Erika was stunned—first, because Tatsuya was out with someone other than Miyuki, and second, because that "someone" was the very woman who had famously rebuffed her older brother's advances. While Mizuki was still caught in a whirlwind of shock over her "special eyes" being recognized so easily, Erika was already dissecting the situation.
"So, Tatsuya-kun," Erika began, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Care to explain why you're out with Fujibayashi-san?"
"My superior told me to take a break and enjoy a quiet day off," Tatsuya answered matter-of-factly. "Neither the Lieutenant nor I had any reason to refuse, and considering the source, we weren't exactly in a position to say no anyway."
"I see..."
Tatsuya seemed to think nothing of it, but Erika could read between the lines. She immediately grasped the hidden intent of that "superior."
(So, the Major is playing matchmaker for Fujibayashi-san... between Miyuki and Saegusa-senpai, this is about to get very interesting.)
Erika suppressed her own feelings for the moment, a wicked, slightly mischievous grin spreading across her face as she imagined the romantic carnage that was likely to follow Tatsuya wherever he went.
"Erika-chan? Is something wrong?" Mizuki asked, noticing her friend's expression.
"Nothing! Actually, do you mind if we tag along?"
"I don't mind at all," Kyoko replied with the easy grace of an adult. "Inspector Chiba has been very helpful to us; I'd be happy to welcome his sister."
Erika felt a twinge of frustration. She had hoped to rattle the older woman, but Kyoko had absorbed her challenge with effortless composure.
(If this were Miyuki or Senpai, they'd be blushing or acting jealous by now... but I guess a pro like her is a different story.)
"Erika, you're welcome to come," Tatsuya interjected, "but didn't you have plans with Mizuki?"
"Nah, we were just wandering around because we were bored."
"We were!?" Mizuki squeaked, looking genuinely hurt. She clearly hadn't known she was just a "boredom filler" for the day.
"Anyway, let's get lunch!" Erika declared, ignoring Mizuki's shock. "Tatsuya-kun said he's paying, after all."
"I don't recall saying that... but fine."
"Really? It never hurts to ask!" Erika cheered.
"Erika-chan..." Mizuki sighed, giving her friend a look of weary pity.
Erika ignored her, grabbing Tatsuya's arm and dragging him toward a restaurant she'd been wanting to try.
"My, my," Kyoko murmured, watching them. "It seems Miss Chiba isn't quite as good at hiding her feelings for Tac-kun as she thinks."
"Eh? Um... I think Erika-chan thinks she's being very subtle..." Mizuki managed to stammer out.
Kyoko laughed softly before following after the pair. "Wait for me!" Mizuki cried, scrambling to keep up as she realized she was being left behind again.
After a lunch where Erika showed no mercy to Tatsuya's wallet and Mizuki ate with polite restraint, the three women stood outside the restaurant waiting for Tatsuya to settle the bill.
"So, Fujibayashi-san," Erika said, cutting straight to the chase. "What do you really think of Tatsuya-kun? I think you're a much better match for him than my idiot brother, at least."
"Is that so? I've always found Inspector Chiba to be quite a charming man."
"Don't waste your breath on flattery. He's a total womanizer."
To anyone else, Erika's blunt dismissal of her brother would have looked like simple sibling rivalry. However, Kyoko knew enough about the complex internal politics of the Chiba family to know that Erika's sharp tongue was often a shield for more complicated emotions.
"Enough about my brother! Is your relationship with Tatsuya-kun strictly professional? Or is there... something more?"
"Something more...?" Mizuki whispered, her eyes beginning to glaze over as her imagination took flight.
"Mizuki, could you stop daydreaming for five seconds?" Erika snapped. She turned back to Kyoko, her gaze intense. She wasn't going to let the older woman dodge the question.
"A younger girl's glare isn't going to intimidate me, Erika-san," Kyoko said calmly. "But... if you're one of the girls who cares for him, I suppose I owe you the truth."
"I-I don't 'care' for him like that..." Erika stammered, her face reddening.
"Liar. You had the face of a maiden in love just a moment ago."
Erika flinched.
"Up until today," Kyoko continued, her voice softening, "I was haunted by the memory of my fiancé. He died three years ago. Tatsuya-kun was tasked by our superior to... help me move on."
"A fiancé? Who died...?"
Erika felt a sudden, sharp pang of guilt. She had been prying into Kyoko's heart out of petty curiosity, unaware of the tragedy buried there.
"He was in Okinawa three years ago. He never came home. As a daughter of the Fujibayashi family and the granddaughter of Retsudo Kudo, I was expected to marry quickly. I knew I couldn't stay in the past forever... but I couldn't help it."
"And... Tatsuya-kun?"
"He is incredibly reliable. And more importantly, he doesn't interfere more than necessary. That alone has been a salvation for me."
"So, what you're saying is...?"
"To put it simply, I think I might love him. I can't say for certain yet, but the feeling is there."
Kyoko didn't want to overstate her feelings while she was still sorting through them, but Erika heard the truth loud and clear.
"I see. I'm... I'm sorry for being a nuisance."
"You weren't a nuisance. You love him too, don't you? You just didn't want anyone getting a head start."
Erika laughed, a genuine, self-deprecating sound. "I guess that's the difference between us. If I were in your shoes, I'd be furious at someone interrupting my date. You really have that 'adult composure.'"
"If we're talking about composure," Kyoko said, winking, "he's the one who's truly unshakable. Even though he's years younger than me."
Erika smiled. She knew exactly what Kyoko meant. Tatsuya was always the most mature person in any room, regardless of his age.
"What are you two laughing about?" Tatsuya asked, stepping out of the restaurant.
"Nothing," Erika said, turning to him. "Hey, Tatsuya-kun."
"What?"
"Be happy, okay?"
"I beg your pardon?"
Erika hadn't given up on her own feelings, but seeing Kyoko—a woman she could actually respect—she felt she could step back and cheer them on. For now. But the look in her eyes suggested that if Kyoko slipped up, Erika would be right there to snatch him away. The battle for Tatsuya Shiba was far from over.
(Author's Note: It's surprisingly difficult to bring these things to a clean conclusion!)
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