Kaz offered some strange advice.

Tsuki smiled gently. "Yeah."

"You alright?"

"Just remembering some things." Tsuki turned a little red.

"Getting nostalgic all of a sudden?" Kaz teased.

"A little." Tsuki admitted.

They started walking again, leaving the strange peeping man behind. Their path led further and further away from the crowds, toward the edges of the electronic town.

Together they approached an intersection. An alleyway broke off from the side. Kazuo took one look before dragging Tsukiko down the alleyway.

"Over here." Kaz led Tsukiko to the side of the path.

"Hey, hey, what's up?" Tsuki pulled her arm back.

"See that?" Kazuo pointed down an alley.

"See what?" Tsuki peeked around the corner, down the same alley.