Β Β Aoba sends off a quick text as Mikado speaks in hushed tones, tuning in only after heβs gotten a reply. He hums gently in response (a substitute for βyouβre welcomeβ) β plastering on a smile whilst turning back to regard Mikado again. Heβd only been half-listening, of course; he was preoccupied by his phone β and for good reason! Unbeknownst to his fearless leader Aoba had already lined up a home for his little cat family (β¦ whether or not he liked where would later be up for debate). But until then β!
βOh β the fire?β Aoba pauses for a moment, opening and closing his mouth not once, but twice to speak β to no avail. β¦ He laughs instead β sheepishly. It wasnβt any of them if Mikado was wondering β¦ That much was certain.
βWe havenβt started asking around yet.
βBut if you want us to begin tonight,β he pauses to nod toward the rest of the group, pocketing his phone again. βAll you have to do is say the word, Captain.β
Β Β Β Β It wouldnβt be a problem for them; they were free for the evening β and they all had their connections. It would only be a matter of hours before they found the culprit and roughed them up a bit. β¦ But something about the way Mikado waves his hands about tells Aoba punishing the perpetrator was the last thing on his mind.
Β Β Β Β He raises a brow briefly in question. β¦ βSheβ? Anri? No β
βDo you mean Jean..ette?β He says her name slowly β carefully β (almost as if heβs forgotten about her) β before it *clicks*.
Β Β Β Β Right. Jeanette.Β
βCanβt you hide it from her? Like this?β Features twisting into something rivaling a pout, Aoba closes in a step and pulls at Mikadoβs sleeves β tugging them down and over his bandages. βIt shouldnβt be hard as long as youβre inconspicuous.β
βI doubt itβs going to be that simple-- Sheβs..β Mikado paused, mouth opening, trying to come up with the perfect way to describe Jeanette. βPerceptive when it comes to me. I...β
He bit down on his lip, casting his eyes over to rest of the gang before continuing. βItβs complicated. her and I have history together that doesnβt make things easy, I uh--- β
The more Mikado talked about his friend, the more he was reminded that he was standing in front of starving wolves.
"I donβt like putting her through any unnecessary situations. Sheβs.. important to me.β
Once upon a time, Jeanette was the only thing (person) keeping him afloat, and βimportantβ was not a strong enough word to describe it.
Wanting to avoid lingering on this topic, Mikado abruptly changed direction. βAnyway, regarding the fire.. we might as well start the cursory investigation now. What do we know so far? It was within our territory right?β
An excess of free time lead to laziness and being productive kept Mikadoβs mind off of the things he didnβt want to think about.
βJust before we get into it, Iβve got to call Jeanette first.β
