It's still lingering on your mind.

Why Shiro kept your handkerchief and "used" it selfishly.

As you dump the pieces of glass in the trash bin, you'd gnaw on your lip and regress into a cluster of nervousness. Of course it's bothersome-- is that... normal? Do men usually do something like that? This is your first experience regarding anyone doing that with your belongings in the first place... However, you had a feeling you should at least draw a few lines for the better purpose of the future.

It could mean he'd do more than that, doesn't it? Luckily Shiro isn't that kind of person!

Oh, how naivety is bliss.

"Hm.. he's taking a while in the bathroom." You whispered, wrapping up the trash and knotting it with a neat bow. You peeked into the hallway, about to call his name, however Kazuma blocked your path and went ahead of you to happily fetch his owner. Intrigued to follow, you'd tilt your head and scurried on behind.

"Shiro? Helloo?" Your voice resounded throughout the narrow space as you drew closer.

Given the sound, Shiro is very aware of your presence creeping closer. Not only was it thanks to Kazuma, but he had enough time to set your belongings right back in place; underneath the folds of his clothes. By the time you ended up at the doorway, he was crouched down-- seemingly organizing the bathroom mat to complete the clean. He lifts his head up and then stands straight-- dusting off his pants while also feigning a grin. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you up for a moment."

His crimson hues trail down towards the trash bag you were holding. "Oh, let me." He came closer to you, getting nearly too close, his fingers brushing yours as he grasped the plastic edge of the trash bag. "I'll go and take this outside, alright? You can stay here and... get comfortable, I guess."

Shiro ended up leaving not a second later, unwilling to hear your argument. Yeah... he's the gentlemanly type; one who never allows a lady to leave during the dead of night simply to throw out some garbage. You stand idly by, watching him approach the doorstep and slip on his shoes one by one and with grace. Then he unlocked and twisted the doorknob-- abandoning you in silence alongside of his pet. Kazuma's tail lowered immediately and he went to curl up not very far in front of the corridor as he awaited his return.

'Aw.. poor buddy.' You thought, getting seated on the couch and reaching for the remote. "He'll be back in no time, Kazu!" As for you, you turned on the TV and it flashed you with some unprecedented news which was replayed for the day-- the news regarding the death of Kirigiri and the arrest of Seiichiro. It's been broadcasting all day... Making a nearly historical headline in such a gregarious city like Tokyo. Your eyelids narrow and a fuzzy distortion causes you to space out as you stare at the screen; yet not fully comprehending every word the news anchor is spewing.

"Assailant... eighteen years old.... under investigation...."

Behind your daze, you recalled that horrific stench of blood. And once again; her lifeless eyes. Deep with resentment. Deep with desperation. Blue and foggy.. Dull.... The lingering haze of glum in her expression makes you feel all but sane, even now. Without thinking your thumb is turning up the volume while you refused to blink. Every click of the button is hatching some form of dreariness...

"Suspect in ... a year prior..."

A scratching sound urged your consciousness back in place. No longer curled up at the door, Kazuma is now scratching at that very same basement door anxiously, either wanting to get in or wanting to let something out. You lowered the volume as the pressure of his claws had grown to be more distinctive than a few seconds ago... And as much as you'd like to investigate, going back down there into that stuffy atmosphere.. it's not a part of your plans.

"Your bowl is still full, little buddy. You can't be hungry.." You slouched further in the cushion. Ignoring him would've been easy if he was quieter... But now he's starting to whimper, too!

Certainly, another peek wouldn't hurt..

Thud! Shiro tossed the trash bag into the garbage disposal outside of the studio place, one hand in his pocket with leisure. He looked rather bored during the moment; as if a second away from you had prevented him from ever being happy or showing some expression. The sound reverberates for a bit, leading him to space out while he eventually fixed his gaze on the waning moon perfectly shadowing in the sky. He's been looking at it for quite some time, and in doing so there is a presence shifting behind him.

He suddenly shifted his foot around when he heard a twig snap. "...?" Shiro isn't full of alarm or is even the least bit startled for that matter... However his hand does make an instinct approach deeper into his pocket-- readying what he already has stashed within.

