Maybe he shouldn’t be doing this. In hindsight, it was a little odd that he was. Did it really classify as stalking, though? Near had only been watching this person for about half an hour.

It was supposed to be a simple task. Head to the library, fetch a few maps of subway routes to better understand Mikami’s pathing. It should have only taken five or so minutes of his time.

But then he saw you. Ambitiously solving a puzzle that was entirely white. You were close to finishing it, too, and the set had to have at least 200 pieces.

He wasn’t doing himself any favors by standing around like this. Near wasn’t exactly what you’d call a social butterfly, but he had to satisfy his intrigue somehow. Intrigue that he felt was very misplaced- it was unusual for him to want to express his curiosity like this at all.

Regardless, when you clicked the final piece in place, Near approached you. He stood beside the table, looking at the completed work rather than your face.

“Hey.. what’s your name.”

He asked blandly, voice soft and tone flat. Near began to watch you from his peripheral, twirling a piece of his hair.