AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sorry this chapter has taken so long! I was stuck for a long time...then the whole 2020 catastrophe hit...and I wasn't writing much at all...

But after learning how much people actually want this story, I popped in to look at why I was stuck and found suddenly I could get it started! AND introduce a character.

So, insert notation reminder: [B/F/N] is best friends name.

P.s. I'm going to try making best friend gender neutral for now, but I'm not very practiced in it. So I may use a pronoun substitute? Would "[pro]" or [gen] complicate things too much?  Because I'm worried using "they" as a singular in a written story might be confusing in this case...

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Story Continues

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[Y/N] breathed in crisp morning air deeply, letting it fill her lungs energize her.

This was it. Saturday. The weekend! Time to spend unwinding, quietly minding her own business. Well, not completely.

She grinned as a small cafe/bakery came into view, the sign board out front proudly advertising it's specials. She was going to start her day in the best of company.

Pushing through the door the chime of a bell echoed in [y/n]'s ear.  It was still early, and yet the line was already getting long as people waited for their coffee.

A deep, slow breath to steady herself gave [y/n] time to remind herself she didn't need to talk to anyone until she got to the counter.

At the head of the line, a familiar figure faced the customers, [B/F/N], the friend who had been with her since high school. No one outside her own family made [y/n] feel more comfortable in her own skin.

The line moved quickly enough, [y/n] spending the wait remembering the past week's mentorship with Matsuda, and her new friend Ide who was there at work to support her. Really, the job was going much better than she had thought it would given the first impression she had made.

"Earth to [N/N]," The voice snapped her to attention as she turned to realize that she was now the one in front of the counter, her best friend grinning at her broadly, "Welcome back. So. Did work go well yesterday? Making Progress??"

[B/F/N] didn't wait for an order to be placed, automatically setting to work putting together [Y/N] favorite caffeinated morning treat.

"I think so," The rookie officer replied, sighing, "I mean, Ide-san is easy to talk to, which helps. And Matsuda-Sempai has been doing his best as my mentor."

"You aren't replacing me with hot cops are you?!" [B/F/N] gasped, pretending to be indignant.

"No, no," [Y/N] laughed, "Never! Besties forever. Besides, I stand much better chance with a 2d character than any real guy."

They laughed together, and as she was handed her steamy drink, [Y/ N] moved to take a seat at a two seater table near the counter so she could continue chatting whenever her friend had a spare moment.

Pulling the latest volume of her favorite manga from he shoulder bag, [y/n] read as the early rush continued. The small bell on the door tickled her ear in the background as she took her time to go over each page.

She read each page once: to get the gist and enjoy the flow of the story.  Skim the art, immerse in the dialogue and narrative.

Twice: to admire each panel on the page as a separate work of art. The character design, the details of expressions, clothing, and backgrounds.

Thrice: to thoroughly check for any little hint of foreshadowing that may be referenced in future chapters.

She wove it all together and soaked it in, absorbed the experience, and felt the mangaka's work. It was almost as vivid as a moving picture, and the right story could make her shudder with delight.

"That good, huh?" Her best friend voice cut through her revelry as [y/ N] realize the bell hadn't chime in several minutes, "What's the series? Is it shonen? If it is, I might check it out, but you know I don't go for that shoujo sugar sap. I mean, romance is fine and all, but romantic manga is just-"

The bell cut them off, "And back to work. If you want to visit me in my shop, you should actually, y'know...just visit with me."

A gentle push jostled the rookie in her seat.

"Hey!" She laughed, "You could have spoken up sooner too!"

[E/C] eyes followed the barista to the counter, where a fresh wave of customers now waited. Her gaze, however, was soon torn away by a distinctive voice.

"I think this is it?" A man in casual clothing mumbled to himself, his brown eyes focused on his smart phone, "Caf'n'Cake...supposed t'be  Something special about the coff-"

"S-sempai?" [y/ N] stood rapidly, sending her chair skittering back.

In an in instant Matsuda's eyes were locked on hers, "[y/ N]-Chan?"

From behind the counter [b/f/n]'s eyes sparked curiously. With a broad grin they peered past the line at Matsuda "Oi, MatsuMatsu, turn that open sign over, Kay? Everyone already here gets served, but the I'm on break."