"Finally! I've caught you!" Eagerly chirped a male. He sauntered up to the unsuspecting individual, his brown eyebrows flexing as he displayed his intrigue. "It's late, so I'm sorry if I startled you. I was just waiting for someone to poke out of there." Well would you look at that... It was Leo. He never fails to appear at the most optimum moment... And that irked Shiro.

"..." He is unresponsive. For the time being, that is.

Leo opened his mouth, but closed it again. He can clearly detect the silence.. it meant that he didn't want to be bothered. Still, he is the genius who never bothers to give up. It prompted him to keep going, especially since Shiro is the one he happened to want. "Where's [L/N]? I was knocking on her door and wanted to see her.. you're neighbors, so you know where she must be!"

He continues pressing on and on, but the other young man keeps his lips pressed together firmly shut. He's not an idiot .. ever since his brother had been arrested -- he figured Leo would be hot on his trail. Considering he's some kind of upcoming, prestigious detective... He knows when to save his peace. Besides, it's just too risky to talk about himself... However that doesn't prevent Shiro's curiosity from taking the bait. "Well, you've seen all that has happened..."

"She practically watched someone's suicide. And not only that, but my brother ended up being a murderer.. don't you think she has every right to disappear?" Shiro's eyebrow jerked as he says this. His tone is irritable and he appears to have shown some emotion-- but even that was controlled to make himself seem like the caring friend that he is. "[L/N] might be taking a break elsewhere. Maybe with other friends or family.. it beats me."

Leo took a step back. He is a little dumbfounded after his senior raised his voice. Although, it was only slight-- but regardless, Shiro seemed... human. Perhaps he was wrong about this guy. "Oh... Ah..." He awkwardly chuckled out of shame. "Ye-Yeah, I get that, sorry--"

"I'm not in a very talkative mood, either." The twin snapped, "All I want to do is think about it, too. I.." He shakily placed his hands against his face, "Seii, I mean.." Shiro looked to be crumbling; judging by the sound of his cracking voice and his discouraged posture... The male before him is feeling guilty for ever beginning to arouse doubt. Yet beneath Shiro's hands laid a crooked grin-- one which spreads from ear to ear madly while his crimson eyes reflect a dark, black abyss as he gazed at the cement between the gaps of his fingertips.

Having watched the brunette shrink, he suddenly had a damning revelation.. so Shiro lifted his head up. "Actually... I figured that you were suspecting me.." His eyebrows narrowed, currently saddened. "Everyone deserves to, each in their own right." Once more, Shiro is tempted to rip out his box cutter. He wants to see how Leo might defend himself. If he is even capable of doing so. Yet he doesn't want to waste everything he's built.. he has to know more; more about Leo, and more about that detective.

"Well! Naturally!!" Leo started waving his hands frantically.

"That's because... I could see right through you."

Like time has temporarily stalled, a weight of inhospitable stillness hushed the following area. It was already the dead of night, but now neither of them said a word... especially after Leo was busy giving him a stare.

"...Your personality!" The prodigy finished, chuckling excitedly before coming up to him and hooking his arm around his shoulder. "Listen buddy, I've been shadowing over my aunt for over a decade now. She's great at her craft, but I'm even better. Most lies, most tricks, and most sweet talk won't work on me." He says so casually, addressing him rather comfortably. They're just two old buddies.. conversing alone.

"You've always caught my eye. I didn't know if it was because you're antisocial or merely an extreme introvert .. but I figured you appeared at Juuyu academy for a reason. It makes sense; your mother has kept you trapped inside forever.. so I wouldn't attend school until a year afterwards, too. That or, maybe not at all." He leaned closer, "That's what you were thinking, right? You didn't plan on finishing since you never started."

The guy is either mocking him or deliberately pushing his buttons. For Shiro, it acted as a sign of war. He's indirectly stating that he's not very moved. Guilty, sure... But not emotionally swindled.

