"Eh, Shizuka, you know about Lupin the Third too?"
Hearing Shizuka Hiratsuka's soft gasp, Yukiko turned her head curiously.
"I've heard of him, but I'm not exactly familiar. I just happened to run into him once." Shizuka waved her hand dismissively. Although Lupin the Third's easygoing personality made it hard to hate him, his flirty, lecherous demeanor left her with no good impression at all.
"I see." Yukiko nodded lightly. She completely trusted Shizuka's words. Asking had only been out of pure curiosity.
Yusaku Kudo, sitting nearby, was the same. He didn't press Shizuka for more details.
They might be close friends, but both Yusaku and Yukiko respected Shizuka's personal life.
"That Lupin really can't sit still for a single day, huh." Shizuka shook her head slightly, clearly uninterested in the subject. She refocused on the cup of coffee in her hands.
"So then, the police chief wants you to help out, Yusaku?" Yukiko blinked, realizing that Shizuka wasn't interested in the topic. Her tone grew more casual.
She was curious about the infamous international thief, of course, but Yukiko knew she wouldn't be of any help with that sort of thing.
"Pretty much. Lupin the Third's reputation is huge. Tom may be proud of his own work, but he doesn't want something so embarrassing happening in his city." Yusaku chuckled. Unlike his son Shinichi, Yusaku enjoyed detective work but wasn't obsessed with it.
For him, participating in cases like this was more about gathering inspiration for his mystery novels than anything else.
"Well, that makes sense. Anyway, tonight you'll have to order takeout or eat out by yourself. Shizuka and I have plans." Yukiko teased, poking Yusaku's cheek before hopping off the sofa. She walked over to Shizuka and pulled her up.
"Come on, Shizuka. Let's get changed."
"Ah? Oh, okay. I'll head upstairs first, Yusaku." Shizuka quickly finished her coffee, waved at the husband who'd just been abandoned by his wife, and followed Yukiko upstairs to her dressing room.
"Ta-da!" Yukiko's face lit up with excitement as she pressed a button on the wall. With a satisfied smile, she gestured proudly at the sliding curtains that revealed a closet packed with clothes.
"Alright, Shizuka, let's pick something out."
"Let me be clear, Yukiko." Shizuka blinked, already wary of her friend's sudden enthusiasm. "We just need to find something suitable. I'm not playing dress-up with you."
"What? Come on, what's the harm in trying on a couple more outfits?" Yukiko pouted, her eyes roaming over Shizuka.
"You never pay enough attention to your appearance. That's why you've never had a boyfriend!"
"Ugh!" Shizuka clutched her chest as if struck.
"Honestly, isn't it more about me smoking, drinking, and having a blunt temper?"
"You know it yourself, yet you have no intention of changing." Yukiko poked Shizuka's nose, her expression half exasperated, half affectionate.
As Shizuka's friend for years, Yukiko knew her well. Outwardly, Shizuka was fit, naturally beautiful without makeup, and carried herself with a confident, boyish charm that easily drew the attention of women around her.
But what good was attracting women?
After every failed matchmaking attempt, Shizuka's mother would call Yukiko, complaining with endless frustration about her daughter scaring away every carefully chosen candidate.
At first, Shizuka's father had remained calm, even secretly pleased, saying there was no rush, that Shizuka would eventually meet the right one.
But now that she was almost thirty, even her father had begun to panic.
"Shizuka's beautiful, has a great figure, comes from a good family, and has an excellent education. Why can't she find a boyfriend?" The couple could only sigh helplessly whenever her marriage prospects came up.
"Come on now." Shizuka scratched the back of her head sheepishly, avoiding Yukiko's scolding gaze.
"Life's supposed to be lived freely. If I have to change my hobbies just to please someone else, wouldn't that be exhausting? If that's the case, I'd rather stay single forever."
"Honestly, you're just talking nonsense again." Yukiko shook her head. She'd had this conversation with Shizuka many times before. And every time, Shizuka would nod along, listen to everything, and then never change a thing.
'Could it be… what Sharon said was right? Should I really find someone for her…?' Yukiko's eyes flickered, recalling the words of her late friend.
"What's wrong, Yukiko?" Shizuka tilted her head, curious at the sight of her friend zoning out. She poked her shoulder.
"Ah, nothing, nothing." Yukiko quickly forced her usual smile.
"Anyway, let's pick out something for tonight."
"…Alright."
…
"You've arrived." With a faint but captivating smile, Chris stood at the entrance of the restaurant and nodded at the approaching Yukiko and Shizuka.
"Of course. You invited us, so how could we not come?" Yukiko grinned, glancing at Chris's outfit, which was both understated and stunning.
"Chris, you look gorgeous tonight."
"You really do." Shizuka nodded in agreement, a hint of admiration in her voice.
"Miss Hiratsuka looks very beautiful as well." Chris's smile deepened as she let her gaze linger on Shizuka for a moment longer than usual.
"Come inside. I've already reserved a table."
"Alright."
Yukiko's eyes flickered as she noticed Chris's warmth toward Shizuka, far more than before. A troubling thought quietly surfaced in her heart.
'No way… could it be?'