Jay jays POV ☆☆☆☆
The lights of Little Tokyo were buzzing like a neon dream—shops spilling music, smells of grilled meat and sweet mochi, people laughing and rushing past. I tried to focus on the case notes in my bag, but my eyes kept drifting. My chest was tight, and not from the walking.
"Jay?"
I froze.
Of course it was him. Leaning against the corner of a ramen shop, arms casually crossed, that annoying, calm smile on his face.
"That's ATE Jay to you," I said, flatly.
He tilted his head, mock offended. "ATE Jay? Didn't think you'd care if I got it wrong."
I ignored him and walked past, my steps brisk. He fell into step beside me, slow, measured. Not threatening—but still there. Always there.
"You're tense," he said softly.
"Because you're here," I snapped, glancing sideways. My shoulders were stiff, hands gripping my bag strap like it was a weapon. I didn't want to give him an inch.
He chuckled, low, amused. "You really don't like me, huh?"
"I don't," I said. Plain. Cold. My gaze kept scanning the street. People, lights, anything but him.
"Cute," he said, grinning. "I think I'll keep it that way."
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I didn't. Instead, I quickened my pace. He matched me, still slow, still teasing without pressure.
"You know," he said, voice playful, "you're the only person who actually scares me a little."
"Scares you?" I said, finally looking at him. "I think you have that backwards."
He raised a brow, smirk widening. "Maybe I like it backwards."
I groaned quietly, trying to hide it. My mind screamed at me to focus on the case, but there he was, walking next to me like he owned the sidewalks, like he could read me too easily.
"Keifer," I said, my voice sharper now, "we're not here to flirt. I don't have time for games."
"Flirt?" He grinned. "ATE Jay, don't tell me I'm imagining things. I thought you liked a little fun."
I clenched my jaw. "Not with suspects."
His grin faltered just a fraction. "Suspects, huh? That's… harsh."
"Accurate," I said. I adjusted my bag and kept my shoulders squared, forcing him to see that I wasn't backing down.
He laughed softly, a low chuckle that somehow made my chest tighten anyway. "Fine. I'll behave. For now."
I didn't answer. Didn't even glance at him. I kept walking, scanning, thinking, taking note of every small thing. His expressions. His hands. His steps. Every move felt… deliberate. Careful. Like he wanted to see how I'd react, how much I'd slip.
And I didn't.
Not yet.
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Keifer POV ✧✧✦✦✧✧✦✦
She's on edge. I can see it in the way she moves—her shoulders stiff, her hands clutching her bag, jaw tight. She doesn't trust me. Good. She shouldn't. Not yet.
Watching her walk ahead of me is… entertaining. I'm not possessive. Not like that. I like teasing her, watching her react, seeing that fire in her chest. That little tension when she tries to ignore me—that's the fun part.
I call her "Jay" on purpose sometimes. See her correct me. "That's ATE Jay to you." Love that. It makes her tighten up, keeps her aware, keeps the game alive.
She's suspicious, guarded, scanning the street, analyzing my steps. I like that too. Makes the chase more interesting. Makes her worth the effort.
I fall into her pace, careful not to pressure her. I want her to feel like she's in control. For now.
She snaps at me about flirting and suspects, and I grin. "Suspects, huh? That's… harsh."
Her glare is perfect. Good. I can take it. She's tense, yes, but still talking to me. Still walking beside me. Not running. Not completely ignoring me. That's progress.
I think about her walking through Little Tokyo, the lights reflecting in her eyes, the little movements she doesn't realize I notice. Every detail. Every hesitation. Every snap of annoyance.
She's mine to tease. That's all. And I'll wait. Patient, careful, just enough to let her feel wary, let her guard up, but never push too far. She'll get curious. She'll react. She'll slip.
And when she does… well, that will be the fun part.
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