Chapter Text
The next day
It was around noon when Naru told them to start packing up. There was nothing coming up on any of the devices and Masako couldn't feel a presence at all. Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Zoe took charge of loading everything into the back of the van. Whenever someone brought something to her, she specified what she wanted next from them.
"Mai, I just took equipment from you. Why are you back?" Zoe asked. She narrowed her eyes. "And with the stuff I sent Yasu to get?"
"Ah, he's a bit busy at the moment," Mai said sheepishly.
Monk came around the side of the van with an armful of tripods. "Geez, you'd think Naru would get all the attention," he said as he passed off the equipment.
"Hey, Yasu's your friend, Bou-san," Mai chided him.
"I didn't say anything was wrong with it, just that it's a bit unexpected. Naru's usually the popular one."
Zoe went to the edge of the van to join the conversation. "What's going on?"
Monk looked over and grinned slightly. "The client's daughters called out to Yasu and he's still talking with them. That's why he handed off the equipment to Mai."
Zoe leaned out of the van and twisted around so she could see over the roof and used the open door for support.
She frowned and jumped down. "I'll be right back." She started walking over to the three standing in front of the house.
"It's just equipment, isn't it?" Mai asked Monk.
"Ordinarily, I think it would be, but I have a feeling this time is different," he answered knowingly. Mai looked at him in confusion.
Zoe tried to appear normal as she crossed the front yard. She frowned again when she saw him laughing with the two girls. She walked up behind him and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket.
"You two will have to excuse us as there is work that needs to be done yet," she said with the best smile she could muster, before pulling him away.
"Geez, hey, you can let go," he complained.
"I wouldn't have to at all if you wouldn't put your share on Mai in favor of talking to girls." She released him anyway as they walked back to the van.
"They were very persistent. I was almost at a point where I could get away."
"They're also teenagers."
They reached the van, but Mai and Monk had disappeared. "So, you can finish up here. I'm taking a break," she said before walking off and disappearing as well.
Yasu sighed as he climbed into the van.
An hour later, everyone was splitting up to head home. Without a word, Zoe dropped into the passenger seat of Yasu's car. He didn't say anything until they were out on the road.
"So what were you jealous of earlier?" he asked.
"Who said I was jealous?"
"It kinda looked that way."
"There's nothing to be jealous of." She didn't look away from the window.
Yasu smirked to himself. "I wasn't considering them if that's what you were worried about."
"I wasn't worried about anything either."
"Uh huh."
"I wasn't!" she shouted and whipped her head around to glare at him. He laughed.
"I don't see what's so funny." She crossed her arms and turned back to the window.
"They may have had that intent, but I made sure not to lead them on."
They were quiet for a while when she didn't answer. Eventually, her posture relaxed and she turned to look out the windshield.
"Are you feeling any better now that she's gone and we're leaving?" Zoe asked.
Yasu was quiet for a few moments as he thought about it. "It still bothers me, but it's not as strong of a feeling as before. What about you?"
She looked down at her hands and stared at her open palms as she answered. "She reopened a lot of old wounds. It's gonna take a bit to deal with them."
"Perhaps we can help each other then." Yasu attempted to smile, but it was more of a grimace. He wished he hadn't made plans with Monk and John.
"You don't need to worry about me right now, but I can always offer an ear or a shoulder."
"It's too late for me not to worry."
At the office
The majority of the team had congregated in the office. Lin and Naru had disappeared to discuss the necessary documents and reports to close out the case.
"You know," Ayako said, "I feel like shopping."
"Of course you do. You always feel like shopping." Monk said.
"Well, I want someone to come along."
"Nope, not me. I'm not gonna carry all your bags. I've got my own stuff to do."
"Well fine. Come on, Mai."
"Ah, what about Zoe-chan? Don't you need stuff?" Mai asked. She was trying to be helpful, but the look on Ayako's face said otherwise.
Zoe looked up from the tripod she was examining. It had gotten a little damaged on the drive back. "I'd prefer to go on my own for that."
"No, it's settled," Ayako said and crossed the room. She grabbed Zoe by the arm and dragged her towards the door. The tripod clattered to the floor.
Zoe looked back to try to summon help from the guys. Monk waved, John gave her a sheepish look, and Yasu looked away. She pouted as she allowed herself to be dragged away with Mai and Masako following.
"Okay, guys, where shall we go?" Monk asked with a clap.
"Our usual should be fine," John commented.
"Sure, yeah, let's go," Yasu said, a little apprehensive.
They walked the couple blocks to a bar they liked to go to. They took a seat at a table towards the back for some privacy.
"So, shall we get started?" Monk asked with a grin.
"Well, I think I already answered my original question," Yasu said, wondering if he could back out still.
"So you know you like her." Monk waited for Yasu's hesitant nod. "Then what's the problem?"
"There isn't really any, I guess," he said.
"That makes it sound like their is."
The server brought their bottle of sake and three small glasses. Yasu was first to take a drink.
"People always say to not date where you work."
"This again? Come on, man."
"I'm serious! If we fight, neither of us would be able to find a more credible group than this one. What if she would feel she needs to go back to England?"
"Actually, I think a relationship could lend itself well to this kind of work," John commented.
"Yeah, especially you two," Monk added.