"H-huh?" Matsuda blinked at the barista, confused as to how they knew some version of his name, "Wha- ...me?"

"Is there someone named Matsu-something behind you?" The person behind the counter squirmed a brow before looking pointedly at their best friend, "This is your beloved mentor? Really?"

"Respected!" [Y/ N] corrected louder than necessary, "M-my...r-respedtic spemai ark what."

"Oh, shit..." [b/f/n]'s gaze widened at the severity of the nerves triggered by the teasing.

In the mean time, Matsuda had flipped the sign over as requested, his eye darting back and forth between barista and rookie detective with trepidation, "What's...going on, exactly?"

The barista just hummed idly and went back to serving the line of waiting customers ahead of Matsuda.

"Mrgh..." His kouhai whimpered as she tried to gather her nerves, "Friend shop...why..."

Stepping out of line for the time being, Matsuda walked toward her. If they were closing the shop for a bit, apparently due to his arrival, he could spare the time. Sitting across from her, he smiled, "Calm down...it's just me, right? So...that's your friend, huh? And this is their cafe?"

[Y/ N] nodded in silent embarrassment.

"I see," He shook his head with a half chuckle, "What are the odds. I saw this place recommended online searching for a new cafe to try. I had no idea...

"Anyway, don't let your friend get you flustered," he reached over and mussed her hair with a smile, "If they've been your friend long, you know friends like to do that."

He rolled his eyes, remembering how he was the butt of his colleagues' jokes during his younger days. though his hand now rested on the table, he gave her another smile. It almost reminded her of her brother's. It was genuine, and gentle, with a warmth that came from a sense of protective guidance. Seeing that smile on his face...she wasn't sure what she thought. But somehow, it wasn't right.

"I...I appreciate the advice, Matsuda-sempai,"  She smiled into her cup as she tried to figure out what was off about his smile. It was real. She wanted him to smile for real...

"Hey, MatsuMatsu!" The nickname from the barista was enough to make the NPA officer cringe.

"Please...don't call me that." He groused, in his memory a deceptively cute blonde with gothic fashion sense laughed and winked, speaking in the third person. Kira two...really just another victim, though for Misa Amane it had been as much by choice as anything, "My name is Touta Matsuda...I don't mind Matsuda -San...or even -kun..."

"Whatever, killjoy," [B/f/n] muttered, rolling their eyes with an under the breath grumble about how Matsuda needed to lighten up, "What's your order,old man?"

"O-old?!" Matsuda gaped at the new title, twitching slightly, "Oh come on! I said Matsuda-kun was fine! What old man let's people use kun? Huh?"

"Just place the order, Matsu-ojii..."

"That's even worse! How on earth do I pass as a grandfather?!"

A soft giggle, growing increasingly louder, distracted the comedy duo. Turning their attention to [y/ N], they saw her cover her mouth with her fingers, trying to hold in amusement that threatened to bubble over. Finally, she couldn't hold it anymore, her arms hugged her stomach as the humor spilled forth like so many dancing chimes.

"Matsuda-sempai, haha...y-heh-you're getting so..hah..flustered!" The stumbled words weren't her typical stuttering, but struggling to speak through laughter, "After...heeheehee...after all that talk! Hehehe it..heh..it's j-heheh-just...pfft...just..just tee-mheehehh-teeheehee-teasing!"

It seemed the more she tried to stop, the more she made herself laugh. Frankly, Matsuda wasn't sure how to respond. He sat staring at her...partially enjoying the sight of her letting go of her nervousness, partly worried about her inability to reign in the laughter.

After a few moments, he found himself letting out a small snort as the truth of her words mixed with the merriment of her own laughter. Soon Matsuda was laughing all out right along with her, joined shortly by [b/f/n].

"I'm ridi-heh-ridicous....some...some mentor," Matsuda wiped tears of laughter from his eyes,"I can't even follow my own advice eh-heh..."

"So, you can lighten up, Matsu-kun,"[b/f/n] snickered seeing him twitch, "I'm not saying the full name. Everyone gets a nickname. Give it up. Now, drink order. It's my treat."

"Wait, I don't-"

"[N/N], tell him how much good arguing will do," The barista sighed, starting to walk casually back toward the counter.

