Chapter Text
"You're kidding"
"I am not"
His phone is returned to him by the blue-haired individual, and he scans the screen
"France? Can I have this one please?"
The other frowned
"You can, but you'll need approval from higher up"
The raven grinned
"Oh, consider that done"
☆
Kagehira Mika was in France
Very nice
He was currently staring at a chalk silhouette on the museum floor.
Not very nice
"And what all information do you have?" He asked an inspector
The inspector cleared his throat
"Other than what we provided earlier...museum security tells us the person was running away with this painting" He pointed to the wall
A gorgeous painting hung right over the chalked silhouette on the wall. Mika looked at it in awe. He had seen it in a picture before, but this was the real deal. What was it called again?
"Starry Night Over the Rhône" A voice replied to Mika's inside question
He turned around, along with the officer to see who it was
"I apologise sir, but this floor is off limits for today- "
The man scoffed
"I work here, officer...you cannot possibly shut down an entire floor! Especially since it is my favourite"
Mika would've butted in, explain that they were investigating a murder and they needed the floor to be empty for that to happen with minimum disturbance.
Would've is the key word
Because Mika was infact reading the description under the painting instead of taking the side of the law...which was, ironic.
"Mister Kagehira? A little help here?" The inspector called, catching Mika off guard
"Huh? What?"
The officer sighed
"Can you please help me explain to this young man that he isn't allowed here? Regardless of whether he works here?"
Mika looked at the inspector, then at the tape surrounding him, and then at the exquisitely dressed man.
"Um...I mean, he's just looking?"
The officer stood speechless and Mika was confused as to who's side he should be taking: The officer here on duty or, the better option, a man who Mika thought 100% belonged in the museum.
Not in that way.
"Indeed I am simply standing and looking at the painting. Honestly...investigate all you like, I am a museum curator and I can oversee the works here anytime I like"
"We will report you- "
"Nonsense, absolutely stupid" He walked to Mika's side, except on the other side of the tape.
Mika was trying to focus on the painting's analysis when the sound of clicking heels broke his concentration
"You"
Mika turned around
"Good Morning!"
"You aren't French are you?'
Mika blinked
"Mm...no?"
"Japanese?"
Mika opened his mouth and closed it again
"I- How did you- "
"Kansai region, interesting"
He figured out the region? Just from looking?
Who is this guy?
The man eyed Mika head to toe before settling his gaze on the other's eyes. Mika tried to stop himself from staring but the perfectly symmetrical eyeliner on the curator's face wasn't helping his case. Neither were his veronica eyes.
Mika had to, eventually, take a step back even though he knew the other wouldn't cross the police tape. The intensity of his glare wasn't something the detective was used to.
"Interesting colours"
The curator spoke
"mmm" Mika's vocal cords decided to quit working
After another spell of silence the curator walked back to the officer who had been standing silently, it wasn't just Mika who found this man scary.
"Right, I'll be heading back then"
"Wait!" The inspector said
...
"I had been notified that the murder took place in the afternoon and you were still in the mueseum at the time were you not sir?"
The curator nodded
"Obviously"
"That makes you part of the investigation, by the rule book of course"
He glared at the man, then at the painting, then at the region enclosed in yellow tape.
"l'audace...exactly how long will I have to stay on this floor?"
"As long as it takes for us to solve the murder" The officer conveniently motioned to Mika, who had been, for the past ten minutes, over-analysing the painting.
He turned to them and smiled
No one smiled back