The ornate border of a clock, the pendulum swinging back and forth, every tick of the gears moving the minute hand further, counting down my time as a free man. My eyes flicked from the wall mounted clock to the window next to our table. The rain clouds had cleared, and the fog dissipated, as if evaporating. I could glimpse the outline of the inn from where we were, on the second floor of a café, as if our seating was chosen specifically for such a view. I could discern the clock tower, but the inn itself was hidden by narrow lines of buildings, parts reminiscent of old London, while others followed the structural properties of historic landmarks in Kyoto. The fog which had had wrapped the city in an opaque mystery, had fallen away to a light drizzle, like a curtain, revealing the city like a stage.

I felt like I was being watched, like some sort of animal. I was being scrutinized, by the official who sat beside me, his fedora placed neatly on the table, next to his tea cup, and the blonde man named William sitting across from me, his gaze flitting to and fro, as if expecting trouble to appear, from any and every shadow. It seemed to him that every worker and customer was suspect in his plight to guard his charge: the ash haired lady Annabeth of the Montgomery estate, as she had put it.

I swirled the cup of tea in my own hand, glancing away from Annabeth who smiled as she caught my gaze, opting instead to watch the golden brown liquid in the porcelain cup. My fidgeting movements created a miniature whirlpool within it, matching the state of my mind to a certain degree. Steam plumed form it, whirling about before vanishing into the cold air.

It was chilly, and I couldn't help the shivers that went down my spine, the dampness of my clothing doing me no favors.

"So, I presume you want something more than an apology?" I let out a sigh, looking up at the bemused lady Annabeth. "Let me reinstate that I did not steal from you. As for my lack of spatial awareness, I apologize. I didn't mean to bump into you, Ms. Annabeth"

"Just Annabeth is fine." She chuckled, her smile friendly, as if her company was not comprised of a police officer and a man her guard had tackled to the ground, then dragged here for a light dose of interrogation.

"Jun, Right?" She continued, sending a waitress off to fetch her something from the breakfast menu, from the look of it, it was a modified version of a real English breakfast: Bacon, eggs, bread maybe. My stomach grumbled at the thought of even a basic meal like that, and I proceeded to ignore it while Annabeth shot a look at the officer who sat beside me. "Officer Kato here is acquainted with you I presume?" 

I nodded stiffly, not knowing what to think or say as I took a sip of my tea, then sat it back down, holding back the wince from by brunt tongue. It was bitter, but I wasn't one to complain.

"Yes. A colleague of sorts" 

I gave a side glance at the man who finally spoke, having had ordered some sort of soup, or stew. It had arrived in a large bowl, and it had smelled of miso and pork, from where I sat. The savory sent wafted towards me, making the growls of my stomach more insistent.

Colleague..?? So that 'consulting assistant' title meant investigator...

...Burning cockroaches, what is this?

So I'm Jun? How does that make any sense? I'm clearly not. Definitely not. 

"He's an associate of mine. A troublesome one." The man added, taking a sip of his tea, shifting a firm look in my direction. 

Annabeth looked surprised, the expression on her face telling me she didn't quite expect that answer.

"A bleak spawn, in the police force? I didn't count the new shogun to be so...lax." She leaned forward, a brow raised as she rested her chin on her hand, the sleeve of her dress sliding down her wrist, exposing a dark, feathered tattoo.

A crow tattoo, or perhaps a raven.

At the sight of it, alarm bells set off in my head, assumptions rapid firing, some clicking in far too perfectly. The weight of the revolver in my pocket suddenly felt pronounced, regret bubbling up at not having thrown the damn thing away.

I found myself glaring at her eyes, trying to discern if they were simply brown or that crimson that I had seen staring back at me in that alley. I quickly looked away, receiving a death glare from William. 

"That, is not for a foreigner to question." The officer set down his tea cup with a clink. His voice was even, unemotional, adding to the hostile atmosphere. "Much less a young lady. You are a Foreign student, correct?"

William's grip on his silverware tightened, and his chair made a grinding noise as he shifted closer to his lady, his eyes glaring daggers at the official.

Annabeth simply chuckled, not seeming bothered in the slightest. "Yes, that's right. A transfer in for the new Science and Alchemical properties department. Arashi University is one of the best for the field work they offer, after all!" She beamed, her smile seemingly genuine, but the words themselves sent a shiver down my spine.

I averted my gaze, as the officer went silent, the weight of the gun in my pocket heavier than ever. The thought that this wasn't a play town, but an actual, 1900's era city, was slap in the face to my sanity. At this point, I was questioning it, my sanity, but at the same time, it was all too real.

That...was a dig at him. The officer. What kind of...political bullshit is this? Who are these people...?

Aaaah...I can't run. Bloody hells. 

I could see it in all play out in my head, the scene that would occur if I stood up, and attempted an escape. William's hand, a blur of motion, as the silver knife, which had been resting next to his plate, embedded into the back of my throat. A one way ticket to the afterlife, if this wasn't it already.

"...Well, I'm proof that the university is taking students again, right? It would be a shame if all their funding was going towards the military, wouldn't it?"