"Sorry, Matsuda-sempai," [y/ N] gave an apologetic smile, "they're very stubborn about this kind of thing. Just go with it."

"If you say so," Matsuda scratched the back of his head, "[b/f/n]-San, go on and surprise me. Something strong."

The rookie took in the dark circles under her mentor's eyes as he specifically requested something strong, "Umm, not that it's my business...but...are you not sleeping well, Senpai?"

Matsuda was startled by the question. Not so startled that he didn't notice her lack of stuttering, though. He looked down and breathed deeply, "I guess, working together, that makes it your business. You need to be able to trust your team to have your back, and if they aren't at full strength...or if they are for any reason behaving suspiciously...you can't count on them. You're asking the kind of questions you should. Always voice any doubts you have in your teammates...and always take the doubts others voice into consideration..."

"Matsuda-sempai?" The answer had gotten much heavier than she had anticipated, sucking the light mood right out of the atmosphere.

"I guess I went into work mode," Matsuda forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head and faking a smile, "Yeah, I've been having some insomnia lately. I'll try and get to bed early tonight. Don't let me get you down."

"Here we go!" A cup of steaming liquid, creamy brown beneath the froth but with the definite aroma of a promised caffeine kick, was set before Matsuda, "Matsu-kun, you just need a fun filled day to distract you and wear you out!"

A wicked grin curled across [b/f/n]'s face, "I know!! Time for a little role reversal. You may not realize, but to release that anxiety [n/ N] has to be a master of leisure time potential. Time for the mentor to become the mentee...[n/ N], you should take Matsu-kun with you today, show him how fun is done!"

"Wha- N-no! I'm sure h-he has better things to-"  [y/ N] dropped her gaze to the left, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Actually...I was wondering what I should do today," Matsuda spoke casually as he sipped his liquid fuel, "It's kind of pathetic, but I don't have much of a life these days, and I'm basically under orders to have fun.

"You would be helping me out, [y/ N]-Chan," His kind but broken brown eyes met hers.

She could tell there was something in that gaze, something skittish and yet longing for proof that trust was a thing. He had helped her so much, perhaps this was how she could help him in return.

"I...I didn't exactly have anything exciting planned," [y/ N] fidgeted with the effort to stay calm, "I d-don't mind if you want to hang out though..."

===

The Caf'n'Cake had been left behind the pair of NPA officers as they strolled down the sidewalk.

In her hands, [y/ N] carried a small box of cakes, enough that she and her mentor would have a snack later, and could take some to share with the squad on Monday.

In Matsuda's hands was a bag holding a tin of tea leaves. [B/F/N/] had insisted the blend could help is insomnia if he stuck to drinking it in the evenings.

Neither had been charged for their items.

"You know, your friend is going to put themself out of business," The older officer observed, glancing at his kouhai, "Giving things away like this."

"They don't do it for just anyone," [y/ N] rolled her eyes, "We have been best friends through a lot...and...I think they understand how much you've been helping me. So they are extending the besties treatment to you too."

"I see," Matsuda nodded, his gaze drifting ahead once more. He smiled at the lack of stutter from his side, but he didn't point it out. Last time he had, things had gotten more awkward than ever, "They don't have to. I'm more than willing to pay."

"Trust me...if they knew the truth about you and the team, you would all be getting free stuff, probably delivered," A sad smile drifted over her face, "I shouldn't go into detail, though."

"Oh..." Matsuda had enough wits to determine Kira was involved somehow. It probably was the vary reason he was 'cool' for helping to take him down, "Cool...as in admirable, right? That's what you meant back then. I still don't agree with it...but, I might understand a bit more. It had something to do with them?"

"We aren't allowed to ask about that, Senpai," She reminded him softly.

"Yeah...I know. Sorry," He sighed, scratching the back of his neck, "Um...I know I can't talk about the investigation...but I am willing to listen to your end of things...if you volunteer it."

"Thanks. I might take you up on that," Her smile turned up at him, still traced with sadness, but a hint of hope lighting it too, "I would like to explain everything."

"Alright. Deal," Matsuda smiled in return as they slowed to a stop. He looked to see where they had come to, "You really are into manga and stuff, aren't you?"

"Absolutely!" She grinned at him,  grabbing the cuff sleeve of his shirt and hauling him in, "Lets get you some escapism!"