"But what about a bias? Especially in the face of danger?"
Monk scoffed. "Please, we have plenty of people that everyone can look out for someone else. Naru already has a bias towards Mai, for example."
"We usually travel in pairs anyway. Masako-san and Ayako-san are familiar with how they work and make a good pair when doing a walkthrough," John added.
"When they're not fighting," Monk interjected.
"They're not dating though," Yasu pointed out.
"I think John's point is that you two would just get better and better as you become more accustomed to how the other works," Monk clarified. John nodded in agreement.
"Sure, maybe with some things, but I'm practically useless in a walkthrough."
Monk refilled their glasses and they all took a drink.
"How many times has she actually done a walkthrough when it was dangerous?" John asked after setting his glass down.
"Wait, John, you know who we're talking about?" Monk asked him.
"Of course, mate. I'm not blind. So, how many times?"
"I suppose not really any," Yasu admitted. "The only times she went were at the beginning of the cases."
"At that time, there isn't really much going on. It's just safer to move in pairs when we can to account for anything unpredictable."
Monk nodded. "Exactly, it's like insurance. I don't have to use anything within the first twenty-four hours most of the time. Maybe some general cleansings, but that's it."
"Neither do I," John agreed.
"So what's the problem?" Monk asked.
"The timing," Yasu said vaguely.
"You're gonna have to give us more than that, mate."
Yasu sighed. He knew John was right. He just wasn't sure what to say. He stared at the glass as he elaborated. "It's a few things relating to time. For one, she's been here only a little over a month."
"Unless you're planning a shotgun wedding, I don't think you have anything to worry about," Monk said. He had poured another drink and lightly swirled it in his glass.
"It just feels almost too fast."
"Blind dates are a thing, mate."
"That's true. And you shouldn't be comparing yourself to the glacial pace of Mai and Naru-bou."
"I'm not!" Yasu denied indignantly. "It's just that what if I'm doing this for the wrong reasons. We barely know each other."
"It doesn't matter as much as you think. Feeling something is a good start, but it doesn't have to be some deep thing right away," Monk said.
"Besides, you'd spend time getting to know each other anyway," John added.
"Alright, but the timing of this case doesn't help either," Yasu said.
Monk made a face. "I suppose I see that point."
"What did I miss?" John asked.
"Our friend wanted me to believe I'm useless to you guys," Yasu said flatly.
"You're not though," John said.
"So everyone keeps saying."
"Anyway, I can understand your concern there, Shounen. It's a lot to manage, but I think she'll understand. She was looking out for you," Monk reasoned.
Yasu nodded. The way Monk put it made sense to him, but that didn't take away his uneasiness.
"So, anything else we need to address?" Monk asked.
Yasu poured himself another glass and drank it before replying again. He was admitting a lot of things he never thought he would.
"It sounds silly after that, but I've never actually confessed to someone before."
Monk and John stared at him for a moment. He felt like he wanted to shrink in his chair.
Monk blinked as he composed his thoughts. "You, the one who teases and flirts with just about everyone."
"Yeah, yeah. I know how it looks. It's different when it's with someone that isn't you, Bou-san." He waved his hands dismissively in the air to try and take away from his embarrassment.
"Or Mai-san," John added.
"I do not. At least not anymore."
"Or anyone else you want something from."
"Okay. I know. I get it."
"Plus, you seemed rather cozy last night." Monk had a devilish smirk. He was glad to have the upper hand for once.
"That doesn't count," Yasu said. "She was in distress. You certainly weren't gonna do anything."
Monk shrugged. "I figured you had it covered."
"Well, anyway, I don't think she would care about a grand gesture," John said, getting back on topic.
"Wow, John, wouldn't expect that to come from you," Monk said.
"As I said before, I'm not blind. I pay attention to the people around me and I don't avoid media. I'm allowed to read books and watch movies."
"Okay, well, Christmas and New Years are coming up."
John sighed. "Bou-san, what did I just say?"
"That's so cliché though. Besides, I don't need a holiday to remember an anniversary."
"That's not what I mean," Monk said in an effort to defend himself. "It can be small and just you two while you enjoy festivities."
"Assuming we don't have a case," John said.
"Didn't you ask Ayako on Valentine's Day?" Yasu asked.
"Whoa, hey, why is this suddenly about me?"
Yasu shrugged with a grin. "No reason."
Monk settled back down. "So, have we helped at all?"
"Eh, not really. Maybe a little."
"Well, it's all up to you anyway."
"I dunno, mate. She strikes me as the kind of person to make her own moves."
Monk propped his chin in his hand in thought. "Yeah, I can see that. But that doesn't mean you should wait, Shounen."
"Yeah, I know. I'll figure something out."
"Alright, another round. Let's not waste any of this," Monk said as he filled their glasses again. After a moment, he spoke up again. "You will tell me when it happens, right?"
Yasu looked blankly at him for a moment. He looked at John to find another expectant look. "I mean, yeah. I guess so. You'd find out eventually anyway."
"Nah, you've gotta be the one to tell us. We helped you, ya know," Monk said.
"A whole story and everything?" Yasu asked apprehensively. He watched as his two friends nodded. He sighed as he resigned himself to his fate. "Fine, fine. I will." He took another drink as he wondered what he got himself into.