My gaze snapped up, as I stared at the lady who was still smiling, as if this was a pleasant exchange. She casually dismissed the waitress that nervously placed down the breakfast she had ordered, her gaze shifting to me as the waitress came back around to place a plate of crisp fried eggs and bacon in front of me. 

"Go on." Annabeth smiled, grabbing a fork and poking her own sunnyside egg, sprinkled with the slightest of pepper. "As an apology for the inconvenience, and for the rude behavior of my companion here."

"Oh. Just...tell him put a hold on the 'cutting off arms' threats next time?" I chuckled a bit, laughing off the tension that could easily be cut with a knife, eyeing the offered meal, then the volatile blond. "I'd say I need em, my arms."

"I would be careful of how you speak to Miss Annabeth, mutt." William snarled, the edge of the silverware glinting as he held it. His hand had a death grip on it, as if ready to impale someone.

"Do I look like a member of the canine family to you?" My smile strained as I snapped back, jaw clenching as I held in the urge to punch him. But of course, I had to play it civil. If a fight were to break out, the one who'll be getting the short end of the stick was me. 

"A mutt is a mutt. What else could you possibly be, other than a filthy cross breed?" He spat, leaning forward, the silverware clattering onto the table as he gripped the collar of my damp coat, a murderous glare on his face. "Your bloodline is clearly tainted, bleached."

"Willia-"

"Enough."

Annabeth's eyes widened as the official slammed his fist on the table, he stood up, his composure crumbling as his glare was now aimed at William, who had released his grip. The sudden commotion had the rest of the customers staring, whispers spreading, the waitresses and staff watching warily, as if waiting for an altercation.

"I said enough." He hissed, a threatening look crossing his features, the first time I had seen any semblance of emotion. "This is a public establishment."

"And you. Watanabe Jun. Get up." He turned to me, a look of pure disproval aimed at me. His voice was stern, a command spoken in Japanese. "I've had enough of this game. Don't slander your name any farther." 

"Eh...what..?" I stammered, confused, but not about to disobey as I got up. Noticing the anxious expression on waitress that had brought our food, I tilted by head down in apology, the flare of anger starting to recede. "Ah...sorry" I muttered in Japanese, glancing down at the table, where my tea cup had spilled over. I let out a hiss of breath, setting it back upright.

"I apologize for the trouble. Please send us the bill. Thank you." The officer bowed, shooting a stern look at the waitresses, prompting them to scurry back to the kitchen.

"We'll be leaving. Come." He grabbed my shoulder, giving me no choice but to follow, his grip like iron. I could feel William's glare digging into my back as the official ushered me out of the café, onto the street.

The sky had cleared up, the morning sun casting its light on the buildings, the light reflecting off the wet cobblestone, and the plethora of puddles that lined it. The rain had subsided, but the occasional drop fell, a reminder of the recent downpour. A few carriages trotted past, the hooves of horses clicking against the cobblestone, a echoing sound that rang across the encased area, surrounded by buildings on all sides. 

I let out a huff of breath, as the officer finally let go, rubbing his temple like an exasperated father.

"What were you thinking, Watanabe Jun??" He snapped at me, the stress lines on his face seeming to deepen. "Your brother asked me to look out for you, I can't--" 

"Whoa, whoa, wait a bloody second. Slow down. What did you say??"

"Do not play dumb, boy. You are a grown man, act like it." He sighed, his frustration showing as he grabbed my arm, pulling me into the alley way, away from prying eyes, or ears.

"Look, Sir. I have no idea what you're talking about." I yanked my arm free, the hairs on the back of my neck bristling as the officer stared at me, a look of utter disbelief on his face. "I...could have handled that better, yes, but at what point was I immature enough to be belittled like this?"

"I was not..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, the fedora on his head hiding his face, his hand covering the rest.

"Watanabe Jun. Look me in the eyes and tell me you aren't acting like an imbecile. This is not the time to pick a fight with anyone, much less foreigners of noble decent!" He hissed, my taller height nothing to the air of authority he exuded.

"..." I held my tongue, staring back at him, and then looking away. I wasn't one to get intimidated, or feel any kind of inferiority, but at that moment, I couldn't help but feel a chill down my spine.

Bloody hells, what is this?? What can I even do? Say? 

He let out a sigh, digging into his suit pocket before pulling out a fountain pen, turning it in his hand. It was black, and gold rimmed, the initials H.W engraved onto the side. He held it out, prompting me to take it.

"I don't understand..."

"Don't make me spell it out, Jun. It's yours now. It's all I was permitted take from the scene..." The Officer grimaced, before his expression returned to neutrality. "The evidence clause, broken to uphold my own promise...hah, just take it Jun."

"What...?" I muttered, my eyes widening slightly as I inspected the fountain pen, now in my hand. A familiarity flashed in my mind, brought back from the repressed depths. A lifeless body, splattered blood, a table, a letter, and the fountain pen that had rested there. The same fountain pen now clutched in my fingers. 

"Watanabe Hitoshi. Your elder brother...my friend, was found dead this morning at the Morning Glory inn, at the approximate time of 2:37am."