===

An hour later the pair was exiting the store.

[Y/n] had arms looped with heavy bags of manga to keep her up to date on her favorite series, a few box set seasons of anime she had been waiting for, and a couple collectable figurines.

Matsuda now carried both the cake and his tea. He also had somehow obtained a bag with volumes of Shonen Jump, Shojou Beat, and a couple other magazines.

"What exactly do the magazine's do? And why shojou mags?" He was whining.

"Your mind is already on high action from your past...shojou might be just the escape you need, Sempai," [y/n] explained as though it was obvious, "And magazines provide a decent sample size. I can loan you volumes of different series, or you can buy, based on that!"

"Um...I see," The theory didn't make 100% sense to him, but he was happy his kouhai was trying to help in her own way, "What next? I think there's a cinema nearby, we could see what's playing?"

"You want to see a movie together?" [Y/n]'s eyes widened, her mind thinking back to the file-room debacle. At least there was no Disney movie playing.

"Sure. Think of it as a reward for doing so well with your training so far," Matsuda smiled.

"Oh, right. Of course! And it's the perfect way for you to relax," She smiled back, forcing a laugh, "Per Aizawa-san's orders."

===

The movie had been the sempai's treat, at his insistence, as he had been treated to so much through the day. He even insisted on paying for popcorn and drinks, which [y/ n] had been about to purchase for herself to complete the experience.

Matsuda said he had no interest in his own snacks, making it all the more ludicrous that he paid for hers.

"This is your reward, you shouldn't have to pay," he chided teasing as he handed over the necessary yen to the vender.

"You're spoiling me too much," she pouted back, earning a grin in return.

The movie theater darkened as they found their seats. The trailers began playing through and the pair silenced their phones so they wouldn't disrupt anything; though Matsuda made certain to advise leaving them on vibrate just in case the NPA needed through to them.

As the advertisements for films to come teased their interest, [y/ n] began munching her popcorn. She always ended up eating half during the previews, and never had enough left for the whole film. Mindless munching does that.

During a preview for a particularly creepy film, a hand touched hers in the popcorn bag. It judgmental happen during the jump scare they concluded the ad with, causing her to shriek anyone her hand back.

"I'm sorry! It's me!" Matsuda murmured, "It's just me. I didn't mean...I got munchy after all and...I won't happen again."

"D-damn right it won't!" [Y/n] Practically cursed under her breath, "Give me a rigging hack attart! And y-y-you ...t h-the bag....like...grmtz!!.."

He had been close to holding her hand by pure accident! Ide's words from the day before drifted back.

Do you want him to notice you?

The question had been phrase jokingly, because Matusda was the only one she called senpai. It's meaning was clear though. Did she like Matsuda? In any special way?

Her cheeks flushed at the idea and she was left very thankful for the dark theater as the movie finally began.

As to Matsuda, he was not exactly happy that her strange speech patterns had once more been triggered around him. Of course, given the circumstance, he understood her awkwardness. He felt rather awkward himself. It seemed being idiot Matsuda was not so easy to escape.

At least he knew what he had done wrong this time. He had to wonder about that weird noise she made at the end, though. Turning away from her; he suppressed a small laugh. What on earth was that sound effect supposed to be, other than cute.

Before he could overanalyze his own thoughts, the main feature started, and his eyes were locked onto the screen.

===

The movie ended, and the pair left the theater in silence; surrounded by the excited chatter of those who were dissecting the film's plot and characters.

"It was an interesting movie," Matsuda finally ventured to break the silence that had created an uncomfortable rift between them since the popcorn incident.

"Y-Yeahuh," the girl murmured with a nod.

"Listen," Matsuda breath out, scratching his cheek, "You know that was a total fluke, right? I..I mean, I'm not saying you wouldn't be...or that you aren't....erm...I'm just not looking for that right now...so...I definitely wasn't trying anything funny."

[Y/ N] flicked her [e/c] gaze up to meet his as he fumbled through his explanation. A small chuckle caught in her throughout before she dared speak, not yet able to shake the stutter, "Th-the guys w-weren't k-kidding. You're almost a-as awkward a-as me...

"I k-know you w-weren't d-doing..." her hands fidgeted with nothing as she let the explanation fade into a mumble,