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[All-nighters are plentiful now. Of all the lame options in the Inaba police department, Adachi had to be saddled with the one with an actual work ethic. As in all facets of life, he was just exceptionally lucky. Elbows sliding forward on his desk, Adachi's forehead hits the mountain of papers in front of him with a muffled thud. Going through them will be useless, he knows (and after all, he surely knows best). They won't find their killer in here, wedged between words and fine print text, ink smudged because newspaper is cheap, but if Dojima looked up from his own immersion into the articles, searching so desperately for clues, he might find the culprit sitting across the desk.]

Do we really have to go through all of these again?

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...You know what, nevermind.

What the-

For crying out loud, Adachi! If anyone acts like a kid around here, it's you!

[Jerking at the loud tone of voice, Adachi slumps in his seat after, head lowered and eyes glued to the page. He has pretty much come to expect it by now. Dojima just wasn't the type to even know what a joke was let alone take it. But this was good, he told himself, this was great. As long as he was underestimated, then December would take them all by surprise. He just had to last until then. He didn't have to like it.]

...Sorry, sir.

‘Know what,

Maybe you’re right and I need a break. Why don’t we call it quits for the night?

What's the catch?

[There has to be one; there never isn't one.]

A catch, huh?

Gimme a minute. Haven't thought a one yet.

[A small smile.]

Tell me when you remember it, huh?

Yeah, I'll do that. Guess for now we'll just say you owe me one.

So you looking to head home, or..?

[It's a rule of the game. Adachi has to be 'all right' as much as possible. No matter how many insults, how many errands, and how many chores he's sent off to do like a kid being babysat, he had to be okay. Otherwise, why, the other man might start paying attention. Once he did, then he might start noticing all the millions of odd ends that didn't match up under Adachi's easy-going smile. It took a lot of teeth-gritting, and a lot of practice, but Adachi was rather skilled, if he could say so himself.]

Well, that offer to go grab a bite to eat's still open. Unless you've got to get home to watch some special program or something.

Yeah? I’m sure there’s something still open around this hour.

[That was easier than he thought. Adachi pulls his coat over his shoulder from the back of his seat as well, standing up. All those papers could wait for tomorrow. Or next year, because there wouldn't be one. Even better. He's the first one to the door, of course, holding it open after himself for Dojima (like a good partner should).]

Oooh, let's try to see if that barbecue place is open-

Yeah? You even got enough on you for barbecue?

[Sure he does, if he doesn't want to eat for the next two weeks, based on that chicken scratch they paid him. Inaba took him for a greenhorn, after all, rather than considering his prior experience in the city. Adachi's pace slows.]

...Yeah, guess not. Maybe the ramen stand.

Ha ha, don't worry about it. I'll cover you. Can't say I'm in the mood for ramen tonight.

[Like a cat in the bag. Adachi pockets the lighter again, excitement seeping back into his expression.]

R-really? I mean, you do it all the time, sir, it's kind of imposing, isn't it?

Ain't any point in sounding all sorry about it now. Either take it don't.

C'mon.

[Easy as pie. Looking excited, Adachi is quick to follow, right behind Dojima, rather than beside. (It was the little things like that, that mattered.)]

Man, it's been ages since I've had barbecue! This is gonna be great!

Isn't too far down from the station, is it? Guess we could just walk.

The weather's not too bad tonight.

[Which is surprising, really, for a town like Inaba. It's one of those eye of the storms - before another round of rainy days and fog began. Adachi briefly looks up at the sky, at the sliver of moon visible from the ground, and as a result, forgets to look where he's going - bumping straight into his partner.]

Whoa!

...

[Perhaps the only lucky part of the whole fiasco was the fact that as they went down, the cigarette fell to the floor beside them instead, landing on the lit end and rolling way. Adachi hardly registers anything until they come to a stop on the ground, and he rolls off with a groan, onto his back, before sitting up.]

S-sorry about that, sir. Are you okay?

[Maybe barbecue is not going to happen tonight.]

Watch where you’re going, dumb ass!

[A wince. Adachi's head stays there - hanging, but a hand raises to rub the sore spot.]

It was an accident.

Gimme a break,

How many times to I have to tell you to pay attention? C'mon, stand up.

Yes, sir.

[Oh so obediently, Adachi rolls onto his knees and then pushes himself onto his feet, brushing his clothes off afterward. Barbecue was looking less and less likely. In fact, if he got off without being scolded, he'd consider himself lucky, so he might as well take that opportunity now. He takes a step backward.]

Well, I guess I'll take my leave now. Have a good night, Dojima-san!