"Oh, yeah! Seiichiro being the culprit is a real shame, you know? He definitely doesn't look like the type to do any of this." His pale gray, blueish eyes cascade towards the other male's right pocket. "But I've gotta' handle it to him.. his plan was really excellent all around-- he's a really smart guy, someone who will end up probably making all of the difficult headlines in Japan.. even I'm a little baffled by how meticulous he is."

Shiro's demeanor tinged under malice during his mind's absence. How annoying.. and what an absolute pest. Is he trying to say he seriously finds his brother smarter than him? That's laughable. He'd push the arm of the second year off of him, and as much as he loved to continue humoring him, he knew he had much more to worry about here. He's spent far too much time chatting outside. You were still inside of his studio apartment... "Get to the point, Leo. What are you trying to say?"

Leo staggers back, living up to his impish nature as he continues to wear that cocky grin in which Shiro has come to despise. Oh how he wants to wipe it clean.....

"I'm just saying, I find it interesting how his brother came out of everything scott-clean. Eh, though given your responses, it looks like I've gotten to know you pretty well, best pal." When a psychopath's work is questioned, they can't handle it. They like it when the credit they deserve goes to them and them only... However Leo realized Shiro had multiple walls up. If he were an ordinary detective, he could've easily had him fooled. He's frighteningly deceptive in anything he does... It's no wonder why he keeps hitting bricks here.

Shiro purses his lips and refrains from glaring. Of course, he fell into his mental trap without realizing it... But that was fine. Everything is fine. Leo is nothing compared to him, especially because...

'His aunt is detective Sasori.' The twin thought. At first, he had his suspicion after realizing they shared the same family name. But Leo simply allowed those words to slip out, as if it was some kind of insignificant detail. To Shiro however .. it's another treat to savor.

A very important treat.

"Ah... I'd better start getting ready to sleep.." The white-haired young man implied. Just like Leo, he's gotten all that he's wanted to know. He didn't have to squeeze it out of him like a lemon.

In Leo's case, he didn't see why not. He's already holding him out here like it's some kind of friendly banter.. besides, he'd end up with more opportunities to chat with him later on. School is not going to be in session for weeks, maybe even a full month. He had to figure things out before it's far too late-- Seiichiro is already paying the price as we speak. "Oh, well goodnight. I'll try to get back to [L/N].. another try won't hurt."

His left hand is burrowing into his pocket. And for a moment there, Shiro could've sworn that he heard something rattle for a split second.

"Mm." Is all Shiro replied with. He didn't bother to cast any formal goodbyes.. it's not as though they're really friends. In fact, Leo keeps reminding him of Neiji... The pathetic bastard who did nothing but choke on his own blood during the time of his death. Just like his bland personality, he died in the most quiet way; it'd been thoroughly underwhelming. Still, thinking back to it, it's still so rewarding. Knowing that he took away what you valued the most.

Turning to walk up the short flight of steps, he entered the corridor and never bothered to give the other male a glance as he'd so politely put in the effort to wave to him gently. Shiro entered his apartment, locking the door behind him, and then touched his chin once he was safely hidden within his own abode. It appears he was busy thinking... Thinking about what may be in store for him. Beyond this point, he'll have no clue how to control the future. He'll be blind... so he has to be careful.

"[Y/N]?" He went calling out to you, but neither you or Kazuma were to be seen. Kazuma always reacted to the sound of his voice. It only took a few seconds to see him scampering around.

"....[Y/N]..?" Shiro called out again. He didn't think to slip off his shoes like he usually does once he entered his home. Something wasn't right .. and it was making his heart begin to race. He's left your side for far too long.

The young man passed the hallway, venturing further, and in the corner of his eye he spotted the peculiar sight of the basement door slightly cracked open. It's wider this time... Noticeable, and deliberate. If he wasn't perceptive enough then he could've easily missed it.

Meanwhile, Leo whistled quietly while he loitered outside for a bit. He watched the bright lights flooding from Shiro's closed curtains, and once he pushed back his brown locks of hair he took out someone's house keys, currently hooked around his ring finger by it's steel chain. He spun it around, slyly bringing his tone to a more desolate hum as he proceeded up the stairs as well.

This isn't breaking and entering... After all, this is his friend's key,

Shiro's key.

[Chapter END]