"So." Fumi reached down and grabbed her cheeseburger with one hand. "How've the girls been treating you?"

"The girls?" Tsuki reached for her drink.

"Y'know. Haru and Shizuka." Fumiko repeated. "The girls."

"Fine." Tsuki took a sip. "Technically, we're called the Knights..."

"You know what I meant." Fumi smiled. "You're so tense."

The restaurant's interior mimicked a stereotypical American diner, with great care taken to make it look like it'd somehow been torn out of the 1960s.

Iconic Americana lined the walls and filled each corner of the place. Painted movie posts with strong, grizzled men and beautiful, shapely women were hung up behind glass on the walls. The booths were covered in shiny red vinyl with wood grain tabletops. Behind the counter, meat sizzled on chrome grills and women in red aprons wandered around with full coffee pots.

In the day, blinds covered the huge windows that lined the entire restaurant, blocking the outdoor sunlight. The interior was lit dim, and kept perpetually dim, as if trying to capture some moment in time forever, regardless of the outside world.

Tsuki tried her best to relax, slouching a bit in her seat. "Sorry, work's been... tough."

"Work? Is that what you're calling it now?" Fumi joked.

"What do you want me to call it?" Tsukiko groaned, looking down at the table. "I do important stuff and I still come home tired, right?"

"I hear ya. I hear the cops have their hands full too. Just like old times, huh?" Fumiko sounded a bit disappointed.

Tsuki scoffed. "It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"I know you're just waiting for your chance." Fumi's red lips curled up.

"Hmm?"

"You're just waiting for the next fight." Fumi accused.

"C'mon, Fumi."

Fumi shook her head. "Not like that. You're not the patient type. You found something, didn't you?"

Tsuki sighed and took a bite from her own burger. "Seriously?"

"I can read you pretty well, can't I?" Fumi leaned forward with a smile.

"...Themis." Tsukiko spoke softly.

"Themis?" Fumi repeated aloud.

"Some... kid came at me with a bat earlier. I thought someone put him up to it, cuz he said it was for Themis." Tsuki felt a bit uncomfortable bringing it up on a date. "Whatever it is."

"...haven't heard of it." Fumi played with her fingers.

"You think Sylvie knows?" Tsuki hesitated to ask. "I'm guessing they're some new street gang."

"The Damascenes would've wiped them out if they were a big deal. Don't worry about 'em too much." Fumi ran a french fry through deep red ketchup.

"When was the last time you heard about a new gang?" Tsuki looked her in the eye.

"I dunno." Fumiko looked to Tsukiko for the answer.

"Exactly."

"What're you saying?" Fumi stopped what she was doing.

"...Themis might be a decent lead." Tsuki returned to her meal.

Fumi cheer her on. "Go get 'em."

Tsuki turned red. "I-It's a bit more serious than that."

"Well, yeah, but... I trust you." Fumi said quietly. "Just don't go into it head first, okay?"

"Thanks." Tsuki looked away, a bit embarrassed.

The light from the blinds caught Fumi's glossy red lipstick for just a second. A streak of white reflected off for just a second, before making them a deep crimson again. Tsukiko tried her best to look Fumi in the eye but the movement of her sweet lips distracted her. Had she not been so hungry, she probably would've forgotten to eat.

The conversation settled back down into idle chatter and chewing. They easily returned to actually eating, instead of talking, savoring their meal. In between bites, they exchanged glances, and smiles, and little nothings. The sounds around them began turned into a muted wall of sound as they focused on one another.

It wasn't long before their plates, once filled with food, had been reduced to but a memory. Loose sesame seeds and crumbs lied in the plates and only ice remained in Tsuki's glass. Deep down, she wondered if she could get away with ordering something else.

"Hoo, boy. That's a good burger." Fumi leaned back, a hand over her stomach.

"Mmm, yeah." Tsuki reached for a napkin.

"I can't get enough of this place." Fumiko took a sip out of her drink, but there was only ice left.

"Heh." Tsuki put on a mischievous smile. "Careful, you're starting to sound like an addict."

"Hey, you brought me here first." Fumi shifted the imaginary blame. "It's your fault if I do."

A waitress approached their table, holding a paper pad and pen. "Hello? Miss?"

Fumiko turned to her, clasping her hands together. "Oh, hello."

"Do you need anything? Have you two finished?" the waitress asked.

"...get my girl here a slice of pie." Fumiko sounded like a young man buying a girl a drink in an old timey movie.

"Cherry?" The waitress knew exactly what she was looking for. "It's our best seller."

"Mhmm." Fumi nodded.

"Ehh?" Tsuki looked at the waitress, then Fumiko.

"It's good, trust me." Fumi waved her hand in a dismissive motion.

"I dunno if I could even handle anymore." Tsuki put a hand on her stomach.

"You need it. Gotta keep yourself strong, gotta eat." Fumi pointed at Tsuki's chest.

"...Yeah, yeah." Tsuki gave her a glare.

The waitress bowed. "Thank you for your patronage."

As the waitress left the table, Fumiko reached into one of her pockets.

"You should have some manners, Fumi." Tsuki mocked her.

"I'm a paying customer, alright? Folks shouldn't be so tense all the time. We're all equal, aren't we?" Fumi mused.

"...maybe you've got a point." Tsuki shrugged, not really giving it any more thought.

In the corner of Tsukiko's eye, there was a man walking toward them. She glanced for a moment, before returning to her little paradise. The sound of footsteps across the floor went ignored, and the approach of a strange man went unnoticed.

"Excuse me." The man's deep voice startled them. "Miss Himura?"

"Eh?" Tsuki turned to see the man bowing. "Who're you?"

The man had a clean, black suit and red tie. He had short, trimmed black hair and silver framed glasses. His black leather shoes gleamed in the light. His dark green eyes stayed forward, glaring at the floor.

He held his hand close to his chest as a sign of deep respect. His body did not shake or stumble. His movements were tight, and precise, as he slowly stood back up straight.

"Hello. I'm the new local chief of police, my name is Ishikawa. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." The man introduced himself with a held out hand.

"New chief of police?" Tsukiko narrowed her eyes. "What happened to the old man?"

"Old man?" Ishikawa cocked his head. "My... predecessor? He retired."

"Retired..." Fumiko repeated. "Really? Doesn't sound like him."

"I don't know the details." Ishikawa said. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Tsukiko shook her head. "It's just... I know him well. He's helped me out a lot over the years."

"I've heard." Ishikawa nodded. "I was told he had a good relationship with the Knights Himura."

"I don't know if I'd say it was a good relationship..." Tsukiko chuckled, then sighed. "But... yeah, we got along."

"Sorry you had to hear it from me." Ishikawa bowed his head a little.

"It's fine." Tsukiko shook her head. "So, what did you need?"

Ishikawa held out his hand. "My superiors told me I should seek out the Knights and introduce myself. It's better for us to get acquainted with each other now than on the streets, right?"

"Your superiors?" Fumiko looked up at him.

"I worked at the Ministry of Justice up until a few weeks ago, when I was recommended to take over for the old chief." Ishikawa sighed. "I admit I'm not experienced in this field, so I'm still getting some guidance."

Tsukiko reached out and grabbed his hand. "So, we'll be running into you from now on?"

His grip was weak, and his motions were weaker. Tsuki took the lead, grabbing his hand tightly and shaking it, before letting go. His hand gently returned to his side.

"If everything goes well, then yes." Ishikawa confirmed with a nod. "You're... Himura Tsukiko, the third Knight Himura, after all. Am I right?"

"Yeah, you got it." Tsuki nodded.

"Okay, then..." Ishikawa turned to Fumiko. "And then you're... Nakano Fumiko."

"You knew? Didn't know I was that popular." Fumi chuckled. "Yeah, I'm Fumiko."

"It's just some basic deduction." Ishikawa smiled, just a little. "Doesn't everyone know your story by now?"

"Is it that well known?" Fumi looked away.

"...of course it is." Ishikawa said quietly. "At least in the force."

"...not sure how I feel about it." Fumiko admitted. "It's sort of weird being remembered for being part of some tragedy."

"...I don't want to disrespect you or my seniors, but..." Ishikawa took a moment to himself. "We don't see it as a tragedy. We see the entire situation as something we could have handled better. It was our job to get you the justice you deserved, and we failed you."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." Fumiko shook her head. "All's well that ends well. I'm safe now, the guy's in jail and... I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Right." Ishikawa put his hand over his chest. "We're thankful to the Knights for that."

"Oh, I see." Fumiko seemed to be paying more attention.

"Your actions haven't fallen on deaf ears, you know." Ishikawa said.

"What do you mean?" Tsuki asked.

"You've stirred up quite a name for yourself." Ishikawa paused. "You should be proud."

"...guess so."

Ishikawa was an oddly tense man, his posture straight and his face only holding the most earnest, confident look. Tsukiko wasn't really sure what to make of him, since he didn't seem like the type to wear his heart on his sleeve.

In moments of quiet, however, he'd tap his fingers against his thumb, loosely following the beat of the music around him. Occasionally, his eyes wandered, though they never strayed too far from the Knight and her friend.

"Meeting you in person..." Ishikawa paused. "You carry yourself with quite a presence."

"...pfft." Fumiko held back a laugh.

"Eh?" Ishikawa turned to Fumiko.

"I just... Whenever someone says Tsuki's scary or tough, I end up laughing every time." Fumiko smiled. "I guess I know a side of her no one else does."

"It's only natural." Ishikawa smiled back. "Though, I wouldn't say she's scary... I'd say Miss Himura's more imposing. Her presence fills a room with... intensity."

Tsuki shrugged. "I've never really thought about it."

"Do you know where I'd find the other Knights?" Ishikawa asked rather suddenly.

"I wouldn't know." Tsukiko gave him her usual answer.

"...I was hoping to meet them too." Ishikawa accepted his loss.

"Why?"

"Isn't it good to show that kind of respect to future colleagues?" Ishikawa spoke as if it were some deep philosophical phrase. "Besides, I wanted to meet them for myself, find out if the legends are true."

"If we work together, we'll meet eventually, right?" Tsukiko suggested. "Y'know, in a professional environment."

"Maybe you'll even get to see them fight in person." Fumi joked.

"Well..." Ishikawa adjusted his tie. "Could you at least give them a message for me the next time you meet?"

"What is it?"

"Chief Ishikawa looks forward to working with the Knights Himura." Ishikawa said with a strong voice.

"That all?" Fumi laughed a little.

"Yes." Ishikawa looked at her.

"Let's hope for the best." Tsuki offered her own positive outlook.

"Thanks." Ishikawa bowed his head again. "Let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

Tsukiko spoke up almost immediately. "Tell me what happened to the old man."

"...I don't know anything." Ishikawa repeated.

"Do you know where he went?" Tsukiko asked again, sure she wouldn't get a good answer. "I'd at least like to pay my respects, y'know?"

"Sorry." Ishikawa didn't have anything to tell her.

"It just doesn't seem like him to just... up and retire without telling anyone." Tsukiko looked up at Ishikawa.

"I'll let you know if I find anything on it." Ishikawa said softly.

The waitress arrived, squeezing herself between Chief Ishikawa and the table. The slice of cherry pie and a glass of milk were slid onto the table quickly and cleanly. By the time Tsuki turned to look at the waitress, she was gone.

"I was interrupting a meal, huh? Well, I think it's about time I see myself out." Ishikawa bowed. "Thank you."

"Don't sweat it." Fumiko focused on the slice of pie.

"Have a good day, Miss Himura." Ishikawa returned to his professional self.

Ishikawa took a step backward, then turned and started for the door. He faded back into the background noise as the two girls returned to their little rendezvous.

"So, what do you think?" Fumi watched Tsuki.

"Ehh, he's alright, I guess. You know I've always had trouble getting along with--"

"No, not the cop, the pie!" Fumiko looked on with anticipation.

"Oh!" Tsuki brought her fork down slowly, before cutting into the pie, and slowly raising a piece to her mouth. "Alright, alright, at least let me try it first."

"Try it!" Fumiko urged.

"Jeez!" Tsukiko hissed.

Tsuki put the pastry in her mouth and bit down. As soon as it hit her tongue, it hit her. Each piece had its own flavor and role in the dish, combining to make something extraordinary. With just a second, she knew what her answer was gonna be.

"It's good!" Tsuki spoke with her mouth full.

--

Fumiko insisted on paying the bill, and Tsukiko begrudgingly agreed to it. The Knight wasn't exactly a fan of this sort of unfair treatment. It didn't matter much in the long run, but it still felt wrong to have something so good for free.

Together, they stepped out of the restaurant and out onto the street. The sky had begun to dim. It started to turn yellowish in some parts. Local buildings cast longer shadows, and the streets were fuller now than when they were earlier.

The typical Tokyo hustle and bustle was at its strongest at morning, noon, and dusk. With each part of the day's cycle, thousands of people marched the streets, traveling to their next destination. Still, even here, one could find peace and refuge from all the noise.

Tsukiko's heels tapped against the asphalt with each step, demanding respect from all those around her. Fumiko clung to her arm tightly, something that still made Tsuki blush all those years later. Passersby moved out of the way, as if she were a shark crossing a school of fish.

"C'mon, let's go to the shrine, before it gets too late." Fumi suggested.

"Right now?" Tsuki kept herself balanced as Fumi pressed her weight onto her.

"Why not?" Fumi asked.

"You don't really go to a shrine once it's dark out, right?" Tsuki looked down at Fumiko. "Unless it's a festival."

"You're the spiritual one, you tell me!" Fumiko looked up at her.

"...it's not like I'm some kind of expert." Tsuki looked away.

"I wanna pray for the old man." Fumi hesitated. "He's probably alright, but... It's not like it'd hurt, right?"

"Me too. I hope he's somewhere good right now." Tsukiko entertained a dark thought in her head. "You don't think he--"

"Nah. If it happened, we would've known by now." Fumiko tried her best to assure her. "It's not like he was that old, anyway."

"...you're right." Tsukiko felt a bit relieved.

Fumiko stopped Tsuki. "Well, if we didn't get an answer out of that cop, maybe someone else knows."

"What do you mean?" Tsuki asked.

"Haven't Shizuka and Haru known him longer than we have?" Fumiko reminded her. "If anyone would know, it's them, especially Shizuka."

Tsuki nodded. "Good point."

"You wanna go right now?" Fumi asked.

"Well, you got something else to do?" Tsuki smiled.

"Nah, just making sure."

They turned around and started heading back to Aurelia's